<a id="pl.1.3"></a><var>1.3</var>network; requiring a report.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.4"></a><var>1.4</var>BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.1.0"></a><a id="pl.1.5"></a><var>1.5</var>    Section 1. <b>MINNESOTA ENTREPRENEUR RESOURCE VIRTUAL NETWORK </b><br/>
<a id="pl.1.6"></a><var>1.6</var><b>(MERVN).</b><br/>
<a id="pl.1.7"></a><var>1.7</var>(a) The Office of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (OESBD) in <br/>
<a id="pl.1.8"></a><var>1.8</var>the Department of Employment and Economic Development must develop, maintain, and <br/>
<a id="pl.1.9"></a><var>1.9</var>market a virtual network to provide seamless access to statewide resources and expertise <br/>
<a id="pl.1.10"></a><var>1.10</var>for entrepreneurs and existing businesses using private sector funding. The network must <br/>
<a id="pl.1.11"></a><var>1.11</var>connect Minnesota entrepreneurs to available state and nonstate supported services and <br/>
<a id="pl.1.12"></a><var>1.12</var>technical assistance. In developing and maintaining the network, OESBD must ensure that <br/>
<a id="pl.1.13"></a><var>1.13</var>all listed resources meet established standards. The goal of the network is to assist in the <br/>
<a id="pl.1.14"></a><var>1.14</var>creation of new Minnesota ventures, the growth of existing businesses, and the ability <br/>
<a id="pl.1.15"></a><var>1.15</var>of Minnesota entrepreneurs to compete globally. To the greatest extent possible, the <br/>
<a id="pl.1.16"></a><var>1.16</var>network should be built on and linked to existing resources designed to make business <br/>
<a id="pl.1.17"></a><var>1.17</var>assistance resources more accessible to Minnesota business. The commissioner of <br/>
<a id="pl.1.18"></a><var>1.18</var>employment and economic development shall seek sufficient private sector funding to <br/>
<a id="pl.1.19"></a><var>1.19</var>develop and maintain the network.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.20"></a><var>1.20</var>(b) By September 30, 2010, the commissioner must report to the chairs and the lead <br/>
<a id="pl.1.21"></a><var>1.21</var>minority members of the committees of the legislature with responsibility for economic <br/>
<a id="pl.1.22"></a><var>1.22</var>development on the department's plans and progress towards the development of the <br/>
<a id="pl.1.23"></a><var>1.23</var>network under this section.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.1"></a><var>2.1</var><b>EFFECTIVE DATE.</b>This section is effective the day following final enactment.<br/>