Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 895, placing a $7.5 billion research bond before California voters in March 2028. The measure, signed at the Golden Gate Bridge during his final bill-signing event of the 2025-26 legislative session, would create the California Foundation for Science and Health Research to support scientific research and development at state universities and institutions, according to his office.
The bond would support research in biomedical science, public health, disease prevention, behavioral health, climate change, wildfire prevention, extreme weather, ocean science, agriculture and water. Research proposals would undergo scientific peer review based on merit and potential benefits to public health, the environment and natural resources, the state said.
The legislation allocates $1 billion for related infrastructure projects at the University of California and California State University systems. The measure was authored by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco).