HB253 Summary

• Creates the Alabama Commission on Tick Borne Illness to coordinate research on prevention of tick borne illness in the state.

• Commission consists of 6 members appointed by the Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Governor, State Health Officer, Chair of House Education/Finance/Appropriations Committee, and Chair of Finance and Taxation-Education Committee.

• Commission shall allocate Education Trust Fund appropriations annually to research universities and research facilities through a competitive grant application process for tick borne illness research including prevention, treatment, surveillance, diagnosis, and intervention methods.

• Commission must report findings and proposed legislation to the Speaker and President Pro Tempore annually by the third day of the regular legislative session and may withdraw funding from universities not performing adequate research.

• Commission automatically dissolves on September 30, 2021, unless continued by legislative action; act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval.