Senate Rules Committee advances Deborah Lee as Cal/OSHA chief after hearing on staffing and battery-storage safety

Deborah Lee, the nominee to lead the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), was advanced to the Senate floor by the Senate Rules Committee on March 5, 2025, after a confirmation hearing that centered on agency staffing, employer outreach and safety guidance for battery-storage fires.

The hearing drew questions from committee senators about how Lee will address a substantial vacancy rate at Cal/OSHA, expand employer and worker outreach, and produce educational materials after recent battery storage fires. "I am honored and humbled to be before you today for my confirmation hearing," Lee said in her opening remarks, and described hiring, making the agricultural unit fully operational and leveraging technology as top priorities.

The committee’s vote to move Lee’s nomination to the full Senate was unanimous, 5-0. Committee members also recorded a series of administrative votes earlier in the meeting, including a 3-2 vote on one set of governor appointee items and several 5-0 votes on routine referrals and appointments (see "Votes at a glance" below).

Why it matters: Cal/OSHA enforces workplace safety rules across California and sets outreach, training and enforcement priorities that affect millions of workers. The committee’s questions and Lee’s answers highlight near-term enforcement and education priorities — hiring staff to carry out inspections and consultations, creating fact sheets and webinars for employers and workers, and coordinating responses to battery-storage incidents — all of which can affect worker safety and employer compliance statewide.

In her remarks, Lee said Cal/OSHA is pursuing short- and long-term hiring…