BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2573
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The purpose of S.B. 2573 is to gather information on research that involves stem cells or human cloning that is being conducted in Texas by state agencies, including institutions of higher education. Texas is one of the few states that does not have regulations regarding research and the state needs data to ensure that both the integrity of the research and taxpayer money are protected.
S.B. 2573 requires that by December 1 each year a state agency that conducts, funds, or supports biomedical research submit a report to the governor, the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), and the commissioner of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), on whether the agency conducted, funded, or supported during the preceding state fiscal year any research that involved stem cells or human cloning.
As proposed, S.B. 2573 amends current law relating to annual reports by certain agencies conducting, funding, or supporting biomedical research.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle H, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, by adding Chapter 172, as follows:
CHAPTER 172. BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
Sec. 172.001. DEFINITION. Defines "state agency."
Sec. 172.002. ANNUAL REPORT. (a) Requires a state agency that conducts, funds, or supports biomedical research, not later than December 1 of each year, to submit to the governor, the Legislative Budget Board, and the commissioner of state health services (commissioner) a report, in the format established by the commissioner, on whether the agency conducted, funded, or supported during the preceding state fiscal year any research that involves stem cells or human cloning.
(b) Requires a state agency that conducts, funds, or supports any research that involves stem cells or human cloning to include in the report submitted under Subsection (a) information on:
(1) the type of research conducted, funded, or supported by the state agency that involves stem cells, including embryonic, nonembryonic somatic, and induced pluripotent stem cells, and human cloning, including therapeutic and reproductive cloning;
(2) the process through which the stem cells and stem cell lines were derived, if applicable;
(3) the amount and source of state money used to conduct, fund, or support the research;
(4) the use of state facilities to conduct or support the research; and
(5) the progress and results of the research.
SECTION 2. Requires a state agency that conducts, funds, or supports biomedical research, not later than December 1, 2009, to submit the initial report required under Chapter 172, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.