Sec. 32-39e. Development of new or experimental products.

(a) If, in the exercise of its powers under section 32-39, Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated finds that the use of a certain technology, product or process would promote public health and safety, environmental protection or economic development and such technology, product or process was developed by a business domiciled in this state to which the corporation has provided financial assistance or in which the corporation has invested, the corporation, upon application of such business, may recommend to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management that an agency of the state be directed to test such technology, product or process by employing it in the operations of such agency on a trial basis. The purpose of such test program shall be to validate the commercial viability of such technology, product or process provided no business in which Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated has invested shall be required to participate in such program. No such recommendation may be made unless such business has submitted a viable business plan for manufacturing and marketing such technology, product or process and such business (1) will manufacture or produce such technology, product or process in this state, (2) demonstrates that the usage of such technology, product or process by the state agency will not adversely affect safety, (3) demonstrates that sufficient research and development has occurred to warrant participation in the test program, and (4) demonstrates that the technology, product or process has potential for commercialization not later than two years following the completion of any test program involving a state agency under this section.

(b) If the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management finds that employing such technology, product or process would be feasible in the operations of a state agency and would not have any detrimental effect on such operations, said secretary, notwithstanding the requirement of chapter 58, may direct an agency of the state to accept delivery of such technology, product or process and to undertake such a test program. Any costs associated with the acquisition and use of such technology, product or process by the testing agency shall be borne by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, the business or by any investor or participant in such business. The acquisition of any technology, product or process for purposes of the test program established pursuant to this section shall not be deemed to be a purchase under the provisions of the state procurement policy. The testing agency, on behalf of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall maintain records related to such test program, as requested by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated and shall make such records and any other information derived from such test program available to Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated and the business. Any proprietary information derived from such test program shall be exempt from the provisions of subsection (a) of section 1-210.

(c) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated may develop a program to recognize state agencies that help to promote public health and safety, environmental protection or economic development by participating in a testing program under this section. Such program may include the creation of a fund established with savings accrued by the testing agency during its participation in the testing program established under this section. Such fund shall only be used to implement the program of recognition established by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, under the provisions of this subsection.

(P.A. 99-223, S. 1, 3.)

History: P.A. 99-223 effective June 29, 1999.