In addition to his other powers and duties, the commissioner shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To utilize the department's resources for planning and developing an economic and community development reorganization plan which (A) sets forth policy goals for the department, (B) determines strategies to encourage economic and community development, (C) determines the feasibility of dividing the operation of programs and resources of the state in support of economic and community development between and among the department and CII, (D) identifies strategies to increase the leverage of resources of the state used in furtherance of the purposes of CII, (E) identifies, if feasible, divisions and recommends a timetable and procedures for transferring resources and operations between and among the department and CII, and (F) recommends specific economic and community development objectives and administrative structures for the department and CII. In developing such plan, the department shall be the lead agency, in collaboration with CII, for research, planning and development of the plan and shall solicit community and regional input in the preparation of such plan in such a manner as will best help develop, clarify or further state policies for economic and community development. The commissioner shall submit a copy of the reorganization plan to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce and planning and development;(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of the general statutes or any special act and with the approval of the Treasurer and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, to transfer to CII: (A) Any revenues received by the department or the state in connection with any program or project of the department and the right to receive any such revenues; and (B) any loan assets or equity interests held by the department in connection with any program or project of the department; provided, no such transfer shall be approved by the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management if either determines that such transfer could adversely affect the tax-exempt status of any bonds of the state, the substantial interests of third parties, the financial budget of the state or other essential rights, interests, or prerogatives of the state. The commissioner may impose such conditions as he deems necessary or appropriate with respect to the use by CII of any revenues, rights, assets, interests or amounts transferred to it by the department under this subdivision; provided, the commissioner may waive any requirement under this subdivision for the adoption of written procedures until July 1, 1996;(3) To award to CII financial, technical or other assistance. Financial assistance awarded by the department to CII may take any of the following forms, subject to any conditions imposed by the department: (D) contracts of insurance; and (E) investments. In addition, to the extent funds or resources are available to the department for such purposes, the commissioner may provide such further financial or other assistance to CII as the commissioner in his sole discretion deems appropriate for any of the purposes of CII respectively;(4) To enter into such agreements with CII as may be appropriate for the purpose of performing its duties which agreements may include, but shall not be limited to, provisions for the delivery of services by CII to third parties, provisions for payment by the department to CII for the delivery of such services, provisions for advances and reimbursements to the department for any expenses incurred or to be incurred by it in delivery of any services, assistance, revenues, rights, assets and interests and provisions for the sharing with CII of assistants, agents and other consultants, professionals and employees, and facilities and other real and personal property used in the conduct of the department's affairs; and(5) To provide financial assistance for economic development projects directly or in participation with Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, to purchase participation interests in loans made by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated and enter into any agreements or contracts it deems necessary or convenient in connection with such loans.( P.A. 95-250 , S. 3 , 42 ; 95-309 , S. 11 , 12 ; P.A. 96-68 , S. 1 ; P.A. 97-211 , S. 2 , 7 ; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 , S. 152 ; P.A. 13-234 , S. 8 .)