SENATE BILL REPORT

ESB 5375

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed Senate, January 18, 2018

Title: An act relating to renaming the cancer research endowment authority to the Andy Hill cancer research endowment.

Brief Description: Renaming the cancer research endowment authority to the Andy Hill cancer research endowment.

Sponsors: Senators Fain, Braun, Angel, Brown, Becker, O'Ban, Miloscia, Schoesler, Bailey, Sheldon, Warnick, King, Rivers, Fortunato, Rossi, Baumgartner, Wilson, Honeyford, Padden, Zeiger, Ranker, Darneille, Palumbo, Pedersen, Pearson, Frockt and Hasegawa.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health Care: 2/07/17 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed Senate: 3/01/17, 48-0.Passed Senate: 6/29/17, 49-0; 1/18/18, 48-0.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill

  • Changes the name of the cancer research endowment authority to the Andy Hill cancer research endowment.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Rivers, Chair; Becker, Vice Chair; Cleveland, Ranking Minority Member; Kuderer, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Conway, Fain, Keiser, Miloscia, Mullet, O'Ban and Walsh.

Staff: Evan Klein (786-7483)

Background: The cancer research endowment authority (Authority) was created in 2015 to develop and annually update a plan for the allocation of project funds. The Authority has a 13-member board of trustees with representatives of research universities, cancer research institutions, patient advocacy organizations, businesses engaged in commercialization of life sciences or cancer research, health care delivery systems, the Legislature, fund donors, and the public. The duties of the program administrator include: soliciting grants, gifts, and donations; managing funds; distributing grants; and implementing other activities directed by the Authority.

Senator Andy Hill served in the Senate from January 2011 until his death on October 31, 2016, from lung cancer. Senator Hill served as the chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Summary of Engrossed Bill: The name of the cancer research endowment authority is changed to the Andy Hill cancer research endowment. It is clarified that expenditures to fund the program administrator do not require private matching funds. Data submitted by grant applicants is protected from public disclosure.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill continues the work of Senator Andy Hill in supporting cancer research projects.  This is a fitting tribute to our fallen colleague to continue the efforts he cared about.  The Board of the endowment unanimously supports renaming the cancer fund in his honor.  We worked with Senator Hill to support cancer research and this fund will continue to be a catalyst for research and innovation.  Research was one of his passions and it is a fitting tribute to continue his story.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Joe Fain, Prime Sponsor; Thomas Bates, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center / CARE Authority; Erin Dziedzic, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.