AB92: Bill Text

AB92,1 Section 1. 15.197 (20) of the statutes is created to read:

AB92,2,5 15.197 (20) Spinal cord injury council. (a) There is created in the department of health services a spinal cord injury council that, except as provided in par. (b), consists of the following members appointed by the department for 2- year terms:

AB92,2,7 1. One member representing the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health who is a researcher specializing in spinal cord injuries.

AB92,2,9 2. One member representing Marquette University who is a researcher specializing in spinal cord injuries.

AB92,2,11 3. One member representing the Medical College of Wisconsin who is an expert in spinal cord injuries.

AB92,2,12 4. One member who has a spinal cord injury.

AB92,2,13 5. One member who is a family member of a person with a spinal cord injury.

AB92,3,1 6. One member who is a veteran who has a spinal cord injury.

AB92,3,3 7. One member who is a physician specializing in the treatment of spinal cord injuries.

AB92,3,4 8. One member who is a researcher in the field of neurosurgery.

AB92,3,6 9. One member who is a researcher employed by the veterans health administration of the U.S. department of veterans affairs.

AB92,3,9 (b) If the department of health services is unable to appoint a member specified in par. (a) 1. to 9., the department of health services may appoint a member representing the general public in lieu of the member so specified.

AB92,2 Section 2. 20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes: at the appropriate place, insert the following amounts for the purposes indicated:

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AB92,3 Section 3. 20.435 (1) (cd) of the statutes is created to read:

AB92,3,19 20.435 (1) (cd) Spinal cord injury research. Biennially, the amounts in the schedule for grants and symposia under s. 255.45 (2) and (3).

AB92,4 Section 4. 255.45 of the statutes is created to read:

AB92,3,22 255.45 Spinal cord injury research grants and symposia. (1) Definitions. In this section:

AB92,3,23 (a) “Council” means the spinal cord injury council.

AB92,4,1 (b) “Grant program” means the program established under sub. (2).

AB92,4,9 (2) Grant program. From the appropriation under s. 20.435 (1) (cd), the department shall award grants to persons in this state for research into spinal cord injuries. The purpose of the grants is to support research into new and innovative treatments and rehabilitative efforts for the functional improvement of individuals with spinal cord injuries, and research topics may include pharmaceutical, medical device, brain stimulus, and rehabilitative approaches and techniques. Grant recipients shall agree to present their research findings at symposia held by the department under sub. (3).

AB92,4,13 (3) Symposia. If the council approves, the department shall hold a symposium for recipients of grants under the grant program to present findings of research supported by the grants. The department may not hold a symposium under this subsection more than once every 2 years.

AB92,4,17 (4) Grant reports. By January 15 of each year, the department shall submit an annual report to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s. 13.172 (3) that identifies the recipients of grants under the grant program and the purposes for which the grants were used.

AB92,4,18 (5) Council. (a) The council shall do all of the following:

AB92,4,20 1. Develop criteria for the department to evaluate and award grants under the grant program.

AB92,4,22 2. Review and make recommendations to the department on applications submitted under the grant program.

AB92,4,23 3. Perform other duties specified by the department.

AB92,5,4 (b) Each member of the council shall disclose in a written statement any financial interest in any organization that the council recommends to receive a grant under the grant program. The council shall include the written statements with its recommendations to the department under par. (a) 2. on grant applications.

AB92,5,7 (6) Administrative expenses. A recipient of a grant under sub. (2) may annually expend no more than 8 percent of the amount received under sub. (2) for administrative or indirect costs and expenses.

AB92,5 Section 5. Nonstatutory provisions.

AB92,5,12 (1) Spinal cord injury council; initial appointments. Notwithstanding the length of terms specified for the members of the spinal cord injury council under s. 15.197 (20) (a) (intro.), initial appointments to the council shall be made as follows:

AB92,5,15 (a) The members appointed under s. 15.197 (20) (a) 1., 3., 5., 7., and 9., or in lieu of those members under s. 15.197 (20) (b), shall be appointed for terms expiring on July 1, 2027.

AB92,5,18 (b) The members appointed under s. 15.197 (20) (a) 2., 4., 6., and 8., or in lieu of those members under s. 15.197 (20) (b), shall be appointed for terms expiring on July 1, 2028.

AB92,6 Section 6. Effective date.

AB92,5,21 (1) This act takes effect on the day after publication, or on the 2nd day after publication of the 2025 biennial budget act, whichever is later.

AB92,5,22 (end)