2004 Minnesota Statutes

     116O.071 Science and technology. 

    Subdivision 1.    Duties.  The corporation shall: 

    (1) prepare and deliver to the legislature every January 15 
 a science and technology annual report that must contain: 

    (i) a list of the scientifically and technologically 
 related research and development projects and development 
 activities funded by a grant or loan of state money that 
 provides significant promise for the development of job-creating 
 businesses; and 

    (ii) an analysis of the efficacy and completeness of a 
 decentralized research peer review process, with special 
 emphasis on whether or not scientifically and technologically 
 related research and development projects in Minnesota have 
 resulted or will result in creating scientifically and 
 technologically related jobs; 

    (2) keep a current roster of technology intensive 
 businesses in the state; 

    (3) collect and disseminate information on financial, 
 technical, marketing, management, and other services available 
 to technology intensive small and emerging businesses, including 
 potential sources of debt and equity capital; 

    (4) review the technological development potential of 
 various regions of the state and cooperate with and make 
 recommendations to the legislature, state agencies, local 
 governments, local technology development agencies, the federal 
 government, private businesses, and individuals for the 
 realization of the development potential; and 

    (5) sponsor and conduct conferences and studies, collect 
 and disseminate information, and issue periodic reports relating 
 to scientifically and technologically related research and 
 development and education in the state, and represent the state 
 at appropriate interstate and national conferences. 

    Subd. 2.    Peer review plans.  A state agency, board, 
 commission, authority, institution, or other entity that 
 allocates state money by a grant, loan, or contract for 
 scientifically and technologically related research shall 
 establish a peer review system to evaluate the research.  The 
 corporation shall recommend guidelines for establishing 
 effective peer review.  An agency, board, commission, authority, 
 or institution that funds scientifically and technologically 
 related research shall, at least biennially, present to the 
 corporation or to ad hoc committees a review and evaluation of 
 the peer review process used in that organization. 

    Subd. 3.    Authority to perform requested evaluations.  
 The governor, speaker of the house of representatives, house of 
 representatives minority leader, senate majority leader, senate 
 minority leader, chair of the house of representatives Ways and 
 Means Committee, chair of the senate Finance Committee, 
 director, or a member of the legislature considering the 
 introduction or approval of legislation containing funding for 
 scientifically and technologically related research and 
 development may request the corporation to evaluate a loan or 
 grant made or to be made or the proposed legislation for funding 
 scientifically and technologically related research and 
 development to determine (1) whether it complies with the 
 guidelines required by subdivision 1, clause (1), item (ii); (2) 
 whether it is technically feasible; and (3) for development 
 proposals, whether the proposal appears to have the potential 
 for economic development.  Ad hoc committees may be appointed by 
 the corporation. 

    HIST: 1991 c 322 s 5; 2004 c 284 art 2 s 13