The department shall develop and submit to the Governor and the Legislature by January 1, 2004 and the first day of the first legislative session of each biennium thereafter:

1.__Action plan.__An action plan for the application of science and technology to improve the State's position in the global economy. The plan must be based on the State's overall economic development strategy as determined by the commissioner. The action plan must identify specific steps that public and private institutions must implement to improve the State's science and technology infrastructure. The plan must also identify action steps that could be implemented immediately without new state appropriations and resources and action steps that will require new state appropriations or major reallocation of state appropriations and resources.

The action plan must include numerical objectives, costs and an evaluation protocol. The plan must also include a provision for assigning and ensuring accountability for those who receive state research and development funds through the department. In the preparation of this plan, the department shall seek the advice of state agencies, the Maine Economic Growth Council established in

Title 10, section 929-A, the University of Maine System and the business, education and research communities; and

2.__Report card.__A report card that:

A.__Compares the State's science and technology infrastructure standing to that of other states, based on the results of all independent organizations or reports that make such comparisons and on any other appropriate comparisons as determined by the department and those agencies with which the department is directed by this section to consult;

B.__Assesses the performance of the State and those who receive state funds in meeting the goals, objectives and action steps outlined in the action plan; and

C.__Makes recommendations for improving the results shown on the report card.

§13060-B.__Comprehensive research and development evaluation

The department shall develop and submit to the Governor and the Legislature by July 1, 2006 and on July 1st every 5 years thereafter an evaluation of state investments in research and development. The evaluation must: