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Catherine Rivera advanced to Cannabis Control Appeals Panel after questioning about panel workload and prior ALRB decision
Summary
The Rules Committee approved Catherine Rivera’s appointment to the Cannabis Control Appeals Panel following discussion about the panel’s caseload, provisional licenses and Rivera’s prior service on the Agricultural Labor Relations Board.
Catherine Rivera won committee approval to move her nomination for the Cannabis Control Appeals Panel to the full Senate after a Rules Committee hearing that included questions about the appeals panel’s workload and Rivera’s prior decisions while on the Agricultural Labor Relations Board.
Rivera described the panel’s current workload as limited and said the body meets quarterly. "Between 2018 and about 2022 there were several convenings because they were establishing a regulatory framework," Rivera told senators. She said the panel reviews licensing and enforcement appeals, including stipulated judgments in which parties may waive the right to an appeal, and that she expects additional appeals as the regulated cannabis market matures and provisional licenses are phased out.
Senators asked Rivera about the panel’s operations and whether local governments and equity applicants have support navigating the state licensing process. Rivera said local permitting and the Department of Cannabis Control’s licensing decisions are separate: the department handles licensing and the panel adjudicates specified appeals. She said the panel sometimes travels for public participation hearings on water and other local issues and that members are preparing to handle cases involving a growing industry with 34 license classes.
Senator Gonzales questioned Rivera about a 2012–2013 episode on the Agricultural Labor Relations Board in which a set‑aside of ballots and subsequent proceedings occurred; Rivera declined to revisit the merits of that case in detail and said the published decision should stand for itself. "I am not going to speculate because that would be talking about deliberations, and the decision as it always does has to stand for itself," Rivera said.
Senator Jones and others asked about time commitments; Rivera estimated she spends up to about 30 hours a week preparing in the current phase.
The committee moved Rivera’s nomination and recorded a final committee vote of 3–2 in favor after members returned to the chamber; the nomination will now go to the full Senate for consideration.
Votes at a glance: Motion to forward Catherine Rivera’s nomination to the Cannabis Control Appeals Panel: motion moved by Senator Gonzales; committee recorded a final vote of 3–2 in favor and the nomination was forwarded to the full Senate. (See actions array for full vote record.)
