BILL ANALYSIS �
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 836|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 836
Author: Corbett (D), et al.
Amended: 5/7/14
Vote: 21
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE : 9-0, 4/30/14
AYES: Liu, Wyland, Block, Correa, Galgiani, Hancock, Hueso,
Huff, Monning
SUBJECT : Brain research: Cal-BRAIN program
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill requests the University of California (UC)
to establish the California Blueprint for Research to Advance
Innovations in Neuroscience Act of 2014 or the Cal-BRAIN program
to leverage California's research assets and the federal Brain
Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN)
Initiative funding opportunities to accelerate the development
of brain mapping techniques.
ANALYSIS : The California Constitution establishes the UC, a
public trust to be administered by the Regents of the UC and
grants the Regents full powers of organization and government,
subject only to such legislative control as may be necessary to
insure security of its funds, compliance with the terms of its
endowments, statutory requirements around competitive bidding
and contracts, sales of property and the purchase of materials,
goods and services.
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Existing law further provides that statute related to UC (and
most other aspects of the governance and operation of UC) are
applicable only to the extent that the Regents of the UC make
such provisions applicable.
In 2013, the Obama administration unveiled the BRAIN Initiative,
which is a collaborative project that will map the activity of
the human brain with a proposed investment of up to $3 billion
over 10 years. For federal fiscal year 2014, approximately $100
million is being identified for allocation toward this endeavor
with the National Institutes of Health, the National Science
Foundation, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
working in close collaboration.
This bill:
1.Requests the UC to establish the Cal-BRAIN program to leverage
California's research assets and the federal BRAIN Initiative
funding opportunities to accelerate the development of brain
mapping techniques.
2.Identifies the following goals for the Cal-BRAIN program:
A. Maintain California's leadership role in neuroscience
innovation.
B. Develop a dynamic map of the human brain that provides
researchers, physicians, and engineers with the knowledge
necessary to develop new treatments and technologies that
will improve lives and reduce costs of providing health
care.
C. Grow California's economy through the expansion of
California's high technology and biotechnology sectors.
D. Train the next generation of scientists for the
neuroscience and engineering jobs of the future.
3.Requests the UC to utilize California's unique collaborative
research environment by administering the Cal-BRAIN program
consistent with all of the following:
A. Convening stakeholders from public and private research
institutions, biotechnology and high technology companies,
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and venture capital firms to develop the governing
structure of the Cal-BRAIN program.
B. Adopting research plan that identifies milestones for
achieving the goals of the Cal-BRAIN program.
C. Establishing competitive, merit-based opportunities for
interested public and private California research
institutions to apply for Cal-BRAIN program funding.
D. Maintaining the flexibility to adjust the Cal-BRAIN
program's priorities and focus based upon knowledge gained
from scientific discoveries.
E. Establishing a technology transfer program to identify
and accelerate the commercial application of both early and
late-stage discoveries and technologies from the Cal-BRAIN
program into the marketplace and to promote new and
expanded technology sectors in the state.
F. Soliciting contributions to the Cal-BRAIN program with a
goal of achieving a nonstate funding match that meets or
exceeds the financial investment by the state.
4.Requests the UC to provide information about the Cal-BRAIN
program through an Internet Web site, including a brief
description of funded projects and activities.
5.Provides the bill is to be implemented if adequate funding, as
determined by the Regents of the UC, is appropriated to the UC
in the annual Budget Act or other statute.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local:
No
SUPPORT : (Verified 5/8/14)
ALS Association Golden West Chapter
Alzheimer's Association
BayBio
Biocom
California Public Defenders Association
National Women's Political Caucus
Neurotechnology Industry Organization
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San Diego Brain Injury Foundation
University of California Student Association
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author's office, the
Cal-BRAIN program, combined with federal BRAIN Initiative
funding, will help California harness the economic potential of
brain mapping techniques and technologies to create jobs and
industries of the future while improving lives. Cutting edge
brain mapping research can reveal the causes and lead to
treatments for brain injuries and disorders, such as
Alzheimer's, autism, and mental illness. It can also lead to
advancements in artificial intelligence, robotics, and
information technologies, such as computers and cellphones.
PQ:k 5/8/14 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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