1.1A bill for an act1.2relating to economic development; providing for the development of a virtual 1.3assistance network for Minnesota entrepreneurs;proposing coding for new law 1.4in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116J.1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:1.6    Section 1. [116J.6581] MINNESOTA ENTREPRENEUR RESOURCE VIRTUAL 1.7NETWORK (MERVN).1.8(a) The commissioner shall seek sufficient private sector funding for the Office of 1.9Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (OESBD) to develop, maintain, and 1.10market a virtual network to provide seamless access to statewide resources and expertise 1.11for entrepreneurs and existing businesses using private sector funding. Private sector 1.12funding must be for general support of the virtual network and must not be used to sponsor 1.13specific portions of the network. The network must connect Minnesota entrepreneurs to 1.14available state and nonstate supported services and technical assistance. In developing and 1.15maintaining the network, OESBD must ensure that all listed resources meet established 1.16standards. The goal of the network is to assist in the creation of new Minnesota ventures, 1.17the growth of existing businesses, and the ability of Minnesota entrepreneurs to compete 1.18globally. To the greatest extent possible, the network should be built on and linked to 1.19existing resources designed to make business assistance resources more accessible to 1.20Minnesota business.1.21(b) Any portion of the network that involves state information systems or state 1.22Web sites is subject to the authority of the Office of Enterprise Technology in chapter 1.2316E, including, but not limited to:1.24(1) evaluation and approval as specified in section 16E.03, subdivisions 3 and 4;2.1(2) review to ensure compliance with security policies, guidelines, and standards as 2.2specified in section 16E.03, subdivision 7; and2.3(3) assurance of compliance with accessibility standards developed under section 2.416E.03, subdivision 9.2.5EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.2.6    Sec. 2. REPORT.2.7By September 30, 2010, the commissioner must report to the chairs and ranking 2.8minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction 2.9over economic development and state government finance on the department's plans 2.10and progress towards the development of the network under Minnesota Statutes, section 2.11116J.6581.