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Biomedical Research Commission - Repealed

Revision Date

Agency Contact Information

Arizona Department of Health Services

Authority

Until 2017, statutory authority was found at A.R.S. §36-272. Laws 2017, Chapter 136 repealed the Commission and related advisory duties. Responsibilities related to disease research were assumed by the Department of Health Services.

Function

The purpose of the Disease Control Research Commission, established in 1984, was to improve the health of the people of this state by providing a means to fund research into the causes, treatments and cures of diseases. The Commission, initially created as a stand-alone entity, administered two funds and awarded contracts to support research into various diseases. The Commission was renamed the Biomedical Research Commission in 2005. In 2011, the Commission’s role changed and until 2017, served in an advisory capacity to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) on ways to advance research into causes, diagnosis, cures, treatment and prevention of diseases, including new drug discovery and development. The Commission was eliminated in 2017.

History

Laws 1984, Chapter 353 created the Disease Control Research Commission to contract with individuals and organizations to conduct research on the causes, treatment and cures of diseases. The measure established the Disease Control Research Fund (DCRF), consisting of monies derived from a portion of penalties and interest on delinquent taxes collected by the state. The Commission was authorized to administer the DCRF, review research proposals and allocate monies from the DCRF. The Commission was required to issue an annual report on activities, projects and contracts. The Commission consisted of nine members representing the medical community, the scientific research community and the public, appointed by the Governor to three-year terms. The Director of ADHS served as the ex-officio chairman.

Laws 1994, Chapter 82 changed the source of funds for the DCRF from penalties and interest on delinquent taxes to legislative appropriations.

Laws 1995, Chapter 275 established the Health Research Fund (HRF) administered by the Commission, consisting of five percent of the statewide tobacco sales tax revenues, to support research on prevention and treatment of tobacco related disease and addiction. The measure included an expenditure limit for fiscal year 1995-1996 and provided that expenditure totals for subsequent fiscal years were subject to the availability of funds.

In 1996, Arizona Proposition 203 set aside a portion of lottery monies to fund six health and nutrition programs, which included an allocation of $2 million per year for disease control research.

Laws 1998, Chapter 12 allowed the Commission to: 1) manage patents and agreements developed as the result of research funded by the Commission; and 2) use fund monies to apply for and maintain patents.

A second measure enacted in 1998 required the chairman of the Commission to be a Commission member, rather than the ADHS Director, and allowed the Director to serve as a non-voting member. The measure also specified that monies awarded for cancer research could not be used for any purpose other than the specific cancer research project. See Laws 1998, Chapter 99.

Laws 2001, Chapter 165 transferred, from ADHS to the Commission, the authority to administer the health research account. The provision corrected an inconsistency in state law and clarified that the Commission was authorized to administer the Health Research Fund.

A second measure enacted in 2001 authorized the use of monies in the HRF for research into causes, diagnosis, cures, treatment and prevention of nontobacco related diseases, including new drug discovery and development. The measure also appropriated monies in fiscal years 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 from the DCRF for research on Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and diseases of the brain. The Arizona Auditor General was directed to conduct a special audit of the DCRF and HCF, due by October 1, 2001. See Laws 2001, Chapter 387.

Laws 2002, Chapter 186 appropriated $500,000 each year for a period of ten years in order to provide matching monies for a nonprofit medical research foundation specializing in biotechnology. The monies were appropriated from the HRF to the Commission from fiscal year 2002-2003 through fiscal year 2011-2012. The measure included a delayed repeal date of January 1, 2013. Note: these monies were distributed to the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). See JLBC FY 2010 Baseline Book.

Laws 2005, Chapter 170 changed the name of the Disease Control Research Commission to the Biomedical Research Commission, increased the amount of compensation for Commission members from $30 to $200 per day and allowed Commission members to be reimbursed for expenses incurred while attending Commission meetings.

Laws 2011, Chapter 27 transferred the responsibilities of the Commission to ADHS and continued the Commission as an advisory body within ADHS.

Laws 2017, Chapter 136 abolished the Commission. Responsibilities regarding support of disease research were assumed by ADHS.

Sources

  • Arizona Revised Statutes
  • Session Laws:
    • Laws 1984, Chapter 353
    • Laws 1994, Chapter 82
    • Laws 1995, Chapter 275
    • Laws 1998, Chapter 12 and Chapter 99
    • Laws 2001, Chapter 165 and Chapter 387
    • Laws 2002, Chapter 186
    • Laws 2005, Chapter 170
    • Laws 2011, Chapter 27
    • Laws 2017, Chapter 136

Joint Legislative Budget Committee: FY 2010 Baseline Book: Biomedical Research Commission.

Joint Legislative Budget Committee: FY 2013 Baseline Book: Department of Health Services: Biomedical Research.

Disease Control Research Commission: Performance Audit. State of Arizona, Office of the Auditor General, March 1998. Report No. 98-5. LG 6.2:R 36/1998-05 at Arizona State Research Library

Disease Control Research Commission Annual Reports.

Biomedical Research Commission Performance Audit & Sunset Review, 2008 and 18 Month Followup

Arizona Secretary of State – Proposition 203: November 1996 Election Information.