Item 15
VALLEY CLEAN ENERGY ALLIANCE
Staff Report - Item 15
____________________________________________________________________________________ TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Mitch Sears, Executive Officer
Yvonne Hunter, Legislative and Project Specialist
Mark Fenstermaker, Principal, Pacific Policy Group
SUBJECT: End of Session Legislative Update
DATE: October 12, 2023
This staff report provides an overview of how VCE engages in the legislative process and an update on the end of the 2023 legislative session.
OVERVIEW OF VCE’S LEGISLATIVE ENGAGEMENT
VCE participates in the legislative process through various means that work together to ensure that VCE’s voice is heard in the legislature.
Legislative Platform. Each fall, VCE updates its Legislative Platform that includes key policy issues of interest to VCE and for which VCE may decide to take a position. It serves as a guide to help staff, Board and CAC members and VCE’s lobbyist. The draft 2024 Platform is being prepared and will be considered by the CAC in October and the Board in November for action. It is important to remember that the Legislative Platform is a guide and VCE may engage in new issues that surface even if they are not addressed in the Platform.
Legislative/Regulatory Task Group. The Leg/Reg Task Group (of the CAC) meets every other week with staff and Pacific Policy Group to discuss pending legislation and regulations of interest to CCAs and VCE, political strategy, and what positions, if any, to recommend for VCE to take.
VCE Procedure for Taking Positions on Bills. At its June 2022 meeting, the VCE board adopted an updated Legislative and Regulatory Policy and Procedure for taking positions on pending legislation and regulations. The procedure includes discussion and recommendations by the Legislative/Regulatory Task Group, the CAC and the VCE board, where the legislative timeline permits such review. The procedure also includes a process for VCE to take a position where the legislative or regulatory timeline requires quick action if VCE’s engagement is to be effective.
Coordination with CalCCA. CalCCA is the statewide association representing California CCAs in the legislative and regulatory process. Since July 2022, VCE has actively participated in CalCCA’s Legislative Committee and has, where appropriate, coordinated legislative outreach by VCE with that of CalCCA staff and lobbyists and other CCAs. VCE’s Executive Officer represents VCE on the CalCCA Board of Directors and contributes VCE’s perspective on issues before the CalCCA board, including legislative items.
Direct VCE Lobbying. VCE contracts with Pacific Policy Group to represent its interests in the Legislature. Mark Fenstermaker is VCE’s eyes and ears at the Capitol and provides guidance and hands on lobbying for VCE. He coordinates with the CalCCA legislative team and other CCA advocates. At critical times, VCE also asks its board members to contact VCE’s legislators on key issues.
END OF THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE
When the Legislature adjourned in September for 2023, it concluded the first of the two-year, 2023-24 Legislative Session. With the above overview of VCE’s legislative engagement as background, Pacific Policy Group will present an update of the 2023 Legislative year and a peek, perhaps, at the upcoming 2024 legislative year. The monthly legislative update report is included as item 7 in this packet.