What’s Inside: Urgent Request for Donations to Ukraine; Advocacy for Rare Disease Week; Mask Mandate Changes; and More
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Biocom California received an urgent request from the U.S. State Department for medical donations to Ukraine. Members are encouraged to work with the U.S. Department of Commerce to arrange donations for medications, supplies, and equipment for the Polish and Romanian borders of Ukraine. Please visit our website for a full list of necessities and contact information.
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Congressional Committees Take on Industry Issues
Both the House and Senate are holding hearings this week that have important implications for our industry. Biocom California is monitoring these developments and will continue to keep members up to date with the latest.
- March 15 – the Senate HELP Committee considered the Pandemic Preparedness Bill, S.3799
- March 16 – the Senate Finance Committee is holding a drug pricing hearing
- March 17 – the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will hold a legislative hearing on 22 health bills that could be included in the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) reauthorizations bill
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Comments in Response to CMS NCD on Amyloids
On February 11, Biocom California joined 46 other state associations on a letter raising concerns about the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Amyloid-focused therapies for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease, which would restrict patients’ access to these treatments and undermine future innovation. More information can be found in this report by Vital
Transformation.
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Seeking Feedback on Digital Health Technologies Comment Letter
On March 4, Biocom California submitted comments in response to the Republican-led Healthy Future Task Force in the House of Representatives Request for Information (RFI) on digital health technologies (DHTs). Simultaneously, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has also published its
own RFI on DHTs. Biocom California plans to submit comments to this outstanding RFI at the end of March. Please contact Rick White if you are interested in providing comments by Wednesday, March 23.
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Biocom California Advocates on Rare Disease Week
Rare Disease Week began on February 28 and ran through the week. Biocom California showed support for patients across the country and helped spread awareness of the work being done in our industry to find treatments by developing an infographic on rare diseases, which was transmitted to congressional staff and shared on social media.
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Biocom California Holds Briefing on PDUFA for Congressional Staff
On February 24, Biocom California held a PDUFA Program 101 briefing for congressional staff. The briefing covered why the program was created, how it works to provide resources to the FDA, how it has enabled the development of revolutionary treatments, as well as the reauthorization cycles and upcoming PDUFA agreement. Click here to view a recording of the event.
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New State Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) Bill Could be Challenge for Healthcare Companies
A new bill, SB 1189, by East Bay Senator Bob Wieckowski creates a new additional set of privacy standards for “biometric information” — capturing all physiological, biological or behavioral characteristics of a person — and how companies use this information. The bill creates new policies on disclosure, and information retention and destruction, subjecting companies to private lawsuits. The bill is similar to the Illinois BIPA law, which was followed by several class action lawsuits after it passed. Biocom California is opposed to SB 1189. For more information, contact Fielding Greaves, Senior Director of State Government Affairs.
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California Competes Tax Credit Applications Open
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to relocate in California or stay and grow in the state. Businesses of any industry, size, or location can compete for over $180M available in tax credits. GO-Biz will accept applications for the California Competes Tax Credit during March 7 – March 28. Prior to each application period, GO-Biz hosts webinars about the CCTC program. All businesses are encouraged to participate and view the Go-Biz webinars to receive instructions on how to apply.
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San Diego
San Diego Discontinues Mask Mandates
The County of San Diego has issued new guidance that masks are no longer required in most indoor settings after the California Department of Public Health discontinued mask mandate on March 1. As of March 12, K-12 schools and child care settings will no longer require masks indoors. Local businesses have the discretion to follow the new guidance or continue requiring masks indoors regardless of vaccination status. Masks will still be required in specific high-risk settings such as healthcare facilities, public transit, and emergency shelters.
City Permitting Processes Get a Boost
The City’s Development Services Department (DSD) has experienced increased permitting volume and pandemic related staff turnover which has extended the time it takes to accept, review, and issue permits. With mounting frustration from applicants, the department is looking for solutions to mitigate the permitting backlog. Last month, DSD received approval from the Council Committee for an as-needed third-party check to provide augmented workforce support for permitting processes while vacant positions continue to be filled and trained.
San Diego Regional Decarbonization Framework
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors will consider the Draft Integrated Regional Decarbonization Framework (RDF) at the March 16 meeting including the Climate Workforce Study. Public review on the RDF is open until May 31.
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Bay Area
Surveys on Proposals for South San Francisco
The City of South San Francisco continues to seek feedback from businesses as the council considers nonresidential reach codes, which go beyond baseline statewide building code requirements. South City proposes enacting all-electric building requirements and increased Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) requirements for new nonresidential construction projects. Representatives from the building development, biotech, or business community in South San Francisco are encouraged to complete this survey, which will close in approximately 6-8 weeks. Additionally, the South San Francisco Draft 2040 General Plan, providing a vision for the area for the next two decades, is now available to view and provide feedback until May 1.
Oakland Considers Business Tax Changes
Oakland officials are considering a November ballot measure that could bring in an extra $32.7 million to the city. The proposal would increase taxes for larger companies by restructuring the city’s gross-receipts tax system and replacing large companies’ payroll tax with a new administrative headquarters gross receipts tax. Meanwhile, small businesses will see a tax reduction, many of which have struggled during the pandemic. The additional funds would go into the city’s general fund, which pays for fire, police, human services, and parks. The Oakland Rules Committee will hear the proposal on March 31.
City of Emeryville Considers Proposal on Energy Reach Codes
On March 14, Emeryville Sustainability Committee approved the city staff recommendation to re-draft the proposed reach code for non-residential new construction for the 2022 code cycle. The proposal would be for all-electric construction for all new buildings, except labs (including B occupancies designed for lab use), hazardous, and industrial occupancies. If new construction in those categories does use gas, it would need to include electrification-readiness in the form of conduit or wiring, without the requirement of other energy efficiencies.
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Los Angeles
Los Angeles Unified School District Keeps Masks
Many K-12 schools across the state are removing indoor mask requirements this week after the state lifted its mandate over the weekend. However, Los Angeles Unified School District has stated they will continue to enforce the mask mandate, at least temporarily, working with labor partners and other stakeholders to transition from required indoor masking to a strong recommendation for indoor masking.
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CMS Coverage Analysis on Alzheimer’s Disease Research
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Friday, March 18
Virtual
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Virtual briefing for congressional staffers to hear directly from Vital Transformation about the state of Alzheimer’s research, the coverage proposal, and its impact on patients.
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Cures 2.0 Briefing for Congressional Staffers
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Wednesday, March 23
Virtual
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Join us for a co-hosted webinar where Reps. Diana DeGette and Fred Upton will discuss Cures 2.0, aimed at bringing more patient empowerment and engagement in drug development.
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Bay Area Policy Working
Group Meeting
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Friday, March 25
Virtual
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Join our upcoming meeting with YIMBY to discuss housing in the Bay Area and learn about proposals being considered that could impact operations.
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Intro to Life Science + Policy Priorities for Legislative Staff
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Wednesday, April 13
Virtual
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Staffers of elected officials, regulatory and economic development agencies, and legislative committees are invited to an introduction to life science and overview of policy priorities.
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Emily Cassel
Associate Manager, Govt. Affairs & Events
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
San Diego
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Jimmy Jackson
Senior Vice President & Chief Policy Officer
San Diego
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Richard White
Associate Manager of Federal Advocacy
Washington, D.C.
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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 25 years of experience, Biocom California works on behalf of more than 1,500 member companies statewide.
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