| 4 | 11 | | |
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| 5 | 12 | | AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO FOSTER THE MICROBIOME SECTOR IN THE STATE. |
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| 6 | 13 | | |
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| 7 | 14 | | Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: |
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| 8 | 15 | | |
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| 9 | 16 | | Section 1. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a working group to study and develop legislative and programmatic initiatives and a roadmap to foster the microbiome sector in the state and establish the state as a leader in the development of new microbiome-based diagnostics and treatments. The working group shall seek to cultivate (1) an industry cluster of companies focused on medical applications of microbiome-based products and services, and (2) working relationships to determine programs, networks and opportunities that are the most attractive and necessary to such companies to nurture their growth in the state. |
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| 10 | 17 | | |
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| 11 | 18 | | (b) The working group shall consist of (1) the Commissioners of Economic and Community Development, Public Health and Revenue Services, or their designees, (2) the chairperson of the CTNext board of directors or the chairperson's designee, (3) the president of The University of Connecticut or the president's designee, (4) the dean of The University of Connecticut School of Medicine or the dean's designee, (5) the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education or the president's designee, and (6) the following, to be appointed by the Governor: (A) One representative of an independent institution of higher education in the state; (B) one representative of an independent medical school in the state; (C) one representative from Yale University or Yale University School of Medicine; (D) two representatives of bioscience companies located in the state and in business for five years or more; (E) two representatives of bioscience companies located in the state and in business for less than five years; (F) one representative of a venture capital firm located in the state; and (G) one individual who represents hospitals in the state. The working group may consult with industry stakeholders and representatives of microbiome companies, representatives of educational and research institutions that are focused on the microbiome sector, representatives of the medical field who have expertise in the medical applications of microbiome-based products and services and any other individuals or representatives of fields the working group deems necessary or appropriate to inform it on the microbiome sector. |
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| 12 | 19 | | |
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| 13 | 20 | | (c) The working group shall investigate, analyze and develop initiatives that include, but need not be limited to, the following: |
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| 14 | 21 | | |
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| 15 | 22 | | (1) Designating a state agency or quasi-public agency to establish and lead a program to attract and retain companies that are developing microbiome-based products and services. Such agency shall coordinate efforts across all economic development agencies and sectors in the state; |
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| 16 | 23 | | |
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| 17 | 24 | | (2) Identifying new and existing funds to provide financing to start-up microbiome companies and a research and development fund for early stage research projects that are likely to lead to new and improved microbiome-based products and services, develop strategies to publicize the availability of such funds and establish an efficient process for applying for such funds; |
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| 18 | 25 | | |
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| 19 | 26 | | (3) Reviewing state tax policy to develop a tax incentive program to lower the tax liability of established microbiome companies that relocate to or establish new lines of business in the state and to enhance the state's competitiveness within the northeastern states; |
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| 20 | 27 | | |
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| 21 | 28 | | (4) Developing support services and networks for microbiome companies, including, but not limited to, access to (A) sequencing, analytics and other scientific services, and (B) management, legal, accounting and other professional services; |
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| 22 | 29 | | |
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| 23 | 30 | | (5) Investing in high-quality, affordable laboratory and production space located near key partners and collaborators; |
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| 24 | 31 | | |
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| 25 | 32 | | (6) Building linkages to private capital firms in the state with a strong interest in investing in the microbiome science field; |
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| 26 | 33 | | |
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| 27 | 34 | | (7) Identifying companies focused on microbiome science that are in early stage development and develop tools and financial incentives, including, but not limited to, sponsoring an annual competition for start-up microbiome companies and early stage research projects to recruit such companies to locate in or pursue such projects in the state; |
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| 28 | 35 | | |
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| 29 | 36 | | (8) Creating a marketing and outreach plan to inform the microbiome sector of the advantages of locating in, relocating to or establishing new lines of business in the state; and |
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| 30 | 37 | | |
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| 31 | 38 | | (9) Reviewing relevant state laws and regulations and make recommendations for legislative and programmatic changes to reduce or eliminate obsolete, unnecessary or overly burdensome regulatory hurdles to research, development and commercial activities in the microbiome sector. |
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| 32 | 39 | | |
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| 33 | 40 | | (d) Not later than January 1, 2018, the working group shall submit a report, in accordance with section 11-4a of the general statutes, of its plan for the initiatives developed pursuant to subsection (c) of this section to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding, commerce and public health. The report shall include (1) recommendations for legislative and programmatic changes to accomplish such plan, (2) for each initiative developed pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, a proposed budget, listing options for full, medium and low funding levels, and (3) for each initiative developed pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, recommended measureable and achievable goals and a proposed timetable for reaching such goals. |
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| 34 | 41 | | |
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| 35 | 42 | | (e) Not later than February 1, 2018, the working group shall make a presentation to the General Assembly and the Governor of its report under subsection (d) of this section. |
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