AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The legislature created the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) in 2007, and voters approved a constitutional amendment authorizing up to $3 billion in state funds for CPRIT to research the causes of and cures for cancer.  CPRIT is set to sunset on September 1, 2021. 

 

Although the goal of finding a cure for cancer is a worthwhile endeavor, it is important that CPRIT begin planning for how to transition from a fully state-funded entity to a self-sufficient entity after its bond authority runs out. S.B. 197 requires CPRIT to develop a plan that specifies how CPRIT will become financially self-sufficient after its sunset date. The plan must include the steps CPRIT will take to accomplish the transition, specify sources of funding other than state money, and describe how CPRIT will structure state-funded grants until its sunset date. An updated plan is due to the legislature annually on December 1.

 

As proposed, S.B. 197 amends current law relating to the financial self-sufficiency of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

 

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 Subchapter A, Chapter 102, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 102.005, as follows:

 

Sec. 102.005. FINANCIAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY PLAN. (a) Requires the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to develop a plan that specifies how CPRIT will become financially self-sufficient and continue to operate without state funding.

 

(b) Requires that the plan described by Subsection (a):

 

(1) specify the steps CPRIT will take to accomplish the transition to financial self-sufficiency before September 1, 2021;

 

(2) specify sources of funding other than state money to be used to operate CPRIT on and after September 1, 2021; and

 

(3) describe how CPRIT will structure state-funded grants until September 1, 2021, to ensure that all grants that use state money are closed out by that date.

 

(c) Requires CPRIT to submit the initial plan to the legislature not later than December 1, 2016. Requires CPRIT  to submit an updated plan before December 1 of each subsequent year.

 

(d) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2021.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.