Senator Jean Fuller requested $3 million dollars be allocated in the Senate's budget proposal on Thursday, May 10th. 

If Senator Fuller's request is approved by legislature then it would secure funding in the 2018-19 state budget and expand research and treatment facilities at the Valley Fever institute at Kern Medical Center. 

The Senate budget committee is expected to vote on the Senate Budget proposal, including the Valley Fever funding, as early as next week. 

"Valley Fever is a devastating disease that can be difficult to diagnose and is even more difficult to treat, which is why I believe this funding is so important to expand Valley Fever research and outreach," said Senator Fuller. 

Valley Fever is a fungus found in the soil of dry, low rainfall areas. The disease is caused by air or soil disturbance of tiny fungi, which live and breed within the soil.