SB894: Bill Text

2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE

2023 Senate BILL 894

January 5, 2024 - Introduced by Senators Stroebel, Ballweg, Felzkowski, Quinn, Smith and Spreitzer, cosponsored by Representatives Nedweski, Zimmerman, Gustafson, C. Anderson, Armstrong, Dittrich, Duchow, Goeben, Gundrum, Kitchens, Macco, Maxey, Murphy, Mursau, Petryk, Rettinger, Sapik and Steffen. Referred to Committee on Economic Development and Technical Colleges.

SB894,1,3 An Act to repeal 20.192 (1) (ar); and to create 20.192 (1) (ar) of the statutes; relating to: a technology and innovation hub grant to BioForward, Inc., and making an appropriation.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill provides $7,500,000 in funding for a grant to BioForward, Inc., in its capacity as the lead consortium member of a consortium formed for purposes of Wisconsin's designation by the federal government as a regional technology and innovation hub eligible for a federal regional technology and innovation hub grant. Under the bill, grant moneys may be expended for the following projects, but only to the extent consistent with the purposes of such federal grant and only if the federal grant is actually awarded:

1. The establishment in Wisconsin of a clinical work flow and supply chain support center for image-guided therapies and theranostics.

2. The construction of expanded shared lab space at Forward BIOLABS, Inc., the construction of new Forward BIOLABS, Inc., lab space, and the development of lab-related programming and support for the expansion of Forward BIOLABS, Inc.

3. The development of a program that provides support for manufacturing and supply chain companies in Wisconsin to develop apprenticeship programs and the development of incentives for Wisconsin employers to engage apprentices in high-demand industry sectors.

The bill requires that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and BioForward, Inc., submit a joint report to the Joint Committee on Finance, annually for three years, that details all uses of the grant moneys.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB894,1 Section 1 . 20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes: at the appropriate place, insert the following amounts for the purposes indicated: - See PDF for table

SB894,2 Section 2 . 20.192 (1) (ar) of the statutes is created to read:

SB894,2,6 20.192 (1) (ar) Regional technology and innovation hub grant. Biennially, the amounts in the schedule for the grant to BioForward, Inc., under 2023 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), section 4 (1).

SB894,3 Section 3. 20.192 (1) (ar) of the statutes, as created by 2023 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed.

SB894,4 Section 4 . Nonstatutory provisions.

SB894,2,10 (1) Regional technology and innovation hub grant.

SB894,3,3 (a) The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation shall provide sponsorship funding for purposes of this state's designation as a regional technology and innovation hub under 15 USC 3722a. The funding shall be in the form of a grant of $7,500,000 awarded to BioForward, Inc., in its capacity as the lead consortium member of the consortium formed for purposes of this state's federal designation as a regional technology and innovation hub. The grant awarded under this subsection is not subject to s. 238.03 (3) (a).

SB894,3,6 (b) To the extent consistent with the purposes of a federal grant awarded under 15 USC 3722a (f), BioForward, Inc., shall expend all grant moneys for the following projects:

SB894,3,8 1. The establishment in this state of a clinical work flow and supply chain support center for image-guided therapies and theranostics.

SB894,3,11 2. The construction of expanded shared lab space at Forward BIOLABS, Inc., the construction of new Forward BIOLABS, Inc., lab space, and the development of lab-related programming and support for the expansion of Forward BIOLABS, Inc.

SB894,3,15 3. The development of a program that provides support for manufacturing and supply chain companies in this state to develop apprenticeship programs and the development of incentives for employers in this state to engage apprentices in high-demand industry sectors.

SB894,3,19 (2) Reports. Annually, for 3 years beginning with the first year after the grant is awarded under sub. (1), the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and BioForward, Inc., shall submit a joint report to the joint committee on finance detailing all uses of the grant moneys.

SB894,5 Section 5. Fiscal changes.

SB894,4,2 (1) In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the joint committee on finance under s. 20.865 (4) (a), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2023-24 is increased by $7,500,000 for the grant to BioForward, Inc., under Section 4 (1 ) of this act. No moneys may be released under this subsection unless the consortium specified in Section 4 (1) of this act is awarded a federal grant under 15 USC 3722a (f).

SB894,6 Section 6. Effective dates. This act takes effect on the day after publication, except as follows:

SB894,4,5 (1) The repeal of s. 20.192 (1) (ar) takes effect on July 1, 2025.

SB894,4,6 (End)