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OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 250
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE GLOBAL ENTREPRENEUR IN
RESIDENCE PROGRAM.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Economic and Community
Development (DECD), in consultation with Connecticut Innovations,
Inc. and within available appropriations, to develop a three-year Global
Entrepreneur in Residence pilot program to facilitate partnerships
between resident entrepreneur employers (i.e., private individuals,
nonprofits, businesses, and other legal entities offering employment in
specialty occupations; see BACKGROUND ) and public or private
higher education institutions (i.e., “eligible institutions”) to employ
resident entrepreneurs at the institution. It allows DECD to collaborate
with private individuals and entities, eligible institutions, and resident
entrepreneurs to develop the program.
Under the bill, a “resident entrepreneur” is someone who:
1. is employed part-time by a resident entrepreneur employer in a
specialty occupation,
2. is not a United States citizen, and
3. wants to move to or remain in Connecticut as a nonimmigrant
while employed by a resident entrepreneur employer.
The bill sets specific requirements for program participants,
including a requirement that resident entrepreneur employers facilitate
the resident entrepreneur’s move to Connecticut by applying to the U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services for a nonimmigrant H-1B visa
(see BACKGROUND).
The bill also requires DECD to annually report to the General 2024SB-00250-R000343-BA.DOCX
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Assembly on the program beginning by December 31, 2024.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Under the bill, eligible institutions and resident entrepreneur
employers may apply to participate in the program as DECD requires.
The bill requires resident entrepreneurs to work at least eight hours per
week at the eligible institution and at least eight hours per week for the
resident entrepreneur employer. The resident entrepreneur must have
a designated workspace at the eligible institution, and he or she must
work on assignments furthering the institution’s research in areas such
as life sciences, quantum computing, climate change, clean energy,
entrepreneurship and innovation, or human rights and democracy. The
eligible institution and the resident entrepreneur employer must each
pay the resident entrepreneur a salary for his or her services at a market
rate consistent with federal Department of Labor-published rates for
similar services. Under the bill, to participate in the program, a resident
entrepreneur employer must pay the eligible institution a fee equal to
the amount the institution pays of his or her salary.
REPORTING REQUIREMEN T
Beginning by December 31, 2024, DECD must annually report on the
pilot program to the Commerce Committee. The report must include the
following:
1. the progress in implementing the program,
2. recommendations for extending the program’s duration or
broadening its scope,
3. the number of participating resident entrepreneurs and resident
entrepreneur employers,
4. the industries in which resident entrepreneurs are engaged, and
5. a cost-benefit analysis of the pilot program.
BACKGROUND 2024SB-00250-R000343-BA.DOCX
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Specialty Occupations and H-1B Visas
To qualify for an H-1B visa, a nonimmigrant worker must have a
bachelor’s degree or higher and be employed in a specialty occupation
by a U.S.-based employer who will file the visa petition. (A specialty
occupation is generally one that requires theoretical and practical
application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and a bachelor’s
or higher degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent) to work in
the occupation in the United States.)
The number of H-1B visas issued each fiscal year is capped at 65,000,
but an additional 20,000 are available for people with a master’s degree
or higher. From those who register for a visa, a lottery system selects
who may apply. The application process occurs once a year, usually in
early spring. This visa is generally valid for three years and can be
extended for up to six years.
Higher education and nonprofit or governmental research
institutions are not subject to the H-1B cap, and employees at a cap-
exempt institution may apply for an H-1B visa anytime throughout the
year.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Commerce Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 24 Nay 0 (03/22/2024)