Public Policy -

This committee will work in conjunction with the Metro Orlando EDC's Legislative Affairs Committee. Within the framework of EDC's current agenda, members of bioOrlando's Public Policy Committee will provide additional input to create a legislative platform that focuses on accelerating the growth of the life science and biotechnology sector. Additionally, members will be continually communicating to our local and state government the need for favorable bills that impact the life science industry in Central Florida.

OBJECTIVES

Provide information to members about local, state and federal regulatory and legislative efforts that impact the life science industry, solicit member input and involvement as necessary.
Interact with government representatives to educate them about the needs of the life science industry.
Provide a life science industry perspective in order to guide groups working on economic development activities, such as government facility conversions and re-development.
Develop strategies to assist the region in obtaining government support for specific life science industry initiatives.
Work with other community organizations to implement change and move Central Florida's life science industry forward.

The 2008 Legislative Agenda summary, listed below, was formally approved by the EDC Board of Directors in November. To read the full agenda, click here.

bioOrlando 2008 Legislative Agenda Summary

Life Science Funding: Support legislation that will foster a favorable environment for bio tech and other life science companies, including maintaining full funding in the 2008-09 budget, and as needed going forward in future budgets, for the establishment of the University of Central Florida’s College of Medicine and the Florida International University’s College of Medicine. Support UCF’s request to maintain $3 million in funding for life science academic programs and research, including the Burnham partnership. Also, support the Lake County health science magnet school as a pilot opportunity for dual enrollment, including $2.8 million in funding to upgrade the science labs to a college level.

Research and Development Tax Credit: Through formal alliances with the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Florida, and others, endorse the creation of a Florida R&D Tax Credit to improve the state’s business climate for growth-generating R&D activity.

Research and Development Funding: Through formal alliances with the Florida Chamber of Commerce and others, support a strategy that advances the investment in technology via increased research and development funding to Florida’s research universities.

Florida Research Commercialization Matching Grant Program: Through formal alliances with the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Florida, and others, support the Florida Research Commercialization Matching Grant program at $5 million annually to accelerate the commercialization of advanced technologies and create successful start-up companies in Florida.

Enterprise Florida Funding, Incentives: Support Enterprise Florida funding, including key incentive programs that focus on attracting and retaining businesses, such as: EFI operations, including marketing, at $15.5 million; Florida’s Economic Development Transportation Fund (Road Fund), without offsets for individual projects, at $10 million; Florida’s Economic Development TOOL KIT, including funding the Innovation Incentive at $150 million, Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program (QTI) at $19.8 million, and Qualified Defense Contractors Tax Refund Program (QDC) at 747,500; incentives and programs targeted to attract or retain developers or manufacturers of alternative energy/green building technology and equipment; Florida’s Quick Action Closing Fund at $45 million; and the Quick Response Training Program (QRT) and Incumbent Worker Training Program at $2 million each.

Workforce Initiatives, Incentives: Support legislation that will provide funding for the enrollment growth of Florida’s community colleges in order to ensure student access and meet workforce needs. Also, support the 2+2 Direct Connect program between the University of Central Florida and Brevard Community College, Lake-Sumter Community College, Seminole Community College, and Valencia Community College, including funding for joint use facilities.

Have recommendations for the agenda? Please contact us.

As the bioOrlando Legislation/Policy Committee (LPC) is a sub-committee of the EDC’s active Legislative Affairs Committee, LPC participants are considered members of both groups. The view the results of the Committee’s efforts in 2007, click here.