Advocacy & Policy

MichBio leads advocacy efforts on behalf of the biosciences community, representing members’ interests on critical issues at the local, state and federal levels.  In addition, through its affiliation with the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), MichBio regularly attends BIO-organized efforts to positively impact key votes on biotechnology-related legislation.

Key Issues Update - August 2010

Life Sciences Industry in Michigan and the University Research Corridor - May 2009

Report on the Contribution of the Biosciences Industry to the Economy of Michigan - Prepared for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association (PhRMA), Feb. 2009

Taking the Pulse of Bioscience Education in America: A State by State Analysis - A May 2009 Report Prepared by the Battelle Technology Partnership in cooperation with the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)  Read the Michigan Report

MichBio Public Policy Committee
This committee provides leadership and oversees the policy directives of MichBio in the area of legislative and regulatory affairs.  It monitors policy and legislative initiatives on both the state and federal levels, creating talking points on important issues.  The committee will seek proactively the broadest input possible across the membership, and then focuses on the priorities of the association when developing policy recommendations for consideration by the Board of Directors.  The committee seeks to inform and educate elected officials at the federal, state and local government levels while actively promoting legislation or policies that will be favorable to the state’s biosciences community.  The group will be a key liaison between MichBio and the Biosciences Legislative Caucus.

Michigan Biosciences Legislative Caucus
MichBio was instrumental in forming the State Biosciences Legislative Caucus (BLC) that serves to educate legislators on biotechnology issues. In so doing, we believe that we can ultimately impact policies and programs to benefit the state’s biosciences industry and help make Michigan a leader in this market sector. The BLC is a bipartisan, bicameral body whose membership is open to any interested legislators. The BLC’s leadership includes Sen. Randy Richardson (R-Monroe) and Rep. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann  Arbor).  The Caucus is committed to the growth and continued success of the life science industry in Michigan.  It acknowledges the significant economic value of the industry and the complexity of issues facing the biosciences community. 

Michigan Senate Task Force and House Subcommittee
A growing awareness by state legislators of the industry’s economic growth potential culminated in 2009 in the formation of a Task Force on Biotechnology as part of the Senate’s Economic Development & Regulatory Reform Committee as well as a House Subcommittee focused on biosciences as part of the Committee on New Economy & Quality of Life.

Both the Task Force and the Subcommittee have a common focus and are of equal legislative stature.  The Task Force is chaired by Sen. Randy Richardville (R) and the Subcommittee by chaired by Rep. Ed Clemente. 

Michigan is the fourth state in the country to constitute a standing legislative body focused on the biosciences or biotechnology.  The other states include California, Minnesota and Illinois.  It is the only state to have such legislative groups in both the Senate and the House. 

Michigan Congressional Districts
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