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HB547 INTRODUCED
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HB547
PS4SAER-1
By Representatives Jones, Daniels, Clarke, Lands, Forte, Hall,
Warren, Datcher, Bracy, Hollis, Tillman, Moore (M), McClammy,
Hendrix, Morris, England, Sellers, Gray, Travis, McCampbell,
Hassell, Givan, Drummond, Jackson, Lawrence, Ensler, Rafferty,
Chestnut, Boyd
RFD: State Government
First Read: 03-Mar-26
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PS4SAER-1 12/11/2025 TEW (F)TEW 2025-3521
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First Read: 03-Mar-26
SYNOPSIS:
This bill creates the Medical Research Supply
Assurance and Trade Resilience Act to enhance health
care and biotechnology sectors by safeguarding critical
research and medical supply chains against global trade
disruptions through strategic stockpiling, domestic
incentives, and biomedical trade facilitation programs.
This bill will also create the Medical Research
Supply Assurance and Trade Resilience Program Fund.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to global trade disruptions to medical or
research materials; to establish the Essential Medical Supply
Resilience Grant Program; to require the Alabama Department of
Public Health to research trade risks; to establish a reserve
of essential research and clinical supplies within the Alabama
Department of Public Health; and to establish the Medical
Supply Chain Vulnerability Advisory Board.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. This act shall be known as the Medical
Research Supply Assurance and Trade Resilience Act.
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Research Supply Assurance and Trade Resilience Act.
Section 2. As used in this act, unless otherwise
specified or unless the context requires otherwise, the
following terms will have the following meanings:
(1) DEPARTMENT. The Alabama Department of Public
Health.
(2) ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION. Any of the following
institutions:
a. A hospital meeting the definition found in Section
22-21-20(1), Code of Alabama 1975.
b. A research university operating within the state.
c. A biotechnology company operating within the state.
d. A health care facility meeting the definition found
in Section 22-21-260(6), Code of Alabama 1975.
(3) TRADE DISRUPTION. Any period in which the average
tariff on medical or research materials is over five percent.
Section 3. (a) The department shall establish the
Essential Medical Supply Resilience Grant Program.
(b) The department may establish priorities,
guidelines, standards, and processes by which grants may be
awarded.
(c) Grants may be awarded to eligible institutions
experiencing increased costs, delays, or shortages related to
global trade instability.
(d) The department shall require interested eligible
institutions to complete applications on forms issued by the
department that will substantiate the eligible institution's
need for the grant.
(e) Funds may be used for substitute sourcing,
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(e) Funds may be used for substitute sourcing,
stockpiling, domestic supplier development, or related
mitigation strategies.
Section 4. (a) The department shall support efforts to:
(1) Identify critical imported biomedical inputs
subject to trade risks;
(2) Facilitate research into domestic or tariff-neutral
substitutes; and
(3) Promote partnerships with in-state manufacturers to
produce essential inputs.
(b) Grants under the Essential Medical Supply
Resilience Grant Program and technical assistance to eligible
institutions shall be prioritized for those institutions
facing the highest exposure to trade disruptions.
Section 5. (a) The department shall create and maintain
a strategic reserve of essential research and clinical
supplies.
(b) The reserve shall include reagents, personal
protective equipment, diagnostic kits, and lab consumables.
(c) Eligible institutions may request access to the
reserve during periods of documented international trade
disruption.
Section 6. (a) The department shall provide support to
eligible institutions in:
(1) Navigating customs clearance and import licensing;
(2) Understanding international health material
regulations; and
(3) Mitigating impacts of export controls or
retaliatory tariffs on biomedical goods.
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retaliatory tariffs on biomedical goods.
(b) The department may collaborate with federal
agencies to expedite resolution of customs or licensing
barriers.
Section 7. (a) The Medical Supply Chain Vulnerability
Advisory Board is established and shall:
(1) Assess the resilience of critical health care and
research supply chains.
(2) Recommend policy actions to reduce reliance on
vulnerable imports.
(3) Issue annual reports to the executive and
legislative branches.
(b) The board shall consist of five members. There will
be one member appointed by each of the following authorities:
(1) The Governor.
(2) The President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(3) The Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(4) The Senate Minority Leader.
(5) The House of Representatives Minority Leader.
(c)(1) The appointing authorities shall each appoint
one initial member to the board for a term of two years.
(2) The appointing authorities should work to
coordinate their appointments so that there is at least one
member from the following groups:
a. Supply chain experts.
b. Medical professionals.
c. Academic researchers.
d. Agency representatives.
(3) Members subsequently appointed to the board shall
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(3) Members subsequently appointed to the board shall
each serve a term of four years.
(4) The members of the board shall serve without
compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses in
attending meetings of the board pursuant to the policies of
his or her respective appointing authority.
(5) The membership of the board shall be inclusive and
reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and
economic diversity of the state.
Section 8. (a) There is hereby created and there shall
be a fund which shall be known as the Medical Research Supply
Assurance and Trade Resilience Program Fund in the State
Treasury for providing grants pursuant to this act.
(b) The fund shall consist of gifts, grants, federal
funds, or legislative appropriations for purposes of
administering the act and providing funding for grants,
supplies, and strategic reserve facilities.
(c) Amounts in the fund shall be budgeted and allotted
in accordance with Sections 41-4-80 through 41-4-69 and
Sections 41-19-1 through 41-19-12, Code of Alabama 1975.
Section 9. The department shall adopt rules necessary
to implement, administer, and facilitate this act.
Section 10. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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