Creates the "innovators corps" within the executive department as a research group whose purpose shall be to identify and encourage the growth of technology businesses in New York state, the primary focus and goal shall be developing ways to attract high-technology domestic and international businesses and jobs to New York state.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
4176
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 1, 2019
___________
Introduced by M. of A. KOLB, PALMESANO, RAIA, HAWLEY, BARCLAY, STEC,
GIGLIO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental
Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to creating the innova-
tors corps within the executive department to identify and encourage
the growth of technology businesses in New York state
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new article 44-A
2 to read as follows:
3 ARTICLE 44-A
4 INNOVATORS CORPS
5 Section 945. Innovators corps; creation.
6 § 945. Innovators corps; creation. 1. There is hereby created within
7 the executive department a division to be known as the "innovators
8 corps". Such division shall be a research group consisting of four
9 primary members, appointed by the governor, who shall serve as traveling
10 representatives, and additional staff as the governor and the primary
11 members may deem necessary.
12 2. The four primary members shall have significant experience and
13 education in various areas of business practice, as well as fluency in
14 foreign languages. Such members shall serve at the pleasure of the
15 governor.
16 3. The purpose of the division shall be to identify high-tech indus-
17 tries which are well suited to particular regions of the state and to
18 identify and target specific business entities within those industries
19 which are ready and poised for expansion. The division will focus on
20 ways to attract high-technology domestic and international businesses
21 and jobs to New York state. The members of the division should also
22 establish and maintain contacts and communications with high-tech busi-
23 nesses currently operating in this state for the purpose of encouraging
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04185-01-9
A. 4176 2
1 and supporting those businesses which are looking to expand to do so in
2 New York.
3 4. The division shall develop a list of business resources within New
4 York state including:
5 (a) "shovel ready" sites;
6 (b) natural resources and energy;
7 (c) colleges and universities;
8 (d) tax incentives; and
9 (e) workforce.
10 5. The division shall attempt to conduct interviews and gather infor-
11 mation from businesses which are down-sizing, closing, ceasing functions
12 or operations or relocating outside of New York, to identify issues,
13 causes and obstacles to success, including state laws, regulations and
14 disincentives to economic development within this state.
15 6. The division shall receive appropriations sufficient to enable it
16 to carry out its purposes and duties under this article, including trav-
17 el expenses necessary to provide members with the opportunity for
18 personal interaction with foreign business owners, in order to promote
19 the benefits available to businesses in New York state.
20 7. The division shall prepare monthly reports to the governor and an
21 annual report to the legislature. Each report shall include: businesses
22 and industries that it has targeted; specific business development or
23 expansion opportunities; job growth information; analysis and informa-
24 tion elicited from businesses terminating or leaving the state; and
25 areas identified where New York can improve its business climate.
26 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately; provided that the members
27 of the innovators corps created pursuant to section one of this act
28 shall be appointed no later than ninety days after such effective date.