STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: March 18, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Mandy Jiang, Senior Management Analyst
Magdalena Davis, Community Outreach Manager
Subject: Update to the City’s 2025 Legislative Platform Attachments: 1. Redline of 2024 Legislative Platform with Proposed Updates for 2025
INTRODUCTION
The City establishes a Legislative Platform annually for City Council adoption, identifying positions on key legislative priorities for the upcoming year. The Legislative Platform provides direction for our legislative advocates and City staff as they work to secure clear and strategic initiatives locally as well as in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
This item requests the City Council consider updates to the City’s Legislative Platform for the 2025 legislative session.
DISCUSSION
The objective of the Legislative Platform is to outline the City’s position on legislative matters and to serve as the foundation for the City to support or oppose various local, state, and federal legislation. This Platform seeks to not only secure critical resources for the City but also outlines policy statements that will allow City staff and our legislative lobbyists to more effectively respond to and influence legislation at the local, state and federal level. This Platform is meant to be an evolving document that will be amended from year to year by City Council.
The legislative priorities are established to encompass City Council’s objectives and in the interest of the City. Priorities are listed by category ranging from Local Control to Utilities.
On February 20, 2025, the Legislative / Lobby Liaison Committee (“Committee”), consisting of Vice Mayor Nazarian and Councilmember Mirisch, met to discuss and review proposed updates to the Legislative Platform. The Committee approved what was proposed, requested nominal edits, and asked for some additions to the Platform. The section below outlines requests submitted by staff that were approved, and new priorities added by the Committee.
Meeting Date: March 18, 2025
Priorities Approved by the Committee on February 20, 2025 Staff proposed several modifications to the 2025 Legislative Platform. The major updates considered and approved by the Committee are listed below by affected sections. The minor, non-substantive changes are not listed below but do appear as redline changes in Attachment 1.
Fiscal and Administrative Initiatives – 1 Priority
Only one change was proposed in this section and was approved to account for the removal of Ballot Initiative 21-0042A1 from the November 2024 ballot, as it was ruled by the California Supreme Court as an unconstitutional change to the State Constitution:
• Oppose any efforts by the state or county to alter the fee structure established by cities to recover costs associated with developer impacts or other projects, including opposing Ballot Initiative 21-0042A1, which the City adopted a resolution to oppose in April 22. This initiative will appear on the November ballot.
Public Safety – 1 Priority
The Police Department proposed the following addition:
• Oppose legislation that contains prescriptive language regarding POST education requirements.
The Beverly Hills Police Department provides comprehensive education and training programs compliant with mandated POST training requirements. Additionally, BHPD offers education reimbursement opportunities to support continuous professional development and ensure officers have access to higher education and specialized training. These proactive measures demonstrate the department’s commitment to maintaining a highly qualified and adaptable workforce without the constraints of overly prescriptive legislative mandates.
Transportation – 9 Priorities
To include pedestrians and other forms of road users in addition to drivers of vehicles into consideration when setting speed limits, Public Works staff recommended deleting:
• Support local control over determining and setting speed limits.
And replacing the deletion with the following:
• Support legislation that allows setting appropriate speed limits based on safety for all road users while maintaining local control.
Per a Councilmember’s request, the following change is to seek legislator sponsorship, as current State Vehicle Code does not have language permitting city use of stop sign cameras in ticketing infractions:
• Support and seek sponsor for legislation which would allow local jurisdictions to install cameras at stop sign intersections for enforcement of vehicle code violations when a vehicle does not come to a complete stop.
In light of rapidly changing vehicle design (bigger in size) and use of artificial intelligence in autonomous vehicles in recent years, the addition below was approved by the Committee:
• Support legislation that develops safety standards and performance measures for vehicles permitted to operate on City streets.
Meeting Date: March 18, 2025
The edits in the priority below were to account for regional organizations such as SCAG and LA Metro that promote safety, and to include collision reduction programs:
• Support regional, state, and federal legislation that enhances the safety of the City’s streets for all road usersautomobile and pedestrian traffic, automobile including issues related to, traffic congestion and collision reduction programs and regional transportational improvements.
The addition below seeks to support funding for transportation technologies:
• Support legislation and funding for transportation technologies that increase safety, access, and mobility.
The addition below highlights Transportation Demand Management to encompass strategies that change travel behavior, e.g., how, when, and where people travel, in order to increase efficiency and reduce congestion:
• Support legislation and funding for transportation demand management strategies/policies that will reduce traffic congestion.
To enhance clarity, the following changes were made to the two priorities below:
• In conjunction with the Westside Cities Council of Governments (WSCCOG) and other agencies, support legislation that provides incentives for the development of local and regional transportation mobility corridors. • Support local, regional, state and federal legislative, administrative, and regulatory efforts that will expand and/or supplement funding for maintaining and upgrading major thoroughfares in Beverly Hills to improve the safety for all forms of modality road users.
The addition below acknowledges and includes education and encouragement programs, which are important to promote safety to transportation infrastructure and traffic law to help reduce congestion:
• Support efforts to expand and fund mobility education and encouragement programs.
Environmental Sustainability – 5 Priorities
The Public Works Department proposed the following edits/additions:
• Advocate for cost-effective, sustainable, and responsible environmental policy and programs in the areas of energy efficiency, greenhouse gases, transportation, climate change, potable water, wastewater, organic/solid waste removal diversion and reduction, and storm water, among others. • Support legislation for funding opportunities to expand local infrastructure, such as EV charging stations for automobiles and alternative means of transportation, to support Governor Executive Order N-79-20 on the phase-out of gasoline powered vehicles by Year 2035.
• Support legislation that incentivizes and increases access to climate friendly products, such as food options that include plant-based, organic, and locally grown for environmental and public health.
Meeting Date: March 18, 2025
• Support legislation and funding opportunities that support local farmer's market vendors and non-profit food recovery organizations to expand the availability of food to the food insecure population.
The priority below is being moved from the Public Works – Water & Utilities category to Environmental Sustainability with no change in text:
• Support state funding and a statewide policy for broadband access for all, which would allow remote access for at home education and telework. This will reduce vehicle miles traveled and assist with reducing climate change.
Public Health – 3 Priorities (1 Committee Addition)
The Committee requested the following addition at the February 20, 2025, meeting:
• Support and seek sponsorship/co-sponsorship for legislation enhancing the regulation of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) residential group homes.
This is being recommended due to a number of cities, including the Cities of Beverly Hills and Newport Beach, having experienced or continue to experience poorly regulated residential drug and alcohol recovery and treatment facilities that negative impact quality of life in surrounding neighborhoods. In Beverly Hills, one such facility on 240 S. Rodeo resulted in repeated calls of neighborhood disturbances requiring frequent first responder visits to site in 2020. In addition, the California State Auditor conducted an audit of the state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and released the report in 2024. Findings indicated that the DHCS took more than a year to complete 22 of the 60 complaint investigations that was reviewed, despite internal guidelines to complete such investigations within 30 to 60 days.
The Public Works Department requested to add two priorities below:
• Support efforts to provide infrastructure that enhances the health and safety of vulnerable populations, such as streetscape enhancements. • Support legislation that supports a clean and healthy environment for all and further ensures access to clean water, clean indoor and outdoor air, clean soil, sustainable energy, and a sustainable natural climate.
Public Works – Solid Waste – 3 Priorities
Public Works Department requested the following edits and addition:
• Support legislation that incentivizes manufacturers to produce recyclable and reusable products.
• Support legislation that encourages the reduction and diversion of commercial food waste, regardless of collection method where currently the State regulation is prescriptive on the method.
• Support funding opportunities that assist food recovery organizations to bring additional capacity and storage facilities that would make food recovery and distribution accessible throughout the state.
Public Works – Water & Utilities – 1 Priority
The following priority was originally being recommended for deletion by Public Works due to the name “California Water Fix” being outdated, however the Committee decided to keep the priority and updated the project’s name instead:
• Support the Delta Conveyance Project as it will assist with protecting the water supply for Beverly Hills.
Meeting Date: March 18, 2025
General Government – 1 Committee Addition
The Committee concurred to add the following:
• Support and co-sponsor legislation that ensures ethnic studies curriculums and programs will not contain antisemitic or anti-Zionist materials and should include the Jewish experience.
This is due to recent recordings of candid conversations among teachers in union meetings in Massachusetts and LAUSD coming to light, wherein teachers discussed various ways to indoctrinate students with their political positions.
Local Control – 1 Committee Addition
One Committee member proposed to add the following, but concurrence was not reached:
• The City does not support sanctuary city laws imposed upon cities, when state legislation precludes cities from cooperating with federal law enforcement.
For context, the example given during discussion was that cities should have the right to cooperate with federal law enforcement in aiding with deporting individuals who break immigration law, when in a political environment where state government precludes cities from doing so by imposing by law all cities to become sanctuary cities, instead of cities choosing to be sanctuary cities.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact is unknown at this time for the adoption of the updated Legislative Platform above as it would be dependent on what legislation is introduced and passed at the state and federal level.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council review and make recommendations on the 2025 Legislative Platform. Any requested modifications made by a City Councilmember during the March 18, 2025, City Council Study Session meeting, which receives support from a majority of the City Council, will be incorporated into the 2025 Legislative Platform prior to its adoption at a City Council Formal Session meeting.
Keith Sterling
Deputy City Manager
Approved By
Attachment 1
2025 Legislative Platform Page i
Local Control .............................................................................................................................................................1 Pension Reform........................................................................................................................................................3 Fiscal and Administrative Initiatives...................................................................................................................3 Electoral Process.....................................................................................................................................................4 Public Safety ...........................................................................................................................................................55 Emergency Management and Homeland Security ........................................................................................8 Housing and Land Use...........................................................................................................................................8 Mental Health Funding, Homelessness, and At-Risk Youth ......................................................................9 Transportation...........................................................................................................................................................9 Environmental Sustainability ..............................................................................................................................10 Community Services.............................................................................................................................................11 Public Health .......................................................................................................................................................1211 General Government ............................................................................................................................................12 Public Works – Solid Waste ...............................................................................................................................13 Public Works - Stormwater .............................................................................................................................1413 Public Works – Water & Utilities....................................................................................................................1413 2025 Legislative Platform Page 1
City of Beverly Hills
STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Platform Overview
The purpose of the legislative platform is to provide a means for summarizing the City’s core legislative principles for the purpose of advocacy efforts at the regional, state, and federal levels. The Legislative Platform contains broad policy statements pertaining to a variety of issues that impact the City of Beverly Hills.
The legislative platform sets forth the City’s legislative objectives for the 2024 2025 legislative session and provides direction for our legislative advocates as they work to secure clear and strategic initiatives in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Approval of the legislative platform also streamlines the City’s process and allows the City’s Executive team to effectively respond and take immediate action on pressing legislation under City Council direction.
The policies established within the platform do not preclude City Council consideration of additional legislative matters arising throughout the year that may be brought forward for City Council action, as presented to the City Council Legislative/Lobby Liaison Committee.
The City’s primary legislative focus includes:
• Supporting legislation in regards to local control with community selfdetermination; • Supporting legislation which focuses on addressing mental health issues; • Supporting sustainability in the community including:
o Reduce, reuse, recycle;
o Minimizing food waste; and
o Supporting state funding for the development of solar power, a solar grid, and solar batteries.
Local Control
• Support legislation that preserves local control.
• Support legislation that protects local control over urban planning. • Oppose state legislation that supersedes a jurisdiction’s adopted zoning ordinances.
• Support a state constitutional amendment to protect local discretionary authority whereby legislative oversight remains at the lowest level of the appropriate governing body while encouraging regional cooperation. For example, zoning authority would remain with a city whereas air quality, etc. would remain at the regional or state level.
2025 Legislative Platform Page 2
• Support legislation that enhances local control of resources and allows the City of Beverly Hills to address the needs of local constituents within a framework of regional cooperation.
• Support legislation which encourages the use of federal and state incentives for local government action rather than mandates.
• Oppose preemption of the City of Beverly Hills’ local authority whether by state or federal legislation or ballot propositions.
• In general, oppose any county, state, or federal mandates without the direct or indirect reimbursement for the costs associated with complying with new and/or modified laws, regulations, policies, procedures, permits and/or programs. • Support measures increasing local autonomy, protecting privacy, and maintaining local authority over public records. This includes measures that provide for the recovery of costs regarding public records requests.
• Support transparent government and the purpose of the California Public Records Act while simultaneously observing and protecting the current Rule of Law in California including better legislation in regards to protecting the privacy of public records and enhancing laws related to digital records.
• Support legislation that preserves local control of short-term rentals and online hotel intermediaries such as Airbnb.
• Oppose any legislation or regulation which would limit a local jurisdiction’s ability to restrict the delivery of cannabis.
• Support legislation where the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (“RHNA”) is reverted back to a planning tool rather than being used as punitive punishment for jurisdictions who are unable to meet their assigned RHNA numbers even when the adopted General Plan for the jurisdiction has been modified to accommodate the assigned RHNA number.
• Advocate for a RHNA methodology that is flexible and considers the demographics, geography, land use patterns, socio-economic makeup of the community, job growth and housing needs so the difference of each community is carefully considered.
• Support legislation which mandates the state provides funding to jurisdictions where state legislation increases density such that infrastructure upgrades can be made at no cost to the jurisdiction or developer.
• Support legislation where the state provides funding to jurisdictions to construct affordable housing especially when the state passes new legislation increasing density regardless of local zoning codes.
• Support legislation that increases the transparency of public utility franchises, such as Southern California Edison, AT&T, Southern California Gas Company, and Spectrum cable.
• Support legislation which repeals existing law that allows the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) to authorize fixed charges on a graduated income basis for residential customers, introducing instead a flat rate structure. • Oppose efforts by AT&T to end its Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) obligation for providing landline services to residents in California. 2025 Legislative Platform Page 3
• Support legislation which provides better protections to utility customers regarding drastic rate changes and changes to how services are provided as well as requires better notifications to utility customers when changes to rates and services are being considered so they can better voice their concerns. • Support legislation that protects areas developed with existing multi-family housing subject to a rent stabilization ordinance (rent control) as the City recognizes and wants to project protect existing affordable housing.
• Support legislation which would allow City Attorneys to prosecute misdemeanor crimes.
• The City does not support sanctuary city laws imposed upon cities, when state legislation precludes cities from cooperating with federal law enforcement.
Pension Reform
• Monitor, encourage, and lobby for legislative initiatives designed to achieve public employee pension reform.
• Inform the City Council of future legislative bills, statewide initiatives or other options as they emerge in regards to pension reform.
• Support, where necessary and applicable, any future efforts that may impact the City of Beverly Hills ability to achieve and/or maintain sustainable pensions.
Fiscal and Administrative Initiatives
• Support fiscal sustainability and “best practices” administrative initiatives to ensure the delivery of superlative city services.
• Monitor initiatives which seek changes in fiscal relationships at the local, state and federal level.
• Support legislation that guarantees ongoing revenue sources for local government.
• Pursue funding opportunities for public facilities and services including capital improvement projects, public works projects, homeland security, library, parks and social service facilities.
• Oppose legislation that would undermine voter-approved initiatives to guarantee ongoing revenue sources for the City of Beverly Hills.
• Oppose legislation that would preempt the City’s authority over local taxes and fees.
• Oppose any efforts by the state or county to alter the fee structure established by cities to recover costs associated with developer impacts or other projects, including opposing Ballot Initiative 21-0042A1, which the City adopted a resolution to oppose in April 2022. This Initiative will appear on the November statewide ballot.
• Protect the City’s right to levy and collect Transient Occupancy Taxes from hotels, including online hotel intermediaries.
• Oppose any federal or state legislation that would provide immunity to online hotel intermediaries and/or prohibit the City from collecting (retroactively or otherwise) Transient Occupancy Taxes.
2025 Legislative Platform Page 4
• Support continued or expanded funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
• Oppose the reduction to Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Grants.
• Oppose any attempt to eliminate or limit the traditional tax exemption for municipal bonds.
• Engage in and advocate for legislation or ballot measures to prevent the state from borrowing, raiding or otherwise redirecting local government funds (local taxes, property taxes, etc.).
• Continue to promote increased flexibility for the utilization of municipally generated revenues.
• Support California League of Cities legislative efforts for pension reform and other post-employment benefits (OPEB) unfunded liability.
• Oppose legislation that triggers increased cost implications pertaining to “public works” projects.
• Support legislation for long-term funding solutions for Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
• Support legislation which offers financial opportunities for reimbursement to local jurisdictions in order to supplement increased custodial and supervision costs resulting from prison realignment.
• Oppose legislation with mandates for local agency adherence to operations and programs that may not be reimbursable by state budget funds (e.g. unfunded state mandates).
• Support legislation, which authorizes tax incremental financing for affordable housing projects.
• Support legislation that provides funding to local government for declared natural disasters/emergencies, including infrastructure projects related to the declared disaster.
Electoral Process
• Monitor legislative or other initiatives which may address the integrity of the electoral process.
• Encourage safeguards ensuring all eligible voters are provided with the mechanisms to exercise the right to vote.
• Support initiatives which promote government transparency regarding the election process.
• Support legislation that provides a mechanism to ensure non-eligible voters are unable to vote in an election.
• Support legislation that ensures the voting process is fair and equitable to both the voters and the candidates on the ballot.
• Support legislation which strengthens and clarifies the current state Election Code in order to provide better protection for elections workers and election sites. 2025 Legislative Platform Page 5
Public Safety
• Support the development and use of new law enforcement and firefighting technology in order to produce higher levels of health and safety for the Beverly Hills Fire Department.
• Support legislation that aids paramedics and other emergency medical service practitioners in their ability to be responsive to community needs. • Support legislation that amends the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulation 42 CFR 410.40 Coverage of Ambulance Services (e) to allow Medicare reimbursement for beneficiaries not transported to the emergency department by the Beverly Hills Fire Department. This would include:
- Allowing CMS to provide a benefit to local jurisdictions for ‘dry runs’ - Allowing CMS to provide a benefit for treatment in the field apart from transport, including reimbursement for mid-level practitioners, such as nurse practitioners, as many jurisdictions are moving towards a model of staffing Emergency Medical Services with a higher level of medical care. • Support interoperable communication solutions that meet radio spectrum needs of first responders and efforts to continue interoperability advocacy and expansion efforts through ongoing participation with the Interagency Communications Interoperability (“ICI”) System Authority.
• Support legislation that enhances and further develops the regional ICI System Authority’s interoperable communications platform through the continued funding of strategic technical and operational improvements.
• Support legislation which provides funding for programs that are critical to Fire Suppression, Fire Prevention and Emergency Medical Services. • Support initiatives that foster safety for firefighters and the public, including utilization of detection devices that suppress harmful elements, toxic chemicals, and known carcinogens.
• Support wildfire-related legislation that provides funding opportunities to bolster community resilience to areas located in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
• Advocate for programs that enhance fire and emergency training and response capabilities.
• Support legislation which provides funding to address mental fitness and emotional wellbeing issues faced by first responders.
• Support legislation which prioritizes fighting antisemitism, hate crimes and domestic terrorism.
• Oppose legislation or other administrative actions, which seek to limit the Beverly Hills Police Department’s ability to collect and utilize asset forfeiture funds for a wide variety of police services.
• Support legislation, which provides frontline funding to the Beverly Hills Police Department for costs associated with the early release of state prisoners as a result of state-mandated criminal justice realignment provisions. 2025 Legislative Platform Page 6
- Identify opportunities for reimbursement to Beverly Hills for increased custodial and supervision costs resulting from prison realignment. • Support legislation to increase funding to ensure responsible supervision by parole agents and for local agencies that provide post-release community supervision. • Advocate for legislation and/or funding to take advantage of current technology to prevent crime in Beverly Hills (e.g. - the ability to use surveillance cameras and automatic license plate recognition technology).
• Support the deployment of new and emerging investigation technology, including unmanned aircraft, and the development of local policies that provides the tools to save abducted children; collect DNA, prevent the exploitation of children and vulnerable adults; and prosecute those who violate the rights of any person. • Support the deployment and research of new and emerging technologies, which will provide the Beverly Hills Police Department with tools to provide the highest level of service including:
- Body Worn Cameras
- New Generation Investigative Technology - including unmanned aircraft - Digital Evidence - support funding for local jurisdictions to collect, store and retain digital evidence.
• Support the development and deployment of enhanced 911 services to allow first responders the ability to respond quickly to the needs of the people of California. • Support legislation that allows local control on the deployment of body cameras and using facial recognition software.
• Support legislation and seek funding to assist in preventing and reducing crimes in Beverly Hills, primarily related to violent crime, property crimes, cyber-crime, drugs, gang violence, mental illness, and pedestrian safetyof and vulnerable road users.
• Support evidence-based studies that seek to improve law enforcement tactics and non-lethal force options that ensure both the safety of the public and peace officers.
• Support efforts to work collectively with the Office of the California Attorney General to maintain transparency concerning lethal force encounters while concurrently retaining local control of investigations of such incidents. • Oppose legislation that which would challenge the use of force standards which are enshrined by federal and state statute and case law (e.g. Graham v. Connor, Tennessee v. Garner, etc.).
• Oppose any efforts to further decriminalize existing crimes in California or lessen the sentences of any offenses that would result in the release of serious criminals who would further harm the safety of the public and law enforcement personnel. • Oppose legislation that would expand the definition of early release, non-serious crimes, and non-violent crimes.
• Oppose legislation to expand “early release” for low-risk, serious and violent offenders.
2025 Legislative Platform Page 7
• Support efforts to overturn Proposition 47 and Proposition 57 and continue to raise awareness regarding their deficiencies as it relates to crime. • Support efforts to reverse all legislation, including AB 109, that created “early release” for low-risk, serious and violent offenders.
• Oppose legislation that decriminalizes repeated substance use as well as inform and engage the Legislature and Governor on the public safety impacts of medicinal and recreational cannabis legalization in California.
• Oppose the decriminalization of the possession, preparation, obtaining, transfer, or transportation of psilocybin, psilocyn, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), ibogaine, and mescaline, for personal use or facilitated or supported use. • Oppose legislation that would expunge or otherwise reduce sentences for the most dangerous cannabis crimes, including sales to minors, commercial drug trafficking and driving under the influence of drugs (DUID).
• Support rehabilitation, housing, and employment programs for local and state prisoners.
• Support legislation, which combats the growing crime of human trafficking and provide to the legislature details and figures to further understand the scope of human trafficking in California.
• Support funding initiatives for Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) and other law enforcement support organizations.
• Support and encourage legislation and budget negotiations, which retain funding for the Beverly Hills Police Department when the legislation and/or budget negotiations includes behavioral health treatment; drug and trafficking taskforces; crisis intervention teams; and adequate patrol staffing. • Support funding for the increased demand placed on Beverly Hills to respond to societal issues including homelessness; substance abuse and dependency; and unpredictable and potentially harmful behavior towards the public and peace officers.
• Support effective and relevant reporting of local agency data and ensure any disclosed data be fair as well as balanced and protects the safety of officers and the public they serve.
• Support efforts to engage with the Legislature and Governor on the extreme need for local funding to collect, store, and retain large amounts of digital evidence. • Support efforts for cannabis enforcement that encourages state licensing entities to streamline enforcement relationships between the state and local jurisdictions.
This includes improving existing systems in order to share information, providing additional funding for local law enforcement, and strengthening enforcement capabilities within the Bureau of Cannabis Control.
• Support common sense gun safety regulations, including legislation that addresses issues caused by firearms made by an individual without a serial number or other identifying markings (known as “ghost guns”). • Urge the state legislature to redefine recidivism to its original definition as the current definition only considers a person to be a recidivist if there is an arrest 2025 Legislative Platform Page 8
resulting in a charge within three years of the individual’s release from incarceration.
• Support legislation that provides funding to enhance public safety while using public transportation including but not limited to enhanced security for the riders and at public transportation stations and/or stops.
• Oppose legislation that contains prescriptive language regarding POST education requirements.
Emergency Management and Homeland Security
• Support strategies, legislation and funding that promotes emergency preparedness, resiliency and recovery efforts.
• Support funding opportunities for local homeland security, public safety and emergency management programs including new technology and equipment (e.g., closed circuit television) that does not supplant other City funding, services or operations.
• Seek grants and pilot project/demonstration project funding for City homeland security, public safety and emergency management priorities. • Support federal funding for the deployment and long-term sustainment of the Biowatch program and other monitoring programs in Beverly Hills. • Support funding for a cost effective public seismic early warning system and other emergency notification systems.
• Support legislation that ensures funding for disaster relief for all types of natural and manmade disasters.
• Support federal or state legislation and funding that improves building resiliency and recovery efforts after a seismic event.
Housing and Land Use
• Pursue incentive-based housing legislation to encourage expanding the housing supply in our area including more flexibility for local jurisdictions to work together to provide housing that counts toward Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) requirements.
• Support federal and state funding for affordable senior housing opportunities and projects.
• Monitor land use issues and support legislative and administrative efforts to maintain the integrity of local government’s control over land use, planning and zoning matters.
• Emphasize local control related to land use planning. • Support legislation to protect areas designated for single-family homes as the City recognizes the benefits of having single-family homes as an alternative for housing.
• Support and pursue the repeal of state laws that affect local control on housing and land use.
• Continue to support new initiatives regarding rent control legislation at the state level.
2025 Legislative Platform Page 9
Mental Health Funding, Homelessness, and At-Risk Youth
• Support additional funding for homeless and mental health outreach teams, as well as for programs targeting at-risk youth.
• Support legislation that expands the treatment of and response to mentally ill persons and inform the Legislature and Governor on the effective mental and behavioral health practices currently being used by law enforcement in California. • Promote legislation that provides for increased services to or funding for at-risk populations such as elderly who require assistance, homeless, disabled and other challenged populations.
• Support funding and policy initiatives that support mental health care (e.g., access to psychiatric facilities, behavioral health care treatment, and street-based services).
• Support legislation that addresses the need for housing and supportive services, (e.g. health, mental health and social services) for the City’s homeless population. • Collaborate with local stakeholders on measures that work to maintain renter populations and prevent homelessness.
Transportation
Support local control over determining and setting speed limits. • Support legislation that allows setting appropriate speed limits based on safety for all road users while maintaining local control.
• Support legislation which would allow local jurisdictions to install speed enforcement cameras.
• Support and seek sponsor for legislation which would allow local jurisdictions to install cameras at stop sign intersections for enforcement of vehicle code violations when a vehicle does not come to a complete stop. • Support legislation that develops safety standards and performance measures for vehicles permitted to operate on City streets.
• Support regional, state, and federal legislation that enhances the safety of the City’s streets for all road users automobile and pedestrian traffic, including issues related to, traffic congestion and collision reduction programs and regional transportation improvements.
• Promote funding, policy goals and visibility for the development of autonomous vehicles.
• Support regional, state and federal efforts for the development of compatible autonomous vehicle infrastructure.
• Support legislation and funding for transportation technologies that increase safety, access, and mobility.
• Support measures and discretionary grant programs that provide funding for critical transportation infrastructure projects, which improves mobility and safety for residents and visitors in and around Beverly Hills.
• Support legislation and funding for transportation demand management strategies/policies that will reduce traffic congestion. 2025 Legislative Platform Page 10
• Support legislation that expands transportation planning, funding, and voluntary incentives to include an increasingly multi-modal perspective focusing on transit, alternative fuel vehicles and fleets, pedestrian ways, bikeways, multi-use trails and parking.
• Support measures which provide the City’s fair share of funding from the state’s cap and trade funding sources.
• Support legislation to provide more tools to both the California Department of Motor Vehicles and local law enforcement to reduce disabled parking placard fraud and abuse.
• Work with other agencies in the region to support current state and federal funding levels and encourage increased funding and flexibility in both operating and capital funding for mass transit.
• In conjunction with the Westside Cities Council of Governments (WSCOG) and other agencies, support legislation that provides incentives for the development of local and regional transportation mobility corridors.
• Support local, regional, state and federal legislative, administrative, and regulatory efforts that will expand and/or supplement funding for maintaining and upgrading major thoroughfares in Beverly Hills to improve the safety for all forms of modalityroad users.
• Support increased state and federal resources to mitigate traffic congestion on the City of Beverly Hills’ streets and rebuild and maintain roads. • Support efforts to expand and fund mobility education and encouragement programs.
Environmental Sustainability
• Advocate for cost-effective, sustainable, and responsible environmental policy and programs in the areas of energy efficiency, greenhouse gases, transportation, climate change, potable water, wastewater, organic/solid waste removal diversion and reduction, and storm water, among others. • Support legislation and funding for transportation demand management strategies/polices that incentivize and encourage mode shift from driving alone to environmentally friendly options, like walking, biking, and public transit. • Support state funding opportunities to assist agencies in meeting sustainability objectives including energy and water efficiencies, decarbonization, active and public transportation enhancements, connectivity and mobility improvements and carbon sequestration through natural landscape management and protection. • Support legislation for funding opportunities to expand local infrastructure, such as EV charging stations for automobiles and alternative means of transportation, to support Governor Executive Order N-79-20 on the phase-out of gasoline powered vehicles by Year 2035.
• Support legislation protecting, preserving and restoring the natural environment where it does not conflict with local control and land use designations. 2025 Legislative Platform Page 11
• Support efforts to create partnerships among the City, Beverly Hills Unified School District, businesses, residents, and all other community stakeholders as necessary to achieve a sustainable community.
• Support legislation to combat climate change and improve air quality that results in turning back global warming to minimize drought and wildland fires. • Support legislation that incentivizes and increases access to climate friendly products, such as food options that include plant-based, organic, and locally grown for environmental and public health.
• Support funding to foster an environmentally sustainable city as well as a walkable community that provides ample goods, services and benefits to all residents while respecting the local environment.
• Support legislation and funding for the Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) and other regional transit authorities to continue to create multi-modal transportation systems that minimizes pollution and reduces motor vehicle congestion while ensuring access, safety, and mobility for all. • Oppose legislation that will expand or create new opportunities for off- shore oil drilling and hydraulic fracturing..
• Support legislation and funding for resiliency and climate adaptation such as solar and battery, electric grid hardening, water resource, flood management and cooling centers.
• Support state legislation in phasing-out single-use plastic goods and provide funding to develop alternative materials, systems of reuse, and expansion of industrial compostable facilities.
• Support state legislation in the expansion of renewable energy ranging from hydrogen gas to off-shoreoffshore windmills; solar and battery to geothermal; and other forms of green clean energy.
• Support state funding opportunities to expand the City’s clean vehicle fleet and fueling stations.
• Support legislation and funding opportunities that support local farmer's market vendors and non-profit food recovery organizations to expand the availability of food to the food insecure population.
• support food organizations to within the region and stateSupport state funding and a statewide policy for broadband access for all, which would allow remote access for at home education and telework. This will reduce vehicle miles traveled and assist with reducing climate change.
Community Services
• Support legislation related to the Internet and filtering in public facilities. • Support funding for literacy and English-as-a-second language programs. • Support protection against censorship and oppose restriction of free speech. • Support funding for ADA facility and park upgrades.
• Support legislation that provides opportunities for healthy “aging in place” (aging in one’s own home) options.
• Where reasonable, support public investment in parks, open space and recreation. 2025 Legislative Platform Page 12
• In general, support efforts to provide funding for the rehabilitation, development and capital improvements for local park improvements.
Public Health
• Continue to promote legislation that enhances the health and safety of the general population, with an emphasis on programs that focus on youth, the elderly and at-risk populations.
• Support efforts to provide infrastructure thatthe enhances the health and safety of vulnerable populations, such as streetscape enhancements. • Monitor opportunities to expand the City’s ordinances to regulate smoking t o other communities or through state legislation.
• Support legislative efforts to regulate the smoking of any substance at multi-family complexes both regionally and statewide.
• Support efforts regionally and statewide to prohibit the sales of tobacco and tobacco related products.
• Support legislation that will increase funding for mental health at the local level in order to address mental health issues and the impact those with mental health issues have on Beverly Hills.
• Support legislation that provides funding to expand the treatment of, and response to, mentally ill persons and the growing issues associated with the mentally ill. • Support legislation that would provide direct funding and alternative avenues of healthcare to local first response agencies to adequately address behavioral and mental health issues.
• Support legislation to maintain or increase funding for the provision of mental health services and to establish programs to assist jurisdictions with helping those individuals who may have mental health issues.
• Oppose legislation that would reduce or eliminate funding allocations for the Prevention and Public Health Fund.
• Support access opportunities for all Californians for physical activity, proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle options through the promotion of active transportation, complete street implementation, healthy foods, youth programming and maximizing the usage of green space.
• Support legislation that encourages policies and programming that promote healthy lifestyles; e.g. physical activity, preventative screenings, healthful eating and core wellness for people of all ages and abilities. • Support legislation that will actively support and provide funding for vaccinations. • Support legislation that supports a clean and healthy environment for all and further ensures access to clean water, clean indoor and outdoor air, clean soil, sustainable energy, and a sustainable natural climate.
General Government
• Support economic, social, and other sanctions at the local, regional, state, and federal level against Russia until such a time Russia withdraws from Ukraine. 2025 Legislative Platform Page 13
• Support legislation that reinstates net neutrality.
• Support legislation that preserves the ability of local governments to provide. broadband capability and services to its residents.
• Support legislation that would prohibit the flying of helicopters, unmanned aircraft or other aircraft at low altitudes over residential neighbors excluding police, fire or other public safety aircraft.
• Support efforts to increase state resources for local arts, cultural events and library programs, including performing and visual arts programs. • Support legislation that would establish statewide regulations prohibiting the use of unmanned aircraft to record or transmit any visual audio recording of any person or private real property in which the subject person or owner of property has a reasonable expectation of privacy.
• Consistent with City Council adopted resolutions and the City of Beverly Hills’ strong relationship with Israel, the City unequivocally supports the state of Israel. • Support legislation which recognizes the importance of the Holocaust. • Support state legislation which recognizes the importance of other culturally significant holidays, including Rosh Hashanah, whereby employees may use earned time off to honor those holidays important to their culture or religion. • Oppose legislation and/or actions by the government or other groups which are Antisemitic.
• Oppose legislation and/or actions by the government or other groups which perpetrate hate and extremism between the various cultures and religions. • Condemn any form of hate or extremism on the local, regional, national, or international level.
• Encourage cities, counties, school districts, other governmental bodies, other nongovernment organizations, private institutions, and public institutions to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (“IHRA”) definition of antisemitism. • Support legislation that supports the use of artificial intelligence for educational purposes, benefits the public, and enhances the quality of life of the public. • Support legislation to protect individuals under the age of 18 from the harmful effects of social media.
• Support legislation to protect the public from the inappropriate use of artificial intelligence.
• Support legislation that addresses the plight of California homeowners facing availability and affordability problems in home and fire insurance, especially those homeowners who live in a wildland urban interface area. • Support and co-sponsor legislation that ensures ethnic studies programs will not contain antisemitic or anti-Zionist materials and should include the Jewish experience.
Public Works – Solid Waste
• Support funding for new infrastructure related to the passage of AB 1826 – Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling and SB 1383 – Short-Lived Climate Pollutants: Methane Emissions.
2025 Legislative Platform Page 14
• Support legislation that incentivizes corporations to recycle in the United States rather than sending recyclables overseas.
• Support legislation that incentivizes manufacturers to produce recyclable and reusable products.
• Support legislation that requires manufacturers to be responsible for the end of life of non-recyclable products.
• Support legislation that promotes sustainable practices related to waste reduction, increased reuse of materials, and then recycling.
• Support legislation that encourages the reduction and diversion of commercial food waste, regardless of collection method where currently the State regulation is prescriptive on the method.
• Support funding opportunities that assist food recovery organizations to bring additional capacity and storage facilities that would make with food recovery and distribution of edible food. accessible throughout the state.
Public Works - Stormwater
• Support state and county efforts to develop avenues for agencies to collect revenue to support stormwater retention efforts.
• Support legislation that would classify stormwater as a utility similar to water, wastewater and solid waste services.
• Support legislation for funding stormwater infrastructure improvements, including building facilities to capture stormwater runoff and integrate with local, regional and statewide water resources.
• Support legislation that would provide pragmatic compliance goals in statewide and regional National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. • Ensure the state continues to fund the California Department of Transportation (Cal Trans) capital construction budget for offsetting their requirements to limit their total maximum daily load (TMDL) for pollutant discharge. Encourage Cal Trans to continue to enter into Cooperative Implementation Agreements with local jurisdictions to fund stormwater capture and retention projects. • Ensure that the State (State Water Resources Control Board) continues to provide Cal Trans Stormwater a Compliance Based Credit System that includes compliance based on using funds to support stormwater projects that would meet statewide TMDLs.
Public Works – Water & Utilities
• Support California Water Fixthe Delta Conveyance Project as it will assist with protecting the water supply for Beverly Hills.
• Support projects and legislation that protect the City’s ability to receive water from the Bay Delta and the State Water Project.
• Support measures that uphold the ability of the City of Beverly Hills City Council to regulate and manage their publicly owned water utility so that local authority is not eroded by state or federal agencies, authorities, or other regulatory bodies. 2025 Legislative Platform Page 15
• Oppose legislation that adds requirements to provide services that customers do not value, want, or need.
• Support legislation that ensures local ratemaking authority is preserved and remains meaningful.
• Support policies that recognize, support, and credit the role of water conservation and water use efficiency in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. • Support local control of groundwater uses and groundwater rights unless otherwise contraindicated.
• Support local control for planning management and use of water supplies to address local needs and contribute to long-term sustainability, unless otherwise contraindicated.
• Support efforts that seek to bring federal sources of funding to California for water infrastructure development and renewable energy development through water management.
• Support cost effective water conservation programs and incentives that are funded by the state or federal government.
• Support flexible funding options and additional funding that will help Beverly Hills upgrade and replace water infrastructure and groundwater development. • Support flexible funding options and additional funding for Beverly Hills wastewater facilities.
• Support legislation for state funding for the development of local water supply and water conservation efforts.
• Support legislation that ensures equitable cost-sharing between investor-owned utilities and community choice aggregation for stranded costs. • Support funding and legislation for water recycling projects including augmenting potable water.
• Support legislation and funding aimed at strengthening cyber security and preventing cyber security threats to critical infrastructure, including water utilities. • Support state funding and a statewide policy for broadband access for all, which would allow remote access for at home education and telework. This will reduce vehicle miles traveled and assist with reducing climate change. • Support legislation which improves the reliability of public utilities.