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AB-1547 • 2026

University of California: branch campus of a school of medicine in the County of Kern: feasibility study.

University of California: branch campus of a school of medicine in the County of Kern: feasibility study.

Budget Education Healthcare
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Bains
Last action
2026-04-22
Official status
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material did not provide details about an endowment fund's role in the feasibility study or its funding specifics, so this term was removed from terms to know and related claims were adjusted accordingly.

Study for a New Medical School Branch Campus

The bill requires the University of California to study and report on establishing a branch campus of an existing medical school in Kern County.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the University of California to complete a feasibility study by January 1, 2028.
  • Includes local stakeholders' input during the study process.
  • Analyzes requirements, challenges, and opportunities for establishing a branch campus.
  • Submits detailed findings, recommendations, and an implementation timeline to the Governor and Legislature.

Who It Names or Affects

  • University of California
  • Local stakeholders in Kern County

Terms To Know

Feasibility study
A detailed analysis that determines whether a project is practical or possible to complete.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how much funding will be provided.
  • It is unclear which existing medical school branch campus would expand into Kern County.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-22 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  2. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.

  3. 2026-01-07 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee February 6.

  4. 2026-01-06 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1547, as introduced, Bains.
University of California: branch campus of a school of medicine in the County of Kern: feasibility study.
Existing law establishes the University of California Kern County Medical Education Endowment Fund. Upon appropriation by the Legislature, existing law requires moneys in the endowment fund to be allocated to the University of California to support the annual operating costs for the development, operation, and maintenance of a branch campus of an existing University of California School of Medicine in the County of Kern, and to conduct a feasibility study related to that campus.
This bill would require the University of California, on or before January 1, 2028, to complete a feasibility study, and reasonably attempt to consult with local stakeholders, to determine the steps necessary to establish a branch campus of an existing University of California medical school in the County of Kern, and to submit the feasibility study, including detailed
findings, recommendations, and an implementation timeline, to the Governor and Legislature, as provided. The bill would require the feasibility study to include a comprehensive analysis of the requirements, challenges, and opportunities related to establishing a branch campus of an existing University of California medical school in the County of Kern, as provided.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF