California lawmakers push $7.5 billion science bond to offset federal grant cuts

California's legislature has cleared a $7.5 billion bond initiative, Senate Bill 895, that will be placed before voters in March 2028 pending Governor Gavin Newsom's signature. The measure, originally envisioned as a $23 billion bond, was reduced after negotiations and now seeks to establish the California Foundation for Science and Health Research, modeled after the NIH. Support comes from the University of California system, the Union of American Physicians, and United Auto Workers Local 4811, which represents roughly 60,000 UC academic staff.

Advocates argue the fund will offset possible federal research grant reductions and finance projects ranging from cancer and ALS research to wildfire mitigation and pandemic preparedness. The bill cleared the Assembly 60-6 and the Senate 28-9, though Newsom's decision remains pending. If enacted, the bond would allocate money to UC, CSU and private institutions while allowing the new fund to recoup part of its investments without hindering innovation.