Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 1358	House Author:  Keffer et al.
Effective:  6-19-09	Senate Sponsor:  Nelson et al.

            House Bill 1358 amends the Health and Safety Code to revise provisions relating to the operation of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.  The bill provides for the appointment of the research and prevention programs committee by the institute's executive director, authorizes the institute to supplement the salaries of the executive director and other senior staff, increases the term of service for members of the institute's oversight committee, grants the oversight committee rulemaking authority to administer provisions of law relating to the institute, and clarifies the information relating to the institute that constitutes public information subject to disclosure.

            Under previous law, members of the research and prevention programs committee served four-year terms. House Bill 1358 clarifies that the terms of service for those members are to be determined by the institute's executive commissioner. The bill establishes the university advisory committee to advise the institute regarding the role of institutions of higher education in cancer research. The bill also requires the oversight committee to create an ad hoc committee of experts to address childhood cancers. The bill clarifies provisions relating to the authorized uses of grant money awarded by the institute and modifies the grant award and evaluation procedures.