The director of development may:

(A) Seek, solicit, or acquire personal property or any estate, interest, or right in real property, or services, funds, and other things of value of any kind or character by purchase, lease, gift, grant, contribution, exchange, or otherwise from any person or governmental agency to be held, used, and applied in accordance with and for the purposes of sections 1551.01 to 1551.25 of the Revised Code;

(B) Contract for the operation of, and establish rules for the use of, facilities over which the director has supervision or control, which rules may include the limitation of ingress to or egress from such facilities as may be necessary to maintain the security of such facilities and to provide for the safety of those on the premises of such facilities;

(C) Purchase such fire and extended coverage insurance and insurance protecting against liability for damage to property or injury to or death of persons as the director may consider necessary and proper under sections 1551.01 to 1551.25 of the Revised Code;

(D) Sponsor, conduct, assist, and encourage conferences, seminars, meetings, institutes, and other forms of meetings; authorize, prepare, publish, and disseminate any form of studies, reports, and other publications; originate, prepare, and assist proposals for the expenditure or granting of funds by any governmental agency or person for purposes of energy resource development; and investigate, initiate, sponsor, participate in, and assist with cooperative activities and programs involving governmental agencies and other entities of other states and jurisdictions;

(E) Do all acts and things necessary and proper to carry out the powers granted and the duties imposed by sections 1551.01 to 1551.25 of the Revised Code;

(F) Make grants of funds to any person, organization, or governmental agency of the state for the furnishing of goods or performance of services.

Any person or governmental agency that receives funds from the department of development, or utilizes the facilities of the department under sections 1551.01 to 1551.25 of the Revised Code shall agree in writing that all know-how, trade secrets, and other forms of property, rights, and interest arising out of developments, discoveries, or inventions, including patents, copyrights, or royalties thereon, which result in whole or in part from research, studies, or testing conducted by use of such funds or facilities shall be the sole property of the department, except as may be otherwise negotiated and provided by contract in advance of such research, studies, or testing. However, such exceptions do not apply to the director or employees of the department participating in or performing research, tests, or studies.

Rights retained by the department may be assigned, licensed, transferred, sold, or otherwise disposed of, in whole or in part, to any person or governmental agency. Any and all income, royalties, or proceeds derived or retained from such dispositions shall be paid to the state and credited to the general revenue fund.

Any instrument by which real property is acquired pursuant to this section shall identify the agency of this state that has the use and benefit of the real property as specified in section 5301.012 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 06-26-2003.