Minnesota Session Laws - 1991, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1991 

                        CHAPTER 220-H.F.No. 1353 
           An act relating to economic development; establishing 
          an international partnership program in the Minnesota 
          trade office; authorizing a partnership program 
          project; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota 
          Statutes, chapter 116J. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
     Section 1.  [116J.974] [INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.] 
    The commissioner shall establish an international 
partnership program to promote joint ventures in research and 
development, commercialization, and export opportunities between 
Minnesota companies, foreign companies, and foreign 
governments.  The purpose of the partnership program is to 
encourage Minnesota business development, joint venture access 
to foreign markets, and the export of state products, and to 
create employment opportunities in Minnesota.  Activities of the 
partnership program may include the following: 
    (1) develop and maintain a database of international 
partnership programs that finance, assist, or otherwise promote 
joint projects or ventures with companies in the United States; 
    (2) collect and disseminate information on international 
joint venture programs to Minnesota companies and entrepreneurs; 
    (3) provide technical assistance to Minnesota companies in 
preparing proposals or other applications for international 
programs that support joint projects or ventures; 
    (4) explore methods of improved access to new and expanding 
international markets in the European Economic Community 1992 
and the newly democratized countries; 
    (5) encourage public-private business and leadership 
exchanges between Minnesota and foreign countries; 
    (6) identify potential sources of domestic financing for 
international partnership programs; and 
    (7) review and evaluate the need for a state grant or loan 
program to assist Minnesota companies by providing matching 
funds through the international partnership program. 
    State money in an international partnership fund must be 
matched on a dollar for dollar basis with money from 
participating foreign governments.  An international partnership 
fund must contribute no more than 50 percent of total costs for 
each project.  Applicants to an international partnership fund 
must demonstrate a nonpublic commitment of no less than 50 
percent of eligible project costs. 
    Sec. 2.  [116J.975] [PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM PROJECT.] 
    The commissioner may establish an international partnership 
project as part of the review procedure under section 1, clause 
(7).  The commissioner may solicit applications and proposals 
from Minnesota companies and nonprofit organizations for 
projects that will achieve the goals of the international 
partnership program.  The grants may be used for planning or for 
participation in joint venture programs.  Applications or 
proposals must: 
    (1) contain a detailed description of the project or 
activities that will be used to achieve the goals of the 
partnership program; 
    (2) identify the source of the matching funds as required 
by section 1; 
    (3) identify the participating country or countries and 
their financial or other contributions to the project; 
    (4) identify the expected outcomes from the project; and 
    (5) contain any other information the commissioner 
determines necessary to award grants. 
    The commissioner may establish priorities for 
applications.  The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary for 
the administration of the grants under this section.  The 
commissioner may establish an advisory committee to assist in 
carrying out the purposes of this section. 
    Sec. 3.  [REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE.] 
    The commissioner of trade and economic development shall 
report to the legislature by January 15, 1992, on the 
international partnership program including recommendations on 
improvements and the need for a grant or loan program to assist 
Minnesota companies in accessing international partnership 
programs. 
    Presented to the governor May 24, 1991 
    Signed by the governor May 28, 1991, 10:22 p.m.