Byrd Center proposal details

Here's the proposal to be considered tomorrow morning, Wednesday, by the Senate higher education committee:

St. Petersburg Democrat Charlie Justice, USF academic advisor, is proposing an amendment to Tampa Sen. Arthenia Joyner's shell bill (SB1080) that will put the Johnnie Byrd Sr. Alzheimer's Center under USF control.

Justice's amendment proposes "The center shall work in collaboration with other state universities on programs directly relating to research,  education, treatment, prevention, and early detection of  Alzheimer's disease."

An operations director, chosen by USF's president, would run the center. A research director, also chosen by the president, would oversee all research activities.

A seven-member advisory board "of leading researchers, physicians, and scientists" would be chosen for two-year terms by the governor, Senate president, House speaker and USF president.

The board's task: review and recommend research priorities "to maximize the state's investment in the center." The center would have to submit to the state an annual report outlining all finances and research expeditures, and could not use more than 20 percent of its budget on administrative costs.

The current administration and board at the center would have to transfer all assets and contracts to USF by July 1.