CGS-authored

IRVINE - Under pressure from lawmakers and open-government advocates, the state's stem cell oversight committee voted Tuesday to open more meetings, disclose more information about its grant awards and tighten its conflict-of-interest rules.

But the new rules stop short of the requirements imposed by other state agencies, a decision that drew mixed reviews from critics.

The board also sparred for the first time in its seven-month history, with members complaining they've had little say in the $2.1 million the agency has spent or its $1.18 million in contracts.

Board member Jeff Sheehy said he was "a little appalled" to learn the agency was spending nearly $30,000 a month on a public relations firm and insisted the panel adopt contracting limits.
"I just can't believe you are going to give (interim President Zach Hall) a blank check," he said. "I trust Zach, but it just doesn't look good."

The panel voted to require board approval for personal service contracts over $100,000, and created a new governance subcommittee to exercise more control over the stem cell agency.

The panel also adopted new...