SACRAMENTO – UC President James B. Milliken today joined California State Senator Scott Wiener and United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain to rally in support of California science and urge state lawmakers to pass SB 895, bipartisan legislation that would place a $23 billion bond to fund scientific research across California on the November 2026 ballot.
“California’s prosperity is inextricably connected to its investment in university research and discovery,” said President Milliken, who was joined at the rally by hundreds of UC researchers, faculty and staff. “SB 895 comes at a pivotal moment, providing a lifeline that delivers economic opportunity and life-saving medical care for our residents.”
If passed, SB 895 would help ensure that critical scientific research continues in California, strengthening the state’s resilience through investments in biomedical and health research, climate and environmental science, behavioral health, wildfire resilience and emerging technologies.
With 10 campuses, six academic health centers and administrative oversight of three national labs, UC employs more than 265,000 across the state and treats 2.5 million patients a year. For every $1 the State of California invests in UC, $21.04 in economic output is generated across the state. Last year, UC received the most U.S. utility patents of any university, helping keep the nation at the forefront of scientific discovery and global competitiveness.
But today, UC faces one of the most severe threats to its research enterprise in its 158-year history. Significant reductions and disruptions in federal scientific funding could hinder the state’s ability to remain a global leader in technology, innovation and multidisciplinary research, impacting jobs, health care and the economy in California.
If passed by voters, the California Science and Health Research Bond Act would help fund modernization of research facilities, expansion of laboratory and clinical capacity, and improvements to public health infrastructure. These investments are projected to support a wide variety of jobs, from construction and skilled trades, to scientists, technicians and healthcare researchers, while strengthening the pipeline of future talent.
Research funding generates jobs, fuels California’s economy
California’s leadership in biotechnology, life sciences and medical innovation has been a cornerstone of its economic success. The state’s universities, hospitals and research institutions provide the infrastructure needed for clinical trials, product development and advanced manufacturing. The investments made by SB 895 will support thousands of students and researchers at California universities with jobs in growing industries.
“The science bond is one of the best investments we can make in California’s future,” said Senator Wiener. “Scientific research is a pillar of California’s economy and prosperity and one of California’s greatest contributions to the world. It fuels our world-class universities. Our life sciences sector supports over a million jobs and billions in economic output. To millions of families and loved ones struggling with untreatable illnesses, scientific research represents hope. SB 895 will power those dreams and that success for another generation — putting power back in the hands of Californians to steer the next generation of scientific advances while the federal government pulls back.”
SB 895 tackles complex and interconnected challenges
SB 895 would also provide dedicated funding for research into the health impacts of wildfires, including air quality, respiratory illness and community resilience, while strengthening California’s capacity to detect and respond to future pandemics through improved laboratory networks and rapid response capabilities.
“This measure could help you or someone you love by continuing research in groundbreaking therapies for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and more,” said UAW Region 6 Director Mike Miller. UAW represents approximately 60,000 workers across the University of California system in a wide range of academic and non-academic roles, including academic researchers, graduate teaching assistants, graduate student researchers, postdoctoral scholars, and professionals in student services, advising, research and public service. “As the federal government slashes research funding across the country, we are proud to come together with Senator Wiener, Assemblymember Solache and the University of California to ensure that California meets the moment.”
Return on investment and pharmaceutical discounts
Historically, public investment in research has delivered strong returns by driving economic growth, boosting tax revenues and improving residents’ health. SB 895 builds on that track record by allowing the state to recapture a share of licensing and royalty revenues from inventions and technologies developed with public funding. SB 895 also helps to make health care more accessible by ensuring California residents receive discounts for pharmaceuticals developed through this research.
Support for SB 895 is bipartisan and broad-based, from researchers and physicians to legislators throughout the state. The bill is sponsored by UAW Region 6 and Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD). It is jointly authored by Senators Sasha Renée Pérez and Aisha Wahab, and principal co-authored by Assemblymembers José Luis Solache, Jr., Mike Gipson, Jacqui Irwin, Al Muratsuchi and Darshana Patel, Ph.D. Thirty-seven members of the State Legislature are co-authoring the bill to date.
Click here to find an explainer on SB 895 and here to learn about UC’s sponsorship.
NOTE FOR EDITORS / PRODUCERS: UC Davis Vice Chancellor for Research Simon Atkinson, UC San Francisco Vice Chancellor for Research Harold Collard, and UC Graduate and Professional Council Former-President Ryan Manriquez are available for interviews. Please contact media@ucop.edu to request an interview.