HCS SS SCS SB 226 -- LIFE SCIENCES RESEARCH PROGRAM

SPONSOR:  Goode (Foley)

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

This substitute 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
recommendations of the Life Sciences Research Board.

In its main provisions, the substitute:

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

(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)  Details the procedure for the acceptance and approval of
applications to award grants for the purpose of conducting
research;

(5)  Outlines 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)  Requires that Centers for Excellence for Life Sciences
Research be established and outlines requirements for the
centers;

(9)  Requires that each center appoint a screening committee and
specifies the duties and powers 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)  Requires grant recipients to disclose in a timely manner
research findings to the scientific community and allows them to
retain all rights, including copyrights and intellectual
property rights to the research; and

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

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of
$45,800,000 in FY 2002, Unknown in FY 2003, and Unknown in 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.  Cost does not include grant expenditures
and auditing costs.  Estimated Net Effect on Healthy 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.  Missouri can be an international leader
in this area of research because of existing resources.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Goode; St. Louis Regional
Chamber and Growth Association; Washington University; Civic
Council of Greater Kansas City; City of Kansas City; Campaign
Life Missouri; and Missouri Catholic Conference.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that they are not
opposed to life sciences research but would like to see pro-life
concerns addressed.

Testifying against the bill was Missouri Right to Life.

Donna Schlosser, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:47 am