Funding stability is essential for the continuity of sponsored multi-year research in order to keep research teams together, build infrastructure and help new scientists develop independent research capability. This reality led to joint action by a number of Florida health-based agencies, politicians, and Department of Health staff members in removing the uncertainty that had recently surrounded the Florida Biomedical Research Program as it struggled to stabilize a sufficient level of funding to support its goals.

Florida legislative changes in 2004 have increased the state’s commitment to supporting biomedical research related to tobacco-related disease. With the passage of Senate Bills 2002 and 1278, a more stable and sustainable funding base has been created for the James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program, and a new emphasis has been placed on adding the pursuit of cures to the sponsored forms of tobacco-related research.

Senate Bill 1278 amends three sections of Florida statutes related to the Biomedical Research Trust Fund to clarify distributions of funding, expand investment authority and to extend the availability of appropriations.* Together these changes result in significant stability of grant program funding.

Section 1 amends s. 17.41(5), F.S., to provide additional clarification to the Department of Financial Services to specify that the Biomedical Research Trust Fund can receive transfers from the Tobacco Settlement Clearing Trust Fund.**

Section 2 provides options for the investment of Biomedical Research Trust Fund balances either through the Chief Financial Officer or through the State Board of Administration through a change to s. 20.435(1)(h)(2), F.S.**

Section 3 amends s. 20(1)(h)(3), F.S., to allow the balances of appropriations from the Biomedical Research Trust Fund to be expended over a period of three years because of the long term nature of the biomedical research.**

Senate Bill 2002 amended s. 215.5602, F.S., which creates the James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program, to require that the long-term goals of the program include the expansion of biomedical knowledge relation to cures, in addition to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases related to tobacco use, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke and pulmonary disease. The bill requires the program to give priority to research to prevent or cure disease.

Additionally, the Senate Bill 2002 provides funding priority amending s. 214.5601. Beginning July1, 2004, there is annually distributed $6 million to the Biomedical Research Trust Fund within the Department of Health, and these funds are annually appropriated to the James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program. From these funds, up to $250,000 shall be available annually for the operating costs of the Florida Center for Universal Research to Eradicate Disease.

With the prospect of greater funding stability for the James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program, the Florida Department of Health now looks forward with great optimism to investing these important resources in Florida-based research leading to real improvements in the health of citizens of the state.

* Senate Bill 1278, Senate Staff Analysis and Economic Impact, http://www.flsenate.gov/data/session/2004/Senate/bills/analysis/pdf/2004s1278.ap.pdf

** Senate Bill 2002, Senate Staff Analysis and Economic Impact, http://www.flsenate.gov/data/session/2004/Senate/bills/analysis/pdf/2004s2002.ap.pdf