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Bill > SB99


WI SB99

Spinal cord injury research grants and symposia and making an appropriation. (FE)


summary

Introduced
03/07/2025
In Committee
06/12/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires the Department of Health Services to establish a program to award grants to persons in this state for research into spinal cord injuries. The grants must support research into new and innovative treatments and rehabilitative efforts for the functional improvement of individuals with spinal cord injuries. Research topics may include pharmaceutical, medical device, brain stimulus, and rehabilitative approaches and techniques. DHS must make annual reports to the legislature about the grants. The bill specifies that no more than 8 percent of any grant award may be used for administrative or indirect costs and expenses. The bill also requires DHS to appoint a Spinal Cord Injury Council with one member representing the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health who is a researcher specializing in spinal cord injuries, one member representing Marquette University who is a researcher specializing in spinal cord injuries, one member representing the Medical College of Wisconsin who is an expert in spinal cord injuries, and the following members: 1) a person with a spinal cord injury; 2) a family member of a person with a spinal cord injury; 3) a veteran LRB-2084/1 JPC:skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 99 with a spinal cord injury; 4) a physician specializing in the treatment of spinal cord injuries; 5) a neurosurgery researcher; and 6) a researcher employed by the federal Veterans Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If DHS is unable to appoint any of the foregoing members, the bill allows DHS to appoint, in lieu of that member, a member representing the general public. Members of the council have two-year terms. The bill requires the council to develop criteria for DHS to evaluate and award grants, review and make recommendations on grant applications, and perform other duties specified by DHS. Council members must make written disclosures of financial interests in organizations that the council recommends for grants. Finally, the bill allows DHS, with the permission of the council, to hold symposia, not more than once every two years, for grant recipients to present findings of research supported by the grants. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a comprehensive Spinal Cord Injury Research Program within the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), which will create a nine-member Spinal Cord Injury Council to oversee research grants focused on innovative treatments and rehabilitative efforts for individuals with spinal cord injuries. The council will consist of researchers from universities like the University of Wisconsin, Marquette, and the Medical College of Wisconsin, as well as representatives including a person with a spinal cord injury, a family member, a veteran with a spinal cord injury, a physician specializing in spinal cord injury treatment, a neurosurgery researcher, and a Veterans Health Administration researcher. The program will award grants supporting research in areas such as pharmaceutical approaches, medical devices, brain stimulation, and rehabilitation techniques, with a strict limitation that no more than 8 percent of any grant can be used for administrative costs. The bill requires DHS to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing grant recipients and their research purposes, and allows the department to hold symposia every two years where grant recipients can present their research findings. Council members must also disclose any financial interests in organizations receiving grants to ensure transparency. The bill includes provisions for initial council member appointments with staggered two-year terms and will take effect after the publication of the 2025 biennial budget act.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (28)

Last Action

Available for scheduling (on 06/12/2025)

bill text


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