2023 WISCONSIN ACT 96
An Act to repeal 20.192 (1) (ar); and to create 20.192 (1) (ar) of the statutes; relating to: a technology and innovation hub grant to BioForward, Inc., and making an appropriation.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
96,1Section 1. 20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes: at the appropriate place, insert the following amounts for the purposes indicated: 96,2Section 2. 20.192 (1) (ar) of the statutes is created to read: 20.192 (1) (ar) Regional technology and innovation hub grant. Biennially, the amounts in the schedule for the grant to BioForward, Inc., under 2023 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), section 4 (1).
96,3Section 3. 20.192 (1) (ar) of the statutes, as created by 2023 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is repealed. 96,4Section 4. Nonstatutory provisions. (1) Regional technology and innovation hub grant.
(a) The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation shall provide sponsorship funding for purposes of this state’s designation as a regional technology and innovation hub under 15 USC 3722a. The funding shall be in the form of a grant of $7,500,000 awarded to BioForward, Inc., in its capacity as the lead consortium member of the consortium formed for purposes of this state’s federal designation as a regional technology and innovation hub. The grant awarded under this subsection is not subject to s. 238.03 (3) (a).
(b) To the extent consistent with the purposes of a federal grant awarded under 15 USC 3722a (f), BioForward, Inc., shall expend all grant moneys for the following projects:
1. The establishment in this state of a clinical work flow and supply chain support center for image-guided therapies and theranostics.
2. The construction of expanded shared lab space at Forward BIOLABS, Inc., the construction of new Forward BIOLABS, Inc., lab space, and the development of lab-related programming and support for the expansion of Forward BIOLABS, Inc.
3. The development of a program that provides support for manufacturing and supply chain companies in this state to develop apprenticeship programs and the development of incentives for employers in this state to engage apprentices in high-demand industry sectors.
(2) Reports. Annually, for 3 years beginning with the first year after the grant is awarded under sub. (1), the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and BioForward, Inc., shall submit a joint report to the joint committee on finance detailing all uses of the grant moneys.
96,5Section 5. Fiscal changes. (1) In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the appropriation to the joint committee on finance under s. 20.865 (4) (a), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2023-24 is increased by $7,500,000 for the grant to BioForward, Inc., under Section 4 (1) of this act. No moneys may be released under this subsection unless the consortium specified in Section 4 (1) of this act is awarded a federal grant under 15 USC 3722a (f).
96,6Section 6. Effective dates. This act takes effect on the day after publication, except as follows: (1) The repeal of s. 20.192 (1) (ar) takes effect on July 1, 2025.
