Bill to place a $23 billion bond to fund scientific research in California on the November ballot clears Senate Health Committee

University of California-sponsored legislation, SB 895 by Senator Scott Wiener, passed the Senate Health Committee on a 9-2 vote yesterday (March 25). As UC faces one of the most significant disruptions to its research enterprise in its 158-year history, this bipartisan legislation would place a $23 billion bond to fund scientific research across California on the November 2026 ballot. If passed by voters, the measure would help preserve research central to protecting jobs, sustaining lifesaving medical advancements, supporting the health of California communities and maintaining the state's global leadership in innovation.

"In all my time at UC, I have never seen a more precarious situation for scientific research and greater challenges to our economy, our workforce development, and most importantly our public health," Kim Elaine Barrett, Ph.D., vice dean for Research at the UC Davis School of Medicine, said at yesterday's hearing. "Research at UC generates as much as $55.2 billion in economic activity every year - medical breakthroughs alone generate approximately $13 billion in economic activity across California. California has been a leader in scientific inquiry and should invest in its ability to protect jobs, health care, and the economic future of our state."

Prior to the hearing, over five dozen letters from researchers and faculty were submitted on behalf of the University and over 2,500 emails were sent to lawmakers in support of SB 895 and the critical research funding the bill would provide.

UC research drives California's innovation and economy

Scientific research is a cornerstone of California's economy, serving as the foundation for some of the state's leading industries. California's biotechnology industry generated $395.7 billion in total economic output, contributed $125.7 billion in salaries and supported 1.15 million jobs in 2024.

As the nation's top public research institution, UC plays a central role in California's innovation ecosystem. It leads to life-changing solutions that benefit everyone - from the smartphone to nutrition to medicine. For every $1 the State of California invests in UC, $21.04 is generated in total economic activity.

Support for SB 895

Support for SB 895 is broad and bipartisan, from researchers to physicians to legislators throughout the state. The bill is co-sponsored by the University of California, the United Auto Workers Region 6 and Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD), and is jointly authored by Senators Sasha Renée Pérez and Aisha Wahab and principal co-authored by Assemblymembers José Luis Solache, Jr., Mike Gipson, Jacqui Irwin, Al Muratsuchi and Darshana Patel, Ph.D. Thirty-six members of the Legislature are co-authoring the bill to date.

To read more about SB 895 and UC's sponsorship, click here.

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