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Bill

SB 5455

Concerning the administration of the Andy Hill cancer research endowment.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Braun and 3 co-sponsors

The bill broadens the Endowment’s admin options, allowing multiple or private administrators and streamlined grants for cancer clinical trial outreach.

Effective date 7/27/2025.
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Bill Summary · SB 5455

Summary: Senate Bill 5455 — Administration of the Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment

Overview
- Bill number: SB 5455
- Title: An act relating to the administration of the Andy Hill cancer research endowment
- Sponsor: Senators Harris, Cleveland, Braun, and Muzzall
- Status and dates:
- Passed Legislature in 2025 Regular Session
- Governor signed: May 2, 2025
- Effective date: 90 days after adjournment of the 2025 session (effective around late July 2025; specifically 7/27/2025)
- Chapter: 199, 2025 Laws
- No new appropriation included in this bill
- Fiscal note: Available

What the bill changes (Key Provisions)
- Program administrators
- Allows the Endowment to designate more than one program administrator.
- The Endowment’s board selects and contracts with the Administrator.
- The board may establish one or more tax-exempt nonprofit corporations to perform all or part of the Administrator’s duties.
- The requirement that the Administrator must have prior expertise in conducting or managing research granting activities is removed; the board can hire or contract with entities without this specific expertise.
- The Endowment must pay the Administrator an administrative fee, plus mutually agreed-upon operating costs, which may vary with Endowment activities.

  • Grant evaluation and outreach

    • Soliciting, evaluating, and awarding grants for community outreach related to cancer clinical trials are exempt from statutory grant evaluation criteria and independent scientific review and advisory committee requirements.
    • Community outreach grants may bypass the standard independent scientific review process.

  • Endowment funds and matching

    • Endowment funds used for community outreach (via the Match Transfer Account) are not subject to matching fund requirements or an obligation to demonstrate consideration. Other funds (cancer research, prevention, care) continued to be subject to matching and consideration requirements.
    • The Match Transfer Account may include state appropriations beyond matching funds.
    • Nonstate or private contributions required to support the expenditure of matching funds must be committed contributions.

  • Endowment finances and ownership

    • Money in the Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment Fund is not considered state money, common cash, or revenue to the state in all circumstances (not just when there’s a matching funds agreement in place).

  • Definitions and governance

    • “Clinical trial” is defined specifically as a cancer clinical trial.
    • Board membership is updated to reflect the merger of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance into the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

  • Effective framework

    • The bill does not create a new appropriation.
    • Effective date remains 90 days after adjournment of the session (as noted above).

Impact and considerations
- Governance and administration: The Endowment gains flexibility to appoint multiple and potentially private nonprofit program administrators, potentially increasing efficiency and scalability.
- Outreach and trials: Community outreach for cancer clinical trials would be streamlined, with less procedural barrier from formal scientific review for those specific activities.
- Private participation: Encourages more private/nonstate involvement in administering and funding aspects of the Endowment.
- Financial autonomy: Clarifies that Endowment funds can operate with a broader approach to funding sources, including nonstate contributions and separate transfer accounts.
- Participation and equity: Maintains emphasis on outreach and participation by underrepresented groups, with existing university and research partners still in place.

Context and status notes
- These changes were considered to simplify administration, enable partnerships with local governments and other entities, and strengthen the Endowment’s long-term viability.
- The legislative path shows passage through both chambers and the governor’s signature in spring 2025, with the new rules taking effect in mid-2025.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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