Michigan Senate Democrats

Date: 2009-09-25

CONFERENCE REPORTS

SB 237 (Brown)

Department of Agriculture appropriations for fiscal year 2009-2010.

The conference report was adopted [RC 474: 26 yes, 11 no]

GENERAL ORDERS – (TO PASSAGE)

SB 418 (Allen)

Public Act 175 of 2008 amended the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) Act to allow the MSF to create and operate a Centers of Energy Excellence Program to promote the development and commercialization of innovative energy technology in Michigan. This bill would amend Chapter 8A (21st Century Investment Programs and Activities) of the Michigan Strategic Fund Act to do all of the following:
-- Allow the MSF board to spend up to $60.0 million from the 21st Century Jobs Trust Fund appropriations on the Centers of Energy Excellence Program for FY 2009-10 through FY 2011-12.
-- Delete authorization for grants for the Program to be used to provide a match for foundation funding or international investments.
-- Require that all of the funds allocated to the Program be used to match Federal funding, rather than that at least 50% of the allocated funds be used to match foundation funding, Federal funding, or international investments.
-- Include a national laboratory in the Act's definition of "qualified entity".
-- Require an agreement between the MSF board and a qualified entity for the operation of a Center of Energy Excellence, to include participation by at least one qualified business and at least one institution of higher education or a national laboratory.