Governor Signs Sen. Dodd’s Parks Research Partnership Bill

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom today signed legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, to enable collaboration and innovation between the state Department of Parks and Recreation, universities and researchers.

“This will encourage discovery while allowing California to realize substantial social, ecological and economic benefits,” Sen. Dodd said. “I commend the governor and my fellow lawmakers for passing this commonsense bill, which will allow researchers to better utilize scientific discoveries made in state parks,”

Current law limits the use and development of discoveries found in state parks. For example, when a UC Davis plant professor discovered bacteria in a park with the potential to fight a tomato-killing disease, he was unable to develop it. Senate Bill 442 allows the parks director to issue commercialization permits to qualified universities and institutions, letting breakthroughs to go to market.

SB 442 passed both legislative chambers with overwhelming support. It is sponsored by the University of California and is backed by the California Tomato Research Institute and independent groups.

“Innovation and collaboration are crucial to a research university like ours,” said Gary S. May, chancellor of UC Davis. “The governor’s signing of SB 442 enacts a process to overcome a hurdle that can impede scientific discovery. This legislation advances the potential of our research to benefit the greater public and I’m thankful to Gov. Newsom for making this possible. I’m also thankful to Sen. Dodd for his vision and leadership, to California lawmakers, and to the California Department of Parks and Recreation for their technical assistance.” 

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Senator Bill Dodd represents California’s 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento, and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more about Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.