The Legislature would establish a committee to study the bioscience economy in Nebraska under a bill heard Feb. 3 by the Executive Board.<\/p>\n
LB987, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Adam Morfeld, would create the Bioscience Steering Committee composed of the chairperson or a designee of the Revenue and Appropriations committees, as well as three members of the Legislature selected by the Executive Board. <\/p>\n
Morfeld said a previous legislative study of the bioscience economy in Nebraska was spearheaded by the Natural Resources Committee and that the time has come to follow up on that study from a broader perspective.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince this is just an update,\u201d he said, \u201cless funding is required and we can utilize the leftover funds from the 2010 study.\u201d<\/p>\n
The bill would be funded by the $36,000 remaining in the Biotechnology Development Cash Fund. The strategic plan developed by the committee would report to the Legislature next session.<\/p>\n
Morfeld said bioscience jobs are located across Nebraska and provide a wage considerably higher than the statewide average. <\/p>\n
Under the bill, the Bioscience Steering Committee would create a strategic plan, which would include strategies to:
\n\u2022\tstimulate job growth in the fields of science, technology and engineering;
\n\u2022\tencourage individuals and organizations engaged in the biotechnology industry to locate and expand in Nebraska;
\n\u2022\tgrow the state\u2019s investment capital market and incentivize investment in life science start-up companies;
\n\u2022\tdevelop Nebraska\u2019s biotechnology workforce in cooperation with higher education institutions; and
\n\u2022\tcapture and commercialize technology that is discovered and developed in the state.<\/p>\n
Stewart Bauck, general manager of GeneSeek and a board member of Bio Nebraska, testified in support of the bill. He said that GeneSeek, an offshoot of the University of Nebraska located in Lincoln, is the \u201cposter child\u201d for the legislation. The company does DNA testing on approximately 1.5 million plant and animal samples per year, he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are the world\u2019s largest animal genomics facility,\u201d Bauck said. \u201cWe have the benefit of a significant strategic advantage, which is our location in the great state of Nebraska.\u201d<\/p>\n
The company currently employees 130 people, he said, and would like to expand in Lincoln.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of our most significant challenges is the development of an appropriately trained and qualified workforce,\u201d Bauck said.<\/p>\n
Brad Roth, representing the University of Nebraska, also supported the bill, saying the state needs to know the current status of the bioscience economy in Nebraska and how to expand opportunities in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is likely that changes have occurred in the industry landscape as well as some of the underlying assumptions from the 2010 report,\u201d Roth said.<\/p>\n
No opposition testimony was offered and the committee took no immediate action on the bill.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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