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SB 5911

Enhancing cancer research funding by dedicating a portion of state sales tax collections in October to the Andy Hill cancer research endowment fund.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Perry Dozier and 4 co-sponsors

Washington redirects October sales tax revenue to Andy Hill cancer research endowment, funding research without new taxes but reducing general state budget flexibility.

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Bill Summary · SB 5911

Legislative bill overview

SB 5911 dedicates a portion of Washington state's sales tax revenue collected during October each year to the Andy Hill cancer research endowment fund. The bill creates a dedicated funding stream for cancer research initiatives without requiring a separate tax increase, instead redirecting existing sales tax revenue for one month.

Why is this important

Cancer research funding directly impacts innovation in treatment development and clinical trials. Dedicated, predictable funding streams allow research institutions to plan long-term projects and potentially accelerate discoveries. This approach provides sustained support for the Andy Hill endowment, which has established reputation in the state's research community.

Potential points of contention

  • State budget impact: Dedicating October sales tax revenue reduces general fund resources available for other priorities (education, healthcare, infrastructure) during a budget month, requiring reallocation elsewhere
  • Precedent concerns: Carving out specific tax revenue for individual causes may encourage similar requests from other interests, fragmenting budget flexibility
  • Endowment sustainability: Single-month revenue collection creates variable funding levels year-to-year depending on October economic conditions, potentially limiting predictability for long-term research planning
  • Equity questions: Directing resources to cancer research specifically, while beneficial, doesn't address funding disparities in other disease research areas or health priorities

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

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