California Proposition 38 — Authorizes Bonds for Immunology Medical Research

What it does

Authorizes $8.4 billion in state general obligation bonds for immunology and immunotherapy research (technologies that use body’s immune system to treat disease), with half dedicated to cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Allocates funds equally between (1) a single University of California-affiliated nonprofit medical research institute, and (2) research grants for public or nonprofit universities and institutions. Requires funding recipients to sell technology and drugs derived from research in California for 20% below national average price. Appropriates money from General Fund to repay bonds; General Fund receives 10% of licensing royalties until bonds are repaid. Summary of Legislative Analyst's estimate of net state and local government fiscal impact: Increased state cost of $500 million to $600 million annually for about 20 years to repay the medical research bond. The state could recover part or all of this cost in subsequent decades if the funded research leads to discoveries that generate revenue.

A YES vote means

The state could borrow $8.4 billion to support medical research in immunology and immunotherapy conducted by California research institutes and universities.

A NO vote means

The state could not borrow $8.4 billion to support medical research in immunology and immunotherapy conducted by California research institutes and universities.

Needed to pass

A simple majority

Put on the ballot by

citizen initiative

Official text: source

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