A bill that would require the University of California to build a medical school in Kern County has passed its first legislative hurdle and now goes before the Assembly Appropriations Committee this Friday. Bakersfield Assemblywoman Jasmeet Bains, who is a medical doctor as well, told 17 News back in January that the Grow Our Own bill was a long time coming.

AB 2357 would provide an endowment to build the facility, which Bains says would address the severe shortage of medical workers in the Valley.