Bill > S00351

This bill establishes the "Solemn Covenant of the States to Award Prizes for Curing Diseases" interstate compact, which creates a commission to incentivize medical research and development of cures for major diseases. The commission will be established once six states join and will have broad powers to review and award prizes for medical treatments that successfully cure specific diseases. Key provisions include establishing criteria for defining diseases, setting prize amounts based on estimated five-year public health expense savings, requiring prize winners to transfer intellectual property rights, and creating a mechanism for compacting states to fund prize payments. The commission will have the authority to create bylaws, establish ethical research standards, set up a management committee, and manage the financial aspects of awarding prizes. The compact allows states to join voluntarily, with provisions for withdrawal, default, and dissolution. Importantly, the bill emphasizes that participating states are not committing their full faith and credit or creating state debt, and the commission will operate with significant independence while respecting each state's laws and constitutional limitations. The ultimate goal is to pool potential savings from multiple states to generate sufficient financial incentive for developing cures for devastating diseases.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S351