Language Page 351, following line 14, insert:1. George Mason University, in collaboration with the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth University and Eastern Virginia Medical School shall create a research consortium hereby known as the Virginia Immunology Center. The Virginia Immunology Center is authorized to solicit proposals under the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act (PPEA) to partner with private, for-profit companies to conduct research on vaccines for the treatment of multiple infectious diseases. In no case shall the terms of the public-private partnership obligate the Commonwealth to the appropriation of additional general funds. 2. $1,500,000 general funds the first year is provided for George Mason University to upgrade laboratory facilities located on its Prince William County campus and to purchase the necessary antibody samples for immunology research. However, no funds authorized in this item shall be allotted or expended until the Virginia Immunology Center and consortium receives an acceptable PPEA proposal and submits the proposal to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Finance Committee for its approval.3. Antibody samples and/or libraries purchased with these funds are to be made available to all public colleges and universities in the Commonwealth for research purposes and are to be available without any additional charge." "C-24.10 Prince William Research Facilities $1,500,000 Fund Sources: General $1,500,000"
Explanation(This amendment authorizes George Mason University to enter into a public-private partnership for construction of research facilities on the Prince William campus.)