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Help Protect NIH Funding; Biocom California Serves as Industry Representative; CalRecycle Releases New SB 54 Draft Regulations; San Diego Approves ADU Restrictions; and more.
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Urge Congress to Increase NIH Funding Today
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has been the engine of biomedical innovation in the U.S—its research leads to new cures and treatments and fuels economic growth. Biocom California urges you to support increasing NIH funding to $51.3 billion in FY2026 as an essential investment to keep pace with inflation, fund urgent medical research and drive U.S. leadership in health innovation. Show support for NIH by sending a letter via our Action Center, urging your Member of Congress to ensure that NIH has resources to continue its critical mission.
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Advocating for Our Members
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Federal ► Biocom California Serves as Industry Representative at House Energy & Commerce Committee Meeting
- Biocom California was invited by the House Energy & Commerce Committee to serve as an industry representative—alongside AdvaMed, BIO, IPMPC and several of our member companies—and meet with the Committee’s Data Privacy Working Group to discuss the industry’s specific needs and priorities. The working group was established earlier this year with the goal of releasing federal data privacy legislation by year’s end.
- During the meeting, we explained the priorities outlined in our April comments, including exempting regulated biomedical research data, harmonizing new and existing data regulation frameworks and establishing federal preemption of state laws. We also recommended constructive language to support these goals. We’ll continue to engage with the working group as the legislative process moves forward.
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State ► CalRecycle Releases New SB 54 Draft Regulations with Medical Packaging Exemptions
- CalRecycle released new draft regulations on May 16 for SB 54 implementation that include categorical exemptions for medical packaging, covering all three packaging levels (primary, secondary and tertiary) for FDA-defined devices, prescription drugs and certain medical products that maintain sterility requirements.
- This represents a significant victory for our advocacy efforts as it addresses our primary concern from CalRecycle’s previous attempt to narrow exemptions to only primary packaging, ensuring comprehensive protection for medical packaging across the entire supply chain for our members.
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San Diego ► San Diego City Council Approves ADU Restrictions
- In a 5–4 vote, City Council approved changes to the ADU Home Density Bonus Program last night, aiming to curb outlier developments by capping the number of units based on lot size, requiring access to evacuation routes and adding community enhancement fees.
- Biocom California weighed in at the hearing, voicing concern about limiting housing production and emphasizing the need to build housing attainable to San Diego’s growing life science workforce.
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Bay Area ► Register for Our Physical & Cyber Security Workshop and Luncheon
- Join us June 25 for a workshop luncheon on physical and cyber security in life science facilities. Hear from the FBI, centrexIT and company in-house security representatives on emergency protocols, intellectual property and information technology threats, and public-private coordination. This is a free event, but space is limited. Register today to secure your spot.
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- On May 29, Biocom California hosted two key events in Los Angeles focused on industry policy and operational resilience. The day began with a Regional Policy Committee meeting, where Chief Policy Officer Jimmy Jackson led a discussion on federal issues including grant funding, tariffs, Most Favored Nation policies and workforce impacts.
- In the afternoon, we hosted our first security workshop featuring experts from the FBI and centrexIT, offering guidance on emergency preparedness, cybersecurity, IP protection and collaboration with government agencies.
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Federal:
- This past month, HHS Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FDA Commissioner, Dr. Marty Makary, and NIH Director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya testified before the Labor-HHS and Ag-FDA Appropriations subcommittees on the President’s FY 2026 budget requests.
- The House Appropriations Committee updated its markup schedule with hearings set to take place throughout June and July. Biocom California will continue to closely monitor and engage in the budget process.
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State:
- The California Legislature passed a $325 billion budget that uses borrowing instead of Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed healthcare cuts to address the $12 billion deficit, with the state’s budget shortfall projected to reach $30 billion within three years.
- Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) received unanimous support to become California’s first woman of color to serve as Senate President pro Tempore in 2026.
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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 federal, state and local governments to collectively pursue outcomes that benefit regional life science growth and contribute to a more innovation-friendly state.
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