Bill > S1970

This bill establishes an "Innovative Communities Program" within the Executive Office of Administration and Finance to connect startups with municipalities seeking innovative technology solutions. To qualify as an "Innovative Community," a municipality must adopt the program's principles, make public its non-personal data, attend technology events, and agree to beta-test approved technologies annually, sharing the results. The program will be overseen by a secretary who will consult with the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development and contract with various state agencies and organizations. The bill outlines the secretary's responsibilities, including developing educational programs for both municipalities on purchasing innovative technology and for startups on navigating municipal procurement processes, creating plain language summaries of procurement rules, organizing marketing events, soliciting proposals, piloting promising technologies, providing financial assistance to qualifying municipalities, and establishing a public online portal for program information. Additionally, an "Innovative Communities Advisory Board" will be created to foster relationships between startups and municipalities and suggest program improvements, composed of representatives from clean energy, information technology, startup companies, investors, industry associations, business incubators, regional planning organizations, and municipal associations.