BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 2664 Page 1 Date of Hearing: May 11, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Lorena Gonzalez, Chair AB 2664 (Irwin) - As Amended April 26, 2016 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Higher Education |Vote:|12 - 1 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | |Jobs, Economic Development, | |9 - 0 | | |and the Economy | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No SUMMARY: This bill requires the University of California (UC), subject to appropriation by the Legislature, to fund innovation and entrepreneurship programs at each UC campus and at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), and in other areas of the state that may benefit from these programs. AB 2664 Page 2 FISCAL EFFECT: General Fund cost pressure, at least in the low tens of millions of dollars to fund activities at 10 UC campuses and the LBNL, and potentially other areas of the state. A prior version of this bill included at $66 million General Fund appropriation, to be available in equal increments over three fiscal years, equivalent to $2 million per year to each of the 11 UC sites. COMMENTS: Purpose. As the research arm of the state, the UC has driven innovation and economic growth. According to the UC, it is now the world's academic leader in the number or research inventions, with 1,700 reported in 2014. The UC continues to be the launching platform for a numerous startup companies that stimulate the economic and job growth in California. According to the UC, specific investments are needed so that the pace can be maintained to keep up with the demand for innovation and entrepreneurial infrastructure, resources, and support programs. The UC contends that the investments will leverage UC research in two ways: by providing researchers with the necessary tools to turn their ideas into job-providing companies; and by organizing research systemwide in order to address the various challenges facing California. Analysis Prepared by:Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081 AB 2664 Page 3