Legislative News:
On February 6th, State Senator Jeremy Ring and Representative Bill Galvano chaired the first meeting of Florida's biotech caucus, designed to provide a link between the Florida legislature and the state's biotechnology industry.
2008 BioFlorida Legislative Priorities
Support
Bioscience Economic Development
The need for early-stage funding for bioscience companies is essential. Locating funding to underwrite innovative research is an on-going challenge to bioscience companies. Small startup companies with high quality research and personnel look for the vital funds needed to get up and running where as established bioscience companies require funding to invest in additional infrastructure and clinical research to move products into the marketplace.
Education and Workforce Development
Excellent science education from elementary school through post-graduate education is essential to develop and maintain the scientific workforce required to support a vibrant life sciences business community. BioFlorida supports legislation to foster science education and workforce training initiatives through grant funding and outreach programs.
Healthcare / Patient Access
The biotechnology industry is vital to the health care of all Floridians and can provide breakthrough therapies for patients who suffer from our most grievous diseases. BioFlorida believes that these new innovative pharmaceuticals, including biologics, should be made readily available to all patients, including those in the publicly funded Medicaid program, and encourage continued innovation.
Renewable Energy
Biotechnology is creating and enabling products to address our energy needs, conservation efforts and environmental concerns. Incentives and tax credits for agricultural biomass and biofuels research organizations will position Florida as a leading state for providing sources of alternative and renewable energy.
Technology Transfer
Florida’s universities and other research institutions are perhaps the most important component to building a strong bioscience infrastructure in the state. Legislation that will aid technology transfer and commercialization of scientific discoveries will ensure that our cutting-edge research reaches the marketplace.
Oppose
The state should not prohibit ethical research in any area where the state has capabilities of responding to that research, especially research that is sanctioned by the U.S. government. We cultivate a culture that creates research opportunities that the state can accommodate. We support policies that keep all avenues of ethical research open and that do not lead to human cloning.
BioFlorida also opposes any legislation that unreasonably restricts the sale and reimbursement of biomedical, pharmaceutical and health-related products and services approved for sale by the U.S. government.
BioFlorida opposes any measure that would seek to block Medicaid patients and their doctors from reasonable access to medically necessary pharmaceuticals.
Our universities play a vital role in the economic development of the state. We oppose funding cuts to our universities unless these institutions are permitted to raise tuition to support ongoing operations. | 
