CHAPTER 581*
INNOVATION CAPITAL ACT OF 1989.
      CONNECTICUT INNOVATIONS, INCORPORATED

      Sec. 32-32. Short title: Innovation Capital Act of 1989. This chapter shall be known as and may be cited as the "Innovation Capital Act of 1989".

      (1972, P.A. 248, S. 1; P.A. 89-245, S. 6.)

      History: P.A. 89-235 renamed chapter as the Innovation Capital Act of 1989.

      Constitutionality of sections 32-32-32-46 (chapter 581, 1972 public act 248) upheld. 167 C. 111.

      Sec. 32-33. Legislative finding. It is found and declared that there exists in the state a great and growing need for industrial and commercial development and activity to provide and maintain employment and tax revenues; that the creation of new technology-based businesses represents an important source of new jobs for the economy of the state; that it is essential for existing business and industry to innovate and adopt new state-of-the-art processes and techniques in order for such business and industry to expand, to create and retain employment and to better compete in the global marketplace; that the public and private sectors need to build partnerships that will foster a greater entrepreneurial climate in the state; that assistance and encouragement of industrial and commercial development to provide and maintain such employment and revenues is an important function of the state; that the ability to attract funds and provide financial assistance for basic research into potential new products and processes and for the conversion of such research into commercial products and new businesses is an important inducement to entrepreneurs and to industrial and commercial enterprises to begin operations, remain or locate in this state; that there exists in the state a serious shortage of seed venture capital to promote the development and exploitation of inventions and products; that this shortage has resulted and will result in a serious decrease in the development of new business enterprise and job opportunities in Connecticut; that there exists in the state a need for a uniform state policy on all matters of science and technology; that there exists in the state a need for a coordinated, centralized clearinghouse to provide entrepreneurs with easy access to scientific research, technology information, technical assistance, financial capital and other resources for the creation and retention of new jobs and businesses; that there exists in the state a need to stimulate and provide services to industry that will advance the adoption and utilization of technology and achieve improvements in the quality of products and services; that there exists in the state a need to promote science, engineering, mathematics and other disciplines that are essential to technology development and application; and, further, that providing state financial assistance for the development of products, innovation and invention for industry in this state will assist in the creation of new products and industry in this state, resulting in increased employment and public revenues; and therefore the necessity in the public interest and for the public benefit and good for the provisions of this chapter is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination. It is further found and declared that Connecticut ranks very high among the states on a per capita basis in the amount of prime defense contracts awarded; that the economies of many areas in the state and the employment opportunities offered by many businesses in the state are heavily defense-dependent and would suffer severe adverse impacts in the event of prime defense contract cutbacks; that there exists a great and growing need for assistance to and encouragement of defense-dependent businesses and other businesses and enterprises in finding solutions for the problems related to defense conversion and in executing new technologies which will maintain employment and tax revenues in the event of prime defense contract cutbacks; that assistance and encouragement of defense-dependent businesses and other businesses and enterprises in finding solutions for the problems related to defense conversion and in executing new technologies which will maintain employment and tax revenues in the event of prime defense contract cutbacks is an important function of the state; that the availability of financial assistance is an important inducement to defense-dependent businesses and to other businesses and enterprises to remain or locate in this state and to develop non-defense-related capacities or expand their existing non-defense-related capacities; that there exists in this state a serious shortage of seed venture capital to promote the development and exploitation of non-defense-related invention and products; that this shortage has resulted and will result in a serious decrease in job opportunities in the event of prime defense contract cutbacks; and, further, that providing state financial assistance for the development of products, innovation and invention for defense conversion by defense-dependent businesses and other businesses and enterprises in this state will assist in the creation of new products and industry in this state, reducing the dependency of the businesses in this state on defense contracts, and resulting in the maintenance of employment and public revenues in the event of prime defense contract cutbacks; and therefore the necessity in the public interest and for the public benefit and good for the provisions of this chapter is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.

      (1972, P.A. 248, S. 2; P.A. 80-267, S. 1; P.A. 89-245, S. 7.)

      History: P.A. 80-267 added provision re state economy's dependence upon prime defense contracts; P.A. 89-245 added findings re the creation of new technology-based business, the need for existing business and industry to innovate, the need to build partnerships to foster a greater entrepreneurial climate, the importance of attracting funds and providing financial assistance for research into new products and processes, the need for a uniform state science and technology policy, the need for a centralized clearinghouse, the need to provide services to advance the adoption and utilization of technology and improve the quality of products and services and the need to promote academic discipline essential to technology development and application, and made certain technical changes.

      Cited. 167 C. 111.

      Sec. 32-34. Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates another meaning and intent:

      (1) "Corporation" means Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated as created under section 32-35;

      (2) "Entrepreneur" means any person who seeks to organize, operate and assume the risk for a business enterprise, or who organizes, operates and assumes the risk for a business enterprise;

      (3) "Finance committee" means a committee or subcommittee organized by the corporation and having the authority to approve or deny applications for financial aid and to enter into agreements on behalf of the corporation to provide financial aid;

      (4) "Financial aid" means the infusion of capital to persons, in any form whatsoever, including, but not limited to, grants, loans, equity, leases, guarantees, royalty arrangements, other risk capital and other types of financial assistance;

      (5) "Incubator facilities" means a building, structure or complex designed, constructed, renovated or developed to house and provide research and other services to assist small technology-based companies;

      (6) "Invention" means any new product without regard to whether a patent has been or could be granted;

      (7) "Person" means any individual, general or limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company, institution of higher education, governmental entity or joint venture conducting research into ideas with commercial potential or carrying on business, or proposing to carry on business, within the state which (A) in the case of an individual, general or limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company or joint venture, demonstrates to the corporation the inability (i) to obtain conventional financing in satisfactory amounts or on satisfactory terms or (ii) to locate or continue operations in the state without assistance as provided in this chapter, and (B) demonstrates to the corporation that any project for research into or the development of specific technologies, products, devices, techniques or procedures or the marketing of services based on the use of such technologies, products, devices, techniques or procedures for which assistance under this chapter, is sought, (i) will create new or retain existing jobs in the state, (ii) will result in an increase in the amount of goods or services exported from the state, (iii) will help to strengthen the economy of the state, or (iv) will promote the development and utilization of technology in the state;

      (8) "Product" means any technology, device, technique, service or process, which is or may be exploitable commercially; such term shall not refer to pure research but shall be construed to apply to such technologies, products, devices, techniques, services or processes which have advanced beyond the theoretic stage and are readily capable of being, or have been, reduced to practice;

      (9) "Research" means the scientific and engineering analysis, investigation, collection of ideas and inquiry into concepts, processes and techniques, the purpose of which is intended to result in a commercially feasible product, process or technique;

      (10) "Seed venture" means a business or other entity in the early stage of development;

      (11) "Technical peer review committee" means a committee, subcommittee or other entity organized by the corporation to provide advice and counsel concerning the technological, marketing and management feasibility of projects in connection with each application for financial and technical assistance;

      (12) "Technology" means the conversion of basic scientific research into processes, techniques and products which may have commercial potential;

      (13) "Advanced technology center" means a cooperative research center in a specified field of science and technology established and funded, subject to the requirements in sections 32-40a, 32-40b and 32-40c, through an academic, industrial and governmental partnership for purposes of technological research with a direct relationship to economic development in the state;

      (14) "Venture" means, without limitation, any contractual arrangement with any person whereby the corporation obtains rights from or in an invention or product or proceeds therefrom, or rights to obtain from any person any and all forms of equity instruments including, but not limited to, common and preferred stock, warrants, options, convertible debentures and similar types of instruments exercisable or convertible into capital stock, in exchange for the granting of financial aid to such person;

      (15) "Venture lease" means a lease by the corporation to a technology company of any real or personal property, on such terms, including lease payments, lease term and purchase options, as the corporation shall determine;

      (16) "Affiliate" means any person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with, another person, including, but not limited to, any corporation, general or limited partnership or limited liability company controlled, directly or indirectly, by such other person or the corporation, provided, in addition to other means of being controlled, a general or limited partnership or limited liability company shall be deemed to be controlled by the corporation if the corporation or one of its affiliates acts as a general partner or a manager of such general or limited partnership or limited liability company;

      (17) "Capital initiative" means providing financial aid through one or more affiliates and raising the capital for such affiliates, in whole or in part, from sources other than the state;

      (18) "Preseed financing" means financial aid provided for research and formulation of a concept;

      (19) "Seed financing" means financial aid to an inventor or entrepreneur to assess the viability of a concept and to qualify for start-up financing to fund, including, but not limited to, product development, market research, management team building and, pending successful progress on such initial steps, business plan development;

      (20) "Start-up financing" means financial aid to companies in the process of organizing as a business or that have been in operation for less than one year and (A) have completed product development and initial marketing but have not sold such product commercially, and (B) have established viability by performing market studies, assembling key management, developing a business plan and may also qualify for start-up financing by demonstrating viability by other means deemed appropriate by the corporation;

      (21) "Early or first-stage financing" means financial aid to companies that have expended initial capital, developed and market-tested prototypes, and demonstrate that such funds are necessary to initiate full-scale manufacturing and sales;

      (22) "Expansion financing" means financial aid to companies for market expansion or to enhance the fiscal position of a company in preceding a liquidity event including, but not limited to, an initial public offering or acquisition.

      (1972, P.A. 248, S. 3; P.A. 88-154, S. 1, 3; P.A. 89-245, S. 8; P.A. 91-388, S. 1, 7; P.A. 95-79, S. 121, 189; P.A. 98-203, S. 3, 13; P.A. 06-83, S. 3; 06-187, S. 78.)

      History: P.A. 88-154 revised the definition of "person" to require a demonstration of specific criteria; P.A. 89-245 amended the definition of "corporation" to rename Connecticut Product Development Corporation as Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, renumbered existing definitions, added definitions of "entrepreneur" and "finance committee", redefined the term "financial aid", added definition of "incubator facilities", redefined the terms "invention", "person" and "product", added definitions of "research", "seed venture", "technical peer review committee", "technology" and "technology innovation center", and redefined the term "venture"; P.A. 91-388 amended Subdiv. (13) by substituting the definition of "advanced technology center" for definition of "technology innovation center"; P.A. 95-79 redefined "person" to include a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995; P.A. 98-203 amended Subdiv. (4) to expand the definition of "financial aid" to include equity, leases, guarantees and royalty arrangements, amended Subdiv. (7) to include in the definition of "person" general or limited partnerships and added new Subdivs. (15) to (17), inclusive, defining "venture lease", "affiliate" and "capital initiative", respectively, effective June 8, 1998; P.A. 06-83 added Subdivs. (18) to (22), inclusive, defining "preseed financing", "seed financing", "start-up financing", "early or first-stage financing" and "expansion financing", respectively, effective July 1, 2006; P.A. 06-187 redefined "start-up financing" in Subdiv. (20) by providing that companies may also qualify for start-up financing by demonstrating viability by other means deemed appropriate by the corporation, effective July 1, 2006.

      Cited. 167 C. 111.

      Sec. 32-35. Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated. (a) There is hereby created a body politic and corporate to be known as "Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated". Such corporation is constituted a public instrumentality and political subdivision of the state and the exercise by the corporation of the powers conferred in this chapter shall be deemed and held to be the performance of an essential public and governmental function. Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall not be construed to be a department, institution or agency of the state.

      (b) The corporation shall be governed by a board of fifteen directors. Eight members shall be appointed by the Governor, at least six of whom shall be knowledgeable, and have favorable reputations for skill, knowledge and experience, in the development of innovative technology and technological processes including, but not limited to, expertise in academic research, technology transfer and application, the development of technological invention and new enterprise development. Three members shall be the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, the Commissioner of Higher Education and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, who shall serve ex officio and shall have all of the powers and privileges of a member of the board of directors. Each ex-officio member may designate his deputy or any member of his staff to represent him at meetings of the corporation with full power to act and vote in his behalf. Four members shall be appointed as follows: One by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one by the minority leader of the Senate, one by the speaker of the House of Representatives and one by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. Each member appointed by the Governor shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor but no longer than the term of office of the Governor or until the member's successor is appointed and qualified, whichever is longer. Each member appointed by a member of the General Assembly shall serve in accordance with the provisions of section 4-1a. A director shall be eligible for reappointment. The Governor shall fill any vacancy for the unexpired term of a member appointed by the Governor. The appropriate legislative appointing authority shall fill any vacancy for the unexpired term of a member appointed by such authority.

      (c) The chairperson of the board shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of both houses of the General Assembly. The directors shall annually elect one of their number as secretary. The board may elect such other officers of the board as it deems proper. Members shall receive no compensation for the performance of their duties hereunder but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance thereof.

      (d) Each director of the corporation before entering upon his duties shall take and subscribe the oath or affirmation required by article eleventh, section 1, of the Constitution. A record of each such oath or affirmation shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of the State. The board of directors of the corporation shall adopt written procedures, in accordance with the provisions of section 1-121, for: (1) Adopting an annual budget and plan of operations, including a requirement of board approval before the budget or plan may take effect; (2) hiring, dismissing, promoting and compensating employees of the corporation including an affirmative action policy and a requirement of board approval before a position may be created or a vacancy filled; (3) purchasing, leasing or acquiring real and personal property and personal services, including a requirement of board approval for any nonbudgeted expenditure in excess of five thousand dollars; (4) contracting for financial, legal, bond underwriting and other professional services, including a requirement that the corporation solicit proposals at least once every three years for each such service which it uses; (5) awarding loans, grants and other financial assistance, including eligibility criteria, the application process and the role played by the corporation's staff and board of directors and the Department of Economic and Community Development and including deadlines for the approval or disapproval of applications for such assistance by the corporation on and after July 1, 1996; and (6) the use of surplus funds to the extent authorized under this chapter, or other provisions of the general statutes.

      (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, it shall not constitute a conflict of interest for a trustee, director, partner or officer of any person, firm or corporation, or any individual having a financial interest in a person, firm or corporation, to serve as a member of the board of directors of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, provided such trustee, director, partner, officer or individual shall abstain from deliberation, action or vote by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated in specific respect to such person, firm or corporation.

      (f) The corporation shall have the authority to contract with the Department of Economic and Community Development for administrative or other services.

      (g) As of October 1, 1989, all powers, duties and personnel of the Connecticut Product Development Corporation shall be transferred to Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, in accordance with the provisions of section 4-38d. As of October 1, 1989, all cash, notes, receivables, liabilities, appropriations, authorizations, allocations, and all other assets and properties of the Connecticut Product Development Corporation shall be transferred to Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated. Such transfer shall not affect the validity, enforceability or binding nature of any contract or agreement for financial aid made by the Connecticut Product Development Corporation under the authorization of this chapter prior to October 1, 1989.

      (h) The corporation shall provide funding for the operation of the Connecticut Small Business Innovation Research Office in accordance with subdivision (41) of section 32-39.

      (1972, P.A. 248, S. 4; P.A. 74-273, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-614, S. 288, 610; P.A. 79-560, S. 38, 39; P.A. 82-58, S. 1, 2; P.A. 88-225, S. 9, 14; 88-266, S. 14, 46; P.A. 89-245, S. 9; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 93-1, S. 42, 45; P.A. 95-249, S. 3, 4; 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 79; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7, S. 111.)

      History: P.A. 74-273 revised appointment provisions in Subsec. (b), deleting now obsolete provision re initial appointments and making provision re successors' appointments generally applicable and added Subsec. (e) re status of corporation; P.A. 77-614 replaced department of commerce with department of economic development in Subsec. (e) and made corporation subject to department "for administrative purposes" rather than "for fiscal and budgetary purposes", effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-560 increased number of directors from six to seven, specified that additional member be knowledgeable, experienced, etc. and replaced previous provision calling for six-year appointments made in even-numbered years with provision making directors' terms coterminous with governor's term; P.A. 82-58 added provisions re commissioner of economic development's service as a board member; P.A. 88-225 inserted new Subsec. (e) re when a financial interest and membership on board of directors of corporation do not constitute a conflict of interest and relettered former Subsec. (e) as Subsec. (f); P.A. 88-266 amended Subsec. (a) to specify that corporation is a body "politic" and is a public instrumentality and political subdivision of the state where previously was considered "quasi-public", adding reference to its governmental function and providing that corporation shall not be construed to be department, institution or agency of state, amended Subsec. (b) to require that board members' terms be staggered instead of coterminous with governor's term, amended Subsec. (c) to require board chairperson to be appointed by governor with advice and consent of general assembly instead of elected by board, and amended Subsec. (d) by adding provisions requiring adoption of written procedures; P.A. 89-245 renamed Connecticut Product Development Corporation as Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, added four members to the board of directors and made certain changes to the qualifications of board members, required the commissioner of higher education and the secretary of the office of policy and management to serve as ex-officio board members, made certain technical changes, and added Subsec. (g) re transfer of powers, duties and personnel from Connecticut Product Development Corporation to Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 93-1 amended Subsec. (c) to add four legislative appointments to the board of directors, to revise length of terms of gubernatorial appointees, to specify term length for legislative appointees and to clarify procedure for filling unexpired terms, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-249 amended Subsec. (d)(5) to require board to adopt procedures for deadlines for approving or disapproving assistance applications, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Economic Development with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 added Subsec. (h) re funding for Connecticut Small Business Innovation Research Office, effective September 9, 2009; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7 amended Subsec. (h) to provide that office funding is for operation of the office in accordance with Sec. 32-39(41), effective October 5, 2009.

      See Sec. 4-38f for definition of "administrative purposes only".

      Cited. 167 C. 111.

      Subsec. (d):

      Cited. 230 C. 24.

      Sec. 32-36. Perpetual succession. Termination. The corporation shall have perpetual succession and shall adopt, amend and repeal bylaws for the conduct of its affairs. Such succession shall continue until the existence of the corporation is terminated by law, provided no such termination shall affect any outstanding contractual obligation of the corporation to assist any person and the state shall succeed to the obligations of the corporation under such contract. Upon termination of the corporation its rights and properties shall pass to and be vested in the state.

      (1972, P.A. 248, S. 5; P.A. 86-255, S. 2; P.A. 88-266, S. 15, 46.)

      History: P.A. 86-255 repealed provision requiring corporation to adopt, amend and repeal regulations; P.A. 88-266 specified that corporation rights and properties are vested in state upon corporation's termination.

      Sec. 32-37. Board of directors. (a) The powers of the corporation shall be vested in and exercised by the board of directors. Eight members of the board shall constitute a quorum and the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting of the board shall be necessary and sufficient for any action taken by the board. No vacancy in the membership of the board shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the board. Any action taken by the board may be authorized by resolution at any regular or special meeting and shall take effect immediately unless otherwise provided in the resolution. Notice of any regular meeting shall be given in writing, by telephone or orally, not less than forty-eight hours prior to the meeting. Notice of any special meeting shall be given in accordance with subsection (d) of section 1-225.

      (b) The board may delegate to three or more of its members such board powers and duties as it may deem proper. At least one of such members shall not be a state employee. The board shall establish such committees, subcommittees or other entities as it deems necessary to further the purposes of the corporation including, but not limited to, a finance committee and one or more technical peer review committees.

      (1972, P.A. 248, S. 6; P.A. 88-266, S. 16, 46; P.A. 89-245, S. 10; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 93-1, S. 43, 45; P.A. 00-66, S. 30.)

      History: P.A. 88-266 divided section into Subsecs. and, in Subsec. (b) authorized board to delegate powers and duties to three or more of its members, at least one of whom shall not be a state employee, instead of to one or more of its members or its officers, agents and employees; P.A. 89-245 changed the quorum requirement from four to six members, added provisions re notice of special meetings, and added provisions re establishment of committees, subcommittees or other entities, including finance committee and technical peer review committees; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 93-1 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing number of members required for quorum from six to eight, reflecting increase in number of board members, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 00-66 made a technical change in Subsec. (a).

      Sec. 32-38. Executive director. The board shall appoint an executive director of the corporation who shall not be a member of the board and who shall serve at the pleasure of the board and shall receive such compensation as shall be determined by the board. The executive director shall direct and supervise administrative affairs and the general management of the corporation. The executive director may employ such other employees as shall be designated by the board of directors; shall attend all meetings of the board; keep a record of all proceedings and maintain and be custodian of all books, documents and papers filed with the corporation and of the minute book of the corporation and of its official seal. The executive director may cause copies to be made of all minutes and other records and documents of the corporation and may give certificates under the official seal of the corporation to the effect that such copies are true copies, and all persons dealing with the corporation may rely upon such certificates. The executive director or the executive director's designee may serve as a member of such other boards or committees as may be necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of the corporation.

      (1972, P.A. 248, S. 7; P.A. 89-245, S. 11; P.A. 01-153.)

      History: P.A. 89-245 changed the designation of the chief administrative officer of the corporation from president to executive director and gave the executive director or his designee the power to serve as a member of other boards or committees; P.A. 01-153 eliminated requirement that the executive director be the chief administrative and operational officer of the corporation and made technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality

      Sec. 32-39. Corporate purpose; powers. The purposes of the corporation shall be to stimulate and encourage the research and development of new technologies, businesses and products, to encourage the creation and transfer of new technologies, to assist existing businesses in adopting current and innovative technological processes, to stimulate and provide services to industry that will advance the adoption and utilization of technology, to achieve improvements in the quality of products and services, to stimulate and encourage the development and operation of new and existing science parks and incubator facilities, and to promote science, engineering, mathematics and other disciplines that are essential to the development and application of technology within Connecticut by the infusion of financial aid for research, invention and innovation in situations in which such financial aid would not otherwise be reasonably available from commercial or other sources, and for these purposes the corporation shall have the following powers:

      (1) To have perpetual succession as a body corporate and to adopt bylaws, policies and procedures for the regulation of its affairs and conduct of its businesses as provided in section 32-36;

      (2) To enter into venture agreements with persons, upon such terms and on such conditions as are consistent with the purposes of this chapter, for the advancement of financial aid to such persons for the research, development and application of specific technologies, products, procedures, services and techniques, to be developed and produced in this state, and to condition such agreements upon contractual assurances that the benefits of increasing or maintaining employment and tax revenues shall remain in this state and shall accrue to it;

      (3) To solicit, receive and accept aid, grants or contributions from any source of money, property or labor or other things of value, to be held, used and applied to carry out the purposes of this chapter, subject to the conditions upon which such grants and contributions may be made, including but not limited to, gifts or grants from any department or agency of the United States or the state;

      (4) To invest in, acquire, lease, purchase, own, manage, hold and dispose of real property and lease, convey or deal in or enter into agreements with respect to such property on any terms necessary or incidental to the carrying out of these purposes; provided, however, that all such acquisitions of real property for the corporation's own use with amounts appropriated by the state to the corporation or with the proceeds of bonds supported by the full faith and credit of the state shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the provisions of section 4b-23;

      (5) To borrow money or to guarantee a return to the investors in or lenders to any capital initiative, to the extent permitted under this chapter;

      (6) To hold patents, copyrights, trademarks, marketing rights, licenses, or any other evidences of protection or exclusivity as to any products as defined herein, issued under the laws of the United States or any state or any nation;

      (7) To employ such assistants, agents and other employees as may be necessary or desirable, which employees shall be exempt from the classified service and shall not be employees, as defined in subsection (b) of section 5-270; establish all necessary or appropriate personnel practices and policies, including those relating to hiring, promotion, compensation, retirement and collective bargaining, which need not be in accordance with chapter 68, and the corporation shall not be an employer as defined in subsection (a) of section 5-270; and engage consultants, attorneys and appraisers as may be necessary or desirable to carry out its purposes in accordance with this chapter;

      (8) To make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under this chapter;

      (9) To sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, adopt a seal and alter the same at pleasure;

      (10) With the approval of the State Treasurer, to invest any funds not needed for immediate use or disbursement, including any funds held in reserve, in obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States of America or the state of Connecticut and in other obligations which are legal investments for retirement funds in this state;

      (11) To procure insurance against any loss in connection with its property and other assets in such amounts and from such insurers as it deems desirable;

      (12) To the extent permitted under its contract with other persons, to consent to any termination, modification, forgiveness or other change of any term of any contractual right, payment, royalty, contract or agreement of any kind to which the corporation is a party;

      (13) To do anything necessary and convenient to render the bonds to be issued under section 32-41 more marketable;

      (14) To acquire, lease, purchase, own, manage, hold and dispose of personal property, and lease, convey or deal in or enter into agreements with respect to such property on any terms necessary or incidental to the carrying out of these purposes;

      (15) In connection with any application for assistance under this chapter, or commitments therefor, to make and collect such fees as the corporation shall determine to be reasonable;

      (16) To enter into venture agreements with persons, upon such terms and conditions as are consistent with the purposes of this chapter to provide financial aid to such persons for the marketing of new and innovative services based on the use of a specific technology, product, device, technique, service or process;

      (17) To enter into limited partnerships or other contractual arrangements with private and public sector entities as the corporation deems necessary to provide financial aid which shall be used to make investments of seed venture capital in companies based in or relocating to the state in a manner which shall foster additional capital investment, the establishment of new businesses, the creation of new jobs and additional commercially-oriented research and development activity. The repayment of such financial aid shall be structured in such manner as the corporation deems will best encourage private sector participation in such limited partnerships or other arrangements. The board of directors, executive director, officers and staff of the corporation may serve as members of any advisory or other board which may be established to carry out the purposes of this subdivision;

      (18) To account for and audit funds of the corporation and funds of any recipients of financial aid from the corporation;

      (19) To advise the Governor, the General Assembly, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and the Commissioner of Higher Education on matters relating to science, engineering and technology which may have an impact on state policies, programs, employers and residents, and on job creation and retention;

      (20) To promote technology-based development in the state;

      (21) To encourage and promote the establishment of and, within available resources, to provide financial aid to advanced technology centers;

      (22) To maintain an inventory of data and information concerning state and federal programs which are related to the purposes of this chapter and to serve as a clearinghouse and referral service for such data and information;

      (23) To conduct and encourage research and studies relating to technological development;

      (24) To provide technical or other assistance and, within available resources, to provide financial aid to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, Incorporated, in order to further the purposes of this chapter;

      (25) To recommend a science and technology agenda for the state that will promote the formation of public and private partnerships for the purpose of stimulating research, new business formation and growth and job creation;

      (26) To encourage and provide technical assistance and, within available resources, to provide financial aid to existing manufacturers and other businesses in the process of adopting innovative technology and new state-of-the-art processes and techniques;

      (27) To recommend state goals for technological development and to establish policies and strategies for developing and assisting technology-based companies and for attracting such companies to the state;

      (28) To promote and encourage and, within available resources, to provide financial aid for the establishment, maintenance and operation of incubator facilities;

      (29) To promote and encourage the coordination of public and private resources and activities within the state in order to assist technology-based entrepreneurs and business enterprises;

      (30) To provide services to industry that will stimulate and advance the adoption and utilization of technology and achieve improvements in the quality of products and services;

      (31) To promote science, engineering, mathematics and other disciplines that are essential to the development and application of technology;

      (32) To coordinate its efforts with existing business outreach centers, as described in section 32-9qq;

      (33) To do all acts and things necessary and convenient to carry out the purposes of this chapter;

      (34) To accept from the department: (A) Financial assistance, (B) revenues or the right to receive revenues with respect to any program under the supervision of the department, and (C) loan assets or equity interests in connection with any program under the supervision of the department; to make advances to and reimburse the department for any expenses incurred or to be incurred by it in the delivery of such assistance, revenues, rights, assets, or interests; to enter into agreements for the delivery of services by the corporation, in consultation with the department, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority and the Connecticut Development Authority, to third parties which agreements may include provisions for payment by the department to the corporation for the delivery of such services; and to enter into agreements with the department or with the Connecticut Development Authority or Connecticut Housing Finance Authority for the sharing of assistants, agents and other consultants, professionals and employees, and facilities and other real and personal property used in the conduct of the corporation's affairs;

      (35) To transfer to the department: (A) Financial assistance, (B) revenues or the right to receive revenues with respect to any program under the supervision of the corporation, and (C) loan assets or equity interests in connection with any program under the supervision of the corporation, provided the transfer of such financial assistance, revenues, rights, assets or interests is determined by the corporation to be practicable, within the constraints and not inconsistent with the fiduciary obligations of the corporation imposed upon or established upon the corporation by any provision of the general statutes, the corporation's bond resolutions or any other agreement or contract of the corporation and to have no adverse effect on the tax-exempt status of any bonds of the state;

      (36) With respect to any capital initiative, to create, with one or more persons, one or more affiliates and to provide, directly or indirectly, for the contribution of capital to any such affiliate, each such affiliate being expressly authorized to exercise on such affiliate's own behalf all powers which the corporation may exercise under this section, in addition to such other powers provided to it by law;

      (37) To provide financial aid to enable biotechnology and other technology companies to lease, acquire, construct, maintain, repair, replace or otherwise obtain and maintain production, testing, research, development, manufacturing, laboratory and related and other facilities, improvements and equipment;

      (38) To provide financial aid to persons developing smart buildings, as defined in section 32-23d, incubator facilities or other information technology intensive office and laboratory space;

      (39) To administer the Renewable Energy Investment Fund established pursuant to section 16-245n;

      (40) To provide financial aid to persons developing or constructing the basic buildings, facilities or installations needed for the functioning of the media and motion picture industry in this state;

      (41) To coordinate the development and implementation of strategies regarding technology-based talent and innovation among state and quasi-public agencies, including the creation and administration of the Connecticut Small Business Innovation Research Office to act as a centralized clearinghouse and provide technical assistance to applicants in developing small business innovation research programs in conformity with the federal program established pursuant to the Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act of 1992, P.L. 102-564, as amended, and other proposals.

      (1972, P.A. 248, S. 8; P.A. 75-425, S. 55, 57; P.A. 77-614, S. 19, 610; P.A. 79-231; 79-233, S. 8; P.A. 80-267, S. 2; 80-483, S. 99, 186; P.A. 87-273, S. 1; P.A. 88-266, S. 17, 46; P.A. 89-245, S. 12; P.A. 91-388, S. 5, 7; P.A. 94-45, S. 1, 3; P.A. 95-78, S. 2, 5; 95-250, S. 11, 39, 42; 95-309, S. 3, 11, 12; P.A. 98-203, S. 4, 13; P.A. 00-178, S. 6; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-1, S. 43, 46; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 80, 131; P.A. 07-152, S. 2; 07-236, S. 4; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7, S. 112.)

      History: P.A. 75-425 specified in Subdiv. (4) that acquisitions of real property are subject to Sec. 4-26b; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of finance and control with secretary of the office of policy and management in Subdiv. (4); P.A. 79-231 empowered corporation to employ attorneys in Subdiv. (7); P.A. 79-233 specified in Subdiv. (10) that provisions of Subsec. 14b of Sec. 36-96 are inapplicable to investments; P.A. 80-267 added reference to maintaining employment and tax revenues in Subdiv. (2); P.A. 80-483 corrected faulty reference to Subsec. 14b of Sec. 36-96 in Subdiv. (10); P.A. 87-273 amended Subdiv. (4) to delete reference to personal property and inserted new Subdiv. (14) detailing corporate powers concerning personal property, renumbering prior Subdiv. (14) accordingly; P.A. 88-266 inserted new Subdiv. (15) re power to make or collect fees, renumbering former Subdiv. (15) as (16); P.A. 89-245 added corporate purposes re promoting the creation, development and application of technology, improving quality of products and services, encouraging development of science parks and incubator facilities and promoting academic disciplines essential to the development and application of technology, made certain technical changes to existing corporate powers in Subdivs. (1) to (15), added new Subdivs. (16) to (32) re additional corporate powers, and renumbered existing Subdiv. (16) as Subdiv. (33); P.A. 91-388 amended Subdiv. (21) by changing the reference to "technology innovation centers" to "advanced technology centers"; P.A. 94-45 amended Subdiv. (7) to exempt employees and corporation from definitions under Sec. 5-270 and to require corporation to establish personnel practices and policies, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-78 amended Subdiv. (22) to require that corporations include information re federal defense conversion financial assistance programs in inventory and identify and notify eligible businesses, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 95-250 amended Subdiv. (19) substituting "Commissioner of Economic and Community Development" for "Commissioner of Economic Development" and Subdiv. (22) deleting provision re information on federal financial assistance programs for defense conversion projects, effective July 1, 1995, and added Subdivs. (34) and (35) re participation in programs administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development; P.A. 95-309 amended Subdiv. (35) to add provision re adverse effect on the tax-exempt status of bonds and revised effective date of P.A. 95-250 but did not affect this section; P.A. 98-203 amended Subdiv. (4) to exempt certain affiliates of the corporation from the requirements of that subdivision, amended Subdiv. (5) to allow the corporation to provide guarantees to investors or lenders in certain cases and added new Subdivs. (36) and (37) re creation of affiliates and re financial aid to certain technology companies, respectively, effective June 8, 1998; P.A. 00-178 added Subdiv. (38) re financial aid to persons developing smart buildings, incubator facilities or other information technology intensive office and laboratory space; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-1 changed effective date of P.A. 00-178 from October 1, 2000, to July 1, 2000, effective July 1, 2000; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 amended Subdiv. (4) by deleting provision re approval by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, adding provision re secretary's approval of real property acquired for the corporation's own use, and deleting exemption re affiliates that acquire, lease, purchase, own, manage, hold or dispose of real property, effective July 1, 2001; P. A. 07-152 added Subdiv. (39) re Renewable Energy Investment Fund, effective June 25, 2007; P.A. 07-236 replaced "new technologies and products" with "new technologies, businesses and products" and added Subdiv. (40) re financial aid for infrastructure for media and motion picture industry, effective July 1, 2007; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7 added Subdiv. (41) re technology-based talent and innovation, effective October 5, 2009.

      Cited. 167 C. 111.

      Secs. 32-39a and 32-39b. Powers re investments during early stage of ventures. Powers re financial aid for marketing innovative services. Sections 32-39a and 32-39b are repealed.

      (P.A. 86-255, S. 1; P.A. 88-154, S. 2, 3; P.A. 89-245, S. 20.)

      Sec. 32-39c. Limitation on liability of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated and certain officers with respect to affiliates of the corporation. (a) With respect to any affiliate created pursuant to section 32-39, liability shall be limited solely to the assets and revenues or other resources of any such affiliate and without recourse liability to Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, its other funds or any other assets of the corporation, except to the extent of any express written guarantees by the corporation or any investments made or committed to by the corporation.

      (b) The provisions of sections 32-47 and 1-125 shall apply to any officer, director, designee or employee serving at the request of the corporation as a member, director or officer or advisor of any such affiliate. Any such person so appointed shall not be personally liable for the debts, obligations or liabilities of any such affiliate as provided in said section 1-125. Any affiliate shall and the corporation may provide the indemnification to protect, save harmless and indemnify such officer, director, designee or employee as provided in said section 1-125.

      (P.A. 98-203, S. 5, 13.)

      History: P.A. 98-203 effective June 8, 1998.

      Sec. 32-39d. Guarantees of corporation made investment securities. Guarantees issued by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, and all equity instruments and obligations, any of which include a guarantee of a return of capital or principal by the corporation, under the provisions of this chapter, are hereby made securities in which all public officers and public bodies of the state and its political subdivisions, all insurance companies, state banks and trust companies, national banking associations, savings banks, savings and loan associations, investment companies, executors, administrators, trustees and other fiduciaries may properly and legally invest funds, including capital in their control or belonging to them. Such instruments and obligations are hereby made securities which may properly and legally be deposited with and received by any state or municipal officer or any agency or political subdivision of the state for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or obligations of the state is now or may hereafter be authorized by law.

      (P.A. 98-203, S. 6, 13.)

      History: P.A. 98-203 effective June 8, 1998.

      Sec. 32-39e. Development of new or experimental products. (a) If, in the exercise of its powers under section 32-39, Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated finds that the use of a certain technology, product or process would promote public health and safety, environmental protection or economic development and such technology, product or process was developed by a business domiciled in this state to which the corporation has provided financial assistance or in which the corporation has invested, the corporation, upon application of such business, may recommend to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management that an agency of the state be directed to test such technology, product or process by employing it in the operations of such agency on a trial basis. The purpose of such test program shall be to validate the commercial viability of such technology, product or process provided no business in which Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated has invested shall be required to participate in such program. No such recommendation may be made unless such business has submitted a viable business plan for manufacturing and marketing such technology, product or process and such business (1) will manufacture or produce such technology, product or process in this state, (2) demonstrates that the usage of such technology, product or process by the state agency will not adversely affect safety, (3) demonstrates that sufficient research and development has occurred to warrant participation in the test program, and (4) demonstrates that the technology, product or process has potential for commercialization not later than two years following the completion of any test program involving a state agency under this section.

      (b) If the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management finds that employing such technology, product or process would be feasible in the operations of a state agency and would not have any detrimental effect on such operations, said secretary, notwithstanding the requirement of chapter 58, may direct an agency of the state to accept delivery of such technology, product or process and to undertake such a test program. Any costs associated with the acquisition and use of such technology, product or process by the testing agency shall be borne by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, the business or by any investor or participant in such business. The acquisition of any technology, product or process for purposes of the test program established pursuant to this section shall not be deemed to be a purchase under the provisions of the state procurement policy. The testing agency, on behalf of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall maintain records related to such test program, as requested by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated and shall make such records and any other information derived from such test program available to Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated and the business. Any proprietary information derived from such test program shall be exempt from the provisions of subsection (a) of section 1-210.

      (c) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated may develop a program to recognize state agencies that help to promote public health and safety, environmental protection or economic development by participating in a testing program under this section. Such program may include the creation of a fund established with savings accrued by the testing agency during its participation in the testing program established under this section. Such fund shall only be used to implement the program of recognition established by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, under the provisions of this subsection.

      (P.A. 99-223, S. 1, 3.)

      History: P.A. 99-223 effective June 29, 1999.

      Sec. 32-40. Applications for financial aid. (a) All applications for financial aid shall be forwarded, together with an application fee prescribed by the corporation, to the executive director of the corporation. Each such application shall be processed in accordance with the written procedures adopted by the corporation under subdivision (5) of subsection (d) of section 32-35. The finance committee of the corporation shall approve or deny each application recommended by the executive director. If the finance committee approves an application, such committee may authorize the corporation to enter into an agreement or agreements on behalf of the corporation to provide financial aid to the applicant. The applicant shall be promptly notified of such action by the corporation.

      (b) In making the decision as to approval or denial of an application, the finance committee of the corporation shall give priority to those applicants (1) whose businesses are defense-dependent, or are located in municipalities which the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development has declared have been severely impacted by prime defense contract cutbacks pursuant to section 32-56, and (2) whose proposed research and development activity, technology, product or invention is to be used to convert all or a portion of the applicant's business to non-defense-related industrial or commercial activity, or to create a new non-defense-related industrial or commercial business. For purposes of this section, a defense-dependent business is any business that derives over fifty per cent of its gross income, generated from operations within the state, from prime defense contracts or from subcontracts entered into in connection with prime defense contracts, a significant portion of whose facilities and equipment are designed specifically for defense production and cannot be converted to nondefense uses without substantial investment.

      (c) All financial and credit information and all trade secrets contained in any application for financial aid submitted to the corporation or obtained by the corporation concerning any applicant, project, activity, technology, product or invention shall be exempt from the provisions of subsection (a) of section 1-210.

      (1972, P.A. 248, S. 9; P.A. 77-77; P.A. 80-267, S. 3; P.A. 89-245, S. 13; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6; 96-264, S. 5, 8.)

      History: P.A. 77-77 deleted provision requiring payment of commitment fee as condition of approval of application for financial aid; P.A. 80-267 included dependency upon defense contracts as factor to be considered in approval of financial aid and added provisions granting priority to defense-dependent companies as specified; P.A. 89-245 changed president to executive director, made certain technical changes, added provisions re review of application by the technical peer review committee, added provisions re approval of applications and award of financial aid by the finance committee, and added provisions re exemption of financial and credit information and trade secrets from Sec. 1-19(a); P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Economic Development with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development; P.A. 96-264 divided section into Subsecs. and amended Subsec. (a) to require each application to be processed in accordance with written procedures adopted by corporation under Sec. 32-35(d)(5), replacing prior procedures for processing applications, to require finance committee to approve or deny each application "recommended by the executive director" and to authorize the corporation, instead of the finance committee, to enter into agreement with an applicant whose application has been approved by the finance committee, effective July 1, 1996.

      Cited. 167 C. 111.

      Sec. 32-40a. Advanced technology centers; purposes. Applications to Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated for state funding. Any advanced technology center, as defined in section 32-34, shall be established for purposes of conducting research characterized by reasonable prospects of stimulating development of new business and industry utilizing such advanced technology and augmenting the application of advanced technology by existing business and industry in the state. Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, hereinafter referred to as "the corporation" shall require any applicant for state funding with respect to a proposed advanced technology center to submit a complete description of the organization of such center, plans for research and proposed funding from sources other than the state of Connecticut, subject to the provisions of section 32-40c, including but not limited to the following:

      (1) The specific technological research to be undertaken and the proposed business and industry involvement in the development and application of such research;

      (2) A detailed description of the organization of such center for administrative and research purposes, including (A) name and qualifications of the person to serve as director of the center and (B) a proposed advisory board for such center which shall include members from the academic institution involved and private business;

      (3) Proposed arrangements with the corporation, concerning financial benefits to the state of Connecticut as a result of patents, royalty payments or similar rights developing from research at such center; and

      (4) Details concerning the organization and content of an annual report to be submitted to the corporation by such center reviewing the progress of research, with the understanding that funding shall be contingent upon satisfactory performance evaluations.

      (P.A. 91-388, S. 2, 7.)

      Sec. 32-40b. State funding for advanced technology centers; considerations in approval process by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated. In approving the application of an advanced technology center, as defined in section 32-34, for state funding, Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, shall assess scientific, economic, management and financial factors, including, but not limited to the following:

      (1) The likelihood that the research proposal will result in fundamental technological advances transferable to commercial application and the means that the center proposes to make these transfers;

      (2) The potential of the research proposal to stimulate technological advances in existing businesses, new business creation and long-term job growth in Connecticut;

      (3) Evidence of significant financial commitment by academic and industrial participants and the likelihood that the center will become self-sufficient by the end of the state's financial commitment period;

      (4) Evidence that the state will receive a financial return commensurate with its investment in the center;

      (5) The level of representation by all financial participants in the center's proposed management structure;

      (6) The planned involvement of small businesses and academic institutions in the center's activities;

      (7) The center's plan to involve minority students and minority-owned businesses in its activities; and

      (8) The adequacy of the center's proposed mechanisms for evaluating its progress.

      (P.A. 91-388, S. 3, 7.)

      Sec. 32-40c. State funding for any advanced technology center to be approved only when funds from other sources are at least equal to the state funds. Funds from the state of Connecticut for purposes of any advanced technology center, as defined in section 32-34, shall not be allotted for such purpose unless documentation, satisfactory to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, has been submitted to Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, certifying that such funds are accepted in accordance with a plan of proposed funding for such advanced technology center during a period of five years, commencing with the year of the initial state grant for such purpose. Such proposed funding shall include, in addition to the proposed amounts from the state of Connecticut, funds from other sources in an amount not less than the total proposed funds from the state during such five-year period.

      (P.A. 91-388, S. 4, 7.)

      Sec. 32-41. Bond issue. The State Bond Commission shall have power in accordance with the provisions of section 3-20 to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate forty-seven million eight hundred fifty-four thousand nine hundred dollars to carry out the purposes of sections 32-32 to 32-41, inclusive. The principal and interest of said bonds shall be payable at such place or places as may be determined by the State Treasurer and shall bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, bear interest at such rate or different or varying rates, be payable at such time or times, be in such denominations, be in such form with or without interest coupons attached, carry such registration and transfer privileges, be payable in such medium of payment and be subject to such terms of redemption with or without premium as, irrespective of the provisions of said section 3-20, may be provided by the authorization of the State Bond Commission or fixed in accordance therewith. The proceeds of the sale of such bonds, after deducting therefrom all expenses of issuance and sale, shall be paid to the Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated Fund created under section 32-41a. When the State Bond Commission has acted to issue such bonds or a portion thereof, the Treasurer may, pending the issue of such bonds, issue, in the name of the state, temporary notes in anticipation of the money to be received from the sale of such bonds. In issuing the bonds authorized hereunder, the State Bond Commission may require repayment of such bonds by the corporation as shall seem desirable consistent with the purposes of sections 32-32 to 32-41, inclusive. Such terms for repayment may include a forgiveness of interest, a holiday in the repayment of interest or principal or both.

      (1972, P.A. 248, S. 10; P.A. 79-476, S. 2; S.A. 80-41, S. 66, 68; P.A. 82-369, S. 15, 28; P.A. 83-492, S. 8, 11; P.A. 84-443, S. 12, 20; P.A. 85-558, S. 15, 17; P.A. 86-396, S. 20, 25; P.A. 87-405, S. 19, 26; P.A. 88-343, S. 15, 32; P.A. 89-245, S. 14; 89-331, S. 24, 30; P.A. 90-297, S. 18, 24; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-4, S. 20, 25; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-7, S. 22, 36; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 93-1, S. 18, 45; P.A. 95-272, S. 16, 29; P.A. 98-203, S. 9, 13; P.A. 00-167, S. 64, 69.)

      History: P.A. 79-476 required payment of bond proceeds to Connecticut product development corporation fund rather than to the corporation; S.A. 80-41 reduced bond limit from $10,000,000 to $6,000,000; P.A. 82-369 increased bond authorization to $7,000,000; P.A. 83-492 increased bond authorization to $11,000,000; P.A. 84-443 increased authorization limit to $13,000,000; P.A. 85-558 increased bond authorization limit to $15,000,000; P.A. 86-396 increased bond authorization to $17,500,000; P.A. 87-405 increased the bond authorization to $19,250,000; P.A. 88-343 increased the bond authorization to $22,250,000; P.A. 89-245 changed Connecticut Product Development Corporation Fund to Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated Fund; P.A. 89-331 increased the bond authorization to $26,250,000; P.A. 90-297 increased the bond authorization to $28,250,000; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-4 increased the bond authorization to $33,250,000; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-7 increased the bond authorization to $38,250,000; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 93-1 increased bond authorization to $48,250,000, effective July 1, 1993, provided $5,000,000 of said authorization shall be effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-272 increased authorization to $58,250,000, effective July 1, 1995, provided $50,000,000 shall be effective July 1, 1996; P.A. 98-203 decreased the bond authorization to $48,250,000 and deleted an obsolete reference to previously authorized funds, effective June 8, 1998; P.A. 00-167 decreased the aggregate bond authorization to $47,854,900, effective July 1, 2000.

      Cited. 167 C. 111.

      Sec. 32-41a. Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated Fund. Use of funds or revenues of the corporation. (a) There is hereby created a "Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated Fund". Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by the State Bond Commission in accordance with section 32-41 and section 32-41b shall be paid directly to the Treasurer of the state as agent of the corporation and the Treasurer shall deposit all such amounts in the Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated Fund. The moneys in said fund shall be paid by checks signed by the Treasurer of the state or by his deputy appointed pursuant to section 3-12 on requisition of the executive director of the corporation or his designee.

      (b) Any funds or revenues of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated derived from application fees, royalty payments, investment income and loan repayments received by the corporation in connection with its programs shall be held, administered and invested by the corporation or deposited with and invested by any institution as may be designated by the corporation at its sole discretion and paid as the corporation shall direct. All moneys in such accounts shall be used and applied to carry out the purposes of the corporation. The corporation may make payments from such accounts to the Treasurer of the state for deposit in the Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated Fund for use in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.

      (c) The moneys in the Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated Fund (1) shall be used to carry out the purposes of the corporation and for the repayment of state bonds in such amounts as may be required by the State Bond Commission pursuant to said section 32-41 and section 32-41b and (2) may be used as state matching funds for federal funds available to the state for defense conversion projects or other projects consistent with a defense conversion strategy.

      (P.A. 79-476, S. 1; P.A. 83-492, S. 10, 11; P.A. 84-408, S. 1, 2; P.A. 87-273, S. 2; P.A. 89-245, S. 15; P.A. 94-95, S. 12; P.A. 95-78, S. 3, 5.)

      History: P.A. 83-492 inserted references to funds authorized in accordance with Sec. 32-41b; P.A. 84-408 divided section into Subsecs. and added provisions relative to use of funds outside of the Connecticut Product Development Corporation Fund as Subsec. (b); P.A. 87-273 amended Subsec. (b) to authorize the corporation to invest funds in any institution at its sole discretion; P.A. 89-245 changed Connecticut Product Development Corporation Fund to Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated Fund, changed president to executive director and made certain technical changes; P.A. 94-95 in Subsec. (b) eliminated the requirement that the moneys in the account be held and invested; P.A. 95-78 added Subsec. (c)(2), authorizing use of fund moneys to match federal defense conversion funds, effective July 1, 1995.

      Sec. 32-41b. Bond issue for high technology products. Loan interest rates. The State Bond Commission shall have power in accordance with the provisions of section 3-20 to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate sixty-one million four hundred forty-five thousand six hundred dollars, to carry out the purposes of this section as follows: (1) Loans for the development and marketing of products in the high technology field within the state, not exceeding thirty-four million dollars; (2) royalty financing for start-up costs and product development costs of high technology products and procedures in the state, not exceeding seven million four hundred forty-five thousand six hundred dollars; and (3) financial aid for biotechnology and other high technology laboratories, facilities and equipment, not exceeding twenty million dollars. Any loans originated under subdivision (1) of this section shall bear interest at a rate to be determined in accordance with subsection (t) of said section 3-20. The principal and interest of said bonds shall be payable at such place or places as may be determined by the State Treasurer and shall bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, bear interest at such rate or different or varying rates, be payable at such time or times, be in such denominations, be in such form with or without interest coupons attached, carry such registration and transfer privileges, be payable in such medium of payment and be subject to such terms of redemption with or without premium as, irrespective of the provisions of said section 3-20, may be provided by the authorization of the State Bond Commission or fixed in accordance therewith. The proceeds of the sale of said bonds, after deducting therefrom all expenses of issuance and sale, shall be paid to the Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated Fund created under section 32-41a. When the State Bond Commission has acted to issue such bonds or a portion thereof, the Treasurer may, pending the issue of such bonds, issue, in the name of the state, temporary notes in anticipation of the money to be received from the sale of such bonds. In issuing the bonds authorized hereunder, the State Bond Commission may require repayment of such bonds by the corporation as shall seem desirable consistent with the purposes of this section and section 32-41a. Such terms for repayment may include a forgiveness of interest, a holiday in the repayment of interest or principal or both.

      (P.A. 83-492, S. 9, 11; P.A. 84-443, S. 13, 20; P.A. 85-558, S. 16, 17; P.A. 86-396, S. 21, 25; P.A. 87-405, S. 20, 26; 87-416, S. 23, 24; P.A. 88-343, S. 16, 32; P.A. 89-245, S. 16; 89-331, S. 25, 30; P.A. 90-297, S. 19, 24; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-4, S. 21, 25; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-7, S. 23, 36; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 93-1, S. 19, 45; P.A. 95-272, S. 17, 29; June 5 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-1, S. 17, 20; P.A. 98-203, S. 10, 13.)

      History: P.A. 84-443 increased authorization limit from $3,000,000 to $5,500,000 including an increase from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 for loans under Subdiv. (a) and from $2,000,000 to $4,000,000 for royalty financing under Subdiv. (b); P.A. 85-558 increased the bond authorization limit to $8,700,000, including increases to $3,000,000 under Subdiv. (a) and to $5,700,000 under Subdiv. (b); P.A. 86-396 increased bond authorization to $10,200,000 and increased Subdiv. (a) total to $4,000,000 and Subdiv. (b) total to $6,200,000; P.A. 87-405 increased the bond authorization to $11,950,000 and increased Subdiv. (a) total to $4,500,000 and Subdiv. (b) total to $7,450,000; P.A. 87-416 provided that the interest rates on loans under Subdiv. would be determined in accordance with Sec. 3-20(t); P.A. 88-343 increased the bond authorization to $13,950,000 and increased Subdiv. (a) total to $6,500,000; P.A. 89-245 changed Connecticut Product Development Corporation Fund to Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated Fund; P.A. 89-331 increased the total bond authorization to $17,450,000 and increased the Subdiv. (1)(former (a)) total to $10,000,000; P.A. 90-297 increased the bond authorization to $21,450,000 and increased the Subdiv. (1) total to $14,000,000; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-4 increased the bond authorization to $26,450,000 and in Subdiv. (1) increased amount not to be exceeded for loans for the developing and marketing of products in the high technology field within the state to $19,000,000; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-7 increased the bond authorization to $31,450,000 and increased the Subdiv. (1) total $24,000,000; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 93-1 increased aggregate bond authorization to $41,450,000, increased bond authorization in Subdiv. (1) to $34,000,000, effective July 1, 1993, and provided in each case that $5,000,000 of said authorizations shall be effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-272 increased authorization to $51,450,000, provided $5,000,000 shall be effective July 1, 1996, and amended Subdiv. (1) to increase amount to $44,000,000, provided $5,000,000 shall be effective July 1, 1996, effective July 1, 1995; June 5 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-1 decreased bond authorization to $51,445,600, effective July 31, 1997; P.A. 98-203 increased the aggregate bond authorization under this section to $61,445,600, deleted an obsolete reference to previously authorized funds, decreased authorization for high technology products to $34,000,000 and provided a new authorization of $20,000,000 for financial aid to certain technology companies, effective June 8, 1998.

      Secs. 32-41c to 32-41f. Reserved for future use.

      Sec. 32-41g. Short title: Technology Deployment Act of 1993. Sections 32-41g to 32-41o, inclusive, shall be known and may be cited as the "Technology Deployment Act of 1993".

      (P.A. 93-382, S. 30, 69.)

      History: P.A. 93-382 effective July 1, 1993.

      Sec. 32-41h. Legislative finding. It is hereby found and declared that the deployment of advanced available technologies in Connecticut manufacturing is vital to the economic interests of the state, that advanced basic research continues to be a strong asset of state institutions of higher education, but there is a special need to strengthen links between basic research and the creation and efficient manufacture of new or improved products, especially in the critical technologies in which the state possesses unique scientific and human resources, and therefore it is necessary and in the public interest and for the public good that the provisions of sections 32-41g to 32-41o, inclusive, are hereby declared a matter of legislative determination.

      (P.A. 93-382, S. 31, 69.)

      History: P.A. 93-382 effective July 1, 1993.

      Sec. 32-41i. Definitions. As used in sections 32-41g to 32-41o, inclusive:

      (1) "Act" means the Technology Deployment Act of 1993;

      (2) "Advanced available technology" means a technology or process that can be applied to a manufacturing operation without substantial modification;

      (3) "Technology deployment" means (A) activities that assist businesses in applying advanced available technologies in their existing operations or (B) activities that assist businesses in the development and manufacture of new products derived from advanced available technologies;

      (4) "Corporation" means Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated;

      (5) "Eligible institution" means an institution within the Connecticut State University System which is operating a technology deployment program on July 1, 1993;

      (6) "Eligible deployment research consortium" means a multitown, nonprofit coalition which is representative of the business, academic and government communities in an economically distressed area of the state which on or before July 1, 1993, is dependent upon labor intensive, less technologically advanced manufacturing;

      (7) "Eligible business consortium" means a nonprofit business-led consortium organized for the purpose of technology deployment in the fields of biotechnology, ergonomics, environmental and energy technologies or educational and job training technologies;

      (8) "Eligible grant recipient" means one or more state institutions of higher education or a nonprofit business-led consortium organized for the purpose of technology deployment in advanced materials, marine sciences, photonics, pharmaceutical and environmental technologies;

      (9) "Small and medium-sized business" means a manufacturing business with fewer than five hundred employees.

      (P.A. 93-382, S. 32, 69.)

      History: P.A. 93-382 effective July 1, 1993.

      Sec. 32-41j. Manufacturing application center program. (a) There is established a university-based manufacturing application center program to be administered by the corporation for the purpose of promoting technology deployment by linking Connecticut's higher education system with small and medium-sized businesses. During the three-month period beginning on July 1, 1993, the corporation shall accept applications from eligible institutions in a form and manner prescribed by the corporation for state funding for the operation of a manufacturing application center.

      (b) On or before January 1, 1994, the corporation shall review all applications timely received pursuant to this section and shall approve one such application. In approving such application the corporation shall assess scientific and economic factors concerning the proposed manufacturing application center, including but not limited to the following:

      (1) The eligible institution's experience with manufacturing applications, including computer-integrated manufacturing, computer-aided drafting and design, just-in-time manufacturing and total quality management;

      (2) The center's plan to provide follow-up employee training to center users;

      (3) The center's plan to involve urban-based businesses, minority students or minority-owned businesses in its activities; and

      (4) The adequacy of the center's proposed mechanisms for evaluating its progress.

      (c) The center's responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, providing training for manufacturing businesses in high performance work practices.

      (P.A. 93-382, S. 33, 69; P.A. 94-116, S. 9, 28.)

      History: P.A. 93-382 effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-116 added Subsec. (c) re training in high performance work practices, effective July 1, 1994.

      Sec. 32-41k. Deployment research program. (a) There is established a nonprofit deployment research program to be administered by the corporation for the purpose of identifying emerging advanced available technologies in economically distressed manufacturing or former manufacturing regions of the state. During the six-month period beginning on July 1, 1993, the corporation shall accept applications from eligible deployment research consortia in a form and manner prescribed by the corporation for state funding for technology deployment research.

      (b) On or before July 1, 1994, the corporation shall review all applications timely received pursuant to this section and shall approve one such application. In approving such application the corporation shall assess scientific and economic factors concerning the proposed technology deployment research, including but not limited to the following:

      (1) The extent to which the research will identify advanced available technologies for future deployment;

      (2) The extent to which the research enhances existing manufacturing in Connecticut industry;

      (3) The eligible research consortium's plan to involve minority students or minority owned businesses in its activities; and

      (4) The adequacy of the eligible research consortium's proposed mechanisms for evaluating its progress.

      (c) The center's responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, providing training for businesses in high performance work practices.

      (P.A. 93-382, S. 34, 69; P.A. 94-116, S. 10, 28.)

      History: P.A. 93-382 effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-116 added Subsec. (c) re training in high performance work practices, effective July 1, 1994.

      Sec. 32-41l. Energy and environmental technologies deployment center program. (a) There is established a Connecticut energy and environmental technologies deployment center program to be administered by the corporation for the purpose of promoting a nonprofit business consortium for technology deployment in two critical technologies where the state possesses unique scientific and human resources. During the three-month period beginning on July 1, 1993, the corporation shall accept applications from eligible business consortia in a form and manner prescribed by the corporation for state funding for the operation of an energy and environmental technologies application center.

      (b) On or before January 1, 1994, the corporation shall review all applications timely received pursuant to this section and shall approve one such application. In approving such application the corporation shall assess scientific and economic factors concerning the proposed Connecticut energy and environmental technologies deployment center, including but not limited to the following:

      (1) Participation in the center by multiple private enterprises including defense and non-defense-based firms with an expertise in environmental and energy technologies;

      (2) Participation in the center by more than one public or private institution of higher education;

      (3) The center's plan to involve minority students or minority-owned businesses in its activities; and

      (4) The adequacy of the center's proposed mechanisms for evaluating its progress.

      (P.A. 93-382, S. 35, 69.)

      History: P.A. 93-382 effective July 1, 1993.

      Sec. 32-41m. Connecticut educational and job training technologies deployment center programs. (a) There is established a Connecticut educational and job training technologies deployment center program to be administered by the corporation for the purpose of promoting a nonprofit business-led consortium for technology deployment in a critical technology in which the state possesses unique scientific and human resources. During the three-month period beginning on July 1, 1993, the corporation shall accept applications from eligible business consortia in a form and manner prescribed by the corporation for state funding for the operation of an educational and job training technologies deployment center.

      (b) On or before January 1, 1994, the corporation shall review all applications timely received pursuant to this section and shall approve one such application. In approving such application the corporation shall assess scientific and economic factors concerning the proposed Connecticut educational and job training technologies deployment center, including but not limited to the following:

      (1) The center's plan to provide educational and job training technologies to industry, the state's public schools, and state agencies;

      (2) The center's plan to deploy educational and job training software, hardware and state of the art telecommunications technologies;

      (3) The center's plan to involve minority students or minority-owned businesses in its activities; and

      (4) The adequacy of the center's proposed mechanisms for evaluating its progress.

      (P.A. 93-382, S. 36, 69.)

      History: P.A. 93-382 effective July 1, 1993.

      Sec. 32-41n. Critical technologies grant program. (a) There is established a critical technologies grant program to be administered by the corporation for the purpose of promoting technology deployment in advanced materials, marine sciences, photonics, pharmaceutical and environmental technologies. During the twelve-month period beginning on July 1, 1993, the corporation shall accept applications from eligible grant recipients in a form and manner prescribed by the corporation for state grants for the purpose of promoting technology deployment in such technologies.

      (b) On or before January 1, 1995, the corporation shall review all applications timely received pursuant to this section, may approve such applications and provide approved grant recipients such financial assistance as it may determine will promote technology deployment in advanced materials, marine sciences, photonics, pharmaceutical and environmental technologies. In approving such application the corporation shall assess scientific and economic factors concerning the uses of the proposed grant, including but not limited to the following:

      (1) The formal participation in the program proposed by businesses actively engaged in the commercial use of advanced materials, marine sciences, photonics, pharmaceutical and environmental technologies;

      (2) The likelihood that the program proposed will result in substantial and timely deployment of advanced available technologies in one or more of the following: Advanced materials, marine sciences, photonics, pharmaceutical and environmental technologies;

      (3) The proposal's plan to involve minority students or minority-owned businesses in its activities; and

      (4) The adequacy of the program's mechanisms for evaluating its progress.

      (P.A. 93-382, S. 37, 69.)

      History: P.A. 93-382 effective July 1, 1993.

      Sec. 32-41o. Bond issue for technology deployment. (a) For the purposes described in subsection (b) of this section, the State Bond Commission shall have the power, from time to time, to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate five million five hundred thousand dollars.

      (b) The proceeds of the sale of said bonds, to the extent of the amount stated in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used by the corporation as follows: (1) Three million dollars for the program established in section 32-41j; (2) five hundred thousand dollars for the program established in section 32-41k; (3) one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars for the program established and for the eligible business consortium approved in section 32-41l; and (4) seven hundred fifty thousand dollars for the program established and for the eligible business consortium approved in section 32-41m.

      (c) All provisions of section 3-20, or the exercise of any right or power granted thereby which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section are hereby adopted and shall apply to all bonds authorized by the State Bond Commission pursuant to this section, and temporary notes in anticipation of the money to be derived from the sale of any such bonds so authorized may be issued in accordance with said section 3-20 and from time to time renewed. Such bonds shall mature at such time or times not exceeding twenty years from their respective dates as may be provided in or pursuant to the resolution or resolutions of the State Bond Commission authorizing such bonds. None of said bonds shall be authorized except upon a finding by the State Bond Commission that there has been filed with it a request for such authorization, which is signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and states such terms and conditions as said commission, in its discretion, may require. Said bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be general obligations of the state and the full faith and credit of the state of Connecticut are pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on said bonds as the same become due, and accordingly and as part of the contract of the state with the holders of said bonds, appropriation of all amounts necessary for punctual payment of such principal and interest is hereby made, and the Treasurer shall pay such principal and interest as the same become due.

      (P.A. 93-382, S. 38, 69; P.A. 95-272, S. 18, 29.)

      History: P.A. 93-382 effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-272 amended Subsec. (a) to increase authorization from $5,000,000 to $5,500,000, Subsec. (b)(3) to increase amount from $1,000,000 to $1,250,000 and Subsec. (b)(4) to increase amount from $500,000 to $750,000 and made technical changes, effective July 1, 1995.

      Sec. 32-41p. Workplace center of excellence program. (a) There is established a workplace center of excellence program to be administered by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated for the purpose of developing and deploying ergonomic technology solutions and knowledge. During the three-month period beginning on July 1, 1994, the corporation shall accept applications from eligible institutions in a form and manner prescribed by the corporation for state funding for the establishment and operation of a workplace center of excellence.

      (b) On or before January 1, 1995, the corporation shall review all applications timely received pursuant to this section, approve one such application and provide the approved institution with such financial assistance as the corporation may determine will promote the purposes of this section. In approving such application the corporation shall assess scientific and economic factors concerning the proposed center, including but not limited to, the following:

      (1) The formal participation in, and financial support of, the center by employers, insurers, and enterprises actively engaged in developing and deploying ergonomics solutions and related activities;

      (2) The likelihood that the center will result in substantial and timely deployment of advanced technology solutions to existing businesses in the state;

      (3) The center's plan to involve employers, labor, institutions of higher education and other interested parties in its decision-making;

      (4) The adequacy of the center's financial plan, including the matching of any state grant funds to implement specific projects with at least an equal amount of funding from private sources;

      (5) The center's plan to involve urban residents and urban-based businesses; and

      (6) The adequacy of the center's mechanisms for evaluating its progress.

      (P.A. 94-45, S. 2, 3.)

      History: P.A. 94-45 effective July 1, 1994.

      Sec. 32-41q. Critical industries development account. Purpose. Regulations. (a) As used in this section "critical industry" means an industry that uses emerging technologies, including but not limited to, fuel cell technology, to develop and manufacture nondefense products for future sale, has the potential to create or retain jobs in the state and is critical to the state economy.

      (b) There is established an account to be known as the critical industries development account, which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys invested pursuant to the provisions of this section. Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated may use funds from the account to provide loans, loan guarantees, interest rate subsidies and other forms of loan assistance to customers of businesses in critical industries which businesses are based in the state. Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated may solicit and receive funds from any public and private sources for the program. Such funds may include, without limitation, federal funds, state bond proceeds, private venture capital and investments by persons, firms or corporations. Private capital investments may be made either in the account as a whole or in one or more individual technologies or projects.

      (c) No product may receive assistance under this section unless its manufacturer agrees to enter into a contract to: (1) Carry out a specified percentage of the development and manufacturing work for the product in the state; and (2) when subcontracting is required, to conduct a specified percentage of such work with companies based in the state. Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall determine such percentage for the purposes of this program.

      (d) Any person who, or firm or corporation which, invests funds in the critical industries development account pursuant to this section shall receive a portion of the interest paid and principal repayment by the recipient of the loan in proportion to the ratio of the amount of the investment of such person, firm or corporation to the total loan amount.

      (e) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to carry out the purposes of this section.

      (P.A. 95-250, S. 1; 95-288, S. 1, 2; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6; 96-264, S. 7, 8; P.A. 97-295, S. 12, 25; P.A. 98-262, S. 14, 22.)

      History: P.A. 95-288 effective July 1, 1995 (Revisor's Note: P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 authorized substitution of "Commissioner of Economic and Community Development" for "Commissioner of Economic Development"); P.A. 96-264 included fuel cell technology industries in definition of "critical industry", effective July 1, 1996; P.A. 97-295 deleted former Subsec. (d) re tax credit for funds invested in account and redesignated existing Subsec. (e) and (f) as Subsecs. (d) and (e), effective July 8, 1997, and applicable to income years commencing on or after January 1, 1998; P.A. 98-262 revised effective date of P.A. 97-295, but without affecting this section.

      Sec. 32-41r. Short title: Economic Recovery Act of 1996. This section, section 32-40, subsection (a) of section 32-41q, and sections 32-41s, 32-229 and 32-450 shall be known and may be cited as the "Economic Recovery Act of 1996".

      (P.A. 96-264, S. 1, 8; P.A. 08-162, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 96-264 effective July 1, 1996; P.A. 08-162 deleted reference to Sec. 32-285(k), effective June 12, 2008.

      Sec. 32-41s. Bioscience, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and photonics businesses. Benefits. Regulations. (a) As used in this section:

      (1) "Bioscience" means the study of genes, cells, tissues and chemical and physical structures of living organisms;

      (2) "Eligible business" means a business which (A) has not more than three hundred employees at any time during the preceding twelve months, and (B) is engaged in bioscience, biotechnology, pharmaceutical or photonics research, development or production in the state; and

      (3) "Eligible commercial property" means (A) real or personal property which an eligible business has (i) owned or leased, and (ii) utilized at all times during the preceding twelve months, or (B) real property which the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development or Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated has certified as newly constructed or substantially renovated and expanded primarily for occupancy by one or more eligible businesses.

      (b) On and after July 1, 2010, eligible businesses and eligible commercial property located in (1) the city of Hartford; (2) census block groups 090034601001, 090034601009, 090034602014 and 090034602022 in the town of Farmington; (3) census blocks 090034602021011, 090034602021012, 090034602021013, 090034602021014, 090034602021015, 090034602021017, 090034602021018, 090034602021019, 090034602021020, 090034602021021, 090034602021022, 090034602021023, 090034602021024 and 090034602021025 in the town of Farmington; (4) census block groups 090034165005 and 090034165006 in the city of New Britain; (5) census blocks 90034164001000, 90034164001001, 90034164001002, 90034164004004, 90034164004005, 90034164004006 and 90034164001009 in the city of New Britain; (6) census tracts 09003417500, 09003416000, 09003416100, 09003416700, 09003416800, 09003417400, 09003417200, 09003417300 and 09003415700 in the city of New Britain; (7) census tracts 09003405100, 09003405200 and 09003405300 in the city of Bristol; or (8) any municipality which has (A) a major research university with programs in bioscience, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals or photonics and (B) an enterprise zone, shall be entitled to the same benefits, subject to the same conditions, under the general statutes for which businesses located in an enterprise zone qualify.

      (c) Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated may provide lease guarantees or other financial aid for facilities, improvements and equipment, to benefit any eligible business which is unable to secure financing for such items on commercially reasonable terms.

      (d) Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated may recommend regulations to carry out the purposes of this section, which the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall adopt in accordance with chapter 54.

      (e) Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall evaluate the feasibility of establishing a bio-processing facility within this state. If determined to be feasible, Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall facilitate the formation of a business consortium, in which it may participate, to launch and operate such facility.

      (P.A. 96-264, S. 4, 8; P.A. 99-223, S. 2, 3; P.A. 10-104, S. 13.)

      History: P.A. 96-264 effective July 1, 1996; P.A. 99-223 added new Subsec. (e) re participation in a bio-processing facility, effective June 29, 1999; P.A. 10-104 amended Subsec. (a) by adding new Subdiv. (1) defining "bioscience", redesignating existing Subdivs. (1) and (2) as Subdivs. (2) and (3) and redefining "eligible business" in redesignated Subdiv. (2), and amended Subsec. (b) by adding new Subdivs. (1) to (7) expanding locations of eligible businesses and eligible commercial property, designating existing location as Subdiv. (8), redesignating existing Subdivs. (1) and (2) as Subdiv. (8)(A) and (B) and amending redesignated Subdiv. (8)(A) to extend benefits to municipalities that have major research university with programs in bioscience, effective July 1, 2010.

      Sec. 32-41t. High technology research and development program: Definitions. As used in this section and section 32-41u:

      (1) "Corporation" means Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated as created under section 32-35; and

      (2) "Eligible participant" means a member of the faculty or a researcher engaged in applied research and development at any Connecticut college or university that agrees to participate in a high technology research and development program established by the corporation.

      (P.A. 00-187, S. 55, 75.)

      History: P.A. 00-187 effective July 1, 2000.

      Sec. 32-41u. High technology research and development program: Establishment and purpose. (a) There is established a high technology research and development program to be administered by the corporation for the purpose of promoting collaboration between businesses and colleges and universities in this state in advanced materials, aerospace, bioscience, energy and environmental systems, information technology, applied optics, microelectronics and other high technology fields. The corporation may accept applications to the program from eligible participants in a form and manner prescribed by the corporation.

      (b) In approving any application the corporation shall assess the collaborative nature of the proposal as well as scientific and economic factors, including, but not limited to, the following:

      (1) The formal participation in the proposal by businesses actively engaged in the commercial use of advanced materials, aerospace, bioscience, energy and environmental systems, information technology, applied optics, microelectronics and other high technology fields;

      (2) The likelihood that a proposal will result in the development or commercialization of high technology products or processes in this state; and

      (3) The likelihood that a proposal will result in long-term, sustainable economic growth for this state.

      (c) The corporation shall provide financial aid, as defined in subdivision (4) of section 32-34, to eligible participants whose proposals have been approved by the corporation as provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section.

      (d) The corporation may establish other programs, including financial programs, in order to attract and retain residents with postsecondary education in science, engineering, mathematics and other disciplines that are essential or advisable to the development and application of technology.

      (P.A. 00-187, S. 56, 75.)

      History: P.A. 00-187 effective July 1, 2000.

      Sec. 32-41v. Connecticut New Opportunities Fund. (a) As used in this section:

      (1) "Corporation" means Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated; and

      (2) "Fund" means the Connecticut New Opportunities Fund.

      (b) Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall establish a fund to be known as the Connecticut New Opportunities Fund, for the purpose of investing in seed stage and emerging growth companies in the state. The corporation, or a subsidiary created by the corporation for the purposes of this section, shall serve as general partner or managing member of the fund and shall determine whether the fund should be organized as a limited partnership or a limited liability company. The general partner or managing member of the fund shall be reimbursed from the fund for its management costs, which shall not exceed two per cent, annually, of the committed capital of the fund.

      (c) Investors in the fund may include pension funds, foundations and private entities. Such investors shall participate as limited partners or nonmanaging members of the fund. The committed capital of the fund shall not exceed fifty million dollars.

      (d) The moneys in the fund shall be invested as follows: (1) Not more than twenty-five per cent in seed stage companies, and (2) not more than seventy-five per cent in not more than twenty emerging growth companies. Not more than three million dollars shall be invested in any single seed stage or emerging growth company. Fund investments shall be in the form of equity or similar instruments. An emerging growth company may be eligible for an investment if the company projects high growth, has a strong management team, has current and prospective customers, has had difficulty raising early stage venture capital and is a strong market driver but is facing entry barriers.

      (e) The fund shall have a term of ten years, provided it may be extended for three one-year periods if necessary to complete liquidation of the fund's investments. Upon such liquidation, each investor shall be entitled to a return of the investment made, plus eighty per cent of all net realized gains of the fund. The state shall provide a first loss guarantee at the end of the tenth year, if needed, of not more than twenty-five million dollars. The state shall be entitled to ten per cent of all net realized gains of the fund and the general partner or managing member of the fund shall also be entitled to ten per cent of all such net realized gains.

      (P.A. 05-129, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 05-129 effective July 1, 2005.

      Sec. 32-41w. Early-stage venture capital program. (a) There is established an early-stage venture capital program to be administered by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, to provide preseed financing, seed financing, start-up financing, early or first-stage financing and expansion financing to companies in the state.

      (b) In support of the program established in subsection (a) of this section, the corporation shall establish criteria for awarding such financing and shall develop and implement a plan to market the program.

      (c) The board of the corporation shall review and approve each application for such financing.

      (d) Funds provided for this section shall be allocated as follows: (1) Not less than five per cent for preseed financing; (2) not less than ten per cent for seed financing; (3) not less than ten per cent for start-up financing; (4) not less than fifteen per cent for early or first stage financing; and (5) not less than forty per cent and not more than sixty per cent on expansion financing, as such terms are defined in section 32-34. The corporation shall use not more than three per cent of such funds for administration and marketing of such financial aid.

      (e) The corporation shall adopt procedures, pursuant to section 1-121, to implement the provisions of this section.

      (P.A. 06-83, S. 4.)

      History: P.A. 06-83 effective July 1, 2006.

      Sec. 32-41x. Preseed financing account and program. (a) There is established an account to be known as the "preseed financing account" which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account shall be expended by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, for the purposes of providing preseed financing pursuant to the program established in subsection (b) of this section.

      (b) Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, shall establish a program to provide preseed financing for Connecticut businesses, which shall include, but not be limited to, financial assistance for the development of proof of concepts and support services. Financial assistance shall not exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars per eligible business. An eligible business shall (1) be principally located in Connecticut, (2) have not less than seventy-five per cent of its employees working in Connecticut, and (3) demonstrate private investment dollars of not less than fifty cents for every dollar of financial assistance sought from the program established pursuant to this section.

      (c) The corporation may enter into an agreement, pursuant to chapter 55a, with a nonprofit corporation providing services and resources to entrepreneurs and businesses to operate such program.

      (P.A. 10-75, S. 12.)

      History: P.A. 10-75 effective July 1, 2010.

      Sec. 32-42. Examination. Audits. The corporation shall be subject to examination by the State Treasurer. The accounts of the corporation shall be subject to annual audits by the State Auditors of Public Accounts.

      (1972, P.A. 248, S. 11; P.A. 93-382, S. 8, 69.)

      History: P.A. 93-382 deleted requirement that corporation report annually to governor, effective July 1, 1993.

      Sec. 32-43. State pledge. The state of Connecticut does hereby pledge to and agree with any person with whom the corporation may enter into contracts pursuant to the provisions of this chapter that the state will not limit or alter the rights hereby vested in the corporation until such contracts and the obligations thereunder are fully met and performed on the part of the corporation, provided nothing herein contained shall preclude such limitation or alteration if adequate provision shall be made by law for the protection of such persons entering into contracts with the corporation.

      (1972, P.A. 248, S. 12.)

      Sec. 32-44. Powers to be interpreted broadly. The powers enumerated in this chapter shall be interpreted broadly to effectuate the purposes thereof and shall not be construed as a limitation of powers.

      (1972, P.A. 248, S. 13.)

      Sec. 32-45. Inconsistent provisions of law. To the extent that the provisions of this chapter are inconsistent with the provisions of any general statute or special act or parts thereof, the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed controlling.

      (1972, P.A. 248, S. 14.)

      Sec. 32-46. Tax exemption. The corporation shall be and is hereby declared exempt from all franchise, corporate business, property and income taxes levied by the state or any municipality, provided nothing herein shall be construed to exempt from any such taxes, or from any taxes levied in connection with the manufacture or sale of any products which are the subject of any agreement made by the corporation, any person entering into any agreement with the corporation.

      (1972, P.A. 248, S. 15; P.A. 96-107, S. 1, 2.)

      History: P.A. 96-107 exempted corporation from property taxes levied by the state or any municipality and from franchise, corporate business and income taxes levied by any municipality, effective July 1, 1996.

      Constitutionality of sections 32-32-32-46 (chapter 581, 1972 public act 248) upheld. 167 C. 111.

      Sec. 32-47. Personal liability of directors or persons acting on behalf of the corporation. (a) Neither the directors of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated nor any person acting on behalf of said corporation executing any notes, bonds, contracts, agreements or other obligations issued pursuant to this chapter shall be liable personally on such notes, bonds, contracts, agreements or obligations, or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance thereof.

      (b) No director shall be personally liable for damage or injury, not wanton or wilful, caused in the performance of his duties and within the scope of his employment. Any person having a complaint for such damage or injury shall present it as a claim against the state under the provisions of chapter 53.

      (P.A. 78-357, S. 15, 16; P.A. 79-333; P.A. 88-266, S. 18, 46; P.A. 89-245, S. 17.)

      History: P.A. 79-333 added Subsec. (b) re claims against the state and protection of directors from personal liability; P.A. 88-266 substituted "directors" for "members" in Subsec. (a); P.A. 89-245 changed Connecticut Product Development Corporation to Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated.

      Sec. 32-47a. Business plan. Report. Not later than January first in each year, Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall submit a business plan containing a summary of its projected operations for the year to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the Department of Economic and Community Development, appropriations and capital bonding. Not later than November first, annually, the corporation shall submit a report to the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, the Auditors of Public Accounts and said joint standing committees, which shall include the following information with respect to new and outstanding financial assistance provided by the corporation during the twelve-month period ending on June thirtieth next preceding the date of the report for each financial assistance program administered by the corporation: (1) A list of the names, addresses and locations of all recipients of such assistance, (2) for each such recipient: (A) The business activities, (B) the Standard Industrial Classification Manual codes, (C) the gross revenues during the recipient's most recent fiscal year, if the recipient is an organization that makes such information public in the normal course of business, or, if the recipient does not make such information public in the normal course of business, the gross revenue information shall be provided for a recipient separately, using a system in which no recipient is listed by name but each is given a separate identity in a manner consistent with the provisions of subsection (c) of section 32-40, (D) the number of employees at the time of application, (E) whether the recipient is a minority or woman-owned business, (F) a summary of the terms and conditions for the assistance, including the type and amount of state financial assistance, job creation or retention requirements, and anticipated wage rates, and (G) the amount of investments from private and other nonstate sources that have been leveraged by the assistance, (3) the economic benefit criteria used in determining which applications have been approved or disapproved, and (4) for each recipient of assistance on or after July 1, 1991, a comparison between the number of jobs to be created, the number of jobs to be retained and the average wage rates for each such category of jobs, as projected in the recipient's application, versus the actual number of jobs created, the actual number of jobs retained and the average wage rates for each such category. The Governor and the chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding and commerce may, after a request to Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated by any of said persons, examine, in confidence, the detailed data, including the specific revenue data for each identifiable business, submitted pursuant to subparagraph (C) of subdivision (2) of this section. The chairpersons and ranking members of said committees may disclose such data to the members of said committees, who shall also keep such data confidential. The report shall also indicate the actual number of full-time jobs and the actual number of part-time jobs in each such category and the benefit levels for each such subcategory. The November first report shall include a summary of the activities of the corporation, including all activities to assist small businesses and minority business enterprises, as defined in section 4a-60g, a complete operating and financial statement and recommendations for legislation to promote the purposes of the corporation. The corporation shall furnish such additional information upon the written request of any such committee at such times as the committee may request.

      (P.A. 89-245, S. 18; P.A. 93-382, S. 3, 69; P.A. 95-78, S. 4, 5; 95-250, S. 40, 42; 95-309, S. 11, 12; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6; P.A. 99-30, S. 1; P.A. 00-212, S. 1; P.A. 09-172, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 93-382 required corporation to also submit business plan to general assembly committee having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and capital bonding, report semiannually instead of quarterly and submit reports to auditors of public accounts and same committees and specified content of such reports, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-78 required reports to list federal defense conversion financial assistance programs and applications for such assistance, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 substituted Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development for Commissioner and Department of Economic Development and deleted provision re list of federal financial programs for defense conversion projects, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 95-309 changed effective date of P.A. 95-250 but did not affect this section; P.A. 99-30 changed a requirement for a biannual report regarding financial assistance provided by the corporation to an annual report; P.A. 00-212 made a technical change in Subdiv. (2)(E); P.A. 09-172 amended Subdiv. (2)(C) to add provision re confidentiality for gross revenue information of recipients that do not make such information public, and added provisions allowing Governor and specific legislators to examine revenue data in confidence and permitting disclosure of such data to legislative committee members, effective July 1, 2009.