BILL ANALYSIS
By: Luna
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
This bill is designed to reform the Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke ("Council") so that its structure may conform to that of other chronic disease councils. Changes are made to provide for removal of members and to restrict compensation for members. Two funds are established to allow for the acceptance of gifts, grants, and donations.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
The council will develop a cardiovascular disease and stroke plan that will also take into consideration primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, and will establish appropriate forums, programs, and initiatives to educate the public regarding the impact of heart disease and stroke on women's health, and an emphasis on a preventative healthy lifestyle.
The substitute makes changes to the public composition of the Council. The governor will appoint the members with advice and consent of the senate, and designate the presiding officer. The substitute outlines that governor should take into consideration of appointing minority groups. The bill establishes that appointments will be in staggered six year terms. Council members may be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided by the General Appropriations Act.
The council is to provide a report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives on the funds that have been received and distributed by or on behalf of the council for the previous year. The council shall advise the legislature on legislation that will promote and maintain education services statewide.
The substitute provides that a person is ineligible to to serve as a public member if:
· employed by an organization that receives funds from the council;
· owns or controls interest in a business that receives funds from the council;
· receives services, goods, or funds from the council, other than compensation;
· person required to register as a lobbyist;
· an officer, employee, or consultant of a trade organization; and
· or a spouse of an officer, employee, or consultant of a trade organization.
The bill specifies the grounds for removing a Board member. The substitute adds a requirement for the separation of policy and agency-staff functions. The substitute establish minimum requirements for the frequency of meetings to occur.
The substitute establishes a dedicated account within the general revenue fund. Gifts and Grants may be accepted for deposit into the dedicated fund, with interest being earned being deposited in to the fund. Five percent of the gift or grant may be retained to pay for the administration. The substitute establishes that monies appropriated to the fund be used for heart disease and stroke prevention, research, medical care, grants to nonprofit heart disease and stroke organizations. The council will develop policy governing awarding of funds.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2005.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
The substitute consolidated the "You're the Cure" account into the "Heart Disease and Stroke Resource Fund."