79R6531 JTS-F

By:  Naishtat                                                     H.B. No. 3076



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the stem cell research program.              
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subtitle H, Title 3, Education Code, is amended 
by adding Chapter 155 to read as follows:
	CHAPTER 155. STEM CELL RESEARCH PROGRAM
	Sec. 155.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:                           
		(1)  "Coordinating board" has the meaning assigned by 
Section 141.001.
		(2)  "Institution of higher education" has the meaning 
assigned by Section 61.003.
		(3)  "Program" means the stem cell research program 
established under this chapter.
	Sec. 155.002.  ADMINISTRATION;  GUIDELINES AND 
PROCEDURES.  (a) The coordinating board shall administer the 
program to:
		(1)  make grants and loans to institutions of higher 
education and advanced medical research facilities in this state 
for:
			(A)  stem cell research;                                              
			(B)  facilities for stem cell research; and                           
			(C)  other vital research opportunities to 
develop therapies, protocols, or medical procedures that will 
result in, as speedily as possible, the cure for, or substantial 
mitigation of, major diseases, injuries, and orphan diseases;
		(2)  support institutions of higher education and 
advanced medical research facilities in this state in all stages of 
the process of developing cures using regenerative medicine, from 
laboratory research through successful clinical trials; and
		(3)  establish the appropriate regulatory standards 
and oversight bodies for stem cell research and facilities 
development.
	(b)  The coordinating board shall develop research 
priorities, guidelines, and procedures for the selection of 
specific projects at institutions of higher education and advanced 
medical research facilities.
	(c)  The guidelines and procedures developed by the 
coordinating board must provide for awards on a competitive, peer 
review basis for specific projects at institutions  of higher 
education and advanced medical research facilities.
	Sec. 155.003.  FUNDING.  (a)  The coordinating board shall 
issue general obligation bonds in an aggregate amount not to exceed 
$295 million as authorized by Section 49-o, Article III, Texas 
Constitution.
	(b)  The program is funded by the proceeds of the bonds 
issued under Subsection (a), by appropriations, and by gifts, 
grants, and donations made for that purpose.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.