HB253 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Becky Nordgren
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Tick Borne Illness, commission, membership and duties, colleges and universities, allocation of research monies, Alabama Study Commission on Tick Borne Illness
Summary: HB253 creates the Alabama Commission on Tick Borne Illness to coordinate and fund tick-borne illness research at state colleges and universities, with a sunset provision in 2021 unless extended by the Legislature.
What This Bill Does
It establishes a six-member Commission on Tick Borne Illness to guide study of tick-borne illness in Alabama. It directs the commission to allocate Education Trust Fund research grants to Alabama colleges and research facilities through a formal criteria and application process, and to remove funds from any recipient not performing adequately. It requires annual reporting to the Legislature and dissolves on September 30, 2021 unless continued by law; legislative members on the commission receive compensation and travel expenses.

Who It Affects
Alabama colleges, universities, and other research facilities that conduct tick-borne illness research would be eligible to apply for and receive grant funding.
State government and public health community, including the Governor, State Health Officer, and legislative leaders who appoint the commission, along with researchers who participate in the program, who oversee, fund, and report on the research.

Key Provisions
Creates the Alabama Commission on Tick Borne Illness to coordinate research and reduce tick-borne illness in the state.
Commission consists of six members appointed by the House Speaker, Senate President Pro Tempore, Governor, State Health Officer, and the chairs of two specified House/Senate education committees.
Commission may not issue recommendations that create or define standards for medical practice.
Commission allocates funds from the Education Trust Fund to research; awards grants only to colleges and research facilities; applicants must provide information about their research.
Commission creates criteria and an application process for awarding funds and may withdraw future funding from universities not performing adequately.
Commission must report findings and any proposed legislation annually to the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
Legislative members receive regular compensation, per diem, and travel expenses for commission meetings.
Commission dissolves on September 30, 2021 unless continued by act of the Legislature.
Act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Boards and Commissions