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2003 SESSION

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035311928
HOUSE BILL NO. 1816 Offered January 8, 2003 Prefiled January 7, 2003 A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-2219 of the Code of Virginia, to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-2232.1, and to repeal § 2.2-2221.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Innovative Technology Authority; broadband policy and deployment; and the Center for Innovative Technology. ----------
Patrons-- Scott, Amundson, Hull, Plum, Reese and Watts; Senators: Howell, Mims, Puller and Ticer
---------- Referred to Committee on Science and Technology ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 2.2-2219 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted, and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 2.2-2232.1 as follows:

§ 2.2-2219. Declaration of public purpose; Authority created.

A. It is found and determined by the General Assembly that there exists in the Commonwealth of Virginia a need to (i) promote the economic development of the Commonwealth by attracting and retaining high technology jobs and businesses in Virginia; (ii) increase industry competitiveness by supporting the application of innovative technologies that improve productivity and efficiency; (iii) mobilize support for high technology industries to commercialize new products and processes, including organizing assistance for small business and supporting select industry sectors and regional high technology efforts; (iv) enhance and expand the scientific and technological research and development capabilities of the institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth and coordinate such capabilities with the scientific and technological research and development activities and requirements of the public and private sectors, including transferring technological advances to the private sector; (v) expand knowledge pertaining to scientific and technological research and development among public and private entities; (vi) attract research and development (R&D) facilities and contracts from the federal government and private sector, including coordinating efforts to identify and compete for large federal and private sector R&D facilities, tracking federal technology initiatives and recommending state actions, and developing a statewide strategy to compete for large R&D contracts; and (vii) facilitate and coordinate the marketing, organization, utilization and development of scientific and technological research and development in the Commonwealth; and (viii) facilitate and coordinate the development, deployment and utilization of advanced electronic communications services throughout the Commonwealth.

B. To achieve the objectives of subsection A, there is created and constituted a political subdivision of the Commonwealth to be known as "The Innovative Technology Authority." The Authority's exercise of powers conferred by this article shall be deemed to be the performance of an essential governmental function and matters of public necessity for which public moneys may be spent and private property acquired.

§ 2.2-2232.1. Center for Innovative Technology; powers; reporting requirement.

A. The Center for Innovative Technology, created pursuant to § 2.2-2232, shall coordinate all efforts of public and quasi-public bodies within the Commonwealth to enhance or facilitate the prompt availability of and access to advanced electronic communications services throughout the Commonwealth, monitor trends and advances in advanced electronic communications technology to plan and forecast future needs for such technology, and identify funding options.

Nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed to consolidate or otherwise transfer to the Center authority over advanced electronic communications projects being conducted by public or quasi-public bodies outside of the executive branch of government.

B. The president of the Center for Innovative Technology shall report annually by December 1 to the Joint Commission on Technology and Science, created pursuant to § 30-85, regarding a review of the Center's initiatives and projects, its work plan for the year and the expected results therefrom, and an overview of the results that it has achieved to date, to assist the Commission in its effort to stimulate, encourage, and promote the development of technology and science in the Commonwealth and sound public policies related thereto. The report shall include a review of the availability and deployment of and funding mechanisms for advanced electronic communications services throughout the Commonwealth.

2. That § 2.2-2221.1 of the Code of Virginia is repealed.