[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6563978,"mediaKeyId","3308534-e49324bc60077b785bc5b4315da75513","parentId",3308534,"title","Senate panel approves three appointees to Board of State and Community Corrections; in-custody deaths, juvenile data and Prop 36 funding discussed","audioSeconds",2004,"startMs",3803000,"endMs",5807000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308534-e49324bc60077b785bc5b4315da75513&start=3803&end=5807","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3308534-e49324bc60077b785bc5b4315da75513/thumbnail_3803000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6563978/California/Senate-panel-approves-three-appointees-to-Board-of-State-and-Community-Corrections-in-custody-deaths-juvenile-data-and-Prop-36-funding-discussed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563978-e23b1b61486a68052f8855cdb9589e29/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138485&Signature=DaynOcZHgnEmxNBx~36GeRv0KQPq~MmzxXhCX0skjiAi6VMOntVmrLiCxDkl6D912G2VitsRuVvKyUOuDYo7j62ABt5Be3ZyyxQV~iMSPjNYulIsOfFcy8JH6UMu4alw1qq5srnXg6Dm7Gdf8c6mA-a5ocPY1d84fr3r38cvEawQs7yKu8ZS1R5IW09Ca30dW7ZXhtbAMfAAWirMDsaJMikYWzshOt~ulX0t-n1hWvEQ~mph6P16EadxZ0Kb~tm-x8agVbH9MXH3gUdIcfIoKguBjqdcvbE2dHa5~pb1euJUYDQAXNDXBTBz29p2wfWZDhFWFaKn1FZxEXdqVQPdiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate","date","2025-05-14T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Rules Committee voted to approve three governor nominees to the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) on May 14, advancing those appointments to the full Senate.

The nominees were Brandy Branning (probation professional from a rural county), Dr. Karen Lai (board-certified psychiatrist and public health master’s degree holder) and Chief Scott (a 35-year law-enforcement veteran). Each gave brief opening remarks about their backgrounds and priorities and took questions from members about in-custody deaths, inspection and oversight, juvenile recidivism data and funding for new diversion and treatment programs tied to Proposition 36.

Branning emphasized she will bring a rural probation perspective to the board and thanked county probation staff for enabling her state service. Dr. Lai said she intends to apply her medical and public-health training to improve healthcare processes in custody and the board’s in‑custody death review work. She noted recent onboarding that included a tour of the Martinez detention facility and work with the BSCC’s in‑custody death review director, Lisonbee Ganter. Chief Scott described his 35 years in law enforcement, said he supports transparent oversight and said the board can influence practice through public recommendations and follow-up even where the board lacks direct enforcement power.

Senators asked about implementation of statutory and court-ordered requirements to reduce in-custody deaths and improve jail conditions. Senator Laird and other members cited inspection reports and the BSCC’s in‑custody death review work; Lisonbee Ganter’s office was identified as coordinating inspections and facility tours. Panelists described inspection reports as thorough, noted announced and unannounced visits, and said the board is working to standardize reviews and follow-up recommendations.

Members also raised juvenile justice data gaps. Committee members said juvenile recidivism tracking and program evaluation remain difficult because of confidentiality rules, disparate record systems and antiquated reporting platforms. The director and board members said the BSCC receives inspection reports and data, but that differences in local reporting and definitions complicate statewide evaluation of recidivism and program outcomes.

Lawmakers asked about implementation needs for Proposition 36, the 2024 ballot measure that authorizes diversion and treatment programs and a related BSCC grant program. Board members said some funding planning is underway and that funds historically come from reallocated or special accounts; one board member said there is about $127 million being rebalanced between Prop 47–type initiatives and Proposition 36 priorities, but noted that appropriations and exact distribution depend on the budget process and further action.

After public testimony in support from probation officer organizations and no recorded opposition, the committee approved the three nominees. The roll call recorded McGuire: aye; Gonzales: aye; Jones: aye; Laird: aye. The committee recorded a 4–0 vote and advanced the nominations to the Senate floor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Rules Committee","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Rules Committee voted to approve three governor nominees to the Board of State and Community Corrections on May 14 and advanced those appointments to the full Senate.","taxTitle","California State Senate, Senate, Legislative, California","taxId",77650,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6563983,"Senate Rules Committee confirms Nancy Skinner to California Energy Commission after questioning on refineries, batteries and EV infrastructure",3464,255000,3719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308534-e49324bc60077b785bc5b4315da75513&start=255&end=3719","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3308534-e49324bc60077b785bc5b4315da75513/thumbnail_255000.jpg","/articles/6563983/California/Senate-Rules-Committee-confirms-Nancy-Skinner-to-California-Energy-Commission-after-questioning-on-refineries-batteries-and-EV-infrastructure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563983-469d66449837dcd82767d69e273311a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138485&Signature=PiOxFhkQOE07wMDpKOkBVa5rqVZMyIzBLA1lNVi61DxY-aX~9hu8-6IM31TyzyFalNW-0D7P9j3IqKu9gdDbid0U6AcMySfM89S7EcObEPYGXGVi2niiOuyPpd8EWHssc13yn2vBOpEgtIaPU4iblNxI~ln6zdlgxiO8XaEJoD-UDVqsIEBTIOIalKfBNQ0jY-qaTkh1Yyh9czwaGsMea1t8fwuwlh-ZoBn3~G5vqs~GozW838GoufioATveDcVIJ-tLliDOuBwPPAvBpEEIQd2LwZIQH33edS3XRJw0R2cycaZGviLbD2xuStFvH1JdHuWei4JD8T329Zgzc6UZhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The California State Senate Rules Committee confirmed Nancy Skinner to the California Energy Commission on May 14 after a hearing that focused on oil refining capacity, battery storage safety and electric-vehicle infrastructure.

Skinner, the governor's appointee, told the committee she views her role on the commission as implementing legislative and budget directives while aiming to \"meet California's energy needs affordably and sustainably.\" She outlined responsibilities she will carry on the commission, including support for zero-emission vehicles, building and industrial decarbonization, efficiency work and the commission's work with ports.

The hearing included extended questioning from Senator Grove, who pressed Skinner on the effects of state policy on oil production in her district and on a December 2022 remark in which Skinner said, \"it is absolutely the case that the oil companies are price gouging California.\" Grove asked whether California producers could influence global crude prices and whether a bill Skinner co-authored, ABX2-1, had given the commission useful authority over refinery inventories.

Skinner responded that ABX2-1 was permissive and meant to provide tools for the commission and the Department of Petroleum Market Oversight (DPMO). She said the commission has not used those tools and that the underlying work of the earlier statute was to collect data and analyze it so analysts could recommend whether action was appropriate. \"So far, the Commission has not acted on any of the tools given and is still in the data collection and analysis process,\" Skinner said.

Lawmakers also brought up refinery notices and warnings about potential closures and whether reduced in-state refining capacity could raise fuel costs. Skinner said the governor has convened a multi-agency task force to study refinery and fuel supply issues and that the commission's vice chair handles oversight of the DPMO and related data analysis.

Committee members asked about grid reliability and recent planning decisions. Skinner described the commission as primarily a planning agency that projects electricity needs and noted that since the state created the Strategic Reliability Reserve and extended Diablo Canyon the state has withstood high-demand days without outages. She pointed to rapid growth in battery energy storage and combined solar-plus-storage projects such as the Darden project, which the commission will consider under the AB205 opt‑in permitting process.

On battery safety, Skinner said the Moss Landing fire involved facilities permitted under local rules before statewide battery safety standards were in place. She told the committee the Public Utilities Commission has adopted upgraded safety standards and that the Energy Commission had incorporated those standards into its review processes. \"Every state battery project, there has been no fire whatsoever,\" Skinner said when describing projects the commission has permitted, authorized, or funded.

Members also pressed Skinner about federal EV infrastructure funding. She said National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funds were frozen by the federal administration at the time, halting planned solicitations; the state has sued to unfreeze some funds, she said. She also cited the Clean Transportation Program (CTP) as a stable state funding source the commission administers.

The committee moved to a confirmation vote after public testimony in support from a wide range of industry and clean-energy organizations and a single public speaker in opposition. The roll call recorded Maguire: aye; Grove: aye; Gonzales: aye; Jones: no; Laird: aye. The motion passed and the committee sent the nomination to the full Senate for floor consideration.

Skinner, a former legislator who noted she first served on a local energy commission in Berkeley and cited mentors such as the late Art Rosenfeld, said she intends to make commission materials more accessible to nonexperts and to implement legislative and budget directions the commission receives.

She closed by emphasizing efficiency, forecasting and deploying programs to reduce energy demand growth as a strategy to lower costs systemwide while the state transitions to greater electrification and zero-emission vehicles.

The nomination moves next to the Senate floor for consideration; the committee minutes record the motion as passed and the nomination advanced to that next step.","The Senate Rules Committee voted to approve Nancy Skinner's appointment to the California Energy Commission. Senators pressed Skinner on refinery permits, the Commission's authority under bills she worked on, battery storage safety after the Moss Landing fire, grid reliability and federal EV infrastructure funding.","actionData","errors"]

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Senate panel approves three appointees to Board of State and Community Corrections; in-custody deaths, juvenile data and Prop 36 funding discussed

Senate Rules Committee confirms Nancy Skinner to California Energy Commission after questioning on refineries, batteries and EV infrastructure