Minnesota Session Laws - 1992, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1992 

                        CHAPTER 467-S.F.No. 2380 
           An act relating to the legislature; requiring 
          committees and commissions of the legislature to 
          consider the effect of proposed legislation on the 
          state's science and technology policy; proposing 
          coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 3. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 

                      SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
    Section 1.  [3.221] [COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS TO CONSIDER 
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY.] 
    Appropriate committees and commissions of the legislature 
must consider how proposed legislation that potentially affects 
scientific and technological development in the state conforms 
to the state's science and technology policy in section 2. 
    Sec. 2.  [3.222] [SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [SCOPE.] The science and technology policy 
in this section lists five goals that contribute to Minnesota's 
long-term economic growth.  Development of these goals is 
critical if the state is to create an environment conducive to 
the growth and expansion of technology-based companies, as well 
as to improve the competitive ability of existing industries. 
    Subd. 2.  [ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT OF INNOVATION AND 
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES.] (a) Minnesota has a long 
tradition of innovation and entrepreneurship.  However, with the 
dramatic changes taking place in the global economy, the pace of 
technological change and shortened product life cycles, 
entrepreneurs and emerging technology-based companies are 
finding it increasingly difficult to compete effectively without 
appropriate resources.  These entities represent the future of 
Minnesota's economy. 
    (b) To give these entrepreneurs and emerging 
technology-based companies a greater chance at success, the 
state must support excellence in innovation and nurture their 
creative spirit by providing incentives to spur growth. 
    Subd. 3.  [SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRIAL MODERNIZATION AND 
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TO SMALL COMPANIES.] (a) The vast majority 
of Minnesota companies, both in rural and metropolitan areas, 
employ fewer than 50 employees.  These small companies generally 
lack the resources to identify and implement available 
technologies that can help them modernize their industrial 
processes and develop their products in a more efficient 
manner.  This is particularly pronounced in the manufacturing 
area. 
    (b) The state must play a critical role in improving the 
competitive ability of these companies by making available 
information, technical expertise, and other services required to 
access existing, off-the-shelf technologies. 
    Subd. 4.  [STRENGTHEN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS 
BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND ACADEMIA.] (a) Continued research and 
development is a prerequisite to the commercialization of new 
products and the growth of technology-based companies. 
    (b) State government must play a significant role in 
supporting applied research and development initiatives.  To 
maximize the impact, these initiatives in research and 
development must be closely tied to the research needs of the 
state's technology-based companies. 
    Subd. 5.  [DEVELOPMENT OF LITERATE AND TECHNOLOGY SKILLED 
WORK FORCE.] (a) To compete in the future, communities will have 
to increasingly rely on knowledge-based economies.  Not only 
will the work force of the future need to be more technically 
skilled than at present, but the basic level of literacy will 
also have to continually increase. 
    (b) State government must continue to invest extensively in 
Minnesota's human capital and must produce more scientists and 
engineers.  This investment is required throughout the 
educational system. 
    Subd. 6.  [TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES IN TECHNOLOGY 
DEVELOPMENT.] (a) Investment in programs that match federal 
funds for scientific and technological initiatives, match 
industry support, or otherwise support the development of 
research facilities is crucial to scientific and technological 
development in Minnesota. 
    (b) The state must have the ability to act on individual 
opportunities that may occur from time to time and that would 
enhance Minnesota's technology infrastructure. 
    Presented to the governor April 14, 1992 
    Signed by the governor April 17, 1992, 9:56 a.m.