HB 1237

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to special postsecondary education
3	programs; creating s. 1004.226, F.S.; creating the 21st
4	Century Technology, Research, and Scholarship Enhancement
5	Act; providing legislative findings and intent; providing
6	definitions; creating the Florida Technology, Research,
7	and Scholarship Board within the Board of Governors of the
8	State University System; providing for members of the
9	board; providing for terms; providing for board members to
10	be reimbursed for per diem and expenses incurred in the
11	performance of their duties; requiring that the Board of
12	Governors of the State University System provide staff
13	support and other support for the board; requiring that
14	the board provide recommendations for the 21st Century
15	World Class Scholars Program and the Centers of Excellence
16	Program; authorizing the board to form committees and
17	consult with certain other entities; providing for the
18	21st Century World Class Scholars Program to provide
19	matching funds to state universities to pay salaries and
20	support research in science and technology; providing
21	guidelines for the board to consider in developing its
22	criteria for an award of matching funds; requiring a
23	minimum investment of private funds; specifying the
24	purposes of the Centers of Excellence; identifying the
25	entities that are eligible to submit proposals for a
26	center of excellence; requiring that the board develop
27	criteria for approving proposals to create or expand a
28	Center of Excellence; requiring that the board solicit
29	proposals and notify state universities and research
30	centers of a call for proposals; requiring that a Center
31	of Excellence approved under the act report on its
32	achievement of objectives; requiring certain documentation
33	if funds are approved for a Center of Excellence in excess
34	of a specified amount; requiring that the board submit an
35	annual report to the Governor and Legislature; creating s.
36	1004.635, F.S.; creating the State University System
37	Research and Economic Development Investment Program to
38	provide matching funds to institutions to construct and
39	acquire facilities and equipment to support research
40	programs and foster economic development; providing for
41	administration by the Board of Governors of the State
42	University System; specifying eligibility criteria for
43	state university participation; providing for the matching
44	of appropriated funds; providing appropriations; providing
45	for future repeal of s. 1004.226, F.S.; creating s.
46	1004.384, F.S.; authorizing a college of medicine at the
47	University of Central Florida; creating s. 1004.385, F.S.;
48	authorizing a college of medicine at Florida International
49	University; providing an effective date.
50
51	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
52
53	Section 1.  Section 1004.226, Florida Statutes, is created
54	to read:
55	1004.226  The 21st Century Technology, Research, and
56	Scholarship Enhancement Act.--
57	(1)  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.--
58	(a)  The Legislature finds that diversifying this state's
59	economy requires a focus on building a growing base of high-wage
60	jobs and on nurturing those technologies and clusters that will
61	be the foundation of Florida's growing economic diversity and
62	prosperity.
63	(b)  The Legislature further finds that special programs
64	are needed to facilitate the recruitment of exceptional talent
65	to Florida's research universities and centers and to provide
66	the infrastructure and resources that precipitate joint efforts
67	and coinvestment among state research and development
68	institutions, private industry, and government. Florida needs
69	consistent commitment and investment in order to further the
70	state's strategy of capitalizing on innovative research and
71	development to build a thriving, technology-rich economy.
72	(2)  CREATION.--The 21st Century Technology, Research, and
73	Scholarship Enhancement Act is created for the purpose of:
74	(a)  Investing in programs that attract world class
75	scholars and building Centers of Excellence as an important
76	means of increasing technology-based business in this state;
77	(b)  Requiring coinvestment as a means of leveraging state
78	dollars;
79	(c)  Aligning research and development efforts with
80	established, statewide economic-development strategies,
81	including an emphasis on identified economic clusters;
82	(d)  Facilitating value-added job creation through
83	continuous improvement in university research, as well as
84	entrepreneurship and capital-development programs; and
85	(e)  Establishing Florida as a leading state for
86	entrepreneurship and innovation, with continued commitment to
87	university Centers of Excellence and an expanding base of
88	research and development.
89	(3)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term:
90	(a)  "A 21st Century World Class Scholar" means a principal
91	researcher/investigator who has high academic credentials,
92	demonstrated competence, and experience that meets the
93	requirements established by the board for a 21st Century World
94	Class Scholar.
95	(b)  "Applicant" means any state university, private
96	university located in this state, or any private or public
97	research center, community college, or training center in this
98	state which coordinates with a state university for purposes of
99	this act.
100	(c)  "Board" means the Florida Technology, Research, and
101	Scholarship Board.
102	(d)  "Center of Excellence" means an organization of
103	personnel, facilities, and equipment established to accomplish
104	the purposes and objectives of this act.
105	(e)  "Community college" means a public community college
106	in this state as defined in s. 1000.21.
107	(f)  "Private university" means a baccalaureate degree-
108	granting independent nonprofit university that is accredited by
109	the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of
110	Colleges and Schools and that is located in and chartered as a
111	domestic corporation by the state.
112	(g)  "Research center" means an institute, center, or
113	clinic that includes research and development or education as a
114	principal mission of the organization.
115	(h)  "State university" means a public university in this
116	state as defined in s. 1000.21.
117	(4)  FLORIDA TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH, AND SCHOLARSHIP BOARD.--
118	The Florida Technology, Research, and Scholarship Board is
119	created within the Board of Governors of the State University
120	System to guide the establishment of Centers of Excellence and
121	the attraction of world class scholars.
122	(a)  The board shall consist of 11 members. Five members
123	shall be appointed by the Governor, one of whom the Governor
124	shall appoint as chair of the board, one of whom must be a
125	member of the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc.,
126	and one of whom must be a member of the Board of Governors of
127	the State University System. Three members shall be appointed by
128	the President of the Senate and three members shall be appointed
129	by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Appointed
130	members must be representative of business leaders, industrial
131	researchers, academic researchers, scientists, and leaders in
132	the emerging and advanced technology sector. Appointed members
133	may not serve for more than 4 years and any vacancy that occurs
134	during these appointees' terms shall be filled in the same
135	manner as the original appointment. A majority of members
136	constitutes a quorum.
137	(b)  Members of the board shall serve without compensation,
138	but are entitled to receive reimbursement for per diem and
139	travel expenses in accordance with s. 112.061 while in the
140	performance of their duties.
141	(c)  The Board of Governors shall provide staff support for
142	the activities of the board and per diem and travel expenses for
143	board members.
144	(d)  The board is charged with recommending criteria to the
145	Board of Governors for the 21st Century World Class Scholars
146	Program and with providing guidance to the Board of Governors
147	regarding the implementation and administration of the Centers
148	of Excellence Program. The board shall recommend to the Board of
149	Governors the qualifications, standards, and requirements for
150	approval of investments in Centers of Excellence under this act.
151	The board may form committees of its members and is encouraged
152	to consult with Enterprise Florida, Inc., the Florida Research
153	Consortium, Bio-Florida, IT Florida, the Florida Aviation
154	Aerospace Alliance, and any other entity whose input may be
155	helpful in determining the requirements and standards for the
156	program.
157	(5)  THE 21ST CENTURY WORLD CLASS SCHOLARS PROGRAM.--
158	(a)  This act allocates state matching funds to attract
159	21st Century World Class Scholars to state universities.
160	(b)  The 21st Century World Class Scholars Program shall be
161	used as a tool to develop the state's capabilities in science
162	and high-technology research, emphasizing Florida's identified
163	strengths in science and technology while also recognizing new
164	technologies as they may emerge.
165	(c)  The board, in consultation with senior administrators
166	of state universities, state university foundation directors,
167	the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, the
168	board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and leading
169	members of private industry, shall develop and recommend to the
170	Board of Governors criteria for the 21st Century World Class
171	Scholars Program. Such criteria shall address, at a minimum, the
172	following:
173	1.  The presence of distinguished faculty members,
174	including whether the university has a substantial history of
175	external funding, along with the strong potential for attracting
176	a scholar of national or international eminence.
177	2.  The presence of academically outstanding students,
178	along with the promise and potential for attracting additional
179	highly qualified students.
180	3.  The presence of adequate research and scholarly support
181	services.
182	4.  The existence of an academic environment having
183	appropriate infrastructure, including buildings, classrooms,
184	libraries, laboratories, and specialized equipment, that is
185	conducive to the conduct of the highest quality of scholarship
186	and research.
187	5.  The demonstration of concordance with Florida's
188	strategic plan for economic development or an emphasis on one or
189	more emerging sciences or technologies that could favorably
190	impact the state's economic future.
191	(d)  A state university must raise a minimum of $1 million
192	to be eligible for state matching funds to recruit a 21st
193	Century World Class Scholar. Funds raised by the university
194	shall be eligible for a one-to-one match from the state.
195	Revenues received from state appropriations, student tuition and
196	fees, and state-funded contracts or grants are not eligible for
197	state match.
198	(e)  Upon the verification by the Board of Governors that a
199	state university has met the criteria for a 21st Century World
200	Class Scholar, the Board of Governors shall release matching
201	funds to the university. Funds shall be used for the purpose of
202	recruiting a 21st Century World Class Scholar and shall be
203	expended according to an expenditure plan approved by the Board
204	of Governors.
205	(f)  This act is not intended to replace or obviate
206	existing programs.
207	(6)  CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.--
208	(a)  The purposes and objectives of a Center of Excellence
209	include:
210	1.  Identifying and pursuing opportunities for university
211	scholars, research center scientists and engineers, and private
212	businesses to form collaborative partnerships to foster and
213	promote the research required to develop commercially promising,
214	advanced, and innovative science and technology and to transfer
215	those discoveries to commercial sectors.
216	2.  Acquiring and leveraging public-sector and private-
217	sector funding to provide the totality of funds, personnel,
218	facilities, equipment, and other resources needed to support the
219	research required to develop commercially promising, advanced,
220	and innovative science and technology and to transfer those
221	discoveries to commercial sectors.
222	3.  Recruiting and retaining world class scholars, high-
223	performing students, and leading scientists and engineers in
224	technology disciplines to engage in research in this state and
225	to develop commercially promising, advanced, and innovative
226	science and technology.
227	4.  Enhancing and expanding science and technology
228	curricula and laboratory resources at universities and research
229	centers in this state.
230	5.  Increasing the number of high-performing students in
231	science and technology disciplines who graduate from
232	universities in this state and pursue careers in this state.
233	6.  Stimulating and supporting the inception, growth, and
234	diversification of science and technology-based businesses and
235	ventures in Florida and increasing employment opportunities for
236	the workforce needed to support such businesses.
237	(b)  The following entities are eligible to submit
238	proposals for a center of excellence:
239	1.  Any state university.
240	2.  Any private university.
241	3.  The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research
242	Institute.
243	4.  The Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition,
244	Inc.
245	5.  Any community college, training center, or other public
246	or private research center in the state which coordinates with a
247	state university for purposes of this act.
248	(c)  The board shall recommend to the Board of Governors
249	criteria for approving proposals to create or expand a Center of
250	Excellence. Such criteria shall consider:
251	1.  The maturity of the applicant's existing programs
252	relating to a proposed Center of Excellence.
253	2.  The comprehensiveness and effectiveness of site plans
254	relating to a proposed Center of Excellence.
255	3.  The existing amount of the applicant's resources
256	dedicated to activities relating to a proposed Center of
257	Excellence.
258	4.  The regional economic structure and climate.
259	5.  The degree to which the applicant identifies and seizes
260	opportunities to collaborate with other public or private
261	entities for research purposes.
262	6.  The presence of a comprehensive performance and
263	accountability measurement system.
264	7.  The use of an integrated research and development
265	strategy using multiple levels of the educational system.
266	8.  The ability of the applicant to raise research funds
267	and leverage public and private investment dollars to support
268	advanced and emerging scientific and technological research and
269	development projects.
270	9.  The degree to which the applicant transfers advanced
271	and emerging sciences and technologies from its laboratories to
272	the commercial sector.
273	10.  The degree to which the applicant stimulates and
274	supports the creation of new ventures.
275	11.  The existence of a plan to enhance academic curricula
276	by improving communication between academia and industry.
277	12.  The existence of a plan to increase the number,
278	quality, and retention rate of faculty and graduate students in
279	advancing and emerging science and technology-based disciplines.
280	13.  The existence of a plan to increase the likelihood of
281	faculty and graduate students pursuing private-sector careers in
282	the state.
283	14.  The ability of the applicant to provide capital
284	facilities necessary to support research and development.
285	(d)  To call for proposals, the board shall notify the
286	president or chief executive officer of the eligible entities
287	identified in paragraph (b). The board shall periodically
288	solicit proposals for Centers of Excellence.
289	(e)  The board shall recommend to the Board of Governors
290	for approval and funding those proposals that meet the criteria
291	approved by the Board of Governors.
292	(f)  If no proposal is judged worthy of approval during a
293	solicitation cycle, an approval need not be made. This act does
294	not establish a limit for an investment amount; however, any
295	approval for a single Center of Excellence exceeding $20 million
296	must be documented to have superior prospects for success in its
297	field of research and offer outstanding opportunities to
298	leverage state dollars.
299	(7)  ANNUAL REPORT.--The board, in cooperation with the
300	Board of Governors of the State University System and the state
301	universities or research centers receiving investments under
302	this act, shall issue an annual report by December 31 each year
303	of the activities conducted, including the accomplishments and
304	overall economic benefits to the state, the number of 21st
305	Century World Class Scholars attracted, the number of Centers of
306	Excellence created or expanded, the success of collaborations
307	with related industries, and the success of these programs. The
308	annual report shall be presented to the Governor, the President
309	of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
310	The annual report must include a copy of an independent audit of
311	the board and a review of the progress of programs administered
312	by the board.
313	Section 2.  For the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the sum of $8
314	million is appropriated from general revenue funds to the
315	University of South Florida for the purpose of enhancing
316	graduate programs.
317	Section 3.  Section 1004.635, Florida Statutes, is created
318	to read:
319	1004.635  State University System Research and Economic
320	Development Investment Program.--
321	(1)  LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--It is the intent of the
322	Legislature to create an investment program in state
323	universities that enhances graduate education and enables state
324	universities to become nationally competitive in science and
325	technology-based economic development.
326	(2)  GENERAL PROVISIONS.--There is created the State
327	University System Research and Economic Development Investment
328	Program to provide matching funds to eligible institutions to
329	construct and acquire cutting-edge, state-of-the-art science and
330	engineering research facilities and specialized equipment to
331	support research programs, foster economic development, and
332	accelerate Florida's innovation economy. The program shall be
333	administered by the Board of Governors of the State University
334	System.
335	(3)  INSTITUTIONAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.--
336	(a)  To be eligible to participate in the State University
337	System Research and Economic Development Investment Program at
338	Funding Level 1, a state university must meet each of the
339	following criteria:
340	1.  The number of nonprofessional doctoral degrees awarded
341	each year must exceed 250. For purposes of this section,
342	nonprofessional doctoral degrees do not include degrees awarded
343	in law, medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine. At least
344	25 percent of the nonprofessional doctoral degrees must be in a
345	mathematics, science, technology, engineering, or health-related
346	discipline as defined by Classification of Instructional Program
347	codes.
348	2.  The number of postdoctoral appointees reported in the
349	most recent NSF/NIH Survey of Graduate Students and
350	Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering must exceed 200.
351	3.  The 4-year undergraduate graduation rate must equal 40
352	percent or higher.
353	4.  Expenditures from externally awarded contracts and
354	grants must be a minimum of $100 million per year.
355	5.  The university must have a proven track record of
356	securing patents and licenses leading to products in the
357	marketplace over the last 5 years.
358	6.  At least 75 percent of the entering freshmen each
359	academic year who are classified as residents for tuition
360	purposes pursuant to s. 1009.21 must be eligible to receive
361	Florida Bright Futures Scholarships.
362	7.  The Basic Classification of the university, according
363	to the 2005 Carnegie Classifications, must be as a research
364	university with very high research activity.
365	(b)  To be eligible to participate in the State University
366	System Research and Economic Development Investment Program at
367	Funding Level 2, a state university must meet, at a minimum, the
368	requirements of subparagraphs (a)4. and 7.
369
370	The Board of Governors shall develop uniform guidelines,
371	definitions, and reporting formats for a university to use to
372	demonstrate that it meets each of the criteria described in this
373	subsection. The Board of Governors shall determine the
374	eligibility status of a state university to participate in the
375	program provided that a state university may not participate in
376	both Funding Level 1 and Funding Level 2 simultaneously.
377	(4)  USE OF FUNDS.--Funds appropriated for the State
378	University System Research and Economic Development Investment
379	Program shall be used by the Board of Governors to match funds
380	raised by an eligible university from nonuniversity sources on a
381	one-time dollar-for-dollar basis.
382	Section 4.  For the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the sum of
383	$95,000,000 is appropriated from nonrecurring general revenue
384	funds to the Board of Governors of the State University System
385	of which $20 million shall be allocated for the 21st Century
386	World Class Scholars Program, $30 million shall be allocated for
387	the Centers of Excellence Program, $36.5 million shall be
388	allocated for Funding Level 1 of State University System
389	Research and Economic Development Investment Program, and $8.5
390	million shall be allocated for Funding Level 2 of the State
391	University System Research and Economic Development Investment
392	Program.
393	Section 5.  For the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the sum of $5
394	million is appropriated from nonrecurring general revenue to the
395	State Board of Education for the Dr. Philip Benjamin Matching
396	Grant Program for Community Colleges to match donations for
397	scholarships for first-generation-in-college students.
398	Section 6.  Section 1004.226, Florida Statutes, shall
399	expire on June 30, 2011.
400	Section 7.  Section 1004.384, Florida Statutes, is created
401	to read:
402	1004.384  University of Central Florida College of
403	Medicine.--A college of medicine, as approved by the Board of
404	Governors on March 23, 2006, is authorized at the University of
405	Central Florida.
406	Section 8.  Section 1004.385, Florida Statutes, is created
407	to read:
408	1004.385  Florida International University College of
409	Medicine.--A college of medicine, as approved by the Board of
410	Governors on March 23, 2006, is authorized at Florida
411	International University.
412	Section 9.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2006.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.