House approves expanded spinal-cord and brain-injury fund with new OHV, motorcycle fee

Representative Hutchings, sponsor of the bill, told the House that the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Rehabilitation Fund — created in 2012 with general fund support and fees — provides early-intervention rehabilitative services that have both improved outcomes and reduced long-term costs. “This is a fund of last resort. You have to jump through every other hoop,” Hutchings said, describing the program’s application process and Department of Health oversight.

Representative Noel moved a second substitute that adds a 50¢ registration fee for off-highway vehicles and motorcycles, earmarked for the fund. Noel said the change spreads costs to groups tied to common causes of spinal-cord injuries and cited committee adjustments to committee membership and the fund’s title to avoid confusion with another program.

Supporters argued the new revenue source would be modest for individual vehicle owners while helping pay for high-cost early rehabilitation. One member summarized federal and state data on typical causes of spinal-cord injury, saying motor-vehicle crashes and falls are leading causes and that targeted funding aligns with those risks.

Sponsor Hutchings accepted the substitute as friendly and emphasized the fund’s role in funding nontraditional rehabilitative treatments and in producing state savings. Hutchings described outcomes he called “remarkable,” saying the program can return people from electric to manual wheelchairs and restore their independence.

The House closed debate and voted to pass second substitute HB 359 by voice count and tally: 56 yes, 18 no. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for its consideration.