Senate Rules Committee advances two appointees to Board of State and Community Corrections

On Wednesday, Feb. 5, the California State Senate Rules Committee voted unanimously to advance two governor’s nominees — Sheriff Taylor and Chief Haines — to the full Senate for confirmation to the Board of State and Community Corrections.

The committee’s action sends the nominees to the Senate floor after brief opening statements and a question-and-answer session with committee members. The Rules Committee voted 5-0 to move both nominees forward.

The nominations: Sheriff Taylor, who spoke about his decision to accept the appointment and described a public mistake he later apologized for, told the committee he sought the position to “do what is right, not what is popular.” Sheriff Taylor said he developed a working relationship with the governor after sending a letter of apology and that he welcomed the chance to serve statewide while continuing his local duties. He described oversight and inspections as tools that can help counties obtain funding and implement reforms.

Chief Haines, identified in the hearing as the chief probation officer for Fresno County, described her appointment as a continuation of three decades in probation and community corrections. Haines said her priorities include expanding evidence-based practices, community-based alternatives to incarceration, reentry services and regulatory oversight of local jails and youth facilities.

Committee members asked both nominees about several recurring topics: oversight of local jails, the board’s role in administering funding tied to ballot measures, and how local facilities handle transgender youth and deaths in custody. Sheriff Taylor and Chief Haines said the BSCC helps counties by providing inspections and recommendations that can be used to secure local funding and improve care. Sheriff Taylor described medical and behavioral-health staffing shortages in jails as an acute local problem that requires higher-quality contracting and more funding. Chief Haines said the closure of state juvenile facilities and the transition of those youth to county supervision has allowed for greater family contact and local programming but also highlighted gaps in funding for services outside secure youth treatment facilities.

Public testimony at the hearing included brief, organized endorsements from the California State Sheriffs’ Association, the Chief Probation Officers of California and the California State Association of Counties. Corey Salzilla of the California State Sheriffs’ Association said the group supported Sheriff Taylor’s nomination; Daniel Sanchez spoke for the probation officers in support of the chief’s appointment.

The committee chair called the roll after a motion to advance both nominees; Senators Maguire (recorded as Maguire/McGuire in the transcript), Grove, Caballero, Jones and Laird voted aye. With the committee’s approval, the nominations move to the full Senate for a final confirmation vote.

The hearing record shows committee members pressed nominees for concrete follow-up on funding mechanisms for programs created by recent ballot measures and for written policies on the care and housing of transgender youth in juvenile facilities. Nominees agreed to provide policy documents and follow-up briefings to the committee when requested.

Votes at a glance: Rules Committee approval to advance Sheriff Taylor and Chief Haines to the Senate floor: 5-0 (Maguire/McGuire: aye; Grove: aye; Caballero: aye; Jones: aye; Laird: aye). The Senate floor will hold the final confirmation vote.