108th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2737
To facilitate the development of science parks, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 22, 2004
Mr. BINGAMAN introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred
to the Committee on Finance
A BILL
To facilitate the development of science parks, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Science Park Administration Act of 2004'.
SEC. 2. DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE PARKS.
(a) FINDING- Section 2 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of
1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(12) It is in the best interests of the Nation to encourage the formation
of science parks to promote the clustering of innovation through high technology
activities.'.
(b) DEFINITION- Section 4 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 3703) is amended by adding
at the end the following new paragraph:
`(14) `Science park' means a group of interrelated companies and institutions,
including suppliers, service providers, institutions of higher education,
and trade associations that cooperate as well as compete and are located
in a specific area whose administration promotes real estate development,
technology transfer, and partnerships between such companies and institutions.'.
(c) PROMOTION OF DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE PARKS- Section 5(c) of such Act (15
U.S.C. 3704(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (14), by striking `and' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (15), by striking the period at the end and inserting `;
and'; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(16) promote the formation of science parks.'.
(d) SCIENCE PARKS- Such Act is further amended by adding at the end the following
new section:
`SEC. 24. SCIENCE PARKS.
`(a) DEVELOPMENT OF PLANS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SCIENCE PARKS-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall award grants and enter into contracts
and cooperative agreements for the development of plans for the construction
of science parks.
`(2) LIMITATION ON AMOUNT OF GRANTS, CONTRACTS, OR AGREEMENTS- The amount
of a grant awarded, or contract or cooperative agreement entered into, under
this subsection may not exceed $500,000.
`(A) COMPETITION REQUIRED- The Secretary shall award any grant, or enter
into any contract or cooperative agreement, for project under this subsection
pursuant to a peer-reviewed competition.
`(B) ADVERTISING- The Secretary shall advertise any competition under
this paragraph in the Commerce Business Daily.
`(C) SELECTION CRITERIA- The Secretary shall publish the criteria to be
utilized in any competition under this paragraph to select recipients
of grants, or parties to contracts or cooperative agreements, under this
subsection. Such criteria shall include requirements relating to--
`(i) the number of jobs to be created at the science park each year
for a period of 5 years;
`(ii) the funding to be required to construct the science park over
the first 5 years;
`(iii) the amount and type of cost matching by the applicant;
`(iv) the types of businesses and research entities expected in the
science park over the first 5 years;
`(v) letters of intent by businesses and research entities to locate
in the science park;
`(vi) the capacity of the science park for expansion over a period of
25 years;
`(vii) the quality of life at the science park for employees at the
science park;
`(viii) the capability to attract a well trained workforce to the science
park;
`(ix) the management of the science park, including a business plan
of the management entity to become self-sufficient;
`(x) expected risks in the construction and operation of the science
park;
`(xii) transportation and logistics; and
`(xiii) physical infrastructure, including telecommunications.
`(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated
for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010, $7,500,000 to carry out this
subsection.
`(b) REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE PARK INFRASTRUCTURE-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall make grants to six regional centers
for the development of science park infrastructure through the operation
of revolving loan funds by such centers.
`(2) SELECTION OF CENTERS-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall select the regional centers to be
awarded grants under this subsection utilizing such criteria as the Secretary
shall prescribe.
`(B) CRITERIA- The criteria prescribed by the Secretary under this paragraph
shall include criteria relating to revolving loan funds and revolving
loan fund operators under paragraph (4), including--
`(i) the qualifications of principal officers;
`(ii) non-Federal cost matching requirements;
`(iii) auditing of loan funds according to Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles (GAAP);
`(iv) conditions for the termination of loan funds; and
`(v) annual reporting requirements.
`(3) LIMITATION ON PROJECT AMOUNT- The amount of any project for the development
of science park infrastructure that is funded under this subsection may
not exceed $1,000,000.
`(4) REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS-
`(A) IN GENERAL- A regional center receiving a grant under this subsection
shall fund the development of science park infrastructure through the
utilization of a revolving loan fund.
`(B) OPERATION AND INTEGRITY- The Secretary shall prescribe regulations
to maintain the proper operation and financial integrity of revolving
loan funds under this paragraph.
`(C) EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION- The Secretary may--
`(i) at the request of a grantee, amend and consolidate grant agreements
governing revolving loan funds to provide flexibility with respect to
lending areas and borrower criteria;
`(ii) assign or transfer assets of a revolving loan fund to a third
party for the purpose of liquidation, and a third party may retain assets
of the fund to defray costs related to liquidation; and
`(iii) take such actions as are appropriate to enable revolving loan
fund operators to sell or securitize loans (except that the actions
may not include issuance of a Federal guaranty by the Secretary).
`(D) TREATMENT OF ACTIONS- An action taken by the Secretary under this
paragraph with respect to a revolving loan fund shall not constitute a
new obligation if all grant funds associated with the original grant award
have been disbursed to the recipient.
`(E) PRESERVATION OF SECURITIES LAWS-
`(i) NOT TREATED AS EXEMPTED SECURITIES- No securities issued pursuant
to subparagraph (C)(iii) shall be treated as exempted securities for
purposes of the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, unless exempted by rule or regulation of the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
`(ii) PRESERVATION- Except as provided in clause (I), no provision of
this paragraph or any regulation issued by the Secretary under this
paragraph shall supersede or otherwise affect the application of the
securities laws (as such term is defined in section 2(a)(47) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) or the rules, regulations, or orders
of the Securities and Exchange Commission or a self-regulatory organization
thereunder.
`(5) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated
for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010, $60,000,000 to carry out this
subsection.
`(c) LOAN GUARANTEES FOR SCIENCE PARK INFRASTRUCTURE-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall guarantee loans for projects for the
construction of science park infrastructure.
`(2) LIMITATIONS ON GUARANTEE AMOUNTS- The maximum amount of loan principal
guaranteed under this subsection may not exceed--
`(A) $50,000,000 with respect to any single project; and
`(B) $1,000,000,000 with respect to all projects.
`(3) SELECTION OF GUARANTEE RECIPIENTS- The Secretary shall select recipients
of loan guarantees under this subsection utilizing such criteria as the
Secretary shall prescribe.
`(4) OVERSIGHT- The Comptroller General of the United States shall, on a
biennial basis, conduct an audit of the loans guaranteed under this subsection,
and shall submit to Congress a report on each audit conducted under this
paragraph.
`(5) TERMINATION- No loan may be guaranteed under this subsection after
September 30, 2010.
`(6) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated
$1,000,000,000 for the cost, as defined in section 502(5) of the Federal
Credit Reform Act of 1990, of loans guaranteed under this subsection.
`(d) NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES EVALUATION OF SCIENCE PARK DEVELOPMENT-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the National
Academy of Sciences under which the Academy shall evaluate, on an annual
basis, the development of science parks pursuant to activities under this
section.
`(2) ANNUAL REPORT- Under the agreement under paragraph (1), the Academy
shall submit to the Secretary each year a report on its evaluation of science
park development under that paragraph. Each report may include such recommendations
as the Academy considers appropriate for additional activities to promote
and facilitate the development of science parks in the United States.
`(e) ANNUAL REPORT- Not later than March 31 each year, the Secretary shall
submit to Congress a report
on the activities under this section during the preceding year, including
the results of any audit by the Comptroller General under subsection (c)(4)
during such year and any recommendations made by the National Academy of Sciences
under subsection (d)(2) during such year. Each report may include such recommendations
for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate
to further promote and facilitate the development of science parks in the
United States.
`(1) REGULATIONS- The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out
this section.
`(2) DEADLINE- The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations not later
than one year after the date of the enactment of the Science Park Administration
Act of 2004.'.
SEC. 3. SCIENCE PARK VENTURE CAPITAL FUND PILOT PROGRAM.
Title III of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 681 et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
`PART C--SCIENCE PARK VENTURE CAPITAL FUND PILOT PROGRAM
`SEC. 371. DEFINITIONS.
`As used in this part, the following definitions shall apply:
`(1) EQUITY CAPITAL- The term `equity capital' means common or preferred
stock or a similar instrument, including subordinated debt with equity features.
`(2) HIGH-TECHNOLOGY- The term `high-technology' means any of the high technology
industries in the North American Industrial Classification System, as listed
in table 8-25 of the National Science Board publication entitled `Science
and Engineering Indicators 2004'.
`(3) LEVERAGE- The term `leverage' includes--
`(A) debentures purchased or guaranteed by the Administrator;
`(B) participating securities purchased or guaranteed by the Administrator;
and
`(C) preferred securities outstanding as of the date of enactment of this
part.
`(4) MEZZANINE FINANCING- The term `mezzanine financing' means late-stage
venture capital usually associated with the final round of financing prior
to an initial public offering.
`(5) OPERATIONAL ASSISTANCE- The term `operational assistance' means management,
marketing, and other technical assistance that assists high-technology start-up
companies with business development.
`(6) PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT- The term `participation agreement' means an
agreement, between the Administrator and a company granted final approval
by the Administrator under section 374(e), that--
`(A) details the operating plan and investment criteria of the company;
and
`(B) requires the company to make investments in high-technology start-up
companies within a science park.
`(7) PRIVATE CAPITAL- The term `private capital'--
`(A) means the total of--
`(i)(I) the paid-in capital and paid-in surplus of a corporate science
park venture capital company;
`(II) the contributed capital of the partners of a partnership science
park venture capital company; or
`(III) the equity investment of the members of a limited liability company
science park venture capital company; and
`(ii) unfunded binding commitments from investors that meet criteria
established by the Administrator to contribute capital to the science
park venture capital company, except that--
`(I) unfunded commitments may be counted as private capital for purposes
of approval by the Administrator of any request for leverage; and
`(II) leverage shall not be funded based on the commitments; and
`(i) any funds borrowed by a science park venture capital company from
any source;
`(ii) any funds obtained through the issuance of leverage; or
`(iii) any funds obtained directly or indirectly from Federal, State,
or local government, except for--
`(I) funds obtained from the business revenues of any federally chartered
or government-sponsored enterprise established before the date of
enactment of this part;
`(II) funds invested by an employee welfare benefit plan or pension
plan; and
`(III) any qualified nonprivate funds, if the investors of such funds
do not directly or indirectly control the management, board of directors,
general partners, or members of the science park venture capital company.
`(8) PROGRAM- The term `Program' means the Science Park Venture Capital
Program established under section 372.
`(9) QUALIFIED NONPRIVATE FUNDS- The term `qualified nonprivate funds' means--
`(A) any funds directly or indirectly invested in any applicant or science
park venture capital company on or before the date of enactment of this
part, by any Federal agency other than the Administration, under a law
explicitly mandating the inclusion of those funds in the definition of
the term private capital; and
`(B) any funds invested in any applicant or science park venture capital
company by 1 or more entities of any State, including any guarantee extended
by any such entity, in an aggregate amount not to exceed 33 percent of
the private capital of the applicant or science park venture capital company.
`(10) SCIENCE PARK- The term `science park' means a group of interrelated
companies and institutions, including suppliers, service providers, institutions
of higher education, and trade associations that cooperate as well as compete
and are located in a specific area whose administration promotes real estate
development, technology transfer, and partnerships between such companies
and institutions.
`(11) SCIENCE PARK VENTURE CAPITAL- The term `science park venture capital'
means equity capital investments in high-technology start-up businesses
located in science parks to foster economic development and technological
innovation.
`(12) SCIENCE PARK VENTURE CAPITAL COMPANY- The term `science park venture
capital company' means a company that--
`(A) meets the requirements under section 373;
`(B) has been granted final approval by the Administrator under section
374(e); and
`(C) has entered into a participation agreement with the Administrator.
`(13) START-UP COMPANY- The term `start-up company' means a company that
has developed intellectual property protection of research and development,
but has not reached the stage associated with mezzanine financing.
`(14) STATE- The term `State' means each of the several States of the United
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, and any other commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United
States.
`SEC. 372. ESTABLISHMENT.
`There is established a Science Park Venture Capital Program, under which
the Administrator may--
`(1) enter into participation agreements with companies granted final approval
under section 373(e);
`(2) guarantee the debentures issued by science park venture capital companies
under section 374; and
`(3) award grants to science park venture capital companies under section
376.
`SEC. 373. REQUIREMENTS FOR SCIENCE PARK VENTURE CAPITAL COMPANIES.
`(a) ORGANIZATION- For purposes of this part, a science park venture capital
company--
`(1) shall be an incorporated body, a limited liability company, or a limited
partnership organized and chartered, or otherwise existing under State law
solely for the purpose of performing the functions and conducting the activities
authorized by this part;
`(2) if incorporated, shall have succession for a period of not less than
30 years unless earlier dissolved by the shareholders of the company;
`(3) if a limited partnership or a limited liability company, shall have
succession for a period of not less than 10 years; and
`(4) shall possess the powers reasonably necessary to perform the functions
and conduct the activities.
`(b) ARTICLES- The articles of any science park venture capital company--
`(1) shall specify in general terms--
`(A) the purposes for which the company is formed;
`(B) the name of the company;
`(C) the area or areas in which the operations of the company are to be
carried out;
`(D) the place where the principal office of the company is to be located;
and
`(E) the amount and classes of the shares of capital stock of the company;
`(2) may contain any other provisions consistent with this part that the
science park venture capital company may determine to be appropriate to
adopt for the regulation of the business of the company and the conduct
of the affairs of the company; and
`(3) shall be subject to the approval of the Administrator.
`(c) CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), the private capital
of each science park venture capital company shall be not less than--
`(B) $10,000,000, with respect to each science park venture capital company
authorized or seeking authority to issue participating securities to be
purchased or guaranteed by the Administrator under this part.
`(2) EXCEPTION- The Secretary may, in the discretion of the Administrator,
and based on a showing of special circumstances and good cause, permit the
private capital of science park venture capital company described in paragraph
(1)(B) to be less than $10,000,000, but not less than $5,000,000, if the
Administrator determines that the action would not create or otherwise contribute
to an unreasonable risk of default or loss to the Federal Government.
`(3) ADEQUACY- In addition to the requirements under paragraph (1), the
Administrator shall--
`(A) determine whether the private capital of each science park venture
capital company is adequate to ensure a reasonable prospect that the company
will be operated soundly and profitably, and managed actively and prudently
in accordance with the articles of the company;
`(B) determine that the science park venture capital company will be able
to comply with the requirements of this part;
`(C) ensure that the science park venture capital company is designed
primarily to meet equity capital needs of the businesses in which the
company invests and not to compete with traditional financing by commercial
lenders of high-technology startup businesses; and
`(D) require that the science park venture capital company makes short-term
non-equity investments of less than 5 years only to the extent necessary
to preserve an existing investment.
`(d) DIVERSIFICATION OF OWNERSHIP- The Administrator shall ensure that the
management of each science park venture capital company licensed after the
date of enactment of this part is sufficiently diversified from, and unaffiliated
with, the ownership of the company so as to ensure independence and objectivity
in the financial management and oversight of the investments and operations
of the company.
`SEC. 374. SELECTION OF SCIENCE PARK VENTURE CAPITAL COMPANIES.
`(a) ELIGIBILITY- A company is eligible to participate as a science park venture
capital company in the Program if the company--
`(1) is a newly formed for-profit entity or a newly formed for-profit subsidiary
of an existing entity;
`(2) has a management team in the science park with experience in development
financing or relevant venture capital financing; and
`(3) has a primary objective of economic development of the science park
and its surrounding geographic area.
`(b) APPLICATION- Any eligible company that desires to participate as a science
park venture capital company in the Program shall submit an application to
the Administrator, which shall include--
`(1) a business plan describing how the company intends to make successful
venture capital investments in start up companies within the science park;
`(2) a description of the qualifications and general reputation of the management
of the company;
`(3) an estimate of the ratio of cash to in-kind contributions of binding
commitments to be made to the company under the Program;
`(4) a description of the criteria to be used to evaluate whether, and to
what extent, the company meets the objectives of the Program;
`(5) information regarding the management and financial strength of any
parent firm, affiliated firm, or other firm essential to the success of
the business plan of the company; and
`(6) such other information as the Administrator may require.
`(c) STATUS- Not later than 90 days after the initial receipt by the Administrator
of an application under this section, the Administrator shall provide to the
applicant a written report that describes the status of the applicants and
any requirements remaining for completion of the application.
`(d) MATTERS CONSIDERED- In reviewing and processing any application under
this section, the Administrator--
`(1) shall determine if--
`(A) the applicant meets the requirements under subsection (e); and
`(B) the management of the applicant is qualified and has the knowledge,
experience, and capability necessary to comply with this part;
`(2) shall take into consideration--
`(A) the need for and availability of financing for high-technology start-up
companies in the science park in which the applicant is to commence business;
`(B) the general business reputation of the owners and management of the
applicant; and
`(C) the probability of successful operations of the applicant, including
adequate profitability and financial soundness; and
`(3) shall not take into consideration any projected shortage or unavailability
of grant funds or leverage.
`(e) APPROVAL; LICENSE- The Administrator may approve an applicant to operate
as a science park venture capital company under this part and license the
applicant as a science park venture capital company, if--
`(1) the Administrator determines that the application satisfies the requirements
under subsection (b);
`(2) the Administrator approves--
`(A) the area in which the science park venture capital company is to
conduct its operations; and
`(B) the establishment of branch offices or agencies (if authorized by
the articles); and
`(3) the applicant enters into a participation agreement with the Administrator.
`SEC. 375. DEBENTURES.
`(a) GUARANTEES- The Administrator may guarantee the timely payment of principal
and interest, as scheduled, on debentures issued by any science park venture
capital company.
`(b) TERMS AND CONDITIONS- The Administrator may make guarantees under this
section on such terms and conditions as the Administrator determines to be
appropriate, except that the term of any debenture guaranteed under this section
shall not exceed 15 years.
`(c) FULL FAITH AND CREDIT OF THE UNITED STATES- The full faith and credit
of the United States is pledged to pay all amounts that may be required to
be paid under any guarantee under this part.
`(d) MAXIMUM GUARANTEE- The Administrator may--
`(1) guarantee the debentures issued by a science park venture capital company
only to the extent that the total face amount of outstanding guaranteed
debentures of such company does not exceed the lesser of--
`(A) 300 percent of the private capital of the company, or
`(2) provide for the use of discounted debentures.
`SEC. 376. ISSUANCE AND GUARANTEE OF TRUST CERTIFICATES.
`(a) ISSUANCE- The Administrator may issue trust certificates representing
ownership of all or a part of debentures issued by a science park venture
capital company and guaranteed by the Administrator under this part, if such
certificates are based on and backed by a trust or pool approved by the Administrator
and composed solely of guaranteed debentures.
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Administrator may, under such terms and conditions
as it deems appropriate, guarantee the timely payment of the principal of
and interest on trust certificates issued by the Administrator or its agents
for purposes of this section.
`(2) LIMITATION- Each guarantee under this subsection shall be limited to
the extent of principal and interest on the guaranteed debentures that compose
the trust or pool.
`(3) PREPAYMENT OR DEFAULT-
`(A) IN GENERAL- In the event that a debenture in a trust or pool is prepaid,
or in the event of default of such a debenture, the guarantee of timely
payment of principal and interest on the trust certificates shall be reduced
in proportion to the amount of principal and interest such prepaid debenture
represents in the trust or pool.
`(B) INTEREST- Interest on prepaid or defaulted debentures shall accrue
and be guaranteed by the Administrator only through the date of payment
of the guarantee.
`(C) REDEMPTION- At any time during its term, a trust certificate may
be called for redemption due to prepayment or default of all debentures.
`(c) FULL FAITH AND CREDIT- The full faith and credit of the United States
is pledged to pay all amounts that may be required to be paid under any guarantee
of a trust certificate issued by the Administrator or its agents under this
section.
`(d) SUBROGATION AND OWNERSHIP RIGHTS-
`(1) SUBROGATION- If the Administrator pays a claim under a guarantee issued
under this section, it shall be subrogated fully to the rights satisfied
by such payment.
`(2) OWNERSHIP RIGHTS- No provision of Federal, State, or local law shall
preclude or limit the exercise by the Administrator of its ownership rights
in the debentures residing in a trust or pool against which 1 or more trust
certificates are issued under this section.
`(e) MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION-
`(1) REGISTRATION- The Administrator may provide for a central registration
of all trust certificates issued under this section.
`(2) CONTRACTING OF FUNCTIONS-
`(A) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator
may contract with an agent or agents to carry out on behalf of the Administrator
the pooling and the central registration functions provided for in this
section, including--
`(i) maintenance, on behalf of and under the direction of the Administrator,
of such commercial bank accounts or investments in obligations of the
United States as may be necessary to facilitate the creation of trusts
or pools backed by debentures guaranteed under this part; and
`(ii) the issuance of trust certificates to facilitate the creation
of such trusts or pools.
`(B) FIDELITY BOND OR INSURANCE REQUIREMENT- Any agent performing functions
on behalf of the Administrator under this paragraph shall provide a fidelity
bond or insurance in such amounts as the Administrator determines necessary
to fully protect the interests of the United States.
`(C) REGULATION OF BROKERS AND DEALERS- The Administrator may regulate
brokers and dealers in trust certificates issued under this section.
`(D) ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION- Nothing in this subsection may be construed
to prohibit the use of a book entry or other electronic form of registration
for trust certificates issued under this section.
`SEC. 377. OPERATIONAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS.
`(1) GRANTS AUTHORIZED- The Administrator may award grants to science park
venture capital companies and other entities to provide operational assistance
to high-technology start-up companies financed, or expected to be financed,
by such companies.
`(2) TERMS- Grants under this subsection shall be made over a period not
to exceed 10 years, under such other terms as the Administrator may require.
`(3) GRANT AMOUNT- Each grant awarded under this subsection shall be equal
to the lesser of--
`(A) 10 percent of the private capital raised by the science park venture
capital company; or
`(4) OTHER ENTITIES- The amount of a grant made under this subsection to
any entity other than a science park venture capital company shall be equal
to the resources (in cash or in kind) raised by the entity in accordance
with the requirements applicable to science park venture capital companies
under this part.
`(b) SUPPLEMENTAL GRANTS-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Administrator may award supplemental grants to science
park venture capital companies and other entities, under such terms as the
Administrator may require, to provide additional operational assistance
to start-up companies financed, or expected to be financed, by such companies
or entities.
`(2) MATCHING REQUIREMENT- The Administrator may require, as a condition
of any supplemental grant made under this subsection, that the company or
entity receiving the grant provide a matching contribution equal to the
amount of the supplemental grant from non-Federal cash or in-kind resources.
`(c) LIMITATION- None of the assistance made available under this section
may be used for any overhead or general and administrative expense of a science
park venture capital company or other entity.
`SEC. 378. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
`(a) SCIENCE PARK VENTURE CAPITAL COMPANIES- Each science park venture capital
company shall provide the Administrator with such information as the Administrator
may require, including information relating to the criteria described in section
374(b)(4).
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Administrator shall prepare and make available to the
public an annual report on the Program, which shall include detailed information
on--
`(A) the number of science park venture capital companies licensed by
the Administrator during the previous fiscal year;
`(B) the aggregate amount of leverage that science park venture capital
companies have received from the Federal Government during the previous
fiscal year;
`(C) the aggregate number of each type of leveraged instruments used by
science park venture capital companies during the previous fiscal year,
and how each such number compares to the number in previous fiscal years;
`(D) for the previous fiscal year, the number of--
`(i) science park venture capital company licenses surrendered; and
`(ii) the number of science park venture capital companies placed in
liquidation;
`(E) the amount and type of leverage each such company has received from
the Federal Government;
`(F) the amount of losses sustained by the Federal Government as a result
of operations under this part during the previous fiscal year and an estimate
of the total losses that the Federal Government can reasonably expect
to incur as a result of the operations during the current fiscal year;
`(G) actions taken by the Administrator to maximize recoupment of funds
of the Federal Government expended to implement and administer the Program
during the previous fiscal year and to ensure compliance with the requirements
of this part, including implementing regulations;
`(H) the amount of Federal Government leverage that each licensee received
in the previous fiscal year and the types of leverage instruments used
by each licensee;
`(I) for each type of financing instrument, the sizes, types of geographic
locations, and other characteristics of the small business investment
companies using the instrument during the previous fiscal year, including
the extent to which the investment companies have used the leverage from
each instrument to make loans or equity investments in science parks;
and
`(J) the actions of the Administrator to carry out this part.
`(2) PROHIBITION- In compiling the report required under paragraph (1),
the Administrator may not--
`(A) compile the report in a manner that permits identification of any
particular type of investment by an individual science park venture capital
company in which a science park venture capital company invests; or
`(B) release any information that is prohibited under section 1905 of
title 18, United States Code.
`SEC. 379. EXAMINATIONS.
`(a) IN GENERAL- Each science park venture capital company that participates
in the Program shall be subject to examinations made at the direction of the
Administrator, in accordance with this section.
`(b) ASSISTANCE OF PRIVATE SECTOR ENTITIES- An examination under this section
may be conducted with the assistance of a private sector entity that has the
qualifications and expertise necessary to conduct such an examination.
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Administrator may assess the cost of an examination
under this section, including compensation of the examiners, against the
science park venture capital company examined.
`(2) PAYMENT- Any science park venture capital company against which the
Administrator assesses costs under this subsection shall pay the costs assessed.
`(d) DEPOSIT OF FUNDS- Funds collected under this section--
`(1) shall be deposited in the account that incurred the costs for carrying
out this section;
`(2) shall be made available to the Administrator to carry out this section,
without further appropriation; and
`(3) shall remain available until expended.
`SEC. 380. BANK PARTICIPATION.
`(a) IN GENERAL- Except as provided under subsection (b), any national bank,
any member bank of the Federal Reserve System, and, to the extent permitted
under applicable State law, any insured bank that is not a member of such
system, may invest in--
`(1) any science park venture capital company; or
`(2) any entity established to invest solely in science park venture capital
companies.
`(b) LIMITATION- No bank described in subsection (a) may make investments
described in that subsection that are greater than 5 percent of the capital
and surplus of the bank.
`SEC. 381. FEES.
`(a) IN GENERAL- Except as provided under subsection (b), the Administrator
may charge such fees as it determines to be appropriate with respect to any
guarantee or grant issued under this part.
`(b) EXCEPTION- The Administrator shall not collect a fee for any guarantee
of a trust certificate under this section. Any agent of the Administrator
may collect a fee, upon the approval of the Administrator, for the functions
described in section 376(e)(2).
`SEC. 382. APPLICABLE LAW.
`(a) IN GENERAL- The provisions relating to New Market Venture Capital companies
under sections 361 through section 366 shall apply to science park venture
capital companies.
`(b) PURCHASE OF GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS- Section 318 shall not apply to any
debenture issued by a science park venture capital company under this part.
`SEC. 383. REGULATIONS.
` Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this part, the Administrator
shall issue such regulations as it determines necessary to carry out this
part.
`SEC. 384. AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS.
`(a) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administration
for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2010, to remain available until
expended--
`(1) such subsidy budget authority as may be necessary to guarantee $1,000,000,000
of debentures under this part; and
`(2) $50,000,000 to make grants under this part.
`(b) FUNDS COLLECTED FOR EXAMINATIONS- Funds deposited pursuant to section
362(d) may only be used for--
`(1) examinations under section 362; and
`(2) other oversight activities of the Program.'.
SEC. 4. TAX INCENTIVES FOR INVESTMENT IN SCIENCE PARKS.
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 179(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating
to definitions and special rules) is amended by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
`(11) APPLICATION OF SECTION TO PROPERTY PLACED IN SERVICE IN SCIENCE PARKS-
`(A) IN GENERAL- In the case of any section 179 property placed in service
in any science park, this section shall be applied without regard to paragraphs
(1) and (2) of subsection (b).
`(B) SCIENCE PARK- The term `science park' means a group of interrelated
companies and institutions, including suppliers, service providers, institutions
of higher education, and trade associations that cooperate as well as
compete and are located in a specific area approved by the Secretary and
whose administration promotes real estate development, technology transfer,
and partnerships between such companies and institutions.'.
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendment made by this subsection shall apply with
respect to property placed in service after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
(1) MEMBER OF TARGETED GROUP- Section 51(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 (defining members of targeted groups) is amended by striking `or'
at the end of subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph
(H) and inserting `, or', and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
`(I) a science park employee.'.
(2) SCIENCE PARK EMPLOYEE- Section 51(d) of such Code is amended by adding
at the end the following new paragraph:
`(13) SCIENCE PARK EMPLOYEE-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The term `science park employee' means, with respect
to any period, any employee of any trade or business located in a science
park if substantially all the services performed during such period by
such employee for such business are performed in such science park.
`(B) SCIENCE PARK- The term `science park' means a group of interrelated
companies and institutions, including suppliers, service providers, institutions
of higher education, and trade associations that cooperate as well as
compete and are located in a specific area approved by the Secretary and
whose administration promotes real estate development, technology transfer,
and partnerships between such companies and institutions.'.
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made this subsection shall apply to any
amount paid or incurred to an individual who begins work for the employer
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(c) TAX CREDIT FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES-
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 41(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating
to credit for increasing research activities) is amended by striking `and'
at the end of paragraph (1)(B), by striking the period at the end of paragraph
(2) and inserting `, and', and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(3) 20 percent of the qualified research expenses paid or incurred by the
taxpayer during the taxable year in carrying on any trade or business located
in a science park.'.
(2) SPACE PARK- Section 41(f) of such Code (relating to special rules) is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(6) SCIENCE PARK- The term `science park' means a group of interrelated
companies and institutions, including suppliers, service providers, institutions
of higher education, and trade associations that cooperate as well as compete
and are located in a specific area approved by the Secretary and whose administration
promotes real estate development, technology transfer, and partnerships
between such companies and institutions.'.
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to
taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.
END