DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 470 Original 2018 Regular Session Stokes
Abstract: Creates the La. Medical Research Fund as a special fund in the state treasury.
Proposed law creates the La. Medical Research Fund as a special fund in the state treasury. Provides
that the purpose of the fund is to improve the lives of La. residents through improved health care,
economic opportunity, and all other benefits deriving from investment in medical research.
Proposed law provides that the fund shall be governed by a three-member board of commissioners,
referred to hereafter as the "board", appointed by the governor for staggered terms of six years.
Provides that each member shall serve a single term and shall not be eligible for reappointment.
Proposed law stipulates that no member of the board shall be an employee, officer, board member
of or have any other affiliation with a university, medical center, or other potential recipient of an
award of monies from the fund.
Proposed law provides that each of the following nonprofit entities shall nominate for board
membership one individual each to the governor:
(1)The American College of Cardiology.
(2)The American Neurological Association.
(3)The American Association for Cancer Research.
Proposed law provides that each nominee shall meet at least one of the following criteria:
(1)He is the owner or chief executive of a La. enterprise the primary line of business of which
is related to biological sciences or health care.
(2)He is the chief executive or a board director of a La. philanthropic organization which targets
giving to medicine, biological sciences, public health, or health care.
(3)He is a La.-based medical researcher or healthcare provider with at least five years of
professional experience in one of the specialty areas of neurology, cardiology, or cancer.
Proposed law requires the board to be responsible for all of the following functions: (1)Hiring a managing director who shall have been trained in the life sciences and shall have
at least three years experience administering an agency, department, or other entity
responsible for advancing scientific research.
(2)Adopting guidelines, policies, and procedures for the dissemination of research funding
pursuant to proposed law.
(3)Awarding research grants pursuant to this section upon receiving a recommended slate of
awards submitted by the peer review panel.
(4)Ensuring that the same percentage limitation on staff, administrative, and peer review panel
expenses shall apply to funds raised from other sources.
Proposed law requires the fund to employ a managing director who shall be responsible for all of the
following:
(1)Designing and receiving approval from the board for program guidelines, processes, and
procedures.
(2)Issuing calls for proposals.
(3)Recruiting, directing, and compensating peer reviewers according to best practices as
demonstrated by agencies such as the National Institutes of Health.
(4)Disseminating research proposals timely received to peer reviewers.
(5)Collecting and presenting award recommendations from peer reviewers to the board for
action.
(6)Collecting funds from the state, managing those funds, and disseminating research funds to
awardees according to program guidelines.
(7)Preparing and presenting a written report on the status and impact of the fund's awards to the
board at least semiannually.
Proposed law authorizes the board to collaborate with the Health Education Authority of La. and the
La. Cancer Research Center in carrying out its responsibilities and fulfilling its purpose as provided
in proposed law.
Proposed law requires that the fund distribute monies according to criteria adopted in accordance
with the provisions of proposed law and guidelines, policies, and procedures adopted by the board
pursuant to annual or semiannual calls for proposals.
Proposed law stipulates that in order to receive an award of monies from the fund, a proposed
research venture shall demonstrate capability to do all of the following: (1)Advance knowledge in a targeted center of excellence specialty.
(2)Leverage La. intellectual capital by expanding collaboration between universities and
medical centers of this state that have the potential to publish breakthrough research.
Proposed law stipulates that at least 51% of funding awarded by the fund annually shall be dedicated
to attracting to La. universities or medical centers principal investigators who complement and
expand La. research capacity in one of the following specialties:
(1)Neuroscience.
(2)Cancer.
(3)Cardiovascular science.
Proposed law provides that the fund shall prioritize the funding of research that demonstrates a high
likelihood of immediate or short-term translation into therapeutic use to treat neurological disease,
cardiovascular disease, or cancer.
Proposed law provides for a peer review process for research proposals submitted to the fund.
Proposed law requires all institutions that receive an award from the fund to submit annually a cost
and program report which includes program impact. Provides that if a recipient institution fails to
submit its report by the deadline adopted by the board, the institution may be required to return to
the fund the full amount of the award.
Present law, R.S. 17:1921 et seq., creates and provides for the purposes and functions of the La.
Cancer Research Center. Proposed law retains present law and adds thereto an authorization to
collaborate with the Health Education Authority of La. and the La. Medical Research Fund created
pursuant to proposed law in investing in health and medical research and improvements in healthcare
systems.
Present law, R.S. 17:3051 et seq., creates and provides for the purposes and functions of the Health
Education Authority of La. Proposed law retains present law and adds thereto an authorization to
collaborate with the La. Cancer Research Center and the La. Medical Research Fund created
pursuant to proposed law in investing in health and medical research and improvements in healthcare
systems.
(Adds R.S. 17:1924(9) and 3055(13) and R.S. 51:2221-2227)