CS/HB 655 - Biomedical Research

• Extends the carry-forward period for unexpended Biomedical Research Trust Fund appropriations from 3 years to 5 years.

• Revises the Biomedical Research Advisory Council composition and grants it discretionary authority to consider certain application types (investigator-initiated, institutional, and predoctoral/postdoctoral) rather than mandatory consideration.

• Exempts grant programs under the council's purview from chapter 120 (Administrative Procedure Act) and requires the council to submit annual progress reports by February 1 instead of December 15.

• Modifies the William G. "Bill" Bankhead, Jr., and David Coley Cancer Research Program to provide discretionary rather than mandatory consideration of application types and removes the requirement for annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature.

• Revises composition of the Florida Center for Universal Research to Eradicate Disease advisory council and becomes effective July 1, 2012.