(A) In addition to the powers and duties under sections 184.10 to 184.20 and 184.37 of the Revised Code, the third frontier commission may perform any act to ensure the performance of any function necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of, and exercise the powers granted under, sections 184.01 and 184.02 of the Revised Code. In addition, the commission may do any of the following:

(1) Adopt, amend, and rescind rules under section 111.15 of the Revised Code for the administration of any aspect of its operations;

(2) Adopt bylaws governing its operations, including bylaws that establish procedures and set policies as may be necessary to assist with the furtherance of its purposes;

(3) Appoint and set the compensation of employees needed to carry out its duties;

(4) Contract with, retain the services of, or designate, and fix the compensation of, such financial consultants, accountants, other consultants and advisors, and other independent contractors as may be necessary or desirable to carry out its duties;

(5) Solicit input and comments from the third frontier advisory board, and specialized industry, professional, and other relevant interest groups concerning its purposes;

(6) Facilitate alignment of the state's science and technology programs and activities;

(7) Make grants and loans to individuals, public agencies, private companies or organizations, or joint ventures for any of the broad range of activities related to its purposes.

(B) In addition to the powers and duties under sections 184.10 to 184.20 and 184.37 of the Revised Code, the commission shall do all of the following:

(1) Establish a competitive process for the award of grants and loans that is designed to fund the most meritorious proposals and, when appropriate, provide for peer review of proposals;

(2) On or before the first day of August of each year, submit to the governor and the general assembly a report of the activities of the commission during the preceding fiscal year;

(3) With specific application to the biomedical research and technology transfer trust fund, periodically make strategic assessments of the types of state investments in biomedical research and biotechnology in the state that would likely create jobs and business opportunities in the state and produce the most beneficial long-term improvements to the public health of Ohioans, including, but not limited to, biomedical research and biotechnology initiatives that address tobacco-related illnesses as may be outlined in any master agreement. The commission shall award grants and loans from the fund pursuant to a process established under division (B)(1) of this section.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 486, §1, eff. 9/16/2014.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.39, SB 171, §3, eff. 6/30/2011.

Effective Date: 07-01-2003; 01-04-2006; 2008 HB554 06-12-2008.