HB253

ENROLLED, An Act,

To create the Alabama Commission on Tick Borne Illness; to provide for the membership and duties of the commission; to provide that the commission would allocate funds appropriated to it to certain colleges and universities conducting research on tick borne illness; to authorize the commission to create criteria and an application process to allocate funds; and to provide that the commission would dissolve on September 30, 2021, unless continued by act of the Legislature.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:

Section 1. The Alabama Commission on Tick Borne Illness is created in order to coordinate research on the prevention of tick borne illness in the state.

Section 2. The commission shall be composed of the following members who shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority:

(1) One member with knowledge of the study and prevention of tick borne illness appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(2) One member with knowledge of the study and prevention of tick borne illness appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

(3) One member with knowledge of the study and prevention of tick borne illness appointed by the Governor.

(4) One member with knowledge of the study and prevention of tick borne illness appointed by the State Health Officer.

(5) One member appointed by the Chair of the House Education, Finance, and Appropriations Committee.

(6) One member appointed by Chair of the Finance and Taxation-Education Committee.

Section 3. (a) The goal of the commission is to coordinate research and distribute funding for research on the study of tick borne illness in Alabama and to make suggestions for the treatment of and reduction and eradication of tick borne illness in the state. Research may include methods of prevention, treatment, surveillance, diagnosis, risk prediction, outreach, and intervention of tick borne illness. The commission may not issue any recommendation that would create or define standards for the practice of medicine.

(b) Upon adjournment of the 2016 Regular Legislative Session, the commission shall schedule an initial meeting to organize and discuss a plan of action and create criteria and an application process for awarding research funds appropriated to the commission for such purposes, and the commission shall meet as necessary thereafter to achieve its goals.

(c) The commission shall report its findings and any proposed legislation to the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate annually by the third day of the regular session of the Legislature.

(d) Upon request of the chair of the commission, the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House of Representatives shall provide necessary clerical assistance for the work of the commission.

(e) Each legislative member of the commission shall be entitled to his or her regular legislative compensation, per diem, and travel expenses for each day he or she attends a meeting of the commission in accordance with Amendment 871 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901. These payments shall be paid out of any funds appropriated to the use of the Legislature.

Section 4. (a) The commission shall allocate funds for research on tick borne illness in the state based on appropriations received by the commission from the Education Trust Fund.

(b) The commission shall award appropriated funds annually through a grant application process. Only research universities and research facilities may apply for grant moneys.

(c) In order to receive the funds before the first day of the fiscal year, the college or university requesting or receiving money shall provide information regarding the method, scope, and significance of its research as a prerequisite to receiving the funds. The commission may withdraw future funding from any university not performing adequate research in the opinion of the commission.

Section 5. The commission shall dissolve on September 30, 2021, unless continued by act of the Legislature.

Section 6. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Boards and Commissions

Education

Health

Colleges and Universities

University of Alabama

Auburn University

Jacksonville State

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