Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §13122-L is enacted to read:

§13122-L.__Maine Research and Development Evaluation Fund

1.__Fund established.__The Maine Research and Development Evaluation Fund, referred to in this section as the "fund," is established as a nonlapsing Other Special Revenue fund administered by the foundation for the purposes of funding the comprehensive research and development evaluation required pursuant to section 13122-J.__Money deposited with the Treasurer of State to the credit of the fund may be invested as provided by law.__Income from those investments must be credited to the fund.

2.__Fund sources.__The fund receives money deposited by the Treasurer of State pursuant to this section and any other gift, grant or other source of revenue deposited for that use.

3.__Transfers to fund.__Notwithstanding section 1585 or any other provision of law, the State Budget Officer upon the recommendation of the president is authorized to transfer General Fund appropriations for research and development efforts to the fund.__The transfer and allotment of available funds may not exceed 0.8% of the total research and development appropriations identified by the president after consultation with affected agencies and departments.__The transfer must be implemented by financial order contingent upon the recommendation of the State Budget Officer and approval of the Governor and upon review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations and financial affairs.__The financial order must include a plan outlining how these funds will be expended.__The financial order takes effect upon approval by the Governor.__Total transfers made pursuant to this section may not exceed $120,000 in any fiscal year.

Sec. 2. Allocation. The following funds are allocated from Other Special Revenue funds to carry out the purposes of this Act.

2001-02 2002-03

MAINE SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION

Maine Research and Development

Evaluation Fund

All Other $500 $500

Provides a base allocation to