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What’s Inside: Mid-Year Policy Update; Biocom California Comments on CMS and EPA Proposed Changes; Assemblymember Robert Rivas Sworn-In as Speaker; San Diego’s Safe Sleeping Sites Open; Second Annual Greater Los Angeles Life Science Forum; San Carlos’ New Ban on BSL-3 and 4 Labs; and more.
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Biocom California Mid-Year Policy Updates
Our Public Policy team has summarized the year so far in policy at the Federal, State, and Regional levels. It has already proven to be an eventful year as the Farm Bill is up for reauthorization in Congress, we welcomed Biocom California’s new Director of State Government Affairs, and locally we continue to advocate for the issues most pressing to our members. The report covers challenges already addressed and key issues to continue watching as we end the year.
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CMS Releases Final Drug Price Negotiation Guidance
On June 30, CMS released revised guidance implementing the IRA’s Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. Biocom California is disappointed that CMS did not consider our industry’s comments to revise key policy fundamentals such as the definition of a qualifying single source drug and the application of the “bona fide marketing” standard.
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Biocom California Comments on Proposed EtO Regulation
Biocom California submitted comment letters on the EPA’s proposed changes to the regulation of Ethylene Oxide (EtO) under the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants and Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
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The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA)
PAHPA provides authorization every five years for critical agencies and programs that protect public health against threats from pandemics and biological or chemical hazards. Congress has started and will continue work throughout the August Recess to reauthorize the measure by September 30. Biocom California has communicated our position to the committees of jurisdiction. View a summary of House and Senate hearings and legislative proposals.
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Assemblymember Robert Rivas Is Sworn-In as Speaker
Assemblymember Robert Rivas, a Salinas Democrat, was sworn in as the next speaker of the California Assembly in late June. Rivas has a similar ideological profile to his longtime predecessor, so supporters do not expect a dramatic shift in the priorities of Assembly Democrats. He shows promise in his ability to pull votes together in a diverse coalition of members, and is also expected to have a more direct hand in guiding legislative priorities of the caucus.
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San Diego
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San Diego Opens First ‘Safe Sleeping Site’ for Homeless Residents
The City of San Diego opened the first of two “ safe sleeping” camp sites on June 28, just a few weeks after the San Diego City Council voted 5-4 to ban camping on public property when shelter beds are available. Along with a tent and sleeping accommodations, residents also get two meals a day, water, access to restrooms, washing stations and cell phone charging stations. Case managers are on hand to assist with appointments and other needs. The controversial ban begins enforcement on July 31; the city is bringing beds online before that deadline.
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City Water Rate Increases Will Be Higher than Anticipated
On June 21, San Diego city water officials told City Council that they must raise water rates more than previously announced—19.8 percent instead of 17.6 percent. The updated proposal is scheduled to be heard at Council on September 19; officials didn’t provide estimates of the impact on average monthly bills for business customers. They said rate increases are needed to pay for upgrades to customer service, maintenance of more than 3,300 miles of aging pipes, and capital projects like ongoing construction of the city’s Pure Water program to recycle wastewater.
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District 4 Candidates Discuss Key Issues for San Diego Voters
During a forum in City Heights, candidates for San Diego County Board of Supervisors District 4 discussed housing, climate change, and the homelessness crisis, among other key issues. The four candidates, Janessa Goldbeck, Paul McQuigg, Monica Montgomery Steppe, and Amy Reichert will be on a special-election ballot on August 15. The candidates offered different approaches to the problems, such as increasing resources and services, examining budgeting, and pursing affordable housing options.
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Los Angeles
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Imelda Padilla Installed as Temporary LA City Council Member
Community advocate Imelda Padilla has been installed as temporary voting member for the LA City Council until election results have been certified. With a majority of votes in, early results show she has won the race for the San Fernando Valley Councilmember seat by nearly 56 percent to 44 percent against opponent Marisa Alcaraz.
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LA County Board of Supervisors Approves New $43.4B Budget
The LA County Board of Supervisors adopted a $43.4 billion budget, which includes increases to many departments’ operating budgets. Allocation of the budget involves hiring additional staff and addressing homelessness, mental health, public safety, and correction department systems. The budget is an outline of how the county plans to provide critical services such as public health care and social services.
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Biocom California’s Annual Greater LA Life Science Forum
The second annual Greater LA Life Science Forum, in partnership with BizFed Institute, took place last week in West Hollywood. There was a palpable energy in the room with close to 200 people in attendance, all ready to network and engage with local decision makers and industry members. Our distinguished speakers included: Assembly Member Rick Zbur; Supervisor Lindsey Horvath; Thousand Oaks City Manager Andrew Powers; Pasadena Economic Development Director David Klug and Councilmember Tyron Hampton; Kelly Lo Bianco, director of the county’s Department of Economic Opportunity; Dustin McDonald with GO-Biz; and Caroline Torosis, senior deputy of workforce development & economic opportunity at Supervisor Holly Mitchell’s Office. With the forum’s focus on current and future growth of the industry in LA, one of the most exciting announcements of the day was Takeda sharing that their LA presence is expanding by 1,000 jobs.
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Bay Area
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San Carlos Bans BSL-3 and BSL-4 Labs
On June 26, the San Carlos City Council approved a motion to ban BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs in the City of San Carlos. The council brought forth four options to vote on and the option to ban BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs outright passed with a 3-2 vote. Biocom California spoke on behalf of our members at both the planning commission and city council meetings to encourage the council to adopt the planning commission’s recommendation of allowing BSL-3 with a conditional use permit. We plan to continue working with the city on potential alternatives to a ban, as we believe it will negatively impact the growth of the life science industry in San Carlos.
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Roundtable with SF Office of Economic and Workforce Development
In partnership with the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), Biocom California and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce hosted a roundtable discussion on growing the local life science sector, specifically in and around Mission Bay. Our members spoke directly with city officials to share successes, challenges, and opportunities for growing the cluster. The discussion included permitting and zoning restrictions, how to address space limitations, possible tax reform, and workforce development.
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SF Mayor Proposes Tax Breaks to Spur Downtown Growth
San Francisco Mayor London Breed proposed tax incentives to encourage companies to set up new offices in San Francisco, with certain ZIP codes targeted for help. In total, ten ZIP codes would be included in the incentive. Eight of those are in the easternmost portion of the city and two in the southernmost point, both being large hubs for corporate offices. The proposal has two components, one aimed at preventing businesses from leaving the area and the second is designed to attract new offices to downtown.
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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 {{{dynamic_content_1600}}} member companies statewide.
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