HB 2555 -- Entrepreneurial Development Council

Sponsor:  Pearce

This bill establishes the Entrepreneurial Development Council
within the Department of Economic Development consisting of seven
members from Missouri businesses and licensed attorneys
specializing in intellectual property law.  All members will be
appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the
Senate.  The department will establish the terms of membership,
which will be permanent and apply to all subsequent members.

The council will provide benefits to entrepreneurs who register
with it.  The council may impose a registration fee, as provided
by department rule, for Missouri entrepreneurs who wish to avail
themselves of the council's benefits.

The Entrepreneurial Development and Intellectual Property Right
Protection Fund is created to accept state and federal
appropriations, grants, bequests, gifts, fees, and awards to be
used by the council.

The council will evaluate allegations of intellectual property
rights infringement and may, based on need, award grants or
financial assistance to subsidize legal expenses incurred in
instituting legal action necessary to remedy the alleged
infringement.  The council may allocate money from the fund, as
provided by department rule, for low-interest loans and grants to
registered entrepreneurs to provide financial aid for product
development, manufacturing, and advertising of new products.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:12 pm