Senate Bill sb2084
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Florida Senate - 2006 SB 2084
By Senator Alexander
17-1622B-06
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to advanced science and
3 technology research; creating s. 1004.226,
4 F.S.; creating the 21st Century Technology,
5 Research, and Scholarship Enhancement Act;
6 providing legislative findings and intent;
7 providing definitions; creating the Florida
8 Technology, Research, and Scholarship Board
9 within the Board of Governors of the State
10 University System; providing for members of the
11 board; providing for terms; providing for board
12 members to be reimbursed for per diem and
13 expenses incurred in the performance of their
14 duties; requiring that the Board of Governors
15 of the State University System provide staff
16 support and other support for the board;
17 requiring that the board provide
18 recommendations for the 21st Century World
19 Class Scholars Program and the Centers of
20 Excellence Program; authorizing the board to
21 form committees and consult with certain other
22 entities; providing for the 21st Century World
23 Class Scholars Program to provide matching
24 funds to state universities to pay salaries and
25 support research in science and technology;
26 providing guidelines for the board to consider
27 in developing its criteria for an award of
28 matching funds; requiring a minimum investment
29 of private funds; specifying the purposes of
30 the Centers of Excellence; requiring that the
31 board develop criteria for approving proposals
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Florida Senate - 2006 SB 2084
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1 to create or expand a Center of Excellence;
2 requiring that the board solicit proposals and
3 notify state universities and research centers
4 of a call for proposals; requiring that a
5 Center of Excellence approved under the act
6 report on its achievement of objectives;
7 requiring certain documentation if funds are
8 approved for a Center of Excellence in excess
9 of a specified amount; requiring that the board
10 submit an annual report to the Governor and
11 Legislature; providing appropriations;
12 providing for carrying forward certain
13 unexpended balances of an appropriation;
14 authorizing additional positions; providing for
15 the future repeal of the act; providing an
16 effective date.
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18 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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20 Section 1. Section 1004.226, Florida Statutes, is
21 created to read:
22 1004.226 The 21st Century Technology, Research, and
23 Scholarship Enhancement Act.--
24 (1) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.--
25 (a) The Legislature finds that diversifying this
26 state's economy requires a focus on building a growing base of
27 high-wage jobs and on nurturing those technologies and
28 clusters that will be the foundation of Florida's growing
29 economic diversity and prosperity.
30 (b) The Legislature further finds that special
31 programs are needed to facilitate the recruitment of
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Florida Senate - 2006 SB 2084
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1 exceptional talent to Florida's research universities and
2 centers and to provide the infrastructure and resources that
3 precipitate joint efforts and coinvestment among state
4 research and development institutions, private industry, and
5 government. Florida needs consistent commitment and investment
6 in order to further the state's strategy of capitalizing on
7 innovative research and development to build a thriving,
8 technology-rich economy.
9 (2) CREATION.--The 21st Century Technology, Research,
10 and Scholarship Enhancement Act is created for the purpose of:
11 (a) Investing in programs that attract world class
12 scholars and building Centers of Excellence as an important
13 means of increasing technology-based business in this state;
14 (b) Requiring coinvestment as a means of leveraging
15 state dollars;
16 (c) Aligning research and development efforts with
17 established, statewide economic-development strategies,
18 including an emphasis on identified economic clusters;
19 (d) Facilitating value-added job creation through
20 continuous improvement in university research, as well as
21 entrepreneurship and capital-development programs; and
22 (e) Establishing Florida as a leading state for
23 entrepreneurship and innovation, with continued commitment to
24 university Centers of Excellence and an expanding base of
25 research and development.
26 (3) DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term:
27 (a) "A 21st Century World Class Scholar" means a
28 principal researcher/investigator who has high academic
29 credentials, demonstrated competence, and experience that
30 meets the requirements established by the board for a 21st
31 Century World Class Scholar.
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Florida Senate - 2006 SB 2084
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1 (b) "Applicant" means any state university, private
2 university located in this state, or any private or public
3 research center, community college, or training center in this
4 state which coordinates with a state university for purposes
5 of this act.
6 (c) "Board" means the Florida Technology, Research,
7 and Scholarship Board.
8 (d) "Center of Excellence" means an organization of
9 personnel, facilities, and equipment established at or in
10 collaboration with one or more state universities to
11 accomplish the purposes and objectives of this act.
12 (e) "Research center" means an institute, center, or
13 clinic that includes research and development or education as
14 a principal mission of the organization.
15 (f) "State university" means a Florida public
16 university as defined in s. 1000.21.
17 (4) The Florida Technology, Research, and Scholarship
18 Board is created within the Board of Governors of the State
19 University System to guide the establishment of Centers of
20 Excellence and the attraction of world class scholars.
21 (a) The board shall consist of 11 members. Seven
22 members shall be appointed by the Governor, one of whom the
23 Governor shall appoint as chair of the board, and one of whom
24 must be a member of the board of directors of Enterprise
25 Florida, Inc., and one of whom must be a member of the Board
26 of Governors of the State University System. Two members shall
27 be appointed by the President of the Senate and two members
28 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
29 Representatives. Appointed members must be representative of
30 business leaders, industrial researchers, academic
31 researchers, scientists, and leaders in the emerging and
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1 advanced technology sector. Appointed members may not serve
2 for more than 4 years and any vacancy that occurs during these
3 appointees' terms shall be filled in the same manner as the
4 original appointment. A majority of members constitutes a
5 quorum.
6 (b) Members of the board shall serve without
7 compensation, but are entitled to receive reimbursement for
8 per diem and travel expenses in accordance with s. 112.061
9 while in the performance of their duties.
10 (c) The Board of Governors shall provide staff support
11 for the activities of the board and per diem and travel
12 expenses for board members.
13 (d) The board is charged with recommending criteria to
14 the Board of Governors for the 21st Century World Class
15 Scholars Program and with the implementation and
16 administration of the Centers of Excellence Program. The
17 board, consistent with the provisions of this act, shall
18 solely determine the qualifications, standards, and
19 requirements for approval of investments in Centers of
20 Excellence under this act. The board may form committees of
21 its members, and is encouraged to consult with Enterprise
22 Florida, Inc., the Florida Research Consortium, Bio-Florida,
23 IT Florida, the Florida Aviation and Aerospace Alliance, and
24 any other entity whose input may be helpful in determining the
25 requirements and standards for the program.
26 (5) THE 21ST CENTURY WORLD CLASS SCHOLARS PROGRAM.--
27 (a) This act allocates resources to attract 21st
28 Century World Class Scholars to state universities by
29 cofunding endowments for salaries and operating funds and
30 cofunding the purchase of equipment in support of the
31 scholar's research.
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1 (b) The 21st Century World Class Scholars Program
2 shall be used as a tool to develop the state's capabilities in
3 science and high-technology research, emphasizing Florida's
4 identified strengths in science and technology disciplines
5 while also recognizing new technologies as they may emerge.
6 (c) The board, in consultation with senior
7 administrators of state universities, state university
8 foundation directors, the Office of Tourism, Trade, and
9 Economic Development, the board of directors of Enterprise
10 Florida, Inc., and leading members of private industry, shall
11 approve criteria for the 21st Century World Class Scholars
12 Program.
13 (d) In developing the criteria for the 21st Century
14 World Class Scholars Program, the board shall consider the
15 following guidelines to judge a state university's
16 qualification for an award:
17 1. The presence of distinguished faculty members,
18 including whether the university has a substantial history of
19 external funding, along with the strong potential for
20 attracting a scholar of national or international eminence.
21 2. The presence of academically outstanding graduate
22 students, along with the promise and potential for attracting
23 additional highly qualified students.
24 3. The presence of adequate research and scholarly
25 support services.
26 4. The existence of an academic environment having
27 appropriate infrastructure, including buildings, classrooms,
28 libraries, laboratories, and specialized equipment, which is
29 conducive to the conduct of the highest quality of scholarship
30 and research.
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Florida Senate - 2006 SB 2084
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1 5. The demonstration of concordance with Florida's
2 strategic plan for economic development or an emphasis on one
3 or more emerging sciences or technologies that could favorably
4 impact the state's economic future.
5 (e) A minimum amount of private funds, no less than $1
6 million, must be coinvested with state dollars to recruit a
7 21st Century World Class Scholar. State appropriations may not
8 be used for this purpose.
9 (f) Upon the verification by the Board of Governors
10 that a state university has met the criteria for a 21st
11 Century World Class Scholar, the Board of Governors shall
12 immediately release matching funds to the university's
13 endowment in support of the scholar. The state shall match
14 private funding one to one. Endowment proceeds may be used for
15 the salary or to supplement the salary of the 21st Century
16 World Class Scholar or for individuals directly associated
17 with the scholar's research and for expenses related to the
18 research.
19 (g) This act does not replace or obviate existing
20 programs. This act creates an additional resource that is
21 sufficiently funded to accomplish its stated goals.
22 (6) CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.--
23 (a) The purposes and objectives of a Center of
24 Excellence include:
25 1. Identifying and pursuing opportunities for
26 university scholars, research center scientists and engineers,
27 and private businesses to form collaborative partnerships to
28 foster and promote the research required to develop
29 commercially promising, advanced, and innovative science and
30 technology and to transfer those discoveries to commercial
31 sectors.
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1 2. Acquiring and leveraging public- and private-sector
2 funding to provide the totality of funds, personnel,
3 facilities, equipment, and other resources needed to support
4 the research required to develop commercially promising,
5 advanced, and innovative science and technology and to
6 transfer those discoveries to commercial sectors.
7 3. Recruiting and retaining world class scholars,
8 high-performing students, and leading scientists and engineers
9 in technology disciplines to engage in research in this state
10 and to develop commercially promising, advanced, and
11 innovative science and technology.
12 4. Enhancing and expanding science and technology
13 curricula and laboratory resources at universities and
14 research centers in this state.
15 5. Increasing the number of high-performing students
16 in science and technology disciplines who graduate from
17 universities in this state and pursue careers in this state.
18 6. Stimulating and supporting the inception, growth,
19 and diversification of science and technology-based businesses
20 and ventures in Florida and increasing employment
21 opportunities for the workforce needed to support such
22 businesses.
23 (b) The board shall develop criteria for approving
24 proposals to create or expand a Center of Excellence. Such
25 criteria must consider:
26 1. The maturity of the applicant's existing programs
27 relating to a proposed Center of Excellence.
28 2. The comprehensiveness and effectiveness of site
29 plans relating to a proposed Center of Excellence.
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1 3. The existing amount of the applicant's resources
2 dedicated to activities relating to a proposed Center of
3 Excellence.
4 4. The regional economic structure and climate.
5 5. The degree to which the applicant identifies and
6 seizes opportunities to collaborate with other public or
7 private entities for research purposes.
8 6. The presence of a comprehensive performance and
9 accountability measurement system.
10 7. The use of an integrated research and development
11 strategy using multiple levels of the educational system.
12 8. The ability of the applicant to raise research
13 funds and leverage public and private investment dollars to
14 support advanced and emerging scientific and technological
15 research and development projects.
16 9. The degree to which the applicant transfers
17 advanced and emerging sciences and technologies from its
18 laboratories to the commercial sector.
19 10. The degree to which the applicant stimulates and
20 supports the creation of new ventures.
21 11. The existence of a plan to enhance academic
22 curricula by improving communication between academia and
23 industry.
24 12. The existence of a plan to increase the number,
25 quality, and retention rate of faculty and graduate students
26 in advancing and emerging science and technology-based
27 disciplines.
28 13. The existence of a plan to increase the likelihood
29 of faculty and graduate students pursuing private-sector
30 careers in the state.
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Florida Senate - 2006 SB 2084
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1 14. The ability of the applicant to provide capital
2 facilities necessary to support research and development.
3 (c) The board shall periodically solicit proposals for
4 Centers of Excellence. The board may issue broad solicitations
5 for applicants to establish a Center of Excellence, including
6 entities other than state universities. All applicants must
7 submit and demonstrate coordination with one or more state
8 universities in order to be eligible for funding. The board
9 may solicit proposals for a more defined Center of Excellence
10 that is intended to meet identified needs or capitalize on
11 perceived technology and research opportunities. The board
12 shall notify the president of each state university and
13 applicable research centers in this state of the call for
14 proposals.
15 (d) The board shall approve and fund only those
16 proposals meeting its criteria, and shall grant approvals in
17 its sole discretion, subject to the guidance of this act. The
18 board shall require any Center of Excellence receiving funding
19 under this act to provide at least annual reports concerning
20 its achievement of objectives as identified and presented in
21 the approved proposal.
22 (e) If no proposal is judged worthy of approval during
23 a solicitation cycle, an approval need not be made. This act
24 does not establish a limit for an investment amount; however,
25 any approval for a single Center of Excellence exceeding $20
26 million must be documented to have superior prospects for
27 success in its field of research and offer outstanding
28 opportunities to leverage state dollars.
29 (8) ANNUAL REPORT.--The board, in cooperation with the
30 Board of Governors of the State University System and the
31 state universities or research centers receiving investments
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1 under this act, shall issue an annual report by December 31
2 each year of the activities conducted, including the
3 accomplishments and overall economic benefits to the state,
4 the number of 21st Century World Class Scholars attracted, the
5 number of Centers of Excellence created or expanded, the
6 success of collaborations with related industries, and the
7 success of these programs. The annual report shall be
8 presented to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and
9 the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The annual report
10 must include a copy of an independent audit of the board and a
11 review of the progress of programs administered by the board.
12 Section 2. For the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the sum of
13 $200 million is appropriated from nonrecurring general revenue
14 to the Board of Governors of the State University System, of
15 which $100 million shall be allocated for the 21st Century
16 World Class Scholars Program and $100 million for the Centers
17 of Excellence Program. Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant
18 to s. 216.351, Florida Statutes, any unexpended balance from
19 this appropriation shall be carried forward at the end of each
20 fiscal year until the 2009-2010 fiscal year. At the end of the
21 2009-2010 fiscal year, any remaining balance of this
22 appropriation which has not been disbursed by the Board of
23 Governors shall revert unallocated to the General Revenue
24 Fund.
25 Section 3. The following sums of money and full-time
26 equivalent positions are appropriated to the Board of
27 Governors of the State University System for the 2006-2007
28 fiscal year for the purpose of administering this act:
29 (1) Two full-time equivalent positions and 130,000 in
30 approved annual salary rate;
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1 (2) The sum of $162,959 from recurring general revenue
2 funds for salaries and benefits;
3 (3) The sum of $101,892 from recurring general revenue
4 funds for expenses;
5 (4) The sum of $3,800 from nonrecurring general
6 revenue funds for operating capital outlay; and
7 (5) The sum of $786 from recurring general revenue
8 funds for transfer to the Department of Management Services
9 for the Human Resource Services Statewide Contract.
10 Section 4. Section 1004.226, Florida Statutes, shall
11 expire on June 30, 2011.
12 Section 5. This act shall take effect July 1, 2006.
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15 SENATE SUMMARY
16 Creates the 21st Century Technology, Research, and
Scholarship Enhancement Act. Establishes the Florida
17 Technology, Research, and Scholarship Board within the
Board of Governors of the State University System to
18 administer the 21st Century World Class Scholars Program
and the Centers of Excellence Program. Requires that the
19 Board of Governors of the State University System provide
staff support and other support for the board. Provides
20 for matching funds to be provided to state universities
to pay salaries and support research in advanced science
21 and technology. Provides for the creation of Centers of
Excellence. Requires the board to submit an annual report
22 to the Governor and Legislature. Provides for the repeal
of the act in 2011. (See bill for details.)
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