Senate committee agrees to bill clarifying college partnerships with nonprofit economic-development groups

The Senate Economic Development Committee on March 20 agreed to a committee substitute for Senate Bill 8 25 that clarifies existing law allowing institutions of higher education to contract with nonstock, nonprofit corporations for economic development and job creation.

The committee substitute, explained by committee counsel, narrows the statute to specify that contracts with such nonprofit corporations are for the sole purpose of promoting economic development and job creation and establishes guidelines for the contractual relationship. Counsel said the substitute also amends the bill title and removes unnecessary internal citations.

The matter drew limited discussion. Sen. Flamingo asked whether the bill responded to a particular partnership or request; counsel and committee members described it as enabling institutions to partner with nonprofit development corporations. Committee members referenced Marshall seeking to partner with a Huntington nonprofit and named HADCO in that context.

The committee adopted the committee substitute by voice vote. The vice chair moved that the committee substitute for Senate Bill 8 25 be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass; that motion carried by voice vote. The committee record shows no roll-call tally; the chair declared the motion adopted.

No amendments were offered during the committee consideration, and counsel characterized the change as a clarification of the existing statute rather than creation of a new program. The committee did not specify implementation details, funding, or model contract language during the discussion.

The bill will move to the full Senate for further consideration.