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August 29, 2019 - Introduced by Senators Larson, Carpenter, Hansen, Ringhand,
Risser, Smith and L. Taylor, cosponsored by Representatives Anderson,
Bowen, Brostoff, Cabrera, Crowley, Emerson, Hebl, Kolste, Milroy,
Neubauer, Ohnstad, Sargent, Sinicki, Skowronski, Stuck, C. Taylor and
Zamarripa. Referred to Committee on Universities, Technical Colleges,
Children and Families.
SB373,1,2 1An Act to create 15.677, 20.235 (1m) and 39.52 of the statutes; relating to:
2spinal cord injury research grants and symposia and making an appropriation.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill requires the Higher Educational Aids Board to establish a program to
award grants to persons in this state for research into spinal cord injuries. The
grants must support research into new and innovative treatments and rehabilitative
efforts for the functional improvement of people with spinal cord injuries. Research
topics may include pharmaceutical, medical device, brain stimulus, and
rehabilitative approaches and techniques. HEAB must make annual reports to the
legislature about the grants. The bill also allows HEAB to hold symposia every two
years for grant recipients to present their research findings. The bill appropriates
general purpose revenues not exceeding $10,000,000 for the grants and symposia.
The bill also requires HEAB to appoint a spinal cord injury council with one
member representing the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public
Health, one member representing the Medical College of Wisconsin, and the
following members: 1) a person with a spinal cord injury; 2) a family member of a
person with a spinal cord injury; 3) a veteran with a spinal cord injury; 4) a physician
specializing in the treatment of spinal cord injuries; 5) a neurosurgery researcher;
and 6) a researcher employed by the veterans health administration of the federal
Department of Veterans Affairs. If HEAB is unable to appoint any of the foregoing
members, the bill allows HEAB to appoint, in lieu of that member, a member
representing the general public. Members of the council have two-year terms. The
bill requires the council to develop criteria for HEAB to evaluate and award grants,

review and make recommendations on grant applications, and perform other duties
specified by HEAB. Council members must make written disclosures of financial
interests in organizations that the council recommends for grants.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB373,1 1Section 1. 15.677 of the statutes is created to read:
SB373,2,5 215.677 Same; attached council. (1) Spinal cord injury council. (a) There
3is created in the higher educational aids board a spinal cord injury council that,
4except as provided in par. (b), consists of the following members appointed by the
5board for 2-year terms:
SB373,2,76 1. One member representing the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine
7and Public Health.
SB373,2,88 2. One member representing the Medical College of Wisconsin.
SB373,2,99 3. One member who has a spinal cord injury.
SB373,2,1010 4. One member who is a family member of a person with a spinal cord injury.
SB373,2,1111 5. One member who is a veteran who has a spinal cord injury.
SB373,2,1312 6. One member who is a physician specializing in the treatment of spinal cord
13injuries.
SB373,2,1414 7. One member who is a researcher in the field of neurosurgery.
SB373,2,1615 8. One member who is a researcher employed by the veterans health
16administration of the federal department of veterans affairs.
SB373,2,1917 (b) If the board is unable to appoint a member specified in par. (a) 1. to 8., the
18board may appoint a member representing the general public in lieu of the member
19so specified.
SB373,2
1Section 2. 20.235 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
SB373,3,42 20.235 (1m) Research support. (a) Spinal cord injury research grants and
3symposia.
A sum sufficient not to exceed $10,000,000 for grants and symposia under
4s. 39.52 (2) and (3).
SB373,3,65 (g) Gifts and grants. All moneys received from gifts and grants for the program
6established under s. 39.52 (2) to carry out the purpose for which received.
SB373,3 7Section 3 . 39.52 of the statutes is created to read:
SB373,3,9 839.52 Spinal cord injury research grants and symposia. (1) Definitions.
9In this section:
SB373,3,1010 (a) “Council” means the spinal cord injury council.
SB373,3,1111 (b) “Grant program” means the program established under sub. (2).
SB373,3,18 12(2) Grant program. The board shall establish a program to award grants to
13persons in this state for research into spinal cord injuries. The purpose of the grants
14is to support research into new and innovative treatments and rehabilitative efforts
15for the functional improvement of people with spinal cord injuries, and research
16topics may include pharmaceutical, medical device, brain stimulus, and
17rehabilitative approaches and techniques. Grant recipients shall agree to present
18their research findings at symposia held by the board under sub. (3).
SB373,3,21 19(3) Symposia. The board may hold symposia every 2 years for recipients of
20grants under the grant program to present findings of research supported by the
21grants.
SB373,3,25 22(4) Grant reports. By January 15 of each year, the board shall submit an
23annual report to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s.
2413.172 (3) that identifies the recipients of grants under the grant program and the
25purposes for which the grants were used.
SB373,4,1
1(5) Council. (a) The council shall do all of the following:
SB373,4,32 1. Develop criteria for the board to evaluate and award grants under the grant
3program.
SB373,4,54 2. Review and make recommendations to the board on applications submitted
5under the grant program.
SB373,4,66 3. Perform other duties specified by the board.
SB373,4,107 (b) Each member of the council shall disclose in a written statement any
8financial interest in any organization that the council recommends to receive a grant
9under the grant program. The council shall include the written statements with its
10recommendations to the board on grant applications.
SB373,4 11Section 4. Nonstatutory provisions.
SB373,4,1412 (1) Council; initial appointments. Notwithstanding the length of terms
13specified for the members of the spinal cord injury council under s. 15.677 (1) (a)
14(intro.), initial appointments to the council shall be made as follows:
SB373,4,1715 (a) The members appointed under s. 15.677 (1) (a) 1., 3., 5., and 7., or in lieu
16of those members under s. 15.677 (1) (b), shall be appointed for terms expiring on July
171, 2022.
SB373,4,2018 (b) The members appointed under s. 15.677 (1) (a) 2., 4., 6., and 8., or in lieu
19of those members under s. 15.677 (1) (b), shall be appointed for terms expiring on July
201, 2023.
SB373,4,2121 (End)
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