CITY COUNCIL
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
Meeting: July 18, 2023
Subject
Legislative Process and Bill Watch List
Recommended Action
Receive Update on Legislative Process and Bill Watch List Reasons for Recommendation
Background
The Legislative Review Committee (“LRC”), most recently active from 2019-2022, was primarily responsible for making recommendations on legislative advocacy issues and for authorizing position letters for legislation that aligned with the City's Council-approved Legislative Platform. Staff invested over 400 hours of staff time annually to facilitate the LRC, and during this time, the City sent a total of 71 position letters, 31 in support and 40 in opposition. The majority of bills were related to housing and development, and others comprised a variety of topics including public safety, elections, environmental protections, and homelessness. Of the 31 letters of support, 11 bills were ultimately signed into law. Of the 40 letters in opposition, 16 bills failed to advance, and 24 were signed into law.
In an effort to streamline and improve efficiency, on January 25 the City Council voted to dissolve the LRC and bring positions on pending legislation to the full Council. On February 21, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 23-026 (Attachment A), which eliminated the Legislative Platform and established an updated Legislative Advocacy Policy that requires full Council consideration of City positions on proposed legislation.
Legislative Process
As stated in the new Legislative Advocacy Policy, staff will monitor and research pending legislation to identify bills that could significantly impact Cupertino. Staff will bring these identified bills forward for Council consideration as needed and facilitate letters to the legislature outlining the City’s position.
Staff will maintain a focused list of legislative activities that are pertinent to Cupertino. Councilmembers may request that staff consider other bills of interest throughout the legislative session on an as-needed basis. Staff will research the additional bills and determine the relevancy and level of impact to the City. In order for the City to have a stronger impact on pending legislation, lobbyists advise sending position letters sparingly and aligning positions with multiple jurisdictions and regional organizations like the California League of Cities.
Starting with the 2024 Legislative Session, staff and the City lobbyist will bring legislative updates to Council at least three times per session:
In January/February, staff will prepare an update that introduces the legislative session including main topics to look for and changes in political appointments.
In spring/summer staff will present the current list of high priority bills with recommendations for the Council to adopt positions. Once positions are adopted staff will issue position letters to the legislature.
In fall/winter, staff will prepare a summary of the legislative session highlighting relevant bills signed into law by the Governor.
For 2023, as an exception to accommodate the current legislative session, the City Council can consider taking a position on high priority bills by September.
A bill watch list, which includes bills that may impact the City for the 2023 legislative session is included with this memo as Attachment B. The City lobbyist, City Attorney, and the City Manager’s Office will monitor and track all bills on the City watch list.
The bill watch list will be posted on the City webpage at cupertino.org/legislation and will be updated regularly. The proposed legislative process not only aligns with the Council approved Legislative Advocacy Policy, but also furthers efficiency and transparency.
Sustainability Impact
No sustainability impact.
Fiscal Impact
No fiscal impact.
California Environmental Quality Act
Not applicable.
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Prepared by: Astrid Robles, Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Tina Kapoor, Deputy City Manager
Matt Morley, Assistant City Manager
Chris Jensen, City Attorney
Approved for Submission by: Pamela Wu, City Manager
Attachments:
A – Resolution No. 23-026
B – Bill Watch List