SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5809
As of January 21, 2022
Title: An act relating to increasing the state's investment in cancer research to improve health outcomes and save lives.
Brief Description: Increasing the state's investment in cancer research to improve health outcomes and save lives.
Sponsors: Senators Brown, Braun, Conway, Dozier, Frockt, Honeyford, King, Warnick and Wilson, L..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long Term Care: 1/21/22.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Transfers $1 billion from the general fund to the Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment on July 1, 2022.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE
Staff: Greg Attanasio (786-7410)
Background:

The Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment (endowment) makes grants to public and private entities, including commercial entities, for the promotion of cancer research.  Grant funding comes from both private and public sources.  The endowment evaluates requests for funding based on a variety of factors, including:

  • the quality of the proposed research or program;
  • the potential to improve health outcomes of people with cancer;
  • the potential for leveraging additional funding;
  • the potential to provide additional health care benefits;
  • the potential to stimulate life science, health care, and biomedical employment in Washington;
  • the geographic diversity of grantees;
  • evidence of potential commercialization-related revenue; and
  • evidence of public and private collaboration.


The endowment is governed by a 13-member board and administered by a private, non-profit corporation with expertise in conducting or managing research granting activities, funds, or organizations.

 

The endowment fund match transfer account holds funds to support the endowment program and its administrative costs. 
Summary of Bill:

On July 1, 2022, $1 billion from the general fund is appropriated to the endowment fund match transfer account.  The purpose of the act is to provide sustained investment in cancer research and to make the endowment program more robust.  The board may expend the funds over a ten-year period or faster if the board determines it is a more effective method to meet the purposes of this act.  The board must develop a detailed expenditure plan for this funding.  Until the moneys have been exhausted, the board shall update the Legislature on a biennial basis to provide a detailed description of current and anticipated research projects being funded from the appropriation. 
Appropriation: The bill contains an appropriation totaling $1,000,000,000 from the general fund.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 17, 2022.
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:  The pandemic has shown a disparity in access to cancer screening and care.  The funding in the bill will help close that gap and will attract new research into the state which will create jobs.  Cancer is the number one cause of death by disease in children and there is a need for a significant increase in research funding for promising projects.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Sharon Brown, Prime Sponsor; Dr. David Byrd, CARE Fund Board Chair; Dr. Elizabeth Lawlor, CARE Fund Board Member.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.