Senate Rules Committee advances Karen Morrison nomination to lead Department of Pesticide Regulation

The Senate Rules Committee voted to advance the nomination of Dr. Karen Morrison to serve as director of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, moving her appointment to the full Senate by a recorded 5-0 vote.

Morrison told the committee she is focused on improving pesticide registration timelines, strengthening worker safety and enforcement, and establishing a science-based reevaluation process for higher-risk pesticides. "As director, I am committed to continuing to advance our mission and vision," she said, adding she will work "with transparency and integrity" as the department implements new priorities.

The nomination drew brief questioning from committee members about public engagement and potential conflicts of interest in the reevaluation process. Morrison said the department held a public workshop to solicit feedback on a new prioritization process and plans to staff a scientifically based prioritization committee. She said the department will solicit written and verbal feedback during the selection and does not plan to include pesticide manufacturers on the prioritization committee because that would present a conflict of interest, though manufacturers and growers will be asked to provide information during the reevaluation process.

Committee members also pressed Morrison on ensuring affordable alternatives for farmers and on DPR’s relationship with local agricultural commissioners. Morrison described efforts to reduce registration backlogs, support research and development of lower-risk alternatives through grant programs, and to work with county agricultural commissioners by providing training, oversight, and consultation on statewide requirements.

Public testimony at the hearing was uniformly supportive. Organizations and industry groups that spoke in favor included the California Agricultural Aircraft Association, California Farm Bureau, Western Growers, California Walnut Commission, California Rice Commission, California Citrus Mutual and several commodity commissions and grower associations. Chris Reardon of the California Farm Bureau said Morrison is "open minded" and works with a broad coalition, and Taylor Trifo read a list of commodity groups in support.

A vice chair of the committee moved to send Morrison’s nomination to the Senate floor. After the committee’s roll call, the secretary recorded votes of Maguire, Grove, Gonzales, Jones and Laird as "aye," producing a 5-0 tally. The committee then sent the nomination to the full Senate for final confirmation.

Morrison introduced family members who attended the hearing and said she has served at DPR since 2018, most recently as chief deputy director. She emphasized implementation priorities including worker safety, registration efficiency, and expanding environmental programs to serve communities most impacted by pesticide use.

The nomination now goes to the full Senate for a confirmation vote.