California voters to decide on $7.5 billion state research bond in 2028

Governor Gavin Newsom approved Senate Bill 895, which puts a $7.5 billion bond measure before voters in the March 2028 election to create a state-level research institute modeled on the National Institutes of Health. The bond would finance scientific work on cancer, Parkinson’s, ALS, wildfire mitigation, pandemics and climate change, helping state and private institutions offset recent federal research budget cuts. The original proposal sought $23 billion and a November ballot slot, but was reduced to $7.5 billion for the 2028 vote after compromise.

The measure is backed by the Union of American Physicians, the University of California, and United Auto Workers Local 4811, which represents many UC academic staff. Senate author Scott Wiener called the initiative a bold step to protect science and maintain California’s global innovation standing. University of California President James B. Milliken praised the bipartisan coalition that made the bond possible.