REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Informational Report on 2024 Q2 Legislative Updates
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
On October 9, 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 18-8611 to approve a Legislative Advocacy Position (LAP) Policy. The LAP Policy establishes guidelines for advancing City goals and positions through legislative review and advocacy at the regional, state, and federal levels of government. The policy also provides guidance for City officials who serve on regional, State, and national boards, committees, and commissions when they are asked to review public policy matters and issues.
The Council is required to annually adopt or update LAPs at the beginning of the calendar year to identify specific legislative priorities outside of the LAP Policy’s legislative guiding principles. On December 12, 2023, the City Council adopted eleven (11) LAPs that had been updated for 2024 on the following key issues:
• Broadband, Cable Services, and Wireless Facilities
• Community Services
• Emergency Management
• Energy Legislation, Regulations and Issues
• Housing
• Human Resources and Public Sector Employment
• Public Safety (Further Amended on July 11, 2023)
• Regional Issues and Collaboration
• Sustainability and Environmental Protection
• Transportation Issues
• Water Supply and Conservation
The LAP Policy includes the following procedures that streamline the City’s legislative review and advocacy process:
• If the City Council has previously adopted a policy directly relevant to the legislation or the proposed legislation is generally consistent with the City’s overall guiding principles for legislative advocacy or LAP, the Mayor or City Manager may sign a letter supporting or opposing legislation on behalf of the City.
• In order to keep the City Council informed of all City communications on legislation, copies of the letter or summary of actions will be distributed to the City Council as information items in the Council Meeting Agendas.
• Staff will provide and/or coordinate quarterly legislative updates on public policy items of interest to the City Council and departments.
In coordination with staff, the City’s legislative advocacy consultant, Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. (Townsend), tracks and monitors legislation and advocates the City’s position on various legislation at the State and federal levels of government. This report provides an update on such efforts.
DISCUSSION
A 2024 Q2 Legislative Update prepared by Townsend summarizes key State and federal updates that have occurred recently (Attachment 1). Townsend has also provided a 2024 Q2 Legislative Bill Matrix that outlines key State legislation that staff and Townsend are tracking (Attachment 2). The bills are grouped under their respective LAP and a summary has been provided for each bill.
City action on legislative items for the quarter is documented in the 2024 Q2 Legislative Action Summary (Attachment 3), along with copies of legislative letters, in accordance with the LAP Policy requirement to provide copies of the letters or a summary of actions to Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City has an existing agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for state and federal legislative advocacy services. Townsend’s services which are described in this report are included in the consultant’s monthly service fee.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with Townsend Public Affairs and the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Note and file the informational report on 2024 Q2 legislative updates.
Staff
Prepared by: Christine Jung, Assistant to the City Manager
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2024 Q2 Legislative Update by Townsend
2. 2024 Q2 Legislative Bill Matrix
3. 2024 Q2 Legislative Action Summary