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2006 Session

Budget Amendments - SB30 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Hawkins
Biotechnology Wet Lab Facilities Program

Item 462 #6s

Item 462 #6s

First Year - FY2007 Second Year - FY2008
Central Appropriations
Central Appropriations FY2007 $20,000,000 FY2008 $0 GF

Language
Page 403, line 40, strike "$58,620,000" and insert "$78,620,000".
Page 408, after line 29, insert:
"T.1.  There is hereby created, with the appropriation of $20,000,000, the Virginia Biotechnology Wet-Laboratory Facilities Program for the purposes of expanding the biosciences industry in the Commonwealth and making Virginia a more competitive location for growing and attracting life sciences companies that require highly-specialized, wet laboratory capable facilities.  Monies from the program may be used to construct, improve, furnish, equip, maintain, acquire and renovate biotechnology "shell buildings" designed to accommodate and provide wet-lab space or other needed laboratory, research, office, or production space to attract biosciences and other related technology companies to the state, as well as accommodating the growth of companies already located in Virginia.
2.  As a precondition for expending any of the monies hereby appropriated, through whatever source or means, the Virginia Biotechnology Research Partnership Authority, a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia, created by Chapter 946 of the 1993 Virginia Acts of Assembly, as amended, shall develop a program for the use of such funds.  This program shall be submitted for review to the Governor, and the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees prior to implementing any of the initiative which may be contemplated or authorized herein.
3.  The program shall contemplate that funds awarded under the competitive process described in subparagraph 4 following, can be used for the development, marketing, management, operating, leasing, transfer and sale of any "wet laboratory" buildings or facilities constructed under this program through whatever means or mechanism deemed appropriate and consistent with the program guidelines.  Further, funds may be used for loan guarantees, credit enhancement, grants or other appropriate means, in cooperation with, or on behalf of, applying local government, private development entities, or other qualified applicants under the terms of the program guidelines, acting singularly or together as a consortium of development interests.
4.  Decisions regarding the size and scope of the biotechnology "shell" buildings, the selection of sites, and the selection of users, tenants or purchasers of any such buildings shall be made by a panel consisting of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, President of the Center for Innovative Technology, Executive Director of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Executive Director of the Virginia Biotechnology Association and the President of a research university selected by the Council of University and College Presidents.  This panel shall receive requests and recommendations in accordance with the guidelines that have been promulgated and presented in accordance with subparagraph 2 above, to ensure that the Commonwealth receives maximum benefit in furthering the growth of the biotechnology industry in Virginia.  It is anticipated that with this appropriation there will be multiple projects awarded."


Explanation
(This amendment creates a $20.0 million GF incentive program aimed at encouraging the growth of the biotechnology industry in Virginia.)