§ 169-5 — Regulatory assistance; technical assistance; nonprofit organizations

A designated nonprofit organization which has been duly authorized by the Office of the Secretary of State shall be recognized as partners that may help sandbox applicants navigate the regulatory sandbox application process. Certain participating nonprofit organizations may also assist sandbox participants with the design and implementation of products and services during the regulatory sandbox program period. Nonprofit organizations wishing to assist regulatory sandbox applicants and participants shall submit an application to the Innovation Council for approval. Such organizations shall additionally be empowered to explore, provide input, analyze, and make recommendations to the Council with respect to innovations and the application of innovative technologies that would additionally provide benefit to the State, its consumers, and its industry. The Innovation Council may also remove a previously approved nonprofit partner at its discretion. Selection, denial, or removal of a nonprofit under this section is exempt from the contested case process provided in Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.
Nothing shall prevent a nonprofit applicant from reapplying to assist sandbox applicants under this section after the nonprofit application is denied. Any nonprofit partner removed may not reapply to be a nonprofit partner of the Innovation Council for a period of two years, or within such time as the Council may approve. (2021-166, s. 1; 2023-134, s. 11.14(d).)