What’s Inside: Senate Confirms Kathi Vidal as USPTO Director; Governor Newsom Proposes New State Office; SANDAG Bike to Work Day; and more.

Biocom California recently hosted an intro to life science for legislative staff to learn about our legislative activities and priorities.

Federal Affairs

New US Patent Office Director

On April 5, the Senate confirmed Kathi Vidal as the next USPTO director. Vidal was first nominated in October 2021 and the position had been vacant for over a year. She previously served as managing partner of Winston & Strawn’s Silicon Valley Office. We expect her to engage on the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), Section 101, and continue her work in diversity and inclusion by increasing the representation of women and minorities in the IP community.

Webinar: Intro to Life Science for Legislative Staff

On April 14, Biocom California hosted an introduction to life science for legislative staff. Over 60 staffers from the offices of elected officials, regulatory agencies, and economic development agencies were in attendance. Patty Cooper, Executive Director of California Biotechnology Foundation, kicked off the meeting with a high-level look at the life science industry pipeline from basic research and funding to regulatory review and manufacturing for drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, and medical devices. Following the overview, legislative staff engaged in presentations and a Q&A session with Biocom California staff to learn about our legislative activities and priorities. 

State Affairs

Healthcare Proposal Could Limit Patient Access

As part of his $286.4 billion budget, Governor Newsom and several key legislators propose to establish an Office of Health Care Affordability with the power to monitor healthcare spending and order hospitals, doctors’ offices, and insurance companies to keep prices for certain services low. At least four other states including Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Oregon have similar offices, but none are as comprehensive as the one proposed in California. The proposal could become law this year and Biocom California has expressed concerns and requested amendments to ensure patients have access to high-quality and affordable healthcare.

California Feels the Pain of Medical Worker Shortages

The nation is experiencing a significant doctor and medical worker shortage and California is in need of more graduates, especially from diverse backgrounds, in the healthcare field. A recently published report from the Campaign for College Opportunity found that community college students struggle to transfer to universities to finish their degrees because of confusion around associate degrees for transfer. Researchers at California Competes estimate another 500,000 healthcare workers, including medical and dental assistants, are needed in the coming years.

Regional Affairs

San Diego

City Leaders Settle on Airport-Transit Connection
San Diego leaders have agreed to stop the pursuit of a regional transit station and airport connection as part of the U.S. Navy’s NAVWAR campus redevelopment in Old Town. Instead, they have settled on a plan to provide a rail transit connection to the airport and continue to pursue a large-scale hub for the region’s transit system. The hub is envisioned for the current City Hall complex and a handful of nearby blocks owned by public agencies. 

Bike to Work Day Returns in San Diego
SANDAG Bike to Work Day is Thursday, May 19 and registration is open now. Join thousands of cyclists to explore improved bikeways for your commute. Rest and refuel at one of the many pit stops throughout the county, including Biocom California’s own pit stop at the corner of N. Torrey Pines Road and Science Park Road, for refreshments and giveaways. This year, SANDAG also invites those who are working remotely to participate and start their day with a bike ride. 

Bay Area

San Mateo Seeks Feedback on New Community Climate Action Plan 
San Mateo County is finalizing the ‘Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP)’, a strategic roadmap to prepare for climate risks and create impactful greenhouse gas emission reductions. The county is seeking feedback on the proposal via brief survey or through email. Learn more and provide feedback for the County of San Mateo’s Office of Sustainability’s CCAP today.
 
Oakland Considers Business Tax Changes 
Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas and Council Member Carroll Fife introduced their progressive corporate tax structure proposal at the March 31 City of Oakland Rules & Legislation Committee meeting. The proposal intends to be placed on the November ballot to generate nearly $40 million in additional revenue for the city by reducing or keeping taxes the same for small and medium-sized businesses and increasing taxes for large companies. The council members’ proposal is up against two other initiatives sponsored by labor and business organizations, both of which are collecting signatures to be placed on the November ballot. To only have one measure on the ballot, Oakland City staff will present a report of the various proposals to the council on April 28.
 
Berkeley City Council Passes Updated Research and Development Definition 
On March 22, the City of Berkeley voted to adopt modifications made to the land use zoning definition of Research and Development (R&D) to keep the city competitive with neighboring municipalities. The newly revised definition now includes labs, offices, warehousing, and light manufacturing functions as part of the overall R&D use, making it more reflective of present-day business activities in Berkeley and helping preserve long-term industry stability and growth.

Los Angeles

Budget Increase Predicts Positive Economic Outlook
On April 18, Los Angeles County officials proposed a $38.5 billion budget for the next fiscal year, a more than $2 billion increase over last year’s proposal. The increased budget reflects a more positive economic outlook with easing of public health restrictions and calls for employing 500 new positions throughout the county. Some of the biggest allocations of spending increases would be to homeless and affordable housing services, public health, and public road works, which received a funding boost of $30.4 million.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, May 11
Farmer & The Seahorse

Join us for an evening of networking and camaraderie with your Facilities and EH&S committee members for an
in-person happy hour.

Thursday, May 19
Virtual

Share challenges and opportunities that the life science industry is experiencing with the City of San Diego’s Development Services Department (DSD).

Meet the Team

Richard White
Associate Manager of Federal Advocacy
Washington, D.C.