15.107 Iowa innovation corporation.

1. The authority shall establish the Iowa innovation corporation as a nonprofit corporation organized under chapter 504 and qualifying under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization exempt from taxation. Unless otherwise provided in this subchapter, the corporation is subject to the provisions of chapter 504. The corporation shall be established for the purpose of receiving and disbursing funds from public or private sources to further the overall development and economic well-being of the state.

2. The corporation shall collaborate with the authority as described in this subchapter, but the corporation shall not be considered, in whole or in part, an agency, department, or administrative unit of the state.

a. The corporation shall not receive appropriations from the general assembly.

b. The corporation shall not be required to comply with any requirements that apply to a state agency, department, or administrative unit and shall not exercise any sovereign power of the state.

c. The corporation does not have authority to pledge the credit of the state, and the state shall not be liable for the debts or obligations of the corporation. All debts and obligations of the corporation shall be payable solely from the corporation’s funds.

3. a. The corporation shall be established so that donations and bequests to it qualify as tax deductible under state income tax laws and under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

b. The corporation shall be established for the purpose of expanding economic development opportunities in the state of Iowa and for Iowa businesses operating in foreign markets in connection with the public purpose of economic development in Iowa. The corporation may effectuate this purpose by performing certain functions delegated to it by the authority pursuant to section 15.106B.

4. The articles of the corporation shall provide for its governance and its efficient management. In providing for its governance, the articles of the corporation shall address the following:

a. A board of directors to govern the corporation.

(1) The board of directors shall initially be comprised of seven members appointed by the governor to concurrent terms of four years. Two of such members shall be subject to confirmation by the senate.

(2) For appointments subsequent to the initial appointments pursuant to subparagraph (1), two of the members shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate, to staggered terms of four years each, and the remaining five members shall be selected by a majority vote of the board of directors of the corporation for terms the length of which shall be provided in the articles of the corporation.

(3) The governor and the board of directors of the corporation shall not appoint or select any person who is either the spouse or a relative within the first degree of consanguinity of a serving member of the board of directors or of the authority board.

b. The appointment of a chief executive officer by the board to manage the corporation’s daily operations.

c. The delegation of such powers and responsibilities to the chief executive officer as may be necessary for the corporation’s efficient operation.

d. The employment of personnel necessary for the efficient performance of the duties assigned to the corporation. All such personnel shall be considered employees of a private, nonprofit corporation and shall be exempt from the personnel requirements imposed on state agencies, departments, and administrative units.

e. The financial operations of the corporation including the authority to receive and expend funds from public and private sources and to use its property, money, or other resources for the purpose of the corporation.

5. The board of directors of the corporation and the chief executive officer shall act to ensure all of the following:

a. That the corporation reviews and, at the board’s direction, implements the applicable portions of the strategic plan developed by members of the authority pursuant to section 15.105.

b. That the corporation prepares an annual budget that includes funding levels for the corporation’s activities and that shows sufficient moneys are available to support those activities.

c. That the corporation annually completes and files an information return as described in section 422.15 and that the information return is submitted to the general assembly.

86 Acts, ch 1245, §807; 2011 Acts, ch 118, §12, 89; 2012 Acts, ch 1021, §6; 2013 Acts, ch 30, §4

Referred to in §15.102, 15.106B, 15.117A

Confirmation, see §2.32