HF 3389 Summary

• Creates the Minnesota Science and Technology Authority as a permanent entity consisting of five state commissioners (employment and economic development, management and budget, revenue, commerce, and agriculture) to coordinate science and technology economic development efforts in the state.

• Establishes a 17-member Science and Technology Initiative Advisory Commission to develop a comprehensive science and technology economic development plan by January 15, 2011, including recommendations on strategic investments, programs, and grantees; the commission expires June 30, 2013.

• Authorizes the Authority to coordinate federal funding for research and development, provide grants to eligible recipients, assist with technology matchmaking and commercialization for businesses, and develop a comprehensive state science and technology economic development strategy.

• Appropriates $8,980,000 from the general fund, remediation fund, and workforce development fund for fiscal years 2010-2011, including specific allocations for bioscience programs ($500,000), women's business development ($200,000), minority business development ($105,000-$50,000), and various grants to research institutions and business development organizations.

• Repeals the previous Office of Science and Technology statute (Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 116J.657) and makes the new authority effective July 1, 2010.