SB 1146, as introduced, Corbett. State government: research and development
Existing law provides for various research and development programs, including programs related to energy supplies, consumption, and conservation, and to transportation, and also establishes certain tax incentives for private research and development.
This bill states the intent of the Legislature to capitalize on California’s spending on research and development, understand the present status and long term trends of research and development in California, make strategic investments in research and development, and maximize the state’s research and development investments.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
2following:
3(1) The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST)
4conducted the last comprehensive report on California’s Research
5and Development in 2008.
6(2) According to this report, states have recently taken a more
7direct role in funding research and development (R&D) in response
P2 1to stagnant or declining federal funding and federal policy
2restrictions on funding for certain areas of research.
3(3) According to this report, California R&D represents a
4significantly higher percentage of the state gross domestic product,
5
3.93 percent, than the national average, 2.44 percent, and federal
6R&D spending per capita in California is over 50 percent higher
7than the national average.
8(4) According to the National Science Foundation 2005-2007
9State Science & Engineering Profiles, in 2006 California ranked
10first in the nation for federal R&D funding, receiving over $19
11billion.
12(5) Available data indicates that California directly funded
13approximately $347 million in R&D during FY 2006. From these
14funds, total state and local funded R&D spending at academic
15institutions in 2006 was nearly $267 million.
16(6) California’s longstanding commitment to science and
17research positions the state as a world leader in cutting-edge
18technology.
19(7) R&D continues to fuel
California’s engines of discovery
20and economic growth.
21(8) California is synonymous with innovation as it is home to
22world-leading R&D industry centers in San Diego, the San
23Francisco Bay area, and Los Angeles.
24(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to do all of the following:
25(1) Capitalize on California’s R&D spending to enhance the
26state’s ability to leverage private and federal funding and enable
27the state to focus investment efforts strategically, drive innovation,
28impact scientific direction, and strengthen the state’s economy.
29(2) Understand the present status and long term trends of R&D
30in California to maintain the state’s ability to attract researchers,
31businesses, and industries.
32(3) Make strategic investments in R&D to capture the potential
33to create new technologies, products, and services that can drive
34the growth of business, industry, and jobs.
35(4) Maximize the state’s R&D investments to maintain
36California’s global leadership in innovation and technology.
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