Signed by Governor Charlie Baker

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with house amendments and pass a bill that authorizes capital for state life sciences capital fund.

Highlights:

• Establishes a program of economic development and job creation (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits use of any monetary distributions for faculty salaries (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits use of any monetary distributions for capital projects until the secretary of administration fiance certifies in writing to the board of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (Sec. 2).

• Appropriates not less than $47 million investment for design, construction, development, related infrastructure improvements, and equipment for an integrated biotechnology and precision research and training facility at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that not less than $20 million will be expended for the design, construction, development, related infrastructure improvements, and equipment for a center for nursing innovation to be constructed at the University of Massachusetts at Boston (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that not less than $21.75 million shall be expended for expansion and renovation of the center for advanced biomanufacturing and digital health at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth (Sec. 2)

• Specifies that not less than $50 million shall be expended for the renovation and related infrastructure improvements for the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester (Sec. 2)

• Specifies that not less than $6 million shall be expended for the development and related infrastructure improvements at the University of Medical School in Worcester to advance mobile help and digital technologies (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that not less than $5 million shall be expended for development of a biomanufacturing platform by the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester for cell and gene therapy research (Sec. 2).

• Specifies said written certification shall include copies of all business plans, letters of financial commitment, and other documentation said secretary deems necessary.

• Specifies that not less than $3.2 million shall be expended for the design, construction, development, and related infrastructure improvements fo A Center for Innovation, Engineering, and Energy at the Maritime Academy (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that not less than $10 million shall be expended for construction, renovations, and infrastructure improvements to support the Imaging Innovation Initiative for the Marine Biological Laboratory, specifies also that the grant will be disbursed annually for the purpose of (Sec. 2):

• Capital grants related to diversity in the fields of life sciences and biotechnology in the commonwealth;

• Investments in minority-owned businesses;

• Grants to school districts and community colleges with significant minority populations; and

• Planning and implementation of strategies to increase diversity in the workforce in the field of life sciences and biotechnology.   

• Requires various departments to send an annual report to the house and senate committees no later than February 1 on the total funds expended and the number and type of grants awarded (Sec. 2).

• Appropriates $462.97 million to further improve life sciences and diversity in the science field (Sec. 3).

• Requires funds to be issued over a maximum of 30 years (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text