Lawmakers Considering Amending Syringe Disposal Measure
On Wednesday, June 11, the Assembly Health Committee will hold a legislative hearing on AB 501, authored by Assemblyman Sandre Swanson (D-Oakland), legislation that would require pharmaceutical manufacturers, at the request of a consumer of a prefilled syringe, prefilled pen, or other prefilled injection device administered at home, to provide a prepaid mail-back sharps container that has been approved to provide safe storage and transport to a sharps consolidation location.  Earlier this year, due to concerns about the requirements under the legislation voiced by CHI and manufacturers, the author accepted amendments that removed CHI’s opposition.  However, this week draft amendments were put forth that would expand the scope of the legislation to include non-prefilled syringes in addition to language that would require inclusion of additional information for consumers.  CHI has significant concerns about these amendments, as they will add additional costs to without addressing the problem of the disposal.  CHI will respond to these amendments and confer with committee staff to outline our position.

Democrats Outline Budget Priorities
This week, Democratic leadership in both chambers put forth their initial plans for the 2009 state budget.  While parts of the governor’s budget were included in the proposals, there are substantial differences.  Budget negotiations are likely to be protracted.   Speaking at the Sacramento Press Club on Thursday, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) said that cuts alone will not suffice and that she wants $6.4 billion in new revenue to protect education and maintain the state’s safety net for the poor.  On healthcare, the governor is proposing a 10 percent across the board cut on Medi-Cal rates.  The Assembly proposal restores all those cuts and the Senate proposal reduces them to 5 percent.  While the Senate has rejected plans to borrow against the state lottery, the Assembly plans to borrow on a smaller scale to pay off debt rather than to set up a rainy day account as proposed by Schwarzenegger.

Speaker Shuffles Committee Chairs
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (Los Angeles) announced additional changes to Assembly committee chairmanships this week as she prepares the Democratic party for the 2009-2010 legislative session.  Assemblyman Dave Jones (Sacramento) will step down as chair of the Judiciary Committee to lead the Health Committee.  Replacing Jones at the Judiciary Committee will be Assemblyman Mike Feuer (Los Angeles).  Additional positions filled by Bass since she took over as Speaker include: Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (Fremont); Assistant Speaker pro Tem Lori Saldaña (San Diego); Appropriations Chairman Kevin De Leon (Los Angeles); Budget Chairman Noreen Evan (Santa Rosa); Rules Chairman Ted Lieu (Torrance); Transportation Chairman Mike Eng (Monterey Park); and Business and Professions Chairwoman Mary Hayashi (Hayward).

Science Advisory Panel Completes Report on Green Chemistry
On Monday, June 2, the Green Chemistry Initiative Science Advisory Panel completed its report on advancing green chemistry in California and submitted its findings to Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Director Maureen Gorsen.  The report includes a wide range of options suggested by stakeholders that have been identified as options for the state to consider.  While there was some agreement on many of the options between members of the panel, the group did not attempt to reach consensus on the options developed for the director.  CHI has entered into discussions with the director and submitted responses to requests for information from the department to ensure that the priorities and needs of the life sciences community are heard.  View report.