The voice of the industry
General
Public policy plays a critical role in the success of the biotechnology industry. BioForward works actively to:
- Be a positive voice that works to educate our legislators and the public on critical biotechnology issues
- Educate our members on public policy issues, and on how they can make their own voice heard
- Help shape state and federal policy
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Monitor legislation that will affect our members and our industry
General Information on the Legislative Process
From time to time we will post information on the legislative process we think will be of interest to our members, as well as other general interest information related to public policy:
- Legislative Process in Wisconsin. This overview was prepared and presented by Jordan Lamb, Attorney and Government Affairs Consultant, DeWitt Ross and Stevens, at our March 11, 2009 breakfast meeting.
Federal Issues
SBIR REAUTHORIZATION
BioForward’s position: BioForward endorses the expansion and renewal of the SBIR Program, which includes the following principles:
- Expand: SBIR should be expanded. With all of the data suggesting that SBIR undoubtedly works for America, increasing the percentage of the U.S. federally funded R&D budget that enters SBIR is warranted.
- Restore Adequacy: SBIR grant size should be increased without a significant change in the number of grant applications funded. Increasing the size of the average grant will offset the fact that the increased cost and complexity of innovative research has outpaced the size of the average grant over the program’s life.
- Restore Fairness: Allow small business owned by venture capitalists to again participate at a higher level than they were participating prior to the Small Business Administration clarification that firms with greater than 50% venture capital ownership could not participate.
Background information: Use the links below for background information and to follow the House and Senate progress on SBIR Reauthorization.
Conferee Letter on HR2965 from Representatives Markey, Tsongas, Welch and Hodes
Medallion Members
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