SECTION 1.
The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a) California’s aerospace industry is a world leader and a powerful, reliable source of employment, innovation, and export income, directly employing several hundred thousand California workers.
(b) The enactment of a state aerospace tax credit in 2014 has positioned California to receive thousands of new jobs researching, designing, building, and testing the Long Range Strike Bomber following the awarding of the contract by the United States Air Force in 2015.
(c) In order to maximize the state’s potential for creating new research, design, and manufacturing jobs as a result of this contract, NASA’s recently announced New Aviation Horizons initiative for aeronautics research and development, and the numerous aerospace-related companies already operating in the state, the creation of the California Institute for Aerospace by the University of California would greatly amplify the state’s role in the industry and improve public-private partnerships for innovative research.
(d) The model provided by the Collaborative Center for Aerospace Sciences, a joint research venture of the United States Air Force Research Laboratory and the University of California, Los Angeles, is an example of the partnerships the California Institute for Aerospace could form and expand.
(e) Throughout the history of the University of California, many industries have grown in partnership utilizing innovative research conducted by the university.