(a) There shall be a Technology Talent Advisory Committee within the Department of Economic and Community Development. Such committee shall consist of members appointed by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, including, but not limited to, representatives of The University of Connecticut, the Board of Regents for Higher Education, independent institutions of higher education, the Office of Workforce Strategy and private industry. Such members shall be subject to term limits prescribed by the commissioner. Each member shall hold office until a successor is appointed.
(b) The commissioner shall call the first meeting of the advisory committee not later than October 15, 2016. The advisory committee shall meet not less than quarterly thereafter and at such other times as the chairperson deems necessary. The Technology Talent Advisory Committee shall designate the chairperson of the committee from among its members.
(c) No member of the advisory committee shall receive compensation for such member's service, except that each member shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred during the performance of such member's official duties.
(d) A majority of members of the advisory committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the advisory committee. The advisory committee may act by a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is in attendance, for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the advisory committee, except as otherwise provided in this section.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, it shall not constitute a conflict of interest for a trustee, director, partner or officer of any person, firm or corporation, or any individual having a financial interest in a person, firm or corporation, to serve as a member of the advisory committee, provided such trustee, director, partner, officer or individual complies with all applicable provisions of chapter 10. All members of the advisory committee shall be deemed public officials and shall adhere to the code of ethics for public officials set forth in chapter 10, except that no member shall be required to file a statement of financial interest as described in section 1-83.
(f) The Technology Talent Advisory Committee shall, in the following order of priority, (1) calculate the number of software developers and other persons (A) employed in technology-based fields where there is a shortage of qualified employees in this state for businesses to hire, including, but not limited to, data mining, data analysis and cybersecurity, and (B) employed by businesses located in Connecticut as of December 31, 2016; (2) develop pilot programs to recruit software developers to Connecticut and train residents of the state in software development and such other technology fields, with the goal of increasing the number of software developers and persons employed in such other technology fields residing in Connecticut and employed by businesses in Connecticut by at least double the number calculated pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection by January 1, 2026; and (3) identify other technology industries where there is a shortage of qualified employees in this state for growth stage businesses to hire.
(g) The Technology Talent Advisory Committee may develop pilot programs for (1) marketing and publicity campaigns designed to recruit technology talent to the state; (2) student loan deferral or forgiveness for students who start businesses in the state; and (3) training, apprenticeship and gap-year initiatives.
(h) The Technology Talent Advisory Committee shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, and present such report to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce, education, higher education and finance, revenue and bonding on or before January 1, 2017, concerning the (1) pilot programs developed pursuant to subsections (f) and (g) of this section, (2) number of software developers and persons employed in technology-based fields described in subsection (f) of this section targeted for recruitment pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, and (3) timeline and measures for reaching the recruitment target.
(May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 23; P.A. 17-212, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 244.)
History: May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 effective June 2, 2016; P.A. 17-212 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective July 10, 2017; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended Subsec. (a) by adding “, the Office of Workforce Strategy” and deleting provision re initial appointments to be made not later than September 30, 2016, effective July 1, 2021.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 32 - Commerce and Economic and Community Development
Chapter 578 - Department of Economic and Community Development
Section 32-1a. - Short title: State Commerce Act.
Section 32-1b. - Department of Economic and Community Development established.
Section 32-1c. - Powers and duties of commissioner.
Section 32-1d. - Deputy commissioner, appointment and functions.
Section 32-1e. - Plan for support and promotion of industries using recycled materials.
Section 32-1n. - Reports re funding for economic and industry cluster initiatives.
Section 32-1o. - State economic strategic plan.
Section 32-1p. - Powers and duties re digital media and motion picture activities.
Section 32-1r. - Report on business tax credit and abatement programs.
Section 32-1s. - Powers and duties re culture and tourism.
Section 32-1v. - Small business hotline.
Section 32-2 and 32-2a. - Expenses; director. Bonding of commission members and employees.
Section 32-3. - Duties of department; Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated.
Section 32-4a. - Assistance to Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Incorporated.
Section 32-4b. - State Economic Development Advisory Board.
Section 32-4e. - “Economic cluster” defined.
Section 32-4g. - Economic cluster report by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development.
Section 32-4h. - Economic cluster bond funds report.
Section 32-4i. - Learn Here, Live Here program.
Section 32-4j. - Connecticut first-time homebuyers account.
Section 32-4k. - Learn Here, Live Here program. Segregation of income taxes.
Section 32-4l. - First five plus program.
Section 32-4o. - Bond authorization for grants.
Section 32-4p. - Requests for proposals and competitive grant program re major projects.
Section 32-4r. - Youth Service Corps grant program.
Section 32-4s. - Local Youth Service Corps program requirements.
Section 32-5b. - Deadlines for approval or disapproval of applications for financial assistance.
Section 32-6. - Connecticut building at Eastern States Exposition.
Section 32-6h. - One-stop business licensing center.
Section 32-6i. - Connecticut Economic Information System Steering Committee.
Section 32-6j. - Assistance of Labor Commissioner in job-training activities.
Section 32-6k. - Impact statements submitted to the Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board.
Section 32-6m. - Promotion of products produced in Connecticut.
Section 32-6n. - Electronic business portal.
Section 32-6u. - Connecticut antiques trail. Promotional program.
Section 32-6w. - Display of temporary signage or flags by business on Connecticut antiques trail.
Section 32-7e. - Regional Economic Development Assistance Revolving Fund.
Section 32-7f. - Economic development grants program.
Section 32-7g. - Small Business Express program.
Section 32-7h. - Small business express assistance account.
Section 32-7n. - Manufacturing Innovation Advisory Board.
Section 32-7p. - Technology Talent Advisory Committee. Membership. Duties. Pilot programs. Report.
Section 32-7q. - Minority Business Initiative Advisory Board. Duties. Membership.
Section 32-7r. - Regional economic development matching grant pilot program.
Section 32-8. - Administration of federal funds.
Section 32-8a. - Registry of electronic commerce and information technology intensive companies.
Section 32-8b. - Cooperative internship program.
Section 32-8c. - Connecticut Young Adult Conservation Corps program. Set-asides. Reports.
Section 32-9. - Right of local redevelopment agencies to contract with federal government.
Section 32-9aa and 32-9bb. - Loans for the repair of dams. Regulations.
Section 32-9c. - Transfer of powers and duties of the Connecticut Development Commission.
Section 32-9d. - Transfer of personnel and properties.
Section 32-9dd. - Transfer of remediated brownfields.
Section 32-9i. - Job incentive grant program for businesses in areas of high unemployment.
Section 32-9k. - Business facilities qualified for job incentive grants.
Section 32-9l. - Determination of grant amounts. Regulations.
Section 32-9n. - Office of Small Business Affairs.
Section 32-9o. - Industrial growth in areas of high unemployment. Legislative determination.
Section 32-9qq. - Business outreach center challenge grants. Eligibility of greenways projects.
Section 32-9tt. - Funding for businesses new to exporting.
Section 32-9u. - Use of North American Industrial Classification codes.
Section 32-9uu. - Program to increase entrepreneurial potential in the inner cities.
Section 32-9vv. - Connecticut Hydrogen-Fuel Cell Coalition.
Section 32-9w. - Evaluation of impact of development project on the environment. Procedure.
Section 32-9ww. - Fuel cell economic development plan. Reports.
Section 32-9xx. - Small Business Advisory Board.
Section 32-9yy. - Connecticut Credit Consortium. Small business assistance account.