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Roundtable with Rep. Kevin Mullin; New Pharmaceutical Tariffs; All 12 Biocom Supported State Bills Signed; LA Considers New CUPA Fees for Regulated Facilities; Comments on CMS’s RAPID Coverage Pathway; Committees and Events; and more.
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Biocom Hosts Roundtable with Bay Area Congressman Kevin Mullin
Congressman Kevin Mullin (D-CA15) joined Biocom and our members for an in-district roundtable hosted at Bristol Myers Squibb. The 15th congressional district is currently the largest life science district in California and home to more than 700 companies. The roundtable reached capacity with over 20 Biocom members spanning all sizes, therapeutic areas and development stages. The congressman described life sciences as the lifeblood of his district, emphasizing the jobs, economic opportunity and scientific breakthroughs our industry generates. He acknowledged members’ concerns that policies coming from Washington are affecting their ability to advance research, attract investment and deliver new treatments. He pledged to continue working with Biocom and leverage his seat on the Energy & Commerce Committee to advance legislation that creates stability within agencies, predictable regulatory and reimbursement pathways and renewed access to federal funding, private capital and top scientific talent.
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Advocating for Our Members
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Federal ► New Pharmaceutical Tariffs Take Effect
- On September 29, Section 232 tariffs of up to 100% took effect on certain pharmaceuticals and ingredients entering the U.S., in accordance with President Trump’s April proclamation. Some products and companies qualify for lower rates of 20%, 15% or 0% based on the type of medicine, its country of origin, or plans to manufacture in the U.S.
- These tariffs could raise costs for Biocom members, especially smaller companies, and affect patients’ access to treatments. Companies should review the Commerce Department’s new guidance clarifying which pharmaceutical products and countries may qualify for exemptions and how to apply.
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State ► Biocom Delivers Strong Session: All 12 Supported Bills Signed by Governor
- The 2025-26 California legislative session has officially closed, with Governor Newsom taking final action on 1,160 measures this year, signing 1,040 and vetoing 120. Biocom’s State Legislative Affairs Committee took 37 positions of support or opposition to help guide our advocacy efforts in the State Capitol.
- All 12 bills supported by Biocom were signed by the governor, including mandate bills that are often vetoed. Highlights include AB 1887 (Zbur), which requires health plans to complete prior authorization within 30 days for rare disease drugs; AB 1682 (Hart), which requires health insurance coverage of scalp cooling to help prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia; and SB 690 (Caballero), which protects California businesses from abusive California Invasion of Privacy Act lawsuits that have cost life science companies thousands of dollars. Read more.
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San Diego ► La Jolla Cityhood Proposal Provides Greater Boundary Clarity
- La Jolla’s cityhood effort is advancing through LAFCO’s fiscal review, which will assess whether a new city would be financially viable and able to provide municipal services. The effort has progressed from initial feasibility work, through the petition and application process, toward a potential future vote in 2028.
- The proposed boundaries provide greater clarity for the life science industry after earlier discussions raised questions about whether key research areas could fall within a new city. Under the current proposal, UC San Diego, UTC and the Torrey Pines Mesa remain within the City of San Diego, reducing uncertainty around permitting, infrastructure and municipal services.
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Bay Area ► Regional Transit Measure Highlights Stakes for Bay Area Transportation
- Our Bay Area Policy Committee welcomed Connect Bay Area on October 6 for a presentation on the Regional Transit Measure (RTM), a proposed 14-year sales tax to support transit operations. The measure would increase sales taxes by 0.5% in four counties and 1% in San Francisco, costing residents an estimated $7 monthly. Voters across all five counties will decide the measure as a single electorate, with a simple majority required for passage.
- A recent SPUR study found that failure to secure new transit funding could double Bay Bridge commute delays and significantly worsen regional congestion. Without the measure, major transit agencies face substantial service reductions that could affect workforce mobility and economic activity throughout the Bay Area.
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- The City of Los Angeles is considering two new fees for facilities regulated under its Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) programs. The proposals would establish an additional fee for facilities requiring more than one re-inspection and a separate fee to recover costs associated with Los Angeles County Fire Department oversight. The Public Safety Committee approved the proposals in September, and they are now moving through the Budget and Finance Committee.
- Life science facilities that are subject to CUPA requirements could face additional costs under the proposals. Biocom is monitoring the measures as they move through the City Council process and evaluating potential impacts on member facilities.
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Federal:
- Biocom responded to the FDA’s PDUFA VIII commitment letter and submitted comments on CMS’s RAPID Coverage Pathway for breakthrough technologies.
- CMS finalized the Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing (GLOBE) Model, a new most-favored-nation pricing scheme for certain Medicare Part B products that Biocom strongly opposes.
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State:
- Biocom’s president and CEO, Tim Scott, joined Assemblymember Darshana Patel, Ph.D., a former Genentech research scientist, at a biotech roundtable in San Diego to discuss protecting California’s innovation pipeline amid shifts in federal research funding and the rising costs of conducting business. The conversation focused on three priorities: a competitive state R&D Tax Credit, preserving mergers and acquisitions that bring treatments to patients and cultivating a homegrown life science workforce in partnership with Cal State San Marcos and UC San Diego.
- Earlier this week, Biocom joined the California Biotechnology Foundation at the State Capitol for a legislative staff briefing hosted by Assemblymember Chris Ward, Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and Medical Technologies. Biocom’s senior director of state government affairs, Claire Conlon, presented on California’s life science advantage, covering the industry’s economic footprint, workforce impact and the critical role policies, like the state R&D Tax Credit, play in keeping innovation anchored in California.
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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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