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Biocom’s Annual Sacramento Reception; Updates on the Proposed OMB Grantmaking Rule; Assembly Select Committee’s Meeting on AI in Life Sciences; Labs of the Future Workshop and Happy Hour; Upcoming Committees and Events; and more.
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Biocom Convenes Life Science Leaders and State Legislators
On August 4, Biocom hosted its annual Sacramento reception; with a total of 65 attendees, the reception brought together Biocom member companies and a quarter of the California State Legislature for an evening of dialogue and relationship-building. The reception offered an informal setting for legislators, staff and industry leaders to connect. Biocom thanks our sponsors BioMarin, Gilead, Neurocrine, Novartis and Novo Nordisk, whose support made the reception possible and sustains year-round communication between California’s life science industry and legislators.
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Advocating for Our Members
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Federal ► Senate Funding Bill Would Pause OMB Grantmaking Rule
- The Senate advanced a bipartisan continuing resolution (CR) that would maintain federal funding at current levels through December 11 and temporarily prohibit implementation of OMB’s proposed “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance” through the same date. However, the House-passed funding bill does not include a corresponding restriction, meaning the two chambers must resolve their differences before the government funding deadline at the end of September.
- Biocom previously submitted comments urging OMB to rescind the proposed rule. Although the Senate provision would not permanently withdraw the rule, its bipartisan inclusion represents meaningful opposition to the harmful proposal. Send a letter to your Member of Congress urging them to oppose the proposed rule by using our action alert.
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State ► Assembly Select Committee Convenes Joint Hearing on AI in the Life Sciences
- On August 4, the Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and Medical Technology, chaired by Assemblymember Chris Ward, held a joint informational hearing with the Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection, chaired by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, on the role of artificial intelligence in the life sciences and its intersection with AB 1018.
- Featured panelists — Biocom members Dr. James Diggans (Twist Bioscience), Dr. Vibhor Gupta (Pangaea Data), Ginny Hu (Dexcom), Dr. Karen Knudsen (Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy) and Dr. Danjuma Quarless (Lilly Ventures) — shared how life science companies are using AI to advance drug discovery, diagnostics and patient care, and to inform members on emerging AI policy in California. Watch the recorded hearing here.
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San Diego ► Labs of the Future Explores the Next Generation of Life Science Campuses
- Hosted by Biocom’s San Diego Facilities Committee, our August 5 Labs of the Future Workshop and Happy Hour brought together more than 80 attendees to explore how life science campuses are evolving to support the next generation of research. Experts from Alexandria Real Estate Equities, DPR Construction, Gensler and Novartis discussed designing flexible, AI-ready facilities, advancing sustainability and resilience, supporting automation and creating collaborative environments that attract talent and accelerate innovation.
- By convening industry leaders around emerging issues, Biocom helps companies prepare for the evolving needs of research, development and manufacturing. Join one of Biocom’s policy committees to connect with peers, help shape industry priorities and gain access to exclusive educational programs and networking opportunities like this one.
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Bay Area ► Berkeley Ballot Measures 2026
- In addition to voting on a regional sales tax to help fund Bay Area transit agencies, Berkeley voters will weigh seven local ballot measures this November, including a proposal to raise the city’s sales tax to help close a roughly $30 million budget deficit and avoid deeper cuts to city services, as well as measures to approve a $300 million infrastructure bond and create new parcel taxes for a public bank and performing arts grants. Together, the measures address the city’s fiscal challenges, infrastructure needs, public health, affordable housing, arts funding, tenant rights and election administration.
- Biocom is monitoring ballot proposals throughout the Bay Area and will provide members with a one-page summary of proposed tax legislation ahead of the November election.
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- Biocom’s Los Angeles Executive Director, Dan Gober, and Senior Director of Regional Policy, Melanie Cohn, presented to the Valley Industry Commerce Association (VICA) Government Affairs Committee in July, highlighting Biocom’s advocacy efforts across Greater Los Angeles and key findings from our 2026 Economic Impact Report. The presentation showcased recent policy successes, strategic regional partnerships and the industry’s economic contributions, while emphasizing the need for permitting modernization, infrastructure investment and business-friendly policies.
- By collaborating with organizations like VICA, Biocom advances shared priorities that strengthen the regional economy and support innovation. These partnerships help build momentum for policies that benefit the life science industry and the broader business community.
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Federal:
- The Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz, a deputy surgeon general in the first Trump administration, as the new CDC Director.
- Biocom submitted comments responding to CMS’s proposed rule to codify the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program.
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State:
- AB 1776 (Aguiar Curry), an antitrust bill, would expand California’s Cartwright Act to cover single-firm anticompetitive conduct for the first time since the statute’s enactment in 1907.
- Biocom has opposed the bill and successfully advocated to remove the private right of action from the bill — a huge win. AB 1776 includes a carve-out for businesses with 100 or fewer employees and under $10 million in average annual gross receipts.
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Biocom Policy & Advocacy
Biocom is the leading advocate for California’s life science sector. Our Policy & Advocacy staff across the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento and Washington, D.C. work with lawmakers and regulators to shape policy and strengthen government relations through coordinated regional, state and federal engagement, supporting industry growth and keeping California globally competitive.
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