(1)__Increase the rate of technology extension across manufacturing and knowledge-based firms throughout the State;

(2)__Increase the amount of technology development occurring in the State; and

(3)__Increase the rate at which technologies with potential commercial application are moved out of private and public laboratories into the marketplace;

B.__Soliciting, borrowing, accepting and receiving money from any public or private source to augment state contributions to the fund;

C.__Approving an annual budget for the fund and investing and expending money from the fund;

D.__Contracting with public entities as necessary to further the purposes of this section;

E.__Carrying forward any unexpended state appropriations into succeeding fiscal years;

F.__Providing an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature by January 1st of each regular session of the Legislature within the annual report of the institute, setting forth:

(1)__The operations and accomplishments of the fund during the fiscal year; and

(2)__The assets and liabilities of the fund at the end of its most recent fiscal year;

G.__Owning intellectual property, licensing intellectual property and negotiating for and collecting royalty rights or otherwise realizing a return on investment made under the fund and all programs of the institute when appropriate in order to promote the interests and investments of the State in furthering science and technology; and

H.__Protecting all proprietary information contained in proposals, contracts and grants or any other legal agreement only when such information is likely to involve patentable