Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed Senate Bill 895 (SB 895) on Sept. 30, sending a $7.5 billion bond measure that would fund scientific and health research and development to voters on March 7, 2028.
SB 895 would also establish the California Foundation for Science and Health Research within the Government Operations Agency and the California Foundation for Science and Health Research Council to oversee the administration of grants and loans. It would also create the Innovation Acceleration Fund, where the public funds for science and health research would be held, and the Innovation Acceleration Benefit Fund, where private donations for the same purposes would be held.
A two-thirds legislative vote is required to place a bond measure on the ballot in California. SB 895 was introduced on Jan. 15, 2026. On Aug. 31, it passed in the state Senate by a vote of 28-9 with three absent, and in the state Assembly by a vote of 67-6 with six absent. It received unanimous approval by voting Democrats and support from 34.8% of voting Republicans.
