South Carolina General Assembly
116th Session, 2005-2006

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Bill 3794

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Indicates Matter Stricken

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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ADOPTED AND AMENDED

May 26, 2005

H. 3794

Introduced by Reps. Harrell, Wilkins, Cotty, J.E. Smith, Leach, Clark, Skelton, Chellis, Davenport, Haley, Harvin, Anthony, Bales, Ballentine, Barfield, Battle, Brady, G. Brown, Cato, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Delleney, Edge, Harrison, Hayes, Hinson, Jennings, Kennedy, Kirsh, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lucas, Mack, McCraw, McGee, Merrill, J.M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Perry, Rice, Simrill, G.R. Smith, J.R. Smith, W.D. Smith, Stewart, Taylor, Thompson, Umphlett, Vaughn, White, Witherspoon, Young, Bailey and Hagood

S. Printed 5/26/05--S.    [SEC 5/27/05 2:27 PM]

Read the first time April 20, 2005.

            

A BILL

TO AMEND CHAPTER 17, TITLE 13 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA RESEARCH AUTHORITY, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA RESEARCH DIVISION AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA RESEARCH INNOVATION CENTERS AS TWO DIVISIONS OF THE AUTHORITY, TO CHANGE THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE AUTHORITY AND TO PROVIDE ITS DUTIES, TO PROVIDE FOR A BUSINESS AND SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD TO BE APPOINTED BY THE EXECUTING COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, TO PROVIDE DUTIES OF THE ADVISORY BOARD, TO PROVIDE THAT THE SOUTH CAROLINA RESEARCH DIVISION SHALL OPERATE EXISTING RESEARCH PARKS IN COOPERATION WITH CLEMSON UNIVERSITY, THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA, TO PROVIDE THAT THE AUTHORITY MAY ESTABLISH AND OPERATE ADDITIONAL FACILITIES, TO PROVIDE FOR CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION RELATING TO A PROSPECTIVE INDUSTRY CONSIDERING A RESEARCH PARK, TO PROVIDE THAT THE SOUTH CAROLINA RESEARCH INNOVATION CENTERS SHALL ESTABLISH THREE RESEARCH INNOVATION CENTERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE THREE RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES, TO PROVIDE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CENTERS, TO PROVIDE FOR RESEARCH INNOVATION CENTER DIRECTORS AND STAFF FOR EACH RESEARCH INNOVATION CENTER, TO PROVIDE FOR THE FUNDING OF THE CENTERS, TO PROVIDE FOR FINANCING OF THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PHYSICAL SPACE FOR THE INNOVATION CENTERS, AND TO PROVIDE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA RESEARCH INNOVATION CENTERS.

Amend Title To Conform

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Chapter 17, Title 13 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"CHAPTER 17

South Carolina Research Authority

Section 13-17-10.    There is created a body corporate and politic to be known as the South Carolina Research Authority or as the SCRA.

Section 13-17-20.    The authority SCRA (authority) is organized to enhance the research capabilities of the state's public and private universities, to establish a continuing forum to foster greater dialogue throughout the research community within the State, and to promote the development of high technology industries and research facilities in South Carolina. The SCRA shall contain at least two divisions: the South Carolina Research Division (SCRD) and the South Carolina Research Innovation Centers (SCRIC). The SCRD shall perform those duties as outlined in this chapter that relate to the core mission of the SCRA. The SCRIC shall perform those duties as outlined in this chapter that establish innovation centers in South Carolina. The objectives of the authority include but are not limited by the following to:

(1)    To advance the general welfare of the people;

(2)    To increase the opportunities for employment of citizens of South Carolina;

(3)    To develop the human, economic, and productive resources of South Carolina;

(4)    To promote and encourage expansion of the research and development sector, with emphasis on capital formation and investments in research and development within South Carolina;

(5)    To create and maintain a dialogue between the public and private research communities;

(6)    To enhance the potential for private support for South Carolina colleges and universities, to promote cooperative research efforts between the private sector and South Carolina universities and colleges, and to strengthen the partnership among state government, higher education, and business and industry;

(7)    To assist South Carolina colleges and universities in attracting nationally prominent academic researchers and professors and to serve as an initial linkage between the state's outstanding existing research and the business and industrial sector;

(8)    To maximize the research capabilities of the public and private universities and colleges in South Carolina; and

(9)    To foster the perception of South Carolina as an international leader in the idea generation and the development, testing, and implementation of new advances in science and technology.

Section 13-17-30.    The authority shall operate research parks in cooperation with the institutions of higher learning in South Carolina. Three parks initially must be established, one each near Clemson University, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the University of South Carolina. The authority may establish and operate additional research parks and research, computer and technology-related projects, and facilities as determined by the board of trustees. The authority is responsible for all decisions and operations of any research park, project, or facility established under this chapter. (Reserved)

Section 13-17-40.    The authority SCRA shall consist of a board of twenty-two twenty-three trustees that includes the following ex officio members: President of the Council of Private Colleges of South Carolina, Chairman of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, President of Clemson University, President of the Medical University of South Carolina, President of South Carolina State College, President of the University of South Carolina, President of Francis Marion College, Chairman of the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education, Chairman of the State Development Board, Governor of South Carolina or his designee, and Chairman of the Technical Advisory Board of the Authority Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee's designee, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee's designee, and the Secretary of Commerce or his designee.

The Governor shall name the chairman who must not be a public official and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

The remaining ten trustees must be elected by the board of trustees from a list of nominees submitted by an ad hoc committee named by the chairman and composed of the members serving as elected trustees. The original elected trustees must be the same members serving as elected trustees on the authority's predecessor organization on January 1, 1983 2005, for the terms specified by the bylaws of the authority's predecessor. Each of the Congressional Districts of South Carolina shall have at least one of the ten trustees.

Terms of elected trustees are for four years, and half shall expire every two years. No elected trustee shall serve more than two consecutive four-year elected terms. Vacancies must be filled for the unexpired term in the manner of original appointment.

Ex officio trustees shall serve as long as they are elected or appointed to their respective offices. In the event of a vacancy of a public sector trustee, the person who temporarily performs the official's functions shall serve as an interim trustee until a new official is elected or appointed.

A vacancy occurs upon the expiration of the term of service, death, resignation, disqualification, or removal of any trustee.

The President of Clemson University, President of the Medical University of South Carolina, President of the University of South Carolina at Columbia, the Governor or his designee, the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee's designee, the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee's designee, and the chairman of the board of trustees, shall serve as the executive committee of the board of trustees. The executive committee by majority vote shall have the authority to implement recommendations and direct the executive director on policy decisions for the efficient day-to-day operations of the SCRA.

The executive committee shall appoint a business and science advisory board to include representatives from each research university, the venture capital industry, relevant industry leaders, and the Department of Commerce. The purpose of the advisory board is to advise the board of trustees when requested by it. The advisory board shall ensure that the authority has the input of the research and business communities in implementing its programs and services.

No A trustee shall may not receive a salary for his services as a trustee; however, all shall must be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in service to the authority.

The board shall annually shall submit a report to the General Assembly including information on all acts of the board of trustees together with a financial statement and full information as to the work of the authority.

The board shall hire a an executive director who of the SCRA who shall have direct administrative responsibility for the SCRD and the SCRIC. The executive director shall maintain through a designated agent accurate and complete books and records of account, custody, and responsibility for the property and funds of the authority and control over the authority bank account. The Director executive director, with the approval of the board, has the power to appoint officers and employees, to prescribe their duties, and to fix their compensation. The board of trustees shall select a reputable certified public accountant to audit the books of account at least once each year.

Regular meetings of the board of trustees must be held at such a time and place as the chairman may determine. Special meetings of the board of trustees may be called by the chairman when reasonable notice is given.

Section 13-17-50.    Negotiations with any prospective industry or business concern considering a research park or South Carolina as a facility site are confidential information and must not be disclosed without the permission of the industry or business concern. Information relating pending or incomplete research projects is confidential as determined by the board. (Reserved)

Section 13-17-60.    Representatives of industry and academic research communities, who share a common interest in the economic development of South Carolina and assume an active role in the authority's activities by their personal involvement, shall, upon nomination by an ad hoc committee appointed by the chairman and with approval by the board of trustees, become members of the Technical Advisory Board of the South Carolina Research Authority. The advisory board members serve for two-year terms and are eligible to serve three consecutive terms. The board of trustees shall replace, in the original manner, any member who resigns, dies, or is otherwise unable to serve.

The purpose of the advisory board is to advise and assist the board of trustees when so requested by it. The advisory board shall ensure that the authority has the input of the research community in implementing its programs and services.

The advisory board shall hold regular meetings at a time and place as determined by the advisory board chairman.

Meetings of the advisory board may be called by the chairman of the authority upon notice sent by any usual means of communication with reasonable notice. (Reserved)

Section 13-17-70.    The board of trustees has full power and authority to manage the business and affairs of the authority and to take such action as it may consider considers advisable, necessary, or convenient in carrying out its powers granted by this chapter and any other law including the following powers:

(1)    To to have perpetual succession as a corporation;

(2)    To to sue and be sued;

(3)    To to adopt, use, and alter a corporate seal;

(4)    To to make and amend bylaws for its management consistent with the provisions of this chapter;

(5)    To to acquire, purchase, hold, use, improve, lease, mortgage, sell, transfer, and dispose of any property, real, personal, or mixed, or any interest therein.;

(6)    To to receive contributions, donations, and payments and invest and disperse the authority's funds;

(7)    To to construct, operate, and maintain research parks, related facilities, and infrastructure;

(8)    From from time to time to borrow money, make and issue negotiable notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness, including refunding and advanced refunding notes, bonds, and other evidences of indebtedness, of the authority; to secure the payment of the obligations or any part by mortgage, lien, pledge, or deed of trust, on all or any of its property, contracts, franchises, or revenues, including the proceeds of any refunding and advanced refunding notes, bonds, and other evidences of indebtedness and the investments in which proceeds are invested and the earning on and income therefrom; to invest its monies, including without limitation its revenues and proceeds of the notes, bonds, or other evidences of indebtedness, in obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are guaranteed by or are fully secured by contracts with, the United States of America, in obligations of any agency, instrumentality, or corporation which has been or may hereafter be created by or pursuant to an act of Congress of the United States as an agency, instrumentality, or corporation thereof, in direct and general obligations of the State of South Carolina, and in certificates of deposit issued by any bank, trust company, or national banking association; provided, that the authority, when investing in certificates of deposit, shall invest in certificates of deposit issued by institutions authorized to do business in South Carolina if such institutions offer terms which, in the opinion of the authority, are equal to or better than those offered by other institutions; to make agreements with the purchasers or holders of such notes, bonds, or other evidences of indebtedness or with others in connection with any such notes, bonds, or other evidences of indebtedness, whether issued or to be issued, as the authority shall deem advisable; and in general to provide for the security for the notes, bonds, or other evidences of indebtedness and the rights of the holders thereof; provided, that in the exercise of the powers herein granted to issue advanced refunding notes, bonds, or other evidences of indebtedness the authority, may, but shall not be required to, avail itself of or comply with any of the provisions of Sections 11-21-10 to 11-21-80 (Advanced Refunding Act);

(9)    To to make bylaws for the management and regulation of its affairs;

(10)    To to make contracts and to execute all instruments necessary or convenient for the carrying out of business;

(11)    To to delegate authority to any agent or establish any committee in order to accomplish the purposes of the authority;

(12)    To to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise encumber the property, real, personal, or mixed, or facilities, or revenues of the authority as security for notes, bonds, evidences of indebtedness, or other obligations of the authority; provided, the authority shall have no authority to pledge the credit and the taxing power of the State or any of its political subdivisions;

(13)    To to maintain an inventory of research efforts in South Carolina;

(14)    To to attract investments in research and development and high technology industries by focusing attention on various educational, cultural, scientific, and economic activities in South Carolina and by assisting potential investors with information requested to determine whether to invest in South Carolina.

Section 13-17-80.    The board of trustees shall exercise the powers of the authority except where a power has been given to the executive committee by law or by delegation of authority by the board of trustees. A majority of the aggregate number of the members of the executive committee plus the elected members of the board who are not then serving on the executive committee shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business. All actions may be taken by a vote of a majority of trustees present unless the bylaws require a larger number. The board shall determine the number of personnel and their compensation and duties.

Section 13-17-81.    As used in this chapter, 'research park' is defined as the Clemson Research Park located in Anderson County, the Carolina Research Park in Columbia, any park developed at Line Street and Hagood Avenue in downtown Charleston, and any park mutually designated by the SCRA and the participating research university.

Section 13-17-83.    The SCRD shall operate existing research parks in cooperation with Clemson University, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the University of South Carolina at Columbia. The authority may establish and operate additional research parks and research, computer and technology-related projects, and facilities as determined by the board of trustees. The authority is responsible for the decisions and operations of a research park, project, or facility established pursuant to this chapter.

Section 13-17-85.    Negotiations with a prospective industry or business concern considering a research park or South Carolina as a facility site are confidential information and must not be disclosed without the permission of the industry or business concern. Information relating pending or incomplete research projects is confidential as determined by the board.

Section 13-17-87.    (A)    The SCRIC shall establish three Research Innovation Centers (innovation centers) in South Carolina. The innovation centers shall:

(1)    enhance the research and technology transition capabilities of the state's three research universities;

(2)    establish a continuing forum to foster greater dialogue between the state's three research universities and industry;

(3)    promote the development of high technology industries and applied research facilities in South Carolina;

(4)    focus their efforts on the development, testing, and implementation of new advances in the life sciences, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, hydrogen and fuel cells, military and defense technology, chemical products, high tech fibers, advanced materials, automotive, aerospace, and information technology; and

(5)    maximize the use of the funds and activities of the innovation centers for partnerships between the research universities and between the public and private sectors for the purpose of generating professional research and development jobs in South Carolina.

(B)    The SCRIC shall operate in conjunction with the three research universities in South Carolina. One innovation center must be located in each of the following areas:

(1)    Charleston, to be associated with the Medical University of South Carolina;

(2)    Columbia, to be associated with the University of South Carolina; and

(3)    the Upstate, to be associated with Clemson University.

(C)    Each of the three innovation centers may have a center director appointed or removed by the executive director with the advice and consent of the president of the research university associated with the respective center. Staff for innovation centers should encompass a variety of specialty areas, which may include market research, intellectual property protection, finance, management and business practices, relevant science and technology, industry research partner recruitment, and other specific skills as required to advise and assist start-up companies, pre-company initiatives, or launch new products. Consulting services may be obtained for specialized needs not otherwise met by existing staff personnel.

(D)(1)    The SCRIC must be funded by a direct payment of funds by the SCRA for at least the first three years of the centers' existence. The payments must be at least three million dollars for the first year and at least four million dollars for the second year. After the second year, the board of trustees shall determine the method and payment of funds. By the end of the third year, total funding dedicated to the SCRIC for startup must be twelve million dollars, however, the board of trustees may provide a portion of the twelve million dollars with funds generated by other means as determined by the board. Additionally, all remaining vacant land, excluding those parcels mutually agreed upon by the SCRA and the university to which the land is geographically associated, not currently in use by the SCRA for its core mission in the Clemson Research Park in Anderson County and in the Carolina Research Park in Columbia as well as the authority's land located at the intersection of Line Street and Hagood Avenue in downtown Charleston may be dedicated to the benefit of the innovation centers or sold to account for part of the twelve million dollar payment. If the land is not sold, the board of trustees shall determine how best to use this land for the benefit of the innovation centers consistent with the plans of the university to which the land is geographically associated. Any revenue, net of expenses generated from this land, including but not limited to the sale of this land, must be used for the benefit of the innovation centers. If land is offered for sale by the SCRA, it must be offered first to the university associated with the innovation center before it is offered to the public or to another potential buyer.

(2)    After the initial three-year period, the State shall explore methods to provide additional funding until the innovation centers have a reasonable opportunity to become self-sustaining. These methods may include direct appropriation from the general fund, private donations, or other funds as necessary.

(3)    Notwithstanding the provisions contained in Section 73.18(A) of Part IB of the General Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2004-2005, or any subsequent appropriations bills or other legislation, the land identified in Section 13-17-87(D)(1) and any additional real property owned or held by SCRA now or in the future must be titled in the name of, and under the control of, the SCRA.

(E)    Costs associated with the physical space for the innovation centers, including but not limited to the costs to acquire, lease, or build the physical space and to up-fit the physical space, must be financed through the issuance of general obligation debt to the maximum extent allowed by Chapter 51 of Title 11, the South Carolina Research University Infrastructure Act, or by private match funding. Other costs associated with the innovation centers must be funded from the budget of the authority, as specified elsewhere in this chapter. The facilities and programs at each site may be tailored to the predominant research focuses of that area. Each may contain wet and dry laboratory space, office space, prototype production facilities, pilot operations, clean rooms, and other specialized facilities.

(F)    The SCRIC may:

(1)    admit qualified companies, including but not limited to start-up companies, new product initiatives, and pre-company initiatives into a center and grant these companies up to two hundred thousand dollars each as well as physical and staff resources;

(2)    solicit grants and other financial support from Federal, local, and private sources and fees, royalties, and other resources from innovation center users, which ultimately should enable the innovation centers to become self sufficient;

(3)    allow a company to remain in an innovation center for up to four years or until exceeding one million dollars in annual commercial revenue; and

(4)    allow rent and fees for services initially to be waived.

(G)    The SCRIC shall use monetary grants for proof-of-concept studies, Small Business Innovation Research program matches, the protection of intellectual property, and other similar uses. Early support programs must support specialized equipment, facilities, staff assistance, and recruitment for consultants for specific projects. These support programs may be modified quarterly based on the progress of the company or new product.

Section 13-17-90.    It is found and declared that the project authorized by this chapter is in all respects for the benefit of all the people of the State, for the improvement of their welfare and material prosperity, and is a public purpose and being a corporation owned completely by the people of the State. The authority shall pay no taxes or assessments including, but not limited to, income tax, sales and use tax, and property tax upon any of the property acquired by it or upon any of its activities; except that the authority is entitled to the above-referenced sales and use tax exemption only in (1) transactions to obtain tangible personal property for the authority's own use or consumption, (2) transactions related to authority contracts with governmental entities and nonprofit entities, and (3) transactions related to authority contracts with private, for profit entities doing business in South Carolina, where these contracts do not place these entities in competition with other private, for profit entities doing business in South Carolina. The securities and other obligations issued by the authority, their transfer, and the income is free from taxation. After payment of necessary operating expenses and all annual debt requirements, the authority shall reinvest net earnings furthering the purposes of this chapter.

Section 13-17-100.    Nothing contained in the provisions of this chapter shall, at any time or in any manner, shall involve the credit and taxing power of the State, or of any of its political subdivisions; nor shall any of the securities or other evidences of indebtedness authorized to be issued in and by this chapter ever be or constitute obligations of the State or any of its political subdivisions; nor shall the State or any of its political subdivisions ever be liable or responsible, in any way, for the payment of the principal or interest of or on such a security or other evidence another evidence of indebtedness.

Section 13-17-130.    The authority may assist public and private universities in South Carolina in their efforts to identify and attract nationally prominent academic researchers and professors to accept positions in our schools following established university procedures. This assistance includes coordination of corporate contributions or the provision for direct subsidies to establish professorships and salary supplements competitive in the national markets. The sole determination for hiring resides with the individual institutions.

Section 13-17-140.    The authority shall identify subject areas of common interest to the public and private sectors and shall promote the use of South Carolina universities to perform research for private industries.

Section 13-17-150.    The authority may establish, in cooperation with the state's colleges and universities, a statewide professional research organization to promote social, professional, and business relationships among researchers in the public and private sectors of the State. The organization established shall conduct regular, regional, and statewide meetings to provide a forum for research presentations and to bring researchers from various industries and universities together to discuss topics of common interest.

Section 13-17-160.    The authority shall in no way may not interfere in the relationships colleges and universities have established or may establish in the future with industry. The authority shall may not infringe upon or compete with the rights of faculty members to pursue their own research interests or to secure funding for them. The authority shall may not inhibit similar scientific activities in the research parks, but the authority may promote individual parks for differing activities of scientific excellence.

Section 13-17-170.    The authority and its employees are exempted from the application of Title 8 (Public Officers and Employees), except for Chapter 5 (Nepotism) and Chapter 13 (Ethics and Disclosure), and Title 9 (State Retirement Systems).

Section 13-17-180.    The authority is authorized to establish not-for-profit corporations it considers necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this chapter. These corporations have the powers provided to such corporations under applicable corporate law including, but not limited to, the ability to establish one or more for-profit or not-for-profit corporations, provided, however, that such the for-profit corporations are subject to applicable federal and state taxes, and provided that such the for-profit corporations shall may not compete with any for-profit corporations incorporated in South Carolina. Any such corporation These corporations shall engage an independent accounting firm to conduct an annual audit of its their books and records."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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