Budget Amendment ID: FY2026-S3-476-R1

Redraft EHS 476

Scientific Research Trust Fund

Ms. Rausch, Mr. O'Connor, Ms. Creem, Ms. Lovely and Mr. Cyr moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 16 the following section:-

“SECTION 16A. Said chapter 29, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after section 2JJJJJJ the following section:-

Section 2KKKKKK. (a) There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate, non-budgeted special revenue fund known as the Scientific Research Fund, which shall be administered by the executive office of health and human services. The fund shall be credited with: (i) revenue from appropriations or other money authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund; (ii) interest earned on such revenues; and (iii) funds from public and private sources, including, but not limited to, gifts, grants, donations and settlements received by the commonwealth that are designated to be credited to the fund. The fund shall be expended, without further appropriation, for the executive office to provide research grants in the fields of science, medicine, public health, mental health and other biological or behavioral areas of inquiry; provided, however, that the executive office shall prioritize for funding grant proposals from academic and other nonprofit applicants. Any unexpended balance in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years and shall not revert to the General Fund. No expenditure shall be made from the fund which causes the fund to be in a deficit at any point.

(b) Annually, not later than March 1, the executive office shall report on the activities of the fund from the previous calendar year to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on health care financing, the joint committee on public health and the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies. The executive office may promulgate regulations or issue guidance to implement this section.”.