The California Science and Health Research Bond Act (SB 895) will create the California Foundation for Science and Health Research to ensure that life-saving and economically vital scientific, medical, and environmental research continues in the state, even if the Trump Administration cuts or withholds Federal funds.
It authorizes California to step in and fund the most vital research Trump seeks to cut, protecting California’s role as a global leader in innovation, an investment that will help generate a significantly greater amount in tax revenue, drive middle class job growth, and provide hope and healing to millions of Californians confronting deadly and debilitating diseases. The measure also creates discounts for California residents for the medicines and therapies. Once we gain the support of the legislature and Governor Newsom, this measure will appear on the November ballot.
WHY IT’S NEEDED
Federal cuts and suspensions have threatened billions of dollars in scientific research funding, especially targeting California institutions like the University of California and the California State University System.
Research areas at risk include cancer treatment, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, HIV/AIDS, pandemic preparedness, climate science, and earthquake and wildfire safety.
Without state action, California could lose its global leadership position in science, innovation, and public health and the billions of dollars in tax revenue and hundreds of thousands of high-wage jobs generated by the state’s clear scientific leadership.
WHAT THE MEASURE DOES
Creates the California Foundation for Science and Health Research within the Government Operations Agency.
for the medicines and therapies
developed with the agency’s support.
Authorizes up to $23 billion to protect vital research but those funds will only be spent as needed.
Funds public and private research entities in California, including UC, CSU, and nonprofit and private research institutions.
Creates the California Foundation for Science and Health Research within the Government Operations Agency.
for the medicines and therapies
developed with the agency’s support.
Allows California to keep a portion of the profits from the drugs and therapies developed by the agency.
Authorizes up to $23 billion to protect vital research but those funds will only be spent as needed.
Funds public and private research entities in California, including UC, CSU, and nonprofit and private research institutions.
Prioritizes replacing federal cuts to ensure projects already underway continue without disruption.
Supports research
in critical areas such as:
- Cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and diabetes
- Mental health and addiction
- Pandemic and emerging health threats
- Climate change, wildfire prevention, and environmental health
- Renewable energy and emerging technologies, as well as foundational research in physics, mathematics, material science and engineering and other technologies that keep California on the forefront of economic innovation.
WHAT THE MEASURE DOES
Strict oversight
& transparency
standards
-
Annual independent
audits reviewed by the
State Controller. -
Annual public reports
detailing grants, expenditures, and outcomes. - Public disclosure of all grant awards and funding decisions.
Spending
Limits
-
No more than 3% of
funds can be used for
administrative costs.
“Recoupment”
& Discount
-
Helps make healthcare
more affordable with
discounts for Californians. -
Benefits taxpayers by
allowing the state to
keep a portion of licensing fees, royalties, and other earnings generated from the
state-funded research.
Strict oversight
& transparency
standards
- Annual independent audits reviewed by the State Controller.
- Annual public reports detailing grants, expenditures, and outcomes.
- Public disclosure of all grant awards and funding decisions.
Spending
Limits
- No more than 3% of funds can be used for administrative costs.
“Recoupment”
& Discount
- Helps make healthcare more affordable with discounts for Californians.
- Benefits taxpayers by allowing the state to keep a portion of profits generated from the state-funded research.
ECONOMIC & WORKFORCE BENEFITS
Every dollar invested in research
generates more than $2
in economic activity.
Sustains thousands of good-paying jobs,
including union jobs for researchers, staff,
and students.
Strengthens California’s biotech and
innovation economy, which already produces
more than half of U.S. biotech revenues.
WHY THIS MATTERS
This measure ensures California can continue vital, life-saving research regardless of federal funding cuts or national politics. This research saves lives, generates high-wage jobs, and helps keep California an economic beacon for the nation. Many of these research programs are decades long, and would be dramatically damaged by interruption. The Foundation will make sure California continues to lead in the fight to cure and prevent cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, dementia, AIDS/HIV, ALS, Autism, and other devastating diseases and conditions, as well as continuing our vital need to address environmental, pandemic and wildfire threats.
Paid for by Save Science Save Lives, Sponsored by Labor Organizations Representing Health and Science Researchers
Committee’s Top Funders
United Auto Workers Region 6 Western States
UAW Region 6 Western States CAP Council