HB 1027

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to biomedical research; providing
3legislative intent; amending s. 215.5602, F.S.; revising
4the method for appointing members to the Biomedical
5Research Advisory Council; authorizing the Legislature to
6annually appropriate funds to the James and Esther King
7Biomedical Research Program; providing for transition to
8new appointments; amending s. 381.855, F.S.; revising the
9purpose of the Florida Center for Universal Research to
10Eradicate Disease; requiring the center to provide grants
11for cancer research; revising membership of the center's
12advisory council; providing for terms of office and the
13filling of vacancies; providing for officers, meetings,
14and procedure; providing procedures for awarding of cancer
15research grants; providing for peer review panels;
16providing requirements with respect to ethical conduct and
17conflicts of interest; providing for public records and
18meetings; authorizing the Legislature to annually
19appropriate funds to the Florida Center for Universal
20Research to Eradicate Disease; providing for transition to
21new appointments; amending s. 381.921, F.S.; revising a
22goal of the Florida Cancer Council; creating s. 381.922,
23F.S.; establishing the William G. "Bill" Bankhead, Jr.,
24and David Coley Cancer Research Program within the
25Department of Health; providing the purpose of the
26program; requiring an annual report; amending s. 561.121,
27F.S.; redistributing certain funds collected from taxes on
28alcoholic beverages; amending s. 1004.445, F.S.; revising
29the method of appointing and filling vacancies on the
30board of directors of the Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr.,
31Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute; requiring
32certain information in the annual report; requiring an
33annual operating budget; providing procedures for awarding
34of Alzheimer's disease research grants; providing for peer
35review panels; providing requirements with respect to
36ethical conduct, conflicts of interest, and
37confidentiality; providing for public records and
38meetings; authorizing the Legislature to annually
39appropriate funds to the Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr., Alzheimer's
40Center and Research Institute; providing for transition to
41new appointments; providing appropriations; providing
42effective dates.
43
44Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
45
46     Section 1.  It is the intent of the Legislature to provide
47funding to support grants for biomedical research in this state
48with the anticipation that sustained funding for biomedical
49research over a period of years will lead to an alleviation of
50human suffering from diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's
51disease. It is the intent of the Legislature to dramatically
52reduce this state's inordinately high cancer burden, reducing
53both cancer incidence and mortality, while advancing scientific
54endeavors in this state, making this state a world-class leader
55in cancer research and treatment. Further, it is the intent of
56the Legislature to address the debilitating and deadly effects
57of Alzheimer's disease by supporting research in Alzheimer's
58disease statewide through the awarding of research grants on a
59competitive basis. Additionally, it is the intent of the
60Legislature to stimulate dramatic economic development,
61particularly in the biotechnology industry, through investment
62in this state's biomedical research.
63     Section 2.  Subsection (3) of section 215.5602, Florida
64Statutes, is amended, and subsection (11) is added to that
65section, to read:
66     215.5602  James and Esther King Biomedical Research
67Program.--
68     (3)  There is created within the Department of Health the
69Biomedical Research Advisory Council.
70     (a)  The council shall consist of nine members, including:
71the chief executive officer of the Florida Division of the
72American Cancer Society, or a designee; the chief executive
73officer of the Florida/Puerto Rico Affiliate of the American
74Heart Association, or a designee; and the chief executive
75officer of the American Lung Association of Florida, or a
76designee. The Governor shall appoint the remaining six members
77of the council, shall be appointed as follows:
78     1.  The Governor shall appoint two members with expertise
79in the field of biomedical research, one member from a research
80university in the state, and one member representing the general
81population of the state.
82     2.  The President of the Senate shall appoint one member
83with expertise in the field of behavioral or social research.
84     3.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall
85appoint one member from a professional medical organization.
86     4.  One member from a research university in the state.
87     5.  One member representing the general population of the
88state.
89
90In making these his or her appointments, the Governor, the
91President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
92Representatives shall select primarily, but not exclusively,
93Floridians with biomedical and lay expertise in the general
94areas of cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and pulmonary
95disease. The Governor's appointments shall be for a 3-year term
96and shall reflect the diversity of the state's population. An
97appointed A council member appointed by the Governor may not
98serve more than two consecutive terms.
99     (b)  The council shall adopt internal organizational
100procedures as necessary for its efficient organization.
101     (c)  The department shall provide such staff, information,
102and other assistance as is reasonably necessary to assist the
103council in carrying out its responsibilities.
104     (d)  Members of the council shall serve without
105compensation, but may receive reimbursement as provided in s.
106112.061 for travel and other necessary expenses incurred in the
107performance of their official duties.
108     (11)  The Legislature may annually appropriate funds to the
109James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program for the
110purposes of this section.
111     Section 3.  All appointments to the Biomedical Research
112Advisory Council for the James and Esther King Biomedical
113Research Program that were not made in accordance with s.
114215.5602, Florida Statutes, as amended by this act, shall expire
115June 30, 2006, but such appointees may continue to serve until
116their successors are appointed. This section shall take effect
117upon this act becoming a law.
118     Section 4.  Subsections (3) and (5) of section 381.855,
119Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsections (6), (7), (8),
120and (9) are added to that section, to read:
121     381.855  Florida Center for Universal Research to Eradicate
122Disease.--
123     (3)  There is established within the Department of Health
124the Florida Center for Universal Research to Eradicate Disease,
125which shall be known as "CURED."
126     (a)  The purpose of the center is to coordinate, improve,
127expand, and monitor all biomedical research programs within the
128state, facilitate funding opportunities, including providing
129grants for cancer research through the William G. "Bill"
130Bankhead, Jr., and David Coley Cancer Research Program created
131in s. 381.922, and foster improved technology transfer of
132research findings into clinical trials and widespread public
133use.
134     (b)  The goal of the center is to find cures for diseases
135such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes,
136autoimmune disorders, and neurological disorders, including
137Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease.
138     (c)  The center shall hold an annual biomedical technology
139summit in Florida to which biomedical researchers, biomedical
140technology companies, business incubators, pharmaceutical
141manufacturers, and others around the nation and world are
142invited to share biomedical research findings in order to
143expedite the discovery of cures. Summit attendees shall cover
144the costs of such attendance or obtain sponsorship for such
145attendance.
146     (d)  The center shall encourage clinical trials in this
147state on research that holds promise of curing a disease or
148condition. The center shall facilitate partnerships between
149researchers, treating physicians, and community hospitals for
150the purpose of sharing new techniques and new research findings,
151as well as coordinating voluntary donations to ensure an
152adequate supply of adult stem cells, placentas, or cord blood.
153     (e)  The center shall facilitate the formation of
154partnerships between researchers in this state and institutions
155in other states and countries where research with rare plants or
156animals could lead to cures.
157     (f)  The center shall encourage agricultural colleges and
158agricultural businesses in this state to be active in the search
159for cures and in providing information to the public about
160disease prevention.
161     (g)  The center shall facilitate partnerships among
162researchers working to cure all types of diseases, including
163those that are prevalent in developed countries and those that
164occur mainly in developing countries.
165     (h)  The center shall also encourage the discovery and
166production in Florida of vaccines that prevent disease.
167     (i)  The center shall monitor the supply and demand needs
168of researchers relating to stem cell research and other types of
169human tissue research. If the center determines that there is a
170need for increased donation of human tissue, it shall notify
171hospitals licensed pursuant to chapter 395 which have entered
172into partnership agreements with research institutes conducting
173stem cell research located in the same geographic region as the
174researchers demanding the stem cells or other tissues. Such
175hospitals shall implement programs that encourage voluntary
176donations of cord blood or other needed adult tissue.
177     (j)  The center shall be funded through private, state, and
178federal sources.
179     (k)  The center shall serve as a registry of all known
180opportunities for biomedical grants and may assist any public or
181private biomedical research program in this state in preparing
182grant requests.
183     (l)  The center shall provide grants for cancer research to
184further the search for cures for cancer.
185     1.  Emphasis shall be given to the goals enumerated in s.
186381.921, as those goals support the advancement of such cures.
187     2.  Preference may be given to grant proposals that foster
188collaborations between institutions, researchers, and community
189practitioners, as such proposals support the advancement of
190cures through basic or applied research, including cancer
191clinical trials and related networks.
192     (m)(l)  The center shall maintain a website with links to
193peer-reviewed biomedical research. The website shall also
194contain a list of all known biomedical research being conducted
195in Florida and shall facilitate communication among researchers
196and other interested parties.
197     (n)(m)  The center shall submit an annual report to the
198Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
199House of Representatives no later than January 15 which contains
200recommendations for legislative change necessary to foster a
201positive climate for biomedical research in this state.
202     (5)  There is established within the center an advisory
203council that shall meet at least annually.
204     (a)  The council shall consist of one representative from a
205Florida not-for-profit institution engaged in basic and clinical
206biomedical research and education which receives more than $10
207million in annual grant funding from the National Institutes of
208Health, to be appointed by the Secretary of Health from a
209different institution each term, and the members of the board of
210directors of the Florida Research Consortium and at least one
211representative from and appointed by each of the following
212entities:
213     1.  The Emerging Technology Commission.
214     2.  Enterprise Florida, Inc.
215     3.  BioFlorida.
216     4.  The Biomedical Research Advisory Council.
217     5.  The Florida Medical Foundation.
218     6.  Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.
219     7.  The Florida Tri-Agency Coalition on Smoking OR Health.
220     8.  The Florida Cancer Council.
221     9.  The American Cancer Society, Florida Division, Inc.
222     10.  The American Heart Association.
223     11.  The American Lung Association of Florida.
224     12.  The American Diabetes Association, South Coastal
225Region.
226     13.  The Alzheimer's Association.
227     14.  The Epilepsy Foundation.
228     15.  The National Parkinson Foundation.
229     16.  The Florida Public Health Foundation, Inc.
230     17.  The Florida Research Consortium Scripps Florida or the
231entity formed in this state by The Scripps Research Institute.
232     (b)  Members of the council shall serve without
233compensation, and each organization represented shall cover all
234expenses of its representative.
235     (6)  Members shall be appointed to 4-year terms of office.
236The members of the advisory council shall annually elect a chair
237from among the members of the advisory council. Any vacancy on
238the advisory council shall be filled in the same manner as the
239original appointment.
240     (7)  The advisory council shall meet at least annually, but
241may meet as often as it deems necessary to carry out its duties
242and responsibilities. The advisory council may take official
243action by a majority vote of the members present at any meeting
244at which a quorum is present.
245     (8)(a)  Applications for cancer research funding may be
246submitted from any university or established research institute
247in the state. All qualified investigators in the state,
248regardless of institutional affiliation, shall have equal access
249and opportunity to compete for the research funding.
250Collaborative proposals, including those that advance the
251center's goals enumerated in paragraph (3)(l), may be given
252preference. Grants shall be awarded by the Secretary of Health,
253after consultation with the council, on the basis of scientific
254merit, as determined by an open, competitive peer review process
255that ensures objectivity, consistency, and high quality. The
256following types of applications shall be considered for funding:
257     1.  Investigator-initiated research grants.
258     2.  Institutional research grants.
259     3.  Collaborative research grants, including those that
260advance the finding of cures through basic or applied research.
261     (b)  To ensure that all proposals for research funding are
262appropriate and are evaluated fairly on the basis of scientific
263merit, the Secretary of Health, in consultation with the
264council, shall appoint a peer review panel of independent,
265scientifically qualified individuals to review the scientific
266content of each proposal and establish its scientific priority
267score. The priority scores shall be forwarded to the council and
268must be considered in determining which proposals shall be
269recommended for funding.
270     (c)  The council and the peer review panel shall establish
271and follow rigorous guidelines for ethical conduct and adhere to
272a strict policy with regard to conflict of interest. A member of
273the council or panel may not participate in any discussion or
274decision with respect to a research proposal by any firm,
275entity, or agency with which the member is associated as a
276member of the governing body or as an employee or with which the
277member has entered into a contractual arrangement. Meetings of
278the council and the peer review panels are subject to chapter
279119, s. 286.011, and s. 24, Art. I of the State Constitution.
280     (9)  The Legislature may annually appropriate funds to the
281Florida Center for Universal Research to Eradicate Disease for
282research grants and for operating costs.
283     Section 5.  All appointments to the advisory council for
284the Florida Center for Universal Research to Eradicate Disease
285that were not made in accordance with s. 381.855, Florida
286Statutes, as amended by this act, shall expire June 30, 2006,
287but such appointees may continue to serve until their successors
288are appointed. This section shall take effect upon this act
289becoming a law.
290     Section 6.  Subsection (1) of section 381.921, Florida
291Statutes, is amended to read:
292     381.921  Florida Cancer Council mission and duties.--The
293council, which shall work in concert with the Florida Center for
294Universal Research to Eradicate Disease to ensure that the goals
295of the center are advanced, shall endeavor to dramatically
296improve cancer research and treatment in this state through:
297     (1)  Efforts to significantly expand cancer research
298capacity in the state by:
299     (a)  Identifying ways to attract new research talent and
300attendant national grant-producing researchers to Florida-based
301cancer research facilities in this state;
302     (b)  Implementing a peer-reviewed, competitive process to
303identify and fund the best proposals to expand cancer research
304institutes in this state;
305     (c)  Funding through available resources for those
306proposals that demonstrate the greatest opportunity to attract
307federal research grants and private financial support;
308     (d)  Encouraging the employment of bioinformatics in order
309to create a cancer informatics infrastructure that enhances
310information and resource exchange and integration through
311researchers working in diverse disciplines, to facilitate the
312full spectrum of cancer investigations;
313     (e)  Facilitating the technical coordination, business
314development, and support of intellectual property as it relates
315to the advancement of cancer research; and
316     (f)  Aiding in other multidisciplinary research-support
317activities as they inure to the advancement of cancer research.
318     Section 7.  Section 381.922, Florida Statutes, is created
319to read:
320     381.922  William G. "Bill" Bankhead, Jr., and David Coley
321Cancer Research Program.--
322     (1)  The William G. "Bill" Bankhead, Jr., and David Coley
323Cancer Research Program, which may be otherwise cited as the
324"Bankhead-Coley Program," is created within the Department of
325Health. The purpose of the program shall be to advance progress
326towards cures for cancer through grants awarded through a peer-
327reviewed, competitive process pursuant to s. 381.855.
328     (2)  By December 15 of each year, the Department of Health
329shall submit to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and
330the Speaker of the House of Representatives a report indicating
331progress towards the program's mission and making
332recommendations that further its purpose.
333     Section 8.  Subsection (1) of section 561.121, Florida
334Statutes, is amended to read:
335     561.121  Deposit of revenue.--
336     (1)  All state funds collected pursuant to ss. 563.05,
337564.06, and 565.12 shall be paid into the State Treasury and
338disbursed in the following manner:
339     (a)1.  Two percent of monthly collections of the excise
340taxes on alcoholic beverages established in ss. 563.05, 564.06,
341and 565.12 shall be deposited into the Alcoholic Beverage and
342Tobacco Trust Fund to meet the division's appropriation for the
343state fiscal year.
344     2.  Beginning July 1, 2004, there is annually distributed
345$15 million to the Grants and Donations Trust Fund within the
346Department of Elderly Affairs, and these funds are annually
347appropriated to support a contract with the Johnnie B. Byrd,
348Sr., Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute at the University
349of South Florida for the purposes of conducting research,
350developing and operating integrated data projects, and providing
351assistance to memory disorder clinics as established in s.
352430.502.
353     3.  Beginning July 1, 2004, there is annually distributed
354$6 million to the Biomedical Research Trust Fund within the
355Department of Health, and these funds are annually appropriated
356to the James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program. From
357these funds, up to $250,000 shall be available annually for the
358operating costs of the Florida Center for Universal Research to
359Eradicate Disease.
360     4.  Beginning July 1, 2004, there is annually distributed
361$9 million to be paid by warrant drawn by the Chief Financial
362Officer upon the State Treasury to Florida State University for
363the School of Chiropractic Medicine. Notwithstanding the
364provisions of chapter 216, until the School of Chiropractic
365Medicine is completely staffed and fully operational, these
366funds may be used for any purpose by the university.
367     (b)  The remainder of the funds collected pursuant to ss.
368563.05, 564.06, and 565.12 collection shall be credited to the
369General Revenue Fund.
370     Section 9.  Subsections (2) and (6) of section 1004.445,
371Florida Statutes, are amended, present subsections (8), (9), and
372(10) are renumbered as subsections (9), (10), and (11),
373respectively, and new subsections (8) and (12) are added to that
374section, to read:
375     1004.445  Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr., Alzheimer's Center and
376Research Institute.--
377     (2)(a)  The State Board of Education shall enter into an
378agreement for the utilization of the facilities on the campus of
379the University of South Florida to be known as the Johnnie B.
380Byrd, Sr., Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute, including
381all furnishings, equipment, and other chattels used in the
382operation of those facilities, with a Florida not-for-profit
383corporation organized solely for the purpose of governing and
384operating the Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr., Alzheimer's Center and
385Research Institute. This not-for-profit corporation, acting as
386an instrumentality of the state, shall govern and operate the
387Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr., Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute
388in accordance with the terms of the agreement between the State
389Board of Education and the not-for-profit corporation. The not-
390for-profit corporation may, with the prior approval of the State
391Board of Education, create either for-profit or not-for-profit
392corporate subsidiaries, or both, to fulfill its mission. The
393not-for-profit corporation and its subsidiaries are authorized
394to receive, hold, invest, and administer property and any moneys
395acquired from private, local, state, and federal sources, as
396well as technical and professional income generated or derived
397from practice activities of the institute, for the benefit of
398the institute and the fulfillment of its mission.
399     (b)1.  The affairs of the not-for-profit corporation shall
400be managed by a board of directors who shall serve without
401compensation. The board of directors shall consist of the
402President of the University of South Florida and the chair of
403the State Board of Education, or their designees, five 5
404representatives of the state universities, and nine no fewer
405than 9 nor more than 14 representatives of the public who are
406neither medical doctors nor state employees. Each director who
407is a representative of a state university or of the public shall
408be appointed to serve a term of 3 years. The chair of the board
409of directors shall be selected by a majority vote of the
410directors. Each director shall have only one vote.
411     2.  The initial board of directors shall consist of the
412President of the University of South Florida and the chair of
413the State Board of Education, or their designees; the Of the
414five university representatives, of whom one shall be appointed
415by the Governor, two by the President of the Senate, and two by
416the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and of the nine
417public representatives, of whom three shall be appointed by the
418Governor, three by the President of the Senate, and three by the
419Speaker of the House of Representatives. Upon the expiration of
420the terms of the initial appointed directors, all directors
421subject to 3-year terms of office under this paragraph shall be
422appointed by a majority vote of the directors and the board may
423be expanded to include additional public representative
424directors up to the maximum number allowed. Any vacancy in
425office shall be filled in the same manner as the original
426appointment for the remainder of the term by majority vote of
427the directors. Any director may be reappointed.
428     (6)  The institute shall be administered by a chief
429executive officer, who shall be appointed by and serve at the
430pleasure of the board of directors of the not-for-profit
431corporation, and who shall exercise the following powers and
432duties, subject to the approval of the board of directors:
433     (a)  The chief executive officer shall establish programs
434that fulfill the mission of the institute in research,
435education, treatment, prevention, and early detection of
436Alzheimer's disease; however, the chief executive officer may
437not establish academic programs for which academic credit is
438awarded and which culminate in the conferring of a degree,
439without prior approval of the State Board of Education.
440     (b)  The chief executive officer shall have control over
441the budget and the moneys appropriated or donated to the
442institute from private, local, state, and federal sources, as
443well as technical and professional income generated or derived
444from practice activities of the institute. However, professional
445income generated by university faculty from practice activities
446at the institute shall be shared between the institute and the
447university as determined by the chief executive officer and the
448appropriate university dean or vice president.
449     (c)  The chief executive officer shall appoint
450representatives of the institute to carry out the research,
451patient care, and educational activities of the institute and
452establish the compensation, benefits, and terms of service of
453such representatives. Representatives of the institute shall be
454eligible to hold concurrent appointments at affiliated academic
455institutions. University faculty shall be eligible to hold
456concurrent appointments at the institute.
457     (d)  The chief executive officer shall have control over
458the use and assignment of space and equipment within the
459facilities.
460     (e)  The chief executive officer shall have the power to
461create the administrative structure necessary to carry out the
462mission of the institute.
463     (f)  The chief executive officer shall have a reporting
464relationship to the Commissioner of Education.
465     (g)  The chief executive officer shall provide a copy of
466the institute's annual report to the Governor and Cabinet, the
467President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
468Representatives, and the chair of the State Board of Education.
469The annual report shall describe the expenditure of all funds
470and shall provide information regarding research that has been
471conducted or funded by the center, as well as the expected and
472actual results of such research.
473     (h)  By August 1 of each year, the chief executive officer
474shall develop and submit to the Governor and Cabinet, the
475President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
476Representatives, and the chair of the State Board of Education
477an annual operating budget detailing the planned use of state,
478federal, and private funds for the fiscal year.
479     (8)(a)  Applications for Alzheimer's disease research
480funding may be submitted from any university or established
481research institute in the state. All qualified investigators in
482the state, regardless of institutional affiliation, shall have
483equal access and opportunity to compete for the research
484funding. Grants shall be awarded by the board of directors of
485the not-for-profit corporation, after consultation with the
486CURED advisory council created under s. 381.855, on the basis of
487scientific merit, as determined by an open, competitive peer
488review process that ensures objectivity, consistency, and high
489quality. The following types of applications shall be considered
490for funding:
491     1.  Investigator-initiated research grants.
492     2.  Institutional research grants.
493     (b)  To ensure that all proposals for research funding are
494appropriate and are evaluated fairly on the basis of scientific
495merit, the board of directors of the not-for-profit corporation,
496in consultation with the council of scientific advisors, shall
497appoint a peer review panel of independent, scientifically
498qualified individuals to review the scientific content of each
499proposal and establish its scientific priority score. The
500priority scores shall be forwarded to the council and must be
501considered in determining which proposals shall be recommended
502for funding.
503     (c)  The council of scientific advisors and the peer review
504panel shall establish and follow rigorous guidelines for ethical
505conduct and adhere to a strict policy with regard to conflict of
506interest and confidentiality which shall comply with National
507Institutes of Health standards. All employees, members of the
508board of directors, and affiliates of the not-for-profit
509corporation shall follow the same rigorous guidelines for
510ethical conduct and shall adhere to the same strict policy with
511regard to conflict of interest and confidentiality. A member of
512the council or panel may not participate in any discussion or
513decision with respect to a research proposal by any firm,
514entity, or agency with which the member is associated as a
515member of the governing body or as an employee or with which the
516member has entered into a contractual arrangement. Meetings of
517the council and the peer review panels are subject to chapter
518119, s. 286.011, and s. 24, Art. I of the State Constitution.
519     (12)  The Legislature may annually appropriate funds to the
520Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr., Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute
521at the University of South Florida for the purposes of this
522section.
523     Section 10.  All appointments to the board of directors of
524the not-for-profit corporation for the Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr.,
525Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute that were not made in
526accordance with s. 1004.445, Florida Statutes, as amended by
527this act, shall expire June 30, 2006, but such appointees may
528continue to serve until their successors are appointed. This
529section shall take effect upon this act becoming a law.
530     Section 11.  (1)  The sum of $6 million is appropriated
531from the General Revenue Fund to the Biomedical Research Trust
532Fund in the Department of Health for fiscal year 2006-2007 for
533purposes of the James and Esther King Biomedical Research
534Program pursuant to s. 215.5602, Florida Statutes.
535     (2)  The sum of $9 million is appropriated from the General
536Revenue Fund to the Florida Center for Universal Research to
537Eradicate Disease within the Department of Health for fiscal
538year 2006-2007 to be distributed pursuant to s. 381.855, Florida
539Statutes, to provide grants to researchers seeking cures for
540cancer, with emphasis given to the goals enumerated in s.
541381.921, Florida Statutes.
542     (3)  The sum of $15 million is appropriated from the
543General Revenue Fund to the Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr., Alzheimer's
544Center and Research Institute at the University of South Florida
545for fiscal year 2006-2007 for the purposes of conducting
546research, developing and operating integrated data projects, and
547providing assistance to memory disorder clinics as provided
548under s. 430.502, Florida Statutes. Not less than 80 percent of
549these funds shall be distributed by the center as institutional
550research grants or investigator-initiated research grants.
551     Section 12.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
552act and except for this section, which shall take effect upon
553this act becoming a law, this act shall take effect July 1,
5542006.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.