HB 555 -- LIFE SCIENCES RESEARCH PROGRAM

SPONSOR:  Foley

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Miscellaneous Bills and Resolutions by a vote of 9 to 0.

This bill creates the Life Sciences Research Program in the
Department of Health.  The program will be administered by the
Director of the Department of Health based on the recommendation
of the Life Sciences Research Board.

In its main provisions, the bill:

(1)  Establishes a 7-member Life Science Research Board and
specifies the composition of board members, terms of selection
and length of service for board members, residency requirements
of board members, and the procedures pertaining to filling board
vacancies and the appointment of additional board members;

(2)  Authorizes the board to issue conflict of interest
guidelines pertaining to the administration and operation of the
program and actions of board members.  Board members are
prohibited from making decisions to award any grants which can
lead to a conflict of interest;

(3)  Requires the board to use moneys in the Life Sciences
Research Fund for the purposes of establishing quality research
and specifies the research agenda of the program;

(4)  Contains provisions concerning the acceptance and approval
of applications to award grants for the purpose of conducting
research;

(5)  Contains provisions which specify the powers of the board;

(6)  Specifies the use of "remaining funds" which are unexpended
moneys the board has received;

(7)  Contains provisions pertaining to the creation of program
rules;

(8)  Contains provisions pertaining to the establishment of the
Centers for Excellence for Life Science Research in Missouri;

(9)  Requires that the centers appoint a steering committee and
specifies the duties of the committee;

(10)  Requires the Governor to initially appoint a 7-member Life
Sciences Citizens Committee and specifies the duties of the
committee.  The duration of the committee and the selection of
committee members are stated;

(11)  Creates the Life Sciences Research Fund in the state
treasury and specifies the use of the fund;

(12)  Requires the board to obtain an annual financial audit
from the State Auditor or from an outside certified public
accounting firm;

(13)  Contains provisions pertaining to timely disclosure of
research findings to the scientific community and the retaining
of all rights, including copyrights and intellectual property
rights; and

(14)  Contains a provision pertaining to the severability of
sections.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of $0
to $45,800,000 in FY 2002, and $0 to Unknown in FY 2003 and FY
2004.   Estimated Net Cost to Life Sciences Research Fund of $0
to $369,543 in FY 2002, $0 to $422,560 in FY 2003, and $0 to
$423,778 in FY 2004.  Does not include grant expenditures and
auditing costs.  Estimated Net Cost to Health Families Trust
Fund of $0 in FY 2002, FY 2003, and FY 2004.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the program is a good economic
development investment.  This area of research is already strong
in our 2 major cities and will be enhanced by the program.  The
jobs it will create are high paying and require highly
specialized knowledge and skill.  Missouri can be the leader in
this area of research because of existing resources.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Foley; Kansas City
Civic Council; St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth
Association; Washington University; University of Missouri
System; City of Kansas City; and Chamber of Commerce of Greater
Kansas City.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that they are not
opposed to the concept of the program, but have concerns
regarding research on embryo stem cells, fetal tissue, cloning,
and abortion drugs.  Opponents also want to encourage
development of bio-ethics, prevent tax money from paying for
abortions, and prevent the inducement of abortion for research
purposes.

Testifying against the bill were Missouri Catholic Conference;
Missouri Right to Life; Missouri Family Network; and Campaign
Life Missouri.

Donna Schlosser, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:44 am