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AB 58

University of California, Merced: medical school.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Esmeralda Soria

AB 58 would require UC to report by Aug 31, 2026 on the plan, costs, facilities, and timeline to create an independent UC Merced medical school tied to the San Joaquin Valley PRIME

In committee: Held under submission.
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Bill Summary · AB 58

AB 58 — University of California, Merced: medical school

Author: Soria
Status: In committee — Held under submission (last action: 2025-05-23)
Introduced: December 2, 2024

Purpose / Intent

AB 58 requests that the University of California (UC) prepare a detailed, Legislature-bound report on what it would take to expand the existing UCSF–UC Merced medical education collaboration (the San Joaquin Valley PRIME+ program) and to transition that collaboration into a fully independent medical school operated by UC Merced. The bill frames this work as a response to persistent shortages of health professionals in the San Joaquin Valley and as part of UC Merced’s long‑term intent to develop a medical school for the region.

Key provisions

  • Adds Article 6.4 (Section 92161) to the Education Code requesting that UC submit a report to the Legislature on or before August 31, 2026.
  • The requested report must include:
    1. Projected costs for:
      • Hiring new permanent full‑time faculty and staff
      • Capital investments in facilities and infrastructure
      • Procurement of medical equipment and supplies for research and instruction
      • Potential development of a program to help residents apply for physician retention programs
      • Transitional costs to establish the UC Merced medical school
      • Development of nursing and physician assistant programs
    2. A list of potential health facilities for student residencies and any needed accommodations
    3. If existing facilities are insufficient, an assessment of potential new medical facilities that could meet residency needs
    4. A timeline and milestones for completing an independent UC Merced School of Medicine
  • Requires the report to comply with Government Code Section 9795 (standard report formatting/submission rules).
  • States the Legislature’s intent to consider subsequent postsecondary education legislation.

Who is affected

  • University of California (system-level planning and UC Merced) and UCSF (current collaborator)
  • UC Merced students and prospective medical students in the San Joaquin Valley
  • Regional hospitals, clinics, and health systems that would host clinical rotations and residencies
  • State policymakers (will use the report to consider funding and statutory changes)
  • Local workforce and communities in the San Joaquin Valley, which have documented low provider-to-population ratios

Timeline & procedural status

  • Report due to Legislature: August 31, 2026.
  • Legislative status: Passed out of Assembly Higher Education (do pass) and re‑referred to Appropriations; as of 2025-05-23, bill is held under submission in committee.
  • The bill does not appropriate funds; it is a legislative request for a planning/reporting document and does not itself create or fund a medical school. Future legislation and funding would be required to establish an independent UC Merced School of Medicine.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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