California Assembly Bill AB829

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/25
• Refer: 3/3/25
• Report Pass: 4/9/25
• Refer: 4/9/25
• Report Pass: 4/30/25
• Refer: 5/5/25
• Refer: 5/14/25
• Report Pass: 5/23/25
• Engrossed: 6/2/25
• Refer: 6/3/25
• Refer: 6/11/25
• Report Pass: 6/18/25
• Refer: 6/18/25
• Report Pass: 6/25/25
• Refer: 6/25/25
• Enrolled: 8/18/25
• Chaptered: 8/28/25
• Passed: 8/28/25

Caption

An act to add and repeal Article 1 (commencing with Section 18700) of Chapter 3 of Part 10.

Impact

The fund will be continuously appropriated to the State Department of Public Health to support the aforementioned research program. AB 829 upholds the existing infrastructure for funding related health concerns, such as the California Alzheimer's Disease Fund, while specifically addressing the need for enhanced research and data on Parkinson's disease, which affects significant portions of the population. The projected initiation of the fund aligns with the growing financial burden of Parkinson's disease care on the state's healthcare system.

Summary

Assembly Bill 829, known as the Richard Paul Hemann Parkinson's Disease Program, introduces a Parkinson's Disease Research Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund in California. This fund allows individual taxpayers to designate contributions in excess of their personal income tax liability specifically to support Parkinson's disease research. The bill aims to promote ongoing initiatives and data collection related to the incidence of Parkinson's disease, recognizing the growing public health challenge posed by this condition.

Sentiment

There appears to be a supportive sentiment surrounding AB 829, especially among public health advocates and researchers who see the need for increased resources for Parkinson's disease research. By creating a voluntary tax contribution option for taxpayers, the bill strives to empower individuals to directly support important health initiatives. However, concerns may exist regarding dependency on taxpayer contributions for significant research funding, which could be debated among budgetary and policy priorities.

Contention

While there is general support for funding related to Parkinson's disease, contention may arise regarding the effectiveness of voluntary contributions in comparison to state-funding mechanisms. Critics might argue that relying on individual contributions could limit the state's ability to allocate sufficient resources towards comprehensive healthcare strategies. Furthermore, the bill includes stipulations for repeal if contributions are not projected to reach a minimum threshold, which may raise questions about the longevity and reliability of the fund's viability.