It is the intent of the Legislature that each annual proposed budget prepared pursuant to Section 165 include state funds from the State Highway Account for the California Transportation Research and Innovation Program, in accordance with Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 14450) of Part 5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. These funds shall be identified as a distinct line-item in each proposed budget and shall be in addition to existing research and development conducted by the department.
Ca. Sts. and High. Code § 203