What’s Inside: Recap of Our 2023 Energy & Ag Advocacy Fly-In to D.C.; Comments on AI in Drug Manufacturing; Biocom California’s New Sr. Director of State Affairs; 2024 Proposed Budgets Across California; SD County Elections to Replace Supervisor Nathan Fletcher; Upcoming Greater LA Life Science Forum; Proposed Changes to SF’s Zoning Codes; and more.
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Biocom California Brings Energy & Ag Executives to D.C.
One of our signature federal events, our advocacy fly-in, returned this year with a focus on energy and agriculture biotech sectors. Last week, California executives flew to our nation’s capital to meet with senior officials in some of our most prestigious government institutions, advocate for issues impacting our industry, and influence policies such as the President’s Biotech and Biomanufacturing Initiative and the reauthorization of the Farm Bill. Read the full story.
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2023 Energy & Agriculture Biotech Advocacy Fly-In participants and Biocom California staff pose for a picture in the front of the West Wing of the White House.
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Biocom California Comments on AI in Drug Manufacturing
The FDA recently released two discussion papers about artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in drug development and manufacturing. Biocom California submitted comments earlier this month responding to the FDA’s questions on AI in drug manufacturing. Thank you to our members for their
valuable feedback!
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Recent Activity on Capitol Hill on Industry Issues
The Senate HELP Committee advanced four bills largely related to Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) reform and generic competition. They also held a hearing on reauthorizing the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). The House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on policies that inhibit medical innovation, including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the lack of Transitional Coverage of Emerging Technologies (TCET).
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USPTO Director Vidal Testifies Before House Committee
US Patent and Trademark Office Director Kathi Vidal recently testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property. The hearing covered a range of topics, including Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) practices, patentability of AI/ML, and competition with China. Biocom California summarized the hearing.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom Releases Revision to Proposed State Budget
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday released a $306.5 billion budget with a growing shortfall he will need to address while also maintaining social safety net programs and other policy priorities. Although Newsom’s May revision did not propose changes that would affect general business tax, it’s important to note that the Senate Democrats’ plan would allow the state to pause the net operating loss deduction, which allows businesses to carry forward their losses to future tax years whenever there is a “budget emergency” and without a vote of the Legislature. Budget discussions will continue until the constitutional requirement for the Legislature to pass the Budget Bill to the
Governor by June 15.
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Biocom California Welcomes New Sr. Director of State Affairs
We are pleased to announce Claire Conlon as Biocom California’s new Senior Director of State Government Affairs. Claire is a state capitol veteran, with her most recent experience serving as Chief of Staff to Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris. She brings industry knowledge, relevant legislative experience, and a unique vision for the future of Biocom California’s presence in Sacramento, leveraging available resources to foster better understanding of the industry as a whole. Prior to working with Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris, Claire served State Senator Dr. Richard Pan as District Director and former State Senate Pro Tem Kevin de León as both a legislative assistant and press secretary. She has also been active in the Sacramento community, both via political activism as well as community service. We are excited to bring her on to continue to increase the level of service we
bring to our member companies.
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San Diego
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San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria Presents 2024 Budget
Mayor Todd Gloria proposed his Fiscal Year 2024 $5.12 billion “Getting It Done” budget at the end of April, which included top priorities such as solving homelessness, fixing streets, improving city facilities, and keeping the community safe. This is an increase over the 2022 “Ready to Rebuild” budget, which intended to maintain city services post-pandemic. The City Council’s Budget Review Committee is scheduled to provide a revised budget by May 18.
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Board of Supervisors Votes to Hold Special Election
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to hold a special election to fill the seat of Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, whose resignation became official May 15. The first round of voting will take place by Aug. 15, and if no candidate receives a majority of the vote, it would go to a general election by Nov. 7. See the candidates who announced they are running here.
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Carlsbad Postpones Proposal for Electric-Only Construction
The Carlsbad City Council postponed a proposal to prohibit natural gas plumbing in new buildings, citing concerns about a legal case that overturned a Berkeley ordinance banning new hookups. The council proposed to instead focus on creating reach codes, which would increase requirements to reduce greenhouse gas production primarily by encouraging the use of electrical appliances. Which direction they go will be decided at their July 11 meeting.
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Los Angeles
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City Council District 6 Candidates to Face Runoff Election
There will be a runoff election between community advocate Imelda Padilla and top staffer to Councilmember Curren Price, Marisa Alcaraz, to fill the vacated Los Angeles City Council Seat. The LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk announced Padilla received 25.65% of the votes and Alcaraz 21.13% of the votes. The runoff election will take place June 27.
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2023 Greater LA Life Science Forum
Join Biocom California and BizFed Institute on Thursday, July 13, for our 2nd annual Greater Los Angeles Life Science Forum, which brings together local business leaders, industry companies, investors, local elected officials and regional decision makers to discuss the latest life science industry developments within the Greater LA region. Notable expert speakers will be featured in the discussions and sessions will cover many life science topics specific to LA County. The forum will conclude with a networking reception.
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City Council and Mayor Bass Disagree Over Homelessness Funding
Members of the Budget, Finance, and Innovation Committee of the council scrutinized Mayor Bass’ expenditure proposal, which aims to allocate around $1.3 billion to address the crisis. Some councilmembers proposed that a portion of the homelessness funding requested by Mayor Bass be placed into a special account, which would grant more oversight by the council and could potentially slow down the program’s progress.
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Bay Area
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New State Funding Announced for Several Public Transit Projects
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a $690 million statewide spending budget for transit projects, with $46.6 million allocated to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s “ Eastridge to BART Regional Connector.” The five-year project will create a direct rail link between VTA’s bus transit center at Eastridge Mall in San Jose to the Milpitas BART Station and is scheduled for 2028.
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Redwood City’s Possible Zoning Code Changes
On May 8, Redwood City Council members held a study session on proposed amendments to the Downtown Precise Plan and Gatekeeper Process, which included changes to zoning codes for R&D. Prior to the study session, Biocom California met with the Redwood City Planning Department and Assistant City Manager to help answer questions. Council supported the concept that the Planning Commission should allow mixed-use zoning downtown, including R&D labs up to and including Biosafety Level 1 and 2 labs. The Planning Commission will consider the proposal at their regularly scheduled meeting on June 6.
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San Francisco Leaders Working to Change the City’s Zoning Code
San Francisco’s Planning Commission recently approved a plan authored by Supervisor Aaron Peskin and Mayor London Breed which would make it easier to convert existing office space for residential use and loosen restrictions on retail use, transforming current storefronts, businesses, and offices into spaces the community needs. The new zoning regulations still need to be approved by the city’s Department of Inspection Commission and the Board of Supervisors.
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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 27 years of experience, Biocom California works on behalf of more than 1,700 member companies statewide.
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