California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the final bill of the 2025-26 regular legislative session on Wednesday, placing a $7.5 billion science and health research bond before voters in March 2028.
The signing took place at the top of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Senate Bill 895, authored by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), supports research at California universities and institutions in medicine, public health, climate, wildfire prevention, agriculture and other fields.
The bill was the last of 1,160 bills acted on during the legislative session and brings the total number of bills acted on by Newsom since the start of his administration in 2019 to 7,803.
"California doesn't settle for what's possible — we shape what comes next," Newsom said. "Great companies start small, big ideas start with a risk, and every generation of innovators has helped build this state into the fourth-largest economy in the world. We owe those dreamers and doers the opportunity to compete, succeed and thrive — because the future will always happen here first."
SB 895 creates the California Foundation for Science and Health Research to support scientific research and development through grants, loans and contracts. Funding would support research in biomedical science, public health, disease prevention and behavioral health, as well as work addressing 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 Californians, public health, the environment and natural resources.
The measure also invests in California's public universities, including $1 billion for related infrastructure projects at the University of California and the California State University.
"With this investment, California is imagining a better future for millions of families," said Senator Wiener. "Scientific advancements are curing and preventing diseases, improving the lives of people living with chronic conditions, protecting our communities from wildfires, lowering the cost of food, and powering our economy. We cannot allow the federal government to throw away that hope for a better future. SB 895 is a bold step to protect science, improve lives, and continue California's global leadership on innovation for many years to come."
"Washington has played political games with life-saving research, canceling studies on cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and other diseases, and putting scientists out of work. With Governor Newsom's signature on SB 895, California is saying, 'Enough!,'" said UAW International President Shawn Fain. "SB 895 puts the power in the hands of voters to invest in science, protect the truth, and keep discovery moving so that breakthroughs serve working-class people and our communities, not just those at the top."
"This is a major achievement, made possible by an extraordinary coalition of people who understand the importance of investing in scientific research," said UC President James B. Milliken. "The University of California's research enterprise improves lives, creates opportunity, and drives innovation and economic growth across our state and the entire nation. We are grateful to Gov. Newsom, Sen. Wiener, members of the legislature, and our partners at UAW for their leadership and collaboration on this issue. I also want to thank the thousands of UC faculty, staff, students, researchers, alumni, and supporters who made their voices heard and helped us achieve this important milestone."
According to the Governor's office, California companies attracted $366 billion in venture capital in 2026 as of August, more than three times the total raised in all 49 other states combined. California businesses performed more than one-third of all U.S. business research and development in 2023, and California residents received more than 50,000 U.S. patents in fiscal year 2025. The University of California system received more U.S. patents than any other university worldwide in 2025, with 571 patents granted.