Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2796

Filed

3/14/25

Out of Senate Committee

Voted on by Senate

Out of House Committee

Voted on by House

Governor Action

Bill Becomes Law

Caption

Relating to the Cancer Prevention Research Institute's fiscal responsibilities to the state of Texas.

Impact

The provisions of SB2796 are designed to foster greater accountability and efficiency within CPRIT’s funding activities. By mandating comprehensive reporting and tracking of return on investment, the bill sets a framework for measuring the effectiveness of cancer research initiatives. Additionally, the bill advocates for a coordinated approach to funding, prioritizing proposals that demonstrate potential for not only scientific breakthroughs, but also economic benefits to the state. In this way, the legislation seeks to optimize the impact of state funding in both public health and economic development.

Summary

SB2796 addresses the fiscal responsibilities of the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The bill emphasizes the importance of ensuring that investments made by the state yield a reasonable return, establishing a non-binding target of at least 1% returns per year. This legislative effort is aimed at enhancing the potential for breakthroughs in cancer research while securing financial accountability for the state’s investments in healthcare innovation. The bill outlines specific requirements for grant proposals that aim to drive forward collaboration among public and private entities in the cancer research field.

Contention

While proponents argue that SB2796 reflects a necessary step towards ensuring the financial prudence of public funding in cancer research, there are concerns regarding the rigid metrics for evaluating success. Critics fear that emphasizing monetary returns may inadvertently shift focus away from life-saving innovations that don't necessarily yield immediate financial benefits. This tension highlights the broader question of balancing fiscal responsibility with the fundamental mission of advancing healthcare and cancer treatments. The bill also requires matching funds, which could impact smaller research entities that might struggle to meet these funding criteria.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Health And Safety Code

Chapter 102. Cancer Prevention And Research Institute Of Texas
- Section: New Section
- Section: 0511

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB15

Relating to the creation of the Mental Health and Brain Research Institute of Texas.

TX HB3988

Relating to the creation of the Texas Advanced Research Institute.

TX SB1974

Relating to the creation of the Texas Advanced Research Institute.

TX HB3914

Relating to prohibitions on the use of grant money awarded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to procure or obtain organs from a hospital located in China.

TX HB3447

Relating to the establishment and administration of the Texas Space Commission and the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium.

TX SB1652

Relating to the creation, management and administration of the Texas Space Commission and the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium.

TX HJR135

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the establishment of the Mental Health and Brain Research Institute of Texas and establishing the Mental Health and Brain Institute Research Fund for the purposes of scientific research of all forms of mental health and human brain disease and disorders.

TX SB2288

Relating to the creation of the Texas semiconductor innovation consortium and fund.

TX HB5174

Relating to the establishment and administration of the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium.

TX HB7

Relating to measures to address public safety threats in this state presented by transnational criminal activity, including by establishing a Texas Border Force, and to compensate persons affected by those threats; increasing criminal penalties; creating criminal offenses.