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.
(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 386, Sec. 1. (SB 453) Effective January 1, 2022.)