HB 465 -- JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE LIFE SCIENCES

CO-SPONSORS:  Hanaway, Crowell, Schaaf, Dempsey, Bearden, Cooper
(155), Icet, Riback Wilson (25), Jetton, Cunningham (86), Abel,
Merideth, Campbell, Lowe, Ransdall, Wilson (42), Page, Curls,
Brooks, Jolly

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Health Care Policy by a vote of 14 to 0.

This bill creates the Joint Committee on the Life Sciences to
make recommendations to the General Assembly on the
implementation of Missouri's strategic plan for life sciences and
on actions necessary to nurture and support new and existing life
science research and commercialization.  Recommendations may
include changes in statutes, executive branch actions and
policies, and state investments and taxes.  The committee may
also consider improvements in the coordination of existing
scientific resources, including those at colleges and
universities.

The committee consists of seven representatives appointed by the
Speaker and the minority floor leader of the House of
Representatives and seven senators appointed by the President Pro
Tem and the minority floor leader of the Senate.  No more than
four representatives or four senators can be from the same
political party.  Members serve for their entire term of office,
and the chair alternates between the House of Representatives and
the Senate biennially.  The committee will meet at least
quarterly and submit an annual report to the General Assembly by
January 15.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill promotes the
implementation of a strategic plan for life sciences in Missouri.
The bill will have a positive impact on the Missouri economy by
eliminating barriers to life sciences research, encouraging the
creation of life sciences companies, and bringing about changes
in Missouri's tax system to support life sciences and
commercialization.  Passage of the bill will allow Missouri to
join a growing number of states who have developed and
implemented life sciences research programs.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Dempsey; Citizens for
a Healthy Missouri; William Romjue, President, Missouri
Biotechnology Association; Kansas City Civic Council; and St.
Louis Regional Growth and Commerce Association.  In addition,
letters of support were submitted by the University of Health
Sciences of Kansas City; Kansas City Area Life Sciences
Institute; Martha W. Gilliland, Chancellor, University of
Missouri-Kansas City; Coalition for Plant and Life Sciences;
Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics of Kansas City; and Donald
Danforth, Plant Science Center of St. Louis.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:12 am