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What’s Inside: Biocom California 2023 Economic Impact Report; A Successful California Sunshine in DC Reception; Farm Bill Priorities for 2023; California’s Budget Explained; San Diego’s Housing Action Package; Los Angeles Grows as Life Science Hub; Natural Gas Ban in Berkeley; and more.
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Biocom California 2023 Economic Impact Report
Biocom California is pleased to announce the launch of our 2023 Life Science Economic Impact Report—a refreshed analysis and vital barometer of the profound impact that the life science industry has in California. This report produced in partnership with Deloitte reveals how California continues to be the leading innovation hub for life science, providing more than 469,000 jobs in the state and generating $413.7 billion in total economic output. The report includes an overview of the economic impact in terms of jobs, labor income, and business output, along with key trends impacting the industry during the year.
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Biocom California DC Reception Returns
After a pause due to the pandemic, Biocom California brought back one of our signature events—our annual reception in our nation’s capital. This year’s California Sunshine in DC Reception celebrated the contributions of our life science industry with Members of Congress, industry members, congressional staffers, as well as partners and other stakeholders.
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Biocom California Submits Farm Bill Priorities to Congress
Biocom California sent a letter to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees and California Delegation urging them to include our priorities in the 2023 Farm Bill, including supporting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) BioPreferred Purchasing Program, loan guarantee programs, and funding for both USDA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Congress must reauthorize the Farm Bill by September 30, 2023. Click here to view the letter.
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Biocom California Holds IP Committee Meeting
On May 31st, Biocom California held an in-person IP & Patent Law Committee meeting featuring Marc Morley from Mintz. The meeting provided an overview of the landscape of current case law around Section 101 of the Patent Act, as well as a group discussion. For more information about the meeting or to join the IP Committee, please contact Rick White.
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Biocom California Comments on the CMS IPPS Proposed Rule
Biocom California submitted comments on behalf of our members opposing proposed changes to the new technology add-on payment (NTAP) program in the CMS FY 2024 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) proposed rule.
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California’s Budget Explained: From Surplus to Shortfall
This month, the state legislature is focused on the state budget. To understand how the state could, in one year, have a revenue swing of about $128.5 billion requires a look at how the state raises money for the general fund and a few other complicated aspects of how California juggles competing budget requirements. In short, the kinds of taxes the state relies on to fill its coffers has changed over time, and that has increased revenue volatility. See a full explanation here.
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San Diego
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City of San Diego’s Housing Action Package 2.0
The City of San Diego’s Housing Action Package 2.0 appeared before the City’s Planning Commission on June 1. The Package would incorporate the implementation of Senate Bill 10, which would allow up to ten units to be built on a single lot within a Sustainable Development Area. Commissioners were supportive of most elements of the package but have recommended specific tweaks to SB 10 implementation. They voted to return the package to the Commission on August 3rd for additional consideration.
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San Diego City Cancel Passes Homeless Encampment Ban
The San Diego City Council recently voted 5-4 in favor of banning homeless encampments on public property, when shelter is available. Camping will be barred at all times within two blocks of shelters and schools, and in parks plus in open spaces, along waterways and at transit hubs. The proposal has the support of Mayor Gloria, while opponents say criminalizing homelessness will push people into other regions away from services.
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County Chief Medical Officer Named Interim HHSA Director
San Diego County Chief Medical Officer Dr. Eric McDonald has been named interim Health and Human Services Agency director by CAO Helen Robbins-Meyer, replacing the outgoing Nick Macchione. Dr. McDonald has worked at the county since 2015 and played an instrumental role in the county’s COVID-19 response. He is expected to hold the position into 2024 as the county looks for a permanent replacement.
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Los Angeles
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Growing Opportunities for Life Science Companies in LA
LA continues to grow as an up-and-coming life science powerhouse, with a recent report by Cushman & Wakefield showing a 13.4% rise in life science employment over the last decade. Mixed-use developments are at the center of this rise in business. Hubs such as those in El Segundo, Pasadena and Thousand Oaks are all dense, desirable communities for people to live and work, plus each has a plethora of buildings ripe for adaptive reuse.
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Cal State LA Celebrates Grand Opening of Bioscience Center
The Rongxiang Xu Bioscience Innovation Center at Cal State LA is a 20,000 square foot facility on the CSLA campus that can support up to 25 startup firms with wet lab and dry lab space, coworking areas, and multi-use classrooms. The center is part of the Cal State LA BioSpace initiative and home to the Cal State LA BioSpace incubator, which provides critical laboratory space and helps emerging entrepreneurs turn their scientific discoveries into job-creating businesses.
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BizFed lends support to Biocom Backed Life Science Motion
On June 8, Biocom California and our consultants presented to BizFed’s policy committee, asking their support for a motion by Councilmember John Lee that aims to grow life sciences in Los Angeles. The proposal includes exploring tax and land use incentives specific to our industry. On June 12 the BizFed board voted unanimously to support the motion. We are happy to have BizFed’s backing as we continue to work with the Councilmember’s office to advance the motion.
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Bay Area
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Berkeley Challenges Appeals Court Ruling on Natural Gas Ban
Berkeley City Attorney filed a petition requesting a rehearing with 11 new judges after a three-judge panel ruled that cities do not have the authority to ban the installation of natural gas equipment in newly constructed buildings. The three-judge panel based their ruling on the 1975 Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The Berkeley City Attorney argues is not being applied correctly and it is the local government’s right to protect the climate and its residents.
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Bay Area Water and Sewage Service Rates Set to Rise
Although California’s reservoirs experienced a major boost due to the rain and snow captured this year, large water suppliers in the Bay Area are planning to increase water and sewer service rates starting this summer. The increase in rates is due to the cost of maintaining and upgrading infrastructure, and other essential costs.
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Biotech Firms Lease Three Bay Area Office Sites
Although parts of the Bay Area’s economy are contracting, biotech companies appear to be better off despite widening uncertainties about commercial real estate. Three life science firms have leased three offices, one in South San Francisco and two in Alameda. The significant clusters of life science companies suggest the sector continues to grow in the Bay Area.
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Upcoming Committee Meetings and Events
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Zoe Bilis
Associate Manager of Regulatory Policy
Washington, D.C.
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Emily Cassel
Govt. Affairs Events & Project Manager
San Diego
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Laure Clark
Sr. Director, Federal Policy & Govt. Affairs
Washington, D.C.
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Melanie Cohn
Sr. Director, Regional Policy & Govt. Affairs
SD, LA, Bay Area
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Jimmy Jackson
Senior Vice President
& Chief Policy Officer
San Diego
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Biocom California Advocacy
Biocom California is the largest, most experienced leader and advocate for California’s life science sector. Our public policy staff is strategically located in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento and Washington, D.C. We work with all levels of federal, state, and local governments to collectively pursue outcomes that benefit regional life science growth and contribute to a more innovation-friendly state. With over 28 years of experience, Biocom California works on behalf of more than 1,700 member companies statewide.
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