Issues of interest
The AIRI Government Affairs Committee (GAC) and the AIRI
Washington Office monitor several issues of interest to the AIRI membership
in addition to its Congressional and Executive Branch Priorities. Below are
summaries of other issues that AIRI will be following in 2007.
(+ click titles for details)
+ Tax Legislation
AIRI continuously monitors tax legislation for
provisions that would affect nonprofit tax exempt organizations either
positively or negatively.
+ Legislation and Policy Related to Clinical Research
AIRI monitors legislation as well as Executive branch policy related to clinical research
to ensure that AIRI institutions are recognized as contributors in this
arena.
+ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Hazardous Waste Rule
AIRI is working to gain inclusion for nonprofit independent
research institutes within a favorable EPA proposed rule on hazardous waste
in "academic laboratories." Currently, the proposed rule (which would create
more flexibility in complying with hazardous waste requirements) does not
include nonprofit independent research institutes in the definition of
"academic laboratories." Instead, the proposed rule would only apply to
colleges and universities.
+ Department of Homeland Security Chemical Facility Rule
AIRI is working to soften a DHS proposed rule that would place a
heavy and unnecessary compliance burden on nonprofit independent research
institutes.
+ Export Controls Policy
AIRI regularly examines export controls
issues at various government agencies to ensure that there are no
significant changes that could affect independent research institutes and
the fundamental research exception.
+ National Institutes of Health (NIH) Reauthorization
AIRI continuously monitors the implementation of the NIH Reform Act
of 2007, which reauthorized the agency to guard against unintended
consequences as NIH works to administer new provisions in the law.
+ Issues Related to Research Business Models
AIRI monitors issues related
to research business models by regularly attending Federal Demonstration
Partnership meetings and by participating in discussions about federal
practices and policies regarding research grants and contracts.
+ Analyze Human Research Protections and the HIPAA Privacy Rule
AIRI continuously monitors legislative and executive branch activity regarding
human research protections, since about 50% of AIRI institutes conduct human
clinical trials. In addition, AIRI monitors changes and clarifications to
the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
Privacy Rule.
+ Support Open Access to NIH-Funded Research Results
AIRI supports the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) new policy on open access to
NIH-funded research results. In January, 2005, in response to Congressional
oversight pressures, NIH issued its new Policy on Enhancing Public Access to
Archived Publications Resulting form NIH-Funded Research. AIRI will continue
to monitor its application as it is put into practice this year.
+ Evaluate Conflict of Interest Policies
AIRI continuously monitors policies related to conflicts of interest. In response to Congressional
concerns, NIH has revised and expanded its Conflict of Interest policies to
include new, strict guidelines for its internal employees. AIRI is dedicated
to the integrity of science and is committed to upholding the highest
ethical standards in the conduct and business of research. AIRI member
institutes recognize the importance of sound institutional guidelines for
handing conflicts of interest.
+ Monitor Policies Relating to Scientific Misconduct
AIRI supports taking
appropriate steps to harmonize existing regulatory policies on research
misconduct.