1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to biosciences and technology; establishing a technology and 
1.3 	commercialization unit in the Department of Employment and Economic 
1.4 	Development; requiring a report; appropriating money.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. FEDERAL PROCUREMENT LIAISON.
 1.7 	$750,000 is appropriated each year from the general fund to the commissioner 
1.8 	of employment and economic development for the establishment and operation of a 
1.9 	technology and commercialization unit in the Department of Employment and Economic 
1.10 	Development. This appropriation must be used to: coordinate public and private efforts 
1.11 	to procure federal funding for collaborative research and development projects of 
1.12 	primary benefit to small- and medium-sized businesses; promote contractual relationships 
1.13 	between Minnesota businesses who, as recipients of federal grants, are prime contractors, 
1.14 	and appropriate Minnesota-based subcontractors; assess the research and development 
1.15 	capabilities of small- and medium-sized businesses; undertake referral activities to link 
1.16 	Minnesota companies with federal requests for proposal opportunities; and develop a 
1.17 	framework for Minnesota companies to establish sole-sourcing relationships with federal 
1.18 	agencies. This appropriation is available for the fiscal biennium ending June 30, 2009.
1.19 	The commissioner must report to the committees in the house of representatives and 
1.20 	the senate having jurisdiction over bioscience and technology issues on the activities of 
1.21 	the technology and commercialization unit by June 30 of each year.