                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY; ADVANCEMENT OF TECHNOLOGY (§ 2.2-206.3)

Unless the Governor expressly reserves such power to himself, the Secretary may,
with regard to strategy development, planning, and budgeting for technology
programs in the Commonwealth:

1. Monitor trends and advances in fundamental technologies of interest and
importance to the economy of the Commonwealth and direct and approve a
stakeholder-driven technology strategy development process that results in a
comprehensive and coordinated view of research and development goals for
industry, academia, and government in the Commonwealth. This strategy shall be
updated biennially and submitted to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of
Delegates, and the President pro tempore of the Senate;

2. Work closely with the appropriate federal research and development agencies
and program managers to maximize the participation of Commonwealth industries
and baccalaureate institutions of higher education in these programs consistent
with agreed strategy goals;

3. Direct the development of plans and programs for strengthening the technology
resources of the Commonwealth&#8217;s high technology industry sectors and for
assisting in the strengthening and development of the Commonwealth&#8217;s
Regional Technology Councils;

4. Direct the development of plans and programs for improving access to capital
for technology-based entrepreneurs;

5. Assist the Joint Commission on Technology and Science created pursuant to
&#xA7; 30-85 in its efforts to stimulate, encourage, and promote the development
of technology in the Commonwealth;

6. Strengthen interstate and international partnerships and relationships in the
public and private sectors to bolster the Commonwealth&#8217;s reputation as a
global technology center;

7. Develop and implement strategies to accelerate and expand the
commercialization of intellectual property created within the Commonwealth;

8. Ensure that the Commonwealth remains competitive in cultivating and expanding
growth industries, including life sciences, advanced materials and
nanotechnology, biotechnology, and aerospace; and

9. Monitor the trends in the availability and deployment of and access to
broadband communications services, which include but are not limited to
competitively priced, high-speed data services and Internet access services of
general application, throughout the Commonwealth and advancements in
communications technology for deployment potential. The Secretary shall report
annually by December 1 to the Governor and General Assembly on those trends.

HISTORY: 2020, c. 738.