S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
5719
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 14, 2017
___________
Introduced by M. of A. KOLB, WALTER, PALMESANO, OAKS, 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:
Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new article 44-A
to read as follows:
ARTICLE 44-A
INNOVATORS CORPS
SECTION 945. INNOVATORS CORPS; CREATION.
§ 945. INNOVATORS CORPS; CREATION. 1. THERE IS HEREBY CREATED WITHIN
THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT A DIVISION TO BE KNOWN AS THE "INNOVATORS
CORPS". SUCH DIVISION SHALL BE A RESEARCH GROUP CONSISTING OF FOUR
PRIMARY MEMBERS, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WHO SHALL SERVE AS TRAVELING
REPRESENTATIVES, AND ADDITIONAL STAFF AS THE GOVERNOR AND THE PRIMARY
MEMBERS MAY DEEM NECESSARY.
2. THE FOUR PRIMARY MEMBERS SHALL HAVE SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE AND
EDUCATION IN VARIOUS AREAS OF BUSINESS PRACTICE, AS WELL AS FLUENCY IN
FOREIGN LANGUAGES. SUCH MEMBERS SHALL SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE
GOVERNOR.
3. THE PURPOSE OF THE DIVISION SHALL BE TO IDENTIFY HIGH-TECH INDUS-
TRIES WHICH ARE WELL SUITED TO PARTICULAR REGIONS OF THE STATE AND TO
IDENTIFY AND TARGET SPECIFIC BUSINESS ENTITIES WITHIN THOSE INDUSTRIES
WHICH ARE READY AND POISED FOR EXPANSION. THE DIVISION WILL FOCUS ON
WAYS TO ATTRACT HIGH-TECHNOLOGY DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSES
AND JOBS TO NEW YORK STATE. THE MEMBERS OF THE DIVISION SHOULD ALSO
ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN CONTACTS AND COMMUNICATIONS WITH HIGH-TECH BUSI-
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.
LBD08052-01-7
A. 5719 2
AND SUPPORTING THOSE BUSINESSES WHICH ARE LOOKING TO EXPAND TO DO SO IN
NEW YORK.
4. THE DIVISION SHALL DEVELOP A LIST OF BUSINESS RESOURCES WITHIN NEW
YORK STATE INCLUDING:
(A) "SHOVEL READY" SITES;
(B) NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY;
(C) COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES;
(D) TAX INCENTIVES; AND
(E) WORKFORCE.
5. THE DIVISION SHALL ATTEMPT TO CONDUCT INTERVIEWS AND GATHER INFOR-
MATION FROM BUSINESSES WHICH ARE DOWN-SIZING, CLOSING, CEASING FUNCTIONS
OR OPERATIONS OR RELOCATING OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK, TO IDENTIFY ISSUES,
CAUSES AND OBSTACLES TO SUCCESS, INCLUDING STATE LAWS, REGULATIONS AND
DISINCENTIVES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THIS STATE.
6. THE DIVISION SHALL RECEIVE APPROPRIATIONS SUFFICIENT TO ENABLE IT
TO CARRY OUT ITS PURPOSES AND DUTIES UNDER THIS ARTICLE, INCLUDING TRAV-
EL EXPENSES NECESSARY TO PROVIDE MEMBERS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY FOR
PERSONAL INTERACTION WITH FOREIGN BUSINESS OWNERS, IN ORDER TO PROMOTE
THE BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO BUSINESSES IN NEW YORK STATE.
7. THE DIVISION SHALL PREPARE MONTHLY REPORTS TO THE GOVERNOR AND AN
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE. EACH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE: BUSINESSES
AND INDUSTRIES THAT IT HAS TARGETED; SPECIFIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OR
EXPANSION OPPORTUNITIES; JOB GROWTH INFORMATION; ANALYSIS AND INFORMA-
TION ELICITED FROM BUSINESSES TERMINATING OR LEAVING THE STATE; AND
AREAS IDENTIFIED WHERE NEW YORK CAN IMPROVE ITS BUSINESS CLIMATE.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately; provided that the members
of the innovators corps created pursuant to section one of this act
shall be appointed no later than ninety days after such effective date.