Bill Text: CA SB453 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Chaptered

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Bill Title: California State University Agricultural Research Institute grant program: Agricultural Biosecurity Fund.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-2)

Status: (Passed) 2021-09-28 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 386, Statutes of 2021. [SB453 Detail]

Download: California-2021-SB453-Chaptered.html

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Senate Bill No. 453

CHAPTER 386

An act to add Chapter 4.9 (commencing with Section 89455) to Part 55 of Division 8 of Title 3 of the Education Code, relating to agriculture, and making an appropriation therefor.

[ Approved by Governor  September 28, 2021. Filed with Secretary of State  September 28, 2021. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 453, Hurtado. California State University Agricultural Research Institute grant program: Agricultural Biosecurity Fund.

Existing law establishes the California State University, administered by the Trustees of the California State University, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. The California State University comprises 23 campuses and 8 off-campus branches.

This bill would create the Agricultural Biosecurity Fund, the moneys in which would be continuously appropriated to the California State University Agricultural Research Institute for purposes of supporting research on biosecurity related to agriculture, and establishing best practices to mitigate the introduction and effects of infectious agents upon the animal and plant agricultural system of California. The bill would require the California State University Agricultural Research Institute to administer a grant program, with research grants to be awarded, as specified, to campuses of the California State University associated with the California State University Agricultural Research Institute. The bill would authorize federal, state, local, and private sources to be received by the Agricultural Biosecurity Fund.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: YES   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Chapter 4.9 (commencing with Section 89455) is added to Part 55 of Division 8 of Title 3 of the Education Code, to read:

CHAPTER  4.9. California State University Agricultural Research Institute Grant Program

89455.

 (a) (1) The Agricultural Biosecurity Fund is hereby created within the State Treasury. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the California State University Agricultural Research Institute for allocation without regard to fiscal year for purposes of supporting research on biosecurity related to agriculture, and establishing best practices to mitigate the introduction and effects of infectious agents upon the animal and plant agricultural system of California.

(2) The Agricultural Biosecurity Fund may receive funds from federal, state, local, and private sources.

(b) The California State University Agricultural Research Institute shall administer a grant program with moneys received in the Agricultural Biosecurity Fund for research on biosecurity related to agriculture, and establishing best practices to mitigate the introduction and effects of infectious agents upon the animal and plant agricultural system of California.

(1) All research grants shall be awarded to campuses of the California State University associated with the California State University Agricultural Research Institute, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(A) California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

(B) California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

(C) California State University, Chico.

(D) California State University, Fresno.

(E) California State University, Humboldt.

(F) California State University, Monterey Bay.

(2) All research grants shall be awarded on the basis of scientific merit as determined by an open, competitive peer review process that ensures objectivity, consistency, and high quality. All qualified investigators affiliated with one of the campuses of the California State University listed in paragraph (1) shall have equal access and opportunity to compete for the grant funds.