Purpose of the Bill

The primary aim of the bill is to allocate funding for research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease, in order to improve the lives of those affected by ALS and to work towards finding a cure.

Main Provisions

• Cancellation and Re-appropriation: This bill cancels a previous appropriation and reallocates $15,000,000 for ALS research in fiscal year 2026.

• Funding Allocation: The appropriated funds are directed to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for collaboration with the Mayo Clinic on ongoing ALS research.

• Reporting Requirements: Starting January 15, 2026, until January 15, 2030, or when the funds are fully expended (whichever is sooner), the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents must provide annual reports to the legislature detailing the use of the funds.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Repeal of Previous Legislation: The bill repeals previous laws that allocated funds for ALS research, effectively superseding those allocations with the new provision for fiscal year 2026.

• Administrative Shift: The bill shifts the administration of ALS research funding from the Office of Higher Education to the University of Minnesota, indicating a change in strategy towards a more collaborative research model with a prominent state university and medical institution.

Relevant Terms

ALS research, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, neurodegenerative disease, collaborative partnership, appropriation, legislature, health systems.