August 28, 2019 - Introduced by Representatives Anderson, Bowen, Cabrera,
Crowley, Emerson, Hebl, Kolste, Milroy, Neubauer, Ohnstad, Sargent,
Sinicki, Skowronski, Stuck, C. Taylor, Zamarripa and Brostoff, cosponsored
by Senators Larson, Carpenter, Hansen, Ringhand, Risser, Smith and L.
Taylor. Referred to Committee on Science and Technology.

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.