Bill > AB703

This bill establishes the California Pediatric Cancer Research Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund, allowing individual taxpayers to voluntarily contribute additional money beyond their tax liability specifically for pediatric cancer research. The bill highlights the critical need for pediatric cancer research, noting that childhood cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death in children in the United States, and that only 8 percent of federal cancer research funding is dedicated to childhood cancers. Taxpayers can designate contributions in full dollar amounts on their tax return, which will be transferred to the newly created fund in the State Treasury. The University of California Regents will receive these funds to distribute grants for pediatric cancer research and community-based education, with up to 5 percent allowed for administrative costs. The Franchise Tax Board will add a voluntary checkoff option to the tax return when space becomes available, and the fund will be continuously appropriated. Importantly, the fund will be operational only until January 1 of the seventh calendar year following its first appearance on tax returns, and it will be discontinued if contributions do not meet a minimum threshold of $250,000 annually. The bill aims to address significant disparities in pediatric cancer research, treatment, and support, with a particular focus on developing innovative therapies and improving survival rates for children with cancer.

Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB703