Agenda Item No: L.1
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: March 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution 2026-33 CM 2026 Legislative Platform
Adopting the City of Fairfield’s 2026 State and Federal Legislative Platform
Funding Source: N/A
Contact: Liz Aptekar, (707) 428-7389
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt resolution.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
Each year the City Council adopts an annual legislative platform that establishes priorities, principles, and policy statements. This creates the basis for its advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels. This resolution will update and adopt the 202 6 State and Federal Legislative Platform.
DISCUSSION
The Legislative Platform creates the basis for its advocacy efforts, alerting our legislative partners to the greatest needs of our residents and where we need additional help. The Platform provides general direction to City departments, legislative advocates, delegation members, and the public on our positions on critical policy matters that may impact how the City does business.
Each year, the City submits letters to legislators representing Fairfield in support of community organizations seeking funding for programs that benefit the Fairfield community. The City also submits funding requests to its state and congressional representatives.
In 2025, cities statewide secured key wins through the League of California Cities and coalitions— like Cap -and-Trade reauthorization ( Senate Bill [ SB] 840/Assembly Bill [ AB] 1207) for $800M annually in affordable housing and clean transit, plus California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemptions via SB 71 (bike/pedestrian projects) and SB 79 (infill housing)—despite 728 unfunded
state mandates. Notably, SB 79's Tier 3 transit -oriented provisions enable CEQA -exempt infill housing near Fairfield's commuter rail, advancing affordability while preserving local land -use authority. Building on this momentum, Congressman Jo hn Garamendi (D -CA-08) secured over $6.5M in fiscal year (FY) 2026 THUD Appropriations for local projects like the Heart of Fairfield Downtown and Markley Lane Extension, boosting safe transport and Travis Aire Force Base (AFB) connectivity.
Additionally, the City advanced Travis AFB priorities through the Travis Community Consortium, obtaining federal assurances and investments to backfill KC -10 retirements with KC-46 missions and shielding against encroachment risks —while laying groundwork for a Californ ia Delta Maritime Prosperity Zone (MPZ) designation to revive local shipbuilding, leveraging Travis AFB's intermodal role for synergistic air-maritime economic growth via executive incentives and grants without compromising base operations.
The 2026 Platform in Attachment 3 reflects the current operational needs of City departments to pursue council priorities and core services. The Platform is organized by departments and highlights legislative interests, including policy positions intended to strengthen the City's operations, increase funding opportunities, and maintain local authority. While the City will respond to various legislative items throughout the year, priority policy areas include affordable housing and homeless resources, maintaining local control, and criminal justice reform.
Affordable Housing and Homeless Resources
The City continues to support policies and funding mechanisms for affordable housing and homeless resources. The City strives to permanently reduce homelessness in Fairfield by protecting the health and safety of all residents, increasing housing opportunities, enhancing the system of care, improving public policy and engagement, and strengthening regional capacity to address homelessness. Since FY 2019, the City has spent approximately $20M on overall services for those experiencing homelessness. The City will continue to seek funding support and legislation that provides resources and programming to address California's homeless crisis.
Affordable and permanent supportive housing is a vital component in addressing homelessness, and the City strives to make housing accessible to all income and service levels. The City will continue to monitor and support sustainable funding for various levels of housing while also balancing the importance of local control over planning and land use.
Maintaining Local Control
The City is committed to preserving local control and decision-making authority, along with state and local funding sources, and opposes unfunded or inadequately funded mandates. The City supports ongoing engagement between state and local governments to ensure local control is maintained and responsible housing development is promoted in a collaborative effort.
Criminal Justice Reform
The City advocates review of Propositions 47 (non -serious crimes) and 57 (non -violent juvenile offenders) to balance r eform with public safety, preventing recidivism and ensuring police accountability. While supporting the underlying principles of these propositions, the City emphasizes the necessity of refining the legislative framework to strike an appropriate balance.
The aim is to prevent unintended consequences that may hinder the police department's ability to hold offenders accountable and ensure community safety.
Adoption of the proposed Platform by the council will streamline the City’s advocacy efforts by enabling City staff to take immediate action on pressing legislative items efficiently and without delay under council direction. Throughout the legislative session, the City will review and take positions on various policy and budget items at the State and Fed eral levels. When a recommended position is consistent with existing City policy, as adopted in the Platform, the City Manager’s Office will prepare a position letter for the mayor’s signature.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
N/A
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
N/A
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
N/A
COORDINATED WITH
All Departments
STAFF CONTACT
Liz Aptekar, Assistant to the City Manager
(707) 428-7389
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Proposed Resolution
Attachment 3: Proposed Platform