SENATE AMENDED
PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 1987, 2033, 2146 PRINTER'S NO. 2369
No. 1709 Session of 1993
INTRODUCED BY GORDNER, LESCOVITZ, COLAIZZO, ROONEY, BATTISTO,
COY, WOZNIAK, KENNEY, MARKOSEK, VEON, ITKIN, LINTON, FAJT,
McCALL, LaGROTTA, SANTONI, MUNDY, ROBERTS, PRESTON, KASUNIC,
STURLA, ALLEN, FLICK, DENT, CESSAR, HASAY, HANNA AND RUDY,
MAY 28, 1993
AS AMENDED ON THIRD CONSIDERATION, IN SENATE, JUNE 23, 1993
AN ACT
1 Creating the IRC/Ben Franklin BEN FRANKLIN/IRC Partnership and <--
2 providing for its powers; establishing the IRC/Ben Franklin <--
3 BEN FRANKLIN/IRC Partnership Fund; providing for <--
4 certification of industrial resource centers, for
5 certification of Ben Franklin technology centers and for
6 certain transfers; and making repeals.
7 TABLE OF CONTENTS
8 Section 1. Short title.
9 Section 2. Legislative findings and policy.
10 Section 3. Definitions.
11 Section 4. IRC/Ben Franklin BEN FRANKLIN/IRC Partnership. <--
12 Section 5. Powers and duties of partnership.
13 Section 6. Partnership board.
14 Section 7. Fund.
15 Section 8. IRC/Ben Franklin BEN FRANKLIN/IRC Partnership <--
16 Advisory Board.
17 Section 9. Duties of advisory board.
18 Section 10. Industrial resource centers.
1 Section 11. Ben Franklin technology centers.
2 Section 12. Certification.
3 Section 13. Applications for and approval of grants to centers.
4 Section 14. Requirement of matching funds.
5 Section 15. Records.
6 Section 16. Reporting requirements.
7 Section 17. Rules and regulations.
8 Section 18. Transfers.
9 Section 19. References.
10 Section 20. Repeals.
11 Section 21. Sunset.
12 Section 22. Effective date.
13 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
14 hereby enacts as follows:
15 Section 1. Short title.
16 This act shall be known and may be cited as the IRC/Ben <--
17 Franklin BEN FRANKLIN/IRC Partnership Act. <--
18 Section 2. Legislative findings and policy.
19 (a) Findings.--The General Assembly finds as follows:
20 (1) A growing base of successful, small-to-medium-sized
21 Commonwealth manufacturing companies is essential to the
22 economic strength and vitality of this Commonwealth.
23 (2) The existence and growth of small-to-medium-sized
24 Commonwealth manufacturing companies depends on the ability
25 of these companies to:
26 (i) Reorient management practices toward modern
27 manufacturing techniques and technologies.
28 (ii) Successfully compete in both domestic and
29 foreign markets.
30 (iii) Identify, bench mark and adopt the best and
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1 most efficient practices and technologies.
2 (iv) Locate and hire a trained work force.
3 (3) There is a need to inform the body politic, the
4 press, the academic and business communities and the
5 population at large about the significance of a successful,
6 competitive United States manufacturing industry to the
7 quality of life, security and economic strength.
8 (4) There is a continuing need to promote, stimulate and
9 encourage within this Commonwealth basic and applied
10 scientific research and development and scientific and
11 technological education.
12 (5) University-based consortia between business,
13 universities and government provide these entities with the
14 advanced technology research and development, training and
15 education necessary to diversify this Commonwealth's economy
16 and thereby stimulate this Commonwealth's economic growth.
17 (6) The industrial resource centers were created to
18 support the modernization efforts of this Commonwealth's
19 small-to-medium-sized manufacturing companies through
20 collaborative initiatives and individual projects that apply
21 and deploy advanced manufacturing management and production
22 philosophies and techniques in such areas as:
23 (i) Production, planning and inventory control.
24 (ii) Quality improvement.
25 (iii) Plant layouts.
26 (iv) Factory and office automation.
27 (v) Technology improvements.
28 (vi) Work force development and other training
29 programs.
30 (vii) Manufacturing strategies.
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1 (7) The Ben Franklin technology centers were created to
2 build partnerships and provide direct assistance to help
3 firms develop and creatively apply techniques and related
4 practices to such activities as:
5 (i) Help companies to form and grow through the
6 development and commercialization of innovative products
7 and services.
8 (ii) Help manufacturers to develop and innovatively
9 apply new technologies and practices that make them more
10 competitive in the global market economy.
11 (iii) Facilitate and support consortia of private
12 companies, academic institutions and government agencies
13 to collaboratively advance the state of knowledge and
14 practices.
15 (iv) Facilitate and support the availability of
16 services and collaborative activities throughout this
17 Commonwealth to provide business and technical
18 assistance.
19 (v) Select firms with potential for growth and
20 facilitate and support collaborative activities and
21 individual initiatives designed to address the needs of
22 manufacturing and technology-oriented companies for a
23 well-trained work force.
24 (b) Policy.--It is hereby declared to be the policy of the <--
25 (B) POLICY.-- <--
26 (1) IT IS HEREBY DECLARED TO BE THE POLICY OF THE
27 Commonwealth to promote the health, safety, morals and <--
28 general welfare of its inhabitants through its Department of
29 Commerce by:
30 (1) (I) The creation of the IRC/Ben Franklin BEN <--
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1 FRANKLIN/IRC Partnership, which shall exist for the
2 purpose of promoting competitiveness of Commonwealth
3 companies through interaction of technology development,
4 modernization and training programs.
5 (2) (II) The certification of industrial resource <--
6 centers, which shall exist for the purpose of
7 strengthening the competitive position of small-to-
8 medium-sized Commonwealth manufacturing companies through
9 the promotion, demonstration and transmission of modern
10 manufacturing techniques and technologies.
11 (3) (III) The certification of Ben Franklin <--
12 technology centers, which shall exist for the purpose of
13 identifying, generating, developing and refining
14 technology innovation opportunities for Commonwealth
15 businesses.
16 These purposes are hereby declared to be public purposes for
17 which public money may be spent.
18 (2) IT IS ALSO THE POLICY OF THE COMMONWEALTH NOT TO <--
19 DUPLICATE OR TO MANDATE THE DELIVERY OF TECHNICAL AND
20 PROFESSIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES CURRENTLY BEING
21 PROVIDED OR THOSE WHICH MAY BE PROVIDED IN THE FUTURE BY
22 OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THIS
23 COMMONWEALTH.
24 Section 3. Definitions.
25 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
26 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
27 context clearly indicates otherwise:
28 "Advisory board." The IRC/Ben Franklin BEN FRANKLIN/IRC <--
29 Partnership Advisory Board.
30 "Ben Franklin technology center." A nonprofit corporation,
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1 incorporated for the purposes of identifying and generating
2 technology innovation opportunities among Commonwealth
3 businesses.
4 "Centers." The Ben Franklin technology centers and the
5 industrial resource centers.
6 "Department." The Department of Commerce of the
7 Commonwealth.
8 "Industrial resource center." A nonprofit corporation,
9 incorporated for the purposes of enhancing and supporting the
10 competitive ability of Commonwealth manufacturers by helping
11 them take advantage of and benefit from the transmission of
12 production techniques and technologies.
13 "Manufacturing." The giving of new shapes, new qualities or
14 new combinations to matter by the application of skill and labor
15 thereto.
16 "Partnership." The IRC/Ben Franklin BEN FRANKLIN/IRC <--
17 Partnership.
18 "Partnership board." The board of directors of the IRC/Ben <--
19 Franklin BEN FRANKLIN/IRC Partnership. <--
20 "Private sector funds." Monetary or in-kind support from
21 private businesses, corporations, individuals, trade
22 associations, foundations and federally and locally supported
23 grant programs.
24 "Secretary." The Secretary of Commerce of the Commonwealth.
25 "Small-to-medium-sized Commonwealth manufacturing company."
26 A Pennsylvania manufacturing company which meets the small
27 business size standards established by the United States Small
28 Business Administration.
29 Section 4. IRC/Ben Franklin BEN FRANKLIN/IRC Partnership. <--
30 (a) Creation.--A body corporate and politic, to be known as
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1 the IRC/Ben Franklin BEN FRANKLIN/IRC Partnership, is hereby <--
2 created as a public authority and instrumentality of the
3 Commonwealth. This authority shall exercise the powers of the
4 Commonwealth as an agency of the Commonwealth.
5 (b) Members.--The partnership shall be composed of the
6 following members:
7 (1) The secretary.
8 (2) A representative of the Governor's Office with
9 responsibilities for technology to be appointed by the
10 Governor.
11 (3) Five representatives from the manufacturing or
12 advanced technology business sector to be appointed by the
13 Governor, at least two of whom shall be representatives of
14 small-to-medium-sized businesses.
15 (4) Two representatives from the education sector to be
16 appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be a president
17 or board member of a four-year college or university and one
18 of whom shall be a president or board member of an
19 institution that provides vocational instruction.
20 (5) A representative from organized labor to be
21 appointed by the Governor.
22 (6) The chairman of the Milrite Council.
23 (7) Four representatives of the General Assembly
24 appointed as follows:
25 (i) One representative appointed by the President
26 pro tempore of the Senate.
27 (ii) One representative appointed by the Minority
28 Leader of the Senate.
29 (iii) One representative appointed by the Speaker of
30 the House of Representatives.
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1 (iv) One representative appointed by the Minority
2 Leader of the House of Representatives.
3 (c) Chair.--The secretary shall chair the partnership board
4 and shall be authorized to designate an officer or employee
5 within the department in accordance with section 6(c) to chair
6 partnership board meetings in his absence.
7 (d) Terms.--
8 (1) The secretary and the representative of the
9 Governor's Office with responsibilities for technology shall,
10 for as long as they hold their respective positions, serve on
11 the partnership board for terms of four years, the terms to
12 run concurrently with that of the Governor.
13 (2) Those remaining members of the partnership board
14 initially appointed by the Governor shall serve for the
15 following term of years:
16 (i) The two representatives from the private sector,
17 one representative from the education sector and the
18 labor representative shall serve terms of four years.
19 (ii) Two representatives from the private sector and
20 one representative from the education sector shall serve
21 for terms of three years.
22 (iii) One representative from the private sector
23 shall serve a term of two years.
24 (3) The representatives of the General Assembly shall
25 serve terms of two years, such terms to run concurrently with
26 the term of the legislative session.
27 All of their respective successors shall serve for terms of four
28 years or until their respective successors shall be duly
29 appointed by the Governor. Any member appointed to fill a
30 vacancy created otherwise than by expiration of term shall be
19930H1709B2369 - 8 -
1 appointed for the unexpired term of the member whom he is to
2 succeed.
3 (e) Compensation.--The members shall receive no compensation
4 for their services but shall be reimbursed for their expenses
5 actually incurred by them in the performance of their duties
6 under this act.
7 Section 5. Powers and duties of partnership.
8 (a) General rule.--The partnership shall have the following
9 powers and duties:
10 (1) To promote, stimulate and encourage competitiveness
11 through interaction of technology development, deployment,
12 modernization and education and training programs.
13 (2) To monitor the development of State and regional
14 plans to maximize coordination and cooperation between the
15 centers.
16 (3) To ensure that the activities of the centers are
17 coordinated to the greatest possible extent with other
18 organizations responsible for these four spheres of business
19 assistance:
20 (i) Technology assistance.
21 (ii) Business finance.
22 (iii) Business development.
23 (iv) Education and training.
24 (4) To coordinate efforts to identify and pursue Federal
25 and State funding opportunities, including opportunities to
26 assist defense-based firms in converting to nondefense
27 activities.
28 (5) To adopt bylaws, regulations and guidelines dealing
29 with the organization, meetings, activities and other
30 considerations as it may deem appropriate and consistent.
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1 (6) To make contracts of every name and nature and to
2 execute all instruments necessary or convenient for the
3 carrying on of its business.
4 (7) To conduct examinations and investigations on any
5 relevant material for its information.
6 (8) To review the financial and disclosure information
7 submitted by the centers and request an independent audit of
8 the center's records.
9 (9) To appoint subcommittees, as needed.
10 (10) To sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded,
11 complain and defend in all courts.
12 (11) To approve funding allocations to centers.
13 (12) To accept funds from various sources, including,
14 but not limited to:
15 (i) Separate State appropriations to the Ben
16 Franklin technology centers.
17 (ii) Separate State appropriations to the industrial
18 resource centers.
19 (iii) Any other State appropriations, Federal funds,
20 royalties, gifts, grants, bequests, devises and private
21 funds.
22 (13) To comply with Federal legislation and regulations.
23 (b) Debt restriction.--Notwithstanding any other provisions
24 of this act, the partnership shall not have the authority to
25 issue any bonds, notes or any other obligation evidencing a debt
26 or liability of the partnership, the Commonwealth or any of its
27 political subdivisions.
28 Section 6. Partnership board.
29 (a) Organization.--The powers of the partnership shall be
30 exercised by a board consisting of the members of the
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1 partnership. Within 90 days after the effective date of this
2 act, the partnership board shall meet and organize. The
3 secretary and his successor in office shall be the chair and <--
4 chief executive officer. The partnership board shall elect a
5 secretary and treasurer from their number. At the first meeting
6 in each year thereafter, they shall elect from their number a
7 secretary and treasurer.
8 (b) Quorum.--A majority of the members shall constitute a
9 quorum of the partnership board for the purpose of organizing
10 the partnership and conducting the business thereof, and all
11 action shall be taken by a vote of a majority of the members
12 present, unless specified otherwise in the bylaws of the
13 partnership or in this act. Only members or their designees who
14 are physically present at a meeting shall count toward a quorum
15 of the partnership board.
16 (c) Designees.--Each public officer of the partnership board
17 may designate an officer or employee of the Commonwealth to
18 represent him at meetings of the partnership board. Each
19 designee may lawfully vote and otherwise act on behalf of the
20 member of the partnership board for whom he constitutes the
21 designee. The designation shall be in writing delivered to the
22 partnership and shall continue in effect until revoked or
23 amended in writing delivered to the partnership.
24 (d) Staff services.--The department shall provide an
25 executive director and staff services to the partnership for its
26 administration of this act, including review of the proposals
27 submitted to the partnership by the advisory board.
28 Section 7. Fund.
29 (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established in the State
30 Treasury a special fund to be known as the IRC/Ben Franklin BEN <--
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1 FRANKLIN/IRC Partnership Fund into which shall be deposited any
2 State appropriations to the centers, any other State
3 appropriations for a purpose related to this act, Federal funds,
4 royalties, gifts, grants, bequests, devises, private funds and
5 funds from any other source for the purposes of this act. Funds
6 appropriated by the General Assembly for the Ben Franklin
7 Partnership Program will be used solely for the Ben Franklin
8 Partnership Program and funds appropriated by the General
9 Assembly for the Industrial Resource Centers will be used solely
10 for the Industrial Resource Centers. Any other moneys, including
11 Federal funds, which are earmarked for a specific program or
12 purpose must be allocated to that program or purpose.
13 (b) Appropriation of moneys.--Moneys in the fund, including
14 Federal funds, are hereby appropriated out of the fund with the <--
15 approval of the Governor MUST BE ANNUALLY APPROPRIATED BY THE <--
16 GENERAL ASSEMBLY for the purposes set forth in this act.
17 Section 8. IRC/Ben Franklin BEN FRANKLIN/IRC Partnership <--
18 Advisory Board.
19 (a) Creation.--There is hereby created within the department
20 the IRC/Ben Franklin BEN FRANKLIN/IRC Partnership Advisory <--
21 Board.
22 (b) Members.--The advisory board shall be composed of the
23 following members:
24 (1) The chair of the board of each industrial resource
25 center.
26 (2) The chair of the board of each of the Ben Franklin
27 technology centers.
28 (3) The chair of the board of the Economic Planning and
29 Development Council.
30 (4) The State director of the small business development
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1 centers.
2 (5) The president of the Pennsylvania Economic
3 Development Association.
4 (c) Chair.--The advisory board shall be chaired by two
5 representatives, one of whom shall be selected by the chairs of
6 the boards of the industrial resource centers and one of whom
7 shall be selected by the chairs of the boards of the Ben
8 Franklin technology centers. These cochairs shall attend and
9 fully participate in the discussions held at all partnership
10 board meetings, in order to convey to the partnership board the
11 views of the advisory board.
12 (d) Votes.--For voting purposes, there shall exist 11 total
13 votes. Four of the votes shall be equally divided among the
14 industrial resource center chairs. Four of the votes shall be
15 equally divided among the Ben Franklin technology center chairs.
16 The three remaining votes shall be equally divided among the
17 chair of the board of the Economic Planning and Development
18 Commission, the State director of the small business development
19 centers and the president of the Pennsylvania Economic
20 Development Association.
21 (e) Term.--All members of the advisory board shall serve for
22 as long as they continue to hold the positions outlined above.
23 (f) Compensation.--The advisory board members shall receive
24 no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for
25 their expenses actually incurred by them in the performance of
26 their duties under this act.
27 (g) Purpose.--The advisory board shall facilitate discussion
28 among the organizations represented to promote better
29 coordination of services and opportunities.
30 (h) Staff support.--The staff to the partnership shall
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1 provide staff support to the advisory board.
2 Section 9. Duties of advisory board.
3 The advisory board shall:
4 (1) Make recommendations to the partnership.
5 (2) Issue periodic reports.
6 (3) Sponsor and conduct conferences and studies.
7 (4) Collect and disseminate information.
8 (5) Develop strategies designed to coordinate the
9 efforts of the centers, promote joint funding proposals for
10 each of the centers and develop strategies designed to
11 facilitate the sharing of information and the best and most
12 efficient manufacturing practices.
13 The duties of the advisory board shall not include the review
14 and approval of annual funding proposals and allocations for
15 each of the centers.
16 Section 10. Industrial resource centers.
17 An industrial resource center shall:
18 (1) Serve manufacturing industries in this Commonwealth.
19 (2) Offer manufacturers comprehensive assistance which
20 may include, but is not limited to:
21 (i) The capacity to help manufacturing firms
22 evaluate those elements which are critical to their
23 competitive ability, such as the need for implementation
24 of process technology, the need for continuous
25 improvement in quality and understanding the nature of
26 existing and future global markets.
27 (ii) The ability to assist companies in identifying
28 and applying appropriate technologies.
29 (iii) The ability to transmit products and
30 techniques to improve the manufacturing process.
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1 (iv) An information service designed to provide
2 manufacturers with practical data on the availability and
3 capability of commercially available processes and
4 technologies.
5 (v) The development of demonstration sites which
6 manufacturers can visit to learn about and evaluate
7 technologies.
8 (vi) Providing manufacturers with services designed
9 to help them better understand as well as apply modern
10 manufacturing techniques and concepts.
11 (vii) Working with the department and other State
12 agencies and local or regional organizations in the
13 implementation of economic development plans.
14 (viii) Providing manufacturers with marketing
15 strategies and assistance in training and workforce
16 development.
17 (3) Represent a consortium of interest designed to meet
18 the needs of industry in its particular region.
19 (4) Be an independent nonprofit institution overseen by
20 a regional board of directors comprising private industry,
21 economic development and university representatives, with at
22 least 50% representation from private industry.
23 (5) Complement and cooperate with every other center and
24 shall make every effort to share expertise and clientele to
25 develop a strong Statewide network.
26 Section 11. Ben Franklin technology centers.
27 A Ben Franklin technology center shall:
28 (1) Act to assist companies and regions to identify and
29 develop local technology opportunities which make significant
30 contributions to this Commonwealth's economy.
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1 (2) Offer businesses comprehensive assistance which may
2 include, but not be limited to:
3 (i) Development and strengthening of joint research
4 and development efforts, including facilities for
5 advanced technologies activities, equipment, personnel,
6 land and related activities, which will lead to new
7 technologies which will create or preserve jobs.
8 (ii) Providing training and curriculum development
9 related to advanced technology in order to provide a
10 skilled work force to secure employment in advanced
11 technology industries.
12 (iii) Technical assistance and technology transfer
13 activities on an areawide or Statewide basis to transfer
14 research and development activities into the marketplace.
15 (iv) Assistance through small business incubators,
16 including, but not limited to, space services and
17 technical assistance.
18 (v) Market development, feasibility studies and
19 other activities related to increasing jobs in advanced
20 technology industries.
21 (vi) Staff support for advanced technology councils
22 or other mechanisms to encourage labor, business,
23 university and government linkages in promoting advanced
24 technology industrial diversification.
25 (vii) Facilitate establishment of technology parks,
26 which will serve as locations for facilities devoted to
27 research and development and technology-intensive light
28 manufacturing.
29 (3) Represent a consortium of interest designed to meet
30 the needs of businesses in their particular regions.
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1 (4) Be an independent nonprofit institution overseen by
2 a regional board of directors comprising economic
3 development, university and private industry participants,
4 with at least 50% representation from private industry.
5 (5) Complement and cooperate with every other center and
6 shall make every effort to share expertise and clientele to
7 develop a strong Statewide network.
8 Section 12. Certification.
9 (a) Power to review and certify.--The partnership shall have
10 the power to review and certify all applications for regional
11 industrial resource centers, industry-specific industrial
12 resource centers and Ben Franklin technology centers. The
13 standards for certification of each type of center shall be
14 developed by the partnership by regulation.
15 (b) Existing centers.--Centers in existence and in receipt
16 of funds from the department as of the date this act becomes
17 effective are hereby deemed certified.
18 (c) Modification or revocation.--The partnership shall have
19 the power to certify centers or to modify or revoke their
20 certifications consistent with the rules and regulations to be
21 promulgated by the partnership. The partnership also shall have
22 the power to change the number of regions or change the minimum
23 service boundary within a given region. These actions shall
24 require a two-thirds majority vote of the partnership board.
25 Section 13. Applications for and approval of grants to centers.
26 The partnership is hereby authorized to make grants to
27 certified centers; however, before any grant may be made, the
28 certified center shall submit a funding proposal to the
29 partnership, and the partnership shall determine that WHETHER <--
30 the funding proposal is consistent with the purposes of this
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1 act. Approval by the partnership of a certified center's
2 individual research and development or consulting projects, or
3 financial assistance will not be required, provided such
4 projects or financial assistance are approved by the board of
5 the certified center and meet the requirements set forth in this
6 act and in regulations and guidelines established by the
7 partnership.
8 Section 14. Requirement of matching funds.
9 Funds in the form of a grant made to an industrial resource
10 center or to a Ben Franklin technology center by the partnership
11 pursuant to this act shall be matched by private sector funds on
12 a minimum basis to be established by regulation. Private
13 matching funds shall include, but not be limited to, monetary or
14 in-kind support from private businesses, corporations,
15 individuals, trade associations, foundations and federally and
16 locally subsidized grants. For Ben Franklin technology centers
17 only, private matching funds shall also include machinery and
18 equipment. Private matching funds shall not include any fees
19 received by an industrial resource center or a Ben Franklin
20 technology center for direct business services relating to a
21 project subsidized by the partnership or interest accrued on
22 proceeds from any State grant.
23 Section 15. Records.
24 Centers shall permit authorized employees or agents of the
25 partnership or the Commonwealth to inspect the center's books
26 and records during regular business hours, upon the reasonable
27 request of the partnership.
28 Section 16. Reporting requirements.
29 Centers shall be required to annually submit to the
30 partnership the following:
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1 (1) The center's current mailing address and telephone
2 number.
3 (2) A copy of the center's current articles of
4 incorporation and bylaws if they are amended during the
5 previous year.
6 (3) A list of the center's current officers and
7 directors.
8 (4) Financial information as the partnership may
9 require.
10 (5) Disclosure information of the center's officers and
11 directors as the partnership may require to ensure the
12 integrity of this act.
13 Section 17. Rules and regulations.
14 The partnership shall promulgate rules and regulations to
15 carry out the purposes of this act.
16 Section 18. Transfers.
17 All allocations, appropriations, equipment, files, records,
18 contracts, agreements, obligations and other materials which are
19 used, employed or expended in connection with the powers, duties
20 or functions of the board of the Ben Franklin Partnership Fund
21 under the provisions of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177,
22 No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, and the
23 department in connection with the industrial resource centers
24 are hereby transferred to the partnership created by this act
25 with the same force and effect as if the allocations and
26 appropriations have been made to and the items had been the
27 property of the partnership in the first instance and as if the
28 contracts, agreements and obligations had been incurred or
29 entered into by the partnership.
30 Section 19. References.
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1 All references to the board of the Ben Franklin Partnership
2 Fund existing in law and not repealed by this act shall
3 hereinafter be deemed to refer to the partnership created by
4 this act.
5 Section 20. Repeals.
6 As much of section 203 as refers to the board of the Ben
7 Franklin Partnership Fund and sections 448(n), 448(n.1) and
8 2503-B of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as
9 The Administrative Code of 1929, are repealed.
10 Section 21. Sunset.
11 The IRC/Ben Franklin BEN FRANKLIN/IRC Partnership, together <--
12 with its statutory functions and duties, shall terminate and go
13 out of existence on December 31, 2000, unless reestablished or
14 continued by the General Assembly. The Legislative Budget and
15 Finance Committee shall be required to present to the General
16 Assembly a report evaluating the partnership by December 31,
17 1999. This report shall provide the General Assembly with a
18 recommendation as to whether the partnership is to be continued
19 and, if so, the changes which are suggested by the committee to
20 improve the operation of the partnership.
21 Section 22. Effective date.
22 This act shall take effect immediately IN 120 DAYS. <--
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