CITY OF FULLERTON
2025 LEGISLATIVE
PLATFORM
PURPOSE
The City of Fullerton’s 2025 Legislative Platform confirms the City Council’s position on current issues with the potential to directly or indirectly impact the City, thereby establishing guidelines to actively pursue pending legislation through monitoring and communications activities. Below are the Guiding Principles and Policy Statements that will allow City staff to address 2025 legislative and regulatory issues in a timely manner, without precluding the consideration of additional legislative and budget issues that may arise during the legislative session.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
I. PRESERVE LOCAL CONTROL
Preserve and protect the City’s powers, duties and prerogatives to enact local legislation and policy direction concerning local affairs and oppose legislation that preempts local authority. Local agencies should preserve authority and accountability for revenues raised and services provided.
II. PROMOTE FISCAL STABILITY
Support measures that promote fiscal stability, predictability, financial independence, and preserve the City’s revenue base and maximum local control over local government budgeting. Oppose measures that shift local funds to the County, State or Federal Governments and/or make cities more dependent on the County, State or Feder al Governments for financial stability, such as unfunded mandates or mandated costs with no guarantee of local reimbursement or offsetting benefits.
III. SUPPORT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Support opportunities that allow the City to compete for its fair share of regional, state and federal funding. Support funding for programs including, but not limited to economic development such as infrastructure investment and housing, transportation projects including road resurfacing, bicycle and pedestrian safety, multi -modal transportation systems and transit -oriented development, air quality, water quality, and local water reliability, parks and recreation, historic preservation, natural resources, hazard mitigation, public safety and public health.
POLICY STATEMENTS
Administration
1. Oppose State or Federal efforts to “borrow” local revenues and encourage the State to
2 find other methods of balancing its budget.
2. Support local sales and use tax reform to create an equitable distribution structure that appropriately captures and allocates online sales tax.
3. Support local government action, rather than the imposition of state, federal or regional mandates upon local governments, as well as federal mandates placed on the state.
4. Support maximum flexibility for local government in contracting and contract negotiations.
5. Support open government initiatives as well as the principles of the open meetings provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act at all levels of government. Support efforts to provide local legislative bodies with additional flexibilities regarding remote meetings and Ralph M.
Brown Act requirements
6. Support legislation that facilitates the ability of local government to share resources to increase efficiencies and decrease costs.
7. Support legislation that preserves the ability of local governments to determine the appropriate type of election for their jurisdiction.
8. Monitor local, state and federal legislation pertaining to e-cigarettes.
9. Support the preservation of Proposition 13 as stated in City Council Resolution No. 2014-
51. 10. Support the reimbursement of local governments for pandemic-related expenses, including the need for essential public safety service overtime, personal protective equipment, and small business relief.
11. Oppose measures that shift local funds to the County, State, or Federal Governments and/or make cities more dependent on the County, State, or Federal Governments for financial stability.
12. Support policies that would increase the voter threshold for local revenue measures or would increase the potential for litigation over local taxes and fees.
13. Support efforts by the State to increase funding into the California State Controller’s State Mandated Programs reimbursement program.
14. Oppose and monitor efforts that increase the City’s contribution costs to CalPERS.
Economic Development
15. Support international, statewide, regional, and local efforts to attract, retain and provide resources for current and future commercial and industrial businesses.
16. Support policies and programs that encourage working with other cities, counties, and government agencies to jointly leverage resources and assets to create and strengthen economic clusters within the region.
17. Support policies, projects, programs, and regulations for diversifying Fullerton’s manufacturing base and facilitating investment in the City’s industrial areas that will result in maintaining or growing local jobs and creating an environment that is attractive to high- tech, research and development, business incubators, manufacturers, transportation and warehouse logistic companies, services, and other emerging industries.
18. Support economic development initiatives that preserve and enhance a positive business climate and maintain and grow the business tax base.
3 19. Support efforts to allow cities to recapture the true values of redevelopment and successor agency funds.
20. Support legislation that provides funding and resources to local businesses.
21. Advocate for state and regional economic development incentive programs, such as tax credits, grants, and financing programs that support business retention, expansion, and attraction.
22. Support legislation that provides funding and resources for downtown or commercial corridor revitalization, including incentives for adaptive reuse of historic or underutilized properties to support mixed use or commercial development.
23. Support alternative financing mechanisms for economic development, such as Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts (EIFDs), Community Revitalization and Investment Authorities (CRIAs), and Opportunity Zones.Advocate for restoring or creating a modern form of Redevelopment Agencies (RDAs) that allow cities to reinvest tax increment financing into economic development, infrastructure and job creation while maintaining fiscal accountability.
24. Support efforts to modernize online sales tax structures to ensure that local jurisdictions receive appropriate revenues from e-commerce transactions.
Air Quality
25. Support continued funding and incentives to local agencies to work together to improve air quality through the reduction of emissions and advancing economic and technical developments.
Building
26. Support policies and guidelines to facilitate alternative building methods, materials, and technologies in accordance with the California Building Code Section 104.11..
27. Support proposals that provide funding or tools to preserve historic neighborhoods and structures.
Natural Hazards
28. Support programs which provide funding to hazard mitigation projects including those identified in a FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
29. Support legislation or funding of state efforts to create an earthquake early warning system as well as to update and prepare earthquake hazard mapping.
Solid Waste and Recycling
30. Support measures that maintain and enhance the local authority and economic flexibility to regulate solid waste and recyclables.
31. Oppose any measures that invalidate AB 939 (California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989) indemnification and prevent cities from negotiating indemnification clauses with waste haulers as well as support measures that mandate state agencies to comply with AB 939 in the same manner as required of cities and counties.
32. Support legislation that will provide funding to cities that must comply with unfunded state mandates related to waste management, solid waste recycling, and organics recycling.
Water Quality and Water Supply
4 33. Support and monitor legislation that increases the availability of, and funding for, water conservation, water reuse technologies, water recycling, local water storage, and other water supply technologies such as the Groundwater Replenishment System project.
34. Support Metropolitan Water District’s regional recycled water programs.
35. Oppose efforts to remove City representation on regional boards that oversee water supply, drainage and/or sewage.
36. Support the enhancement of a reliable and sustainable water supply for California as well as measures that improve water quality in the region.
37. Monitor the development of a State framework for long-term water conservation measures and advocate for a science-based approach to indoor water use standards
38. Support policy development, funding, and research for water conservation, addressing urban runoff and beach closures and required programs associated with OC NPDES permits.
39. Monitor water desalination technologies and support community education efforts, both pro and con, regarding desalination.
40. Support policies and funding opportunities that promote the replacement of aging infrastructure.
41. Oppose unless amended SB 1255 requiring public water systems provide water rate assistance program; where non-eligible customers would automatically opt- in to subsidize eligible customers.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
42. Support all efforts to create efficiencies within CEQA and support efforts to limit delays in the local planning and development process.
43. Support measures and reforms which streamline the CEQA process for the development of housing and mixed-use infill projects that support transit.
44. Support legislation that allows State agencies and local governments to continue to retain full authority to reject projects or to condition project approvals and impose mitigation measures.
Land Use Planning, Housing, and Homelessness
45. Support efforts to strengthen the legal and fiscal capability of local agencies to prepare, adopt and implement plans for orderly growth, development, beautification, and conservation of local planning areas.
46. Support policies that maintain local control and allow local governments to make decisions on local zoning and density requirements.
47. Support funding and policy modifications that require additional staffing resources be deployed by HCD to ensure uniformity within the housing element compliance and review process.
48. Support housing measures that promote the development and enhancement of safe and affordable housing and accessible housing within the City for all economic segments of the population, while still retaining local control.
49. Support policies and regulations that require additional transparency and local stakeholder input within the Regional Housing Needs Determination (RHND) process.
5 50. Monitor local, state, and federal actions related to medical and recreational marijuana regulatory changes.
51. Support local control over the licensure and regulation of alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities.
52. Monitor legislation or regulations that seek to expand the enforcement capabilities of the State for RHNA compliance
53. Oppose efforts that would require local jurisdictions within Orange County to adhere to additional surplus land act requirements.
54. Support and advocate for the continued and uninterrupted funding of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
55. Support scalable solutions for federal funding of homeless and housing services programs through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
Libraries
56. Support full State funding of the Public Library fund and other local public library programs.
Parks and Recreation
57. Oppose efforts that erode funding for vital regional and community services that negatively impact Californian's access to parks, open space, bike lanes, and bikeways, after-school programming, senior services, facilities that promote physical activity, protect natural resources
58. Support the enactment of policies and encourage state funding opportunities to assist agencies in meeting sustainability objectives including energy and water efficiencies, active transportation enhancements, connectivity and mobility improvements, and carbon sequestration through natural landscape management and protection.
59. Support funding for maintenance, operations, and programming for West Coyote Hills Open Space and acquire additional land in West Coyote Hills.
60. Support local government funding opportunities for new recreation resources and for ongoing operations and maintenance of existing parks.
61. Support access opportunities for physical activity, proper nutrition, and healthy lifestyle options through the promotion of active transportation, complete street implementation, healthy food, youth programming, and maximizing the usage of green space in urban/suburban settings.
Human Resources and Risk Management
62. Oppose measures that reduce local control over employee relations issues or mandate new or enhanced local government employee benefits.
63. Oppose measures that impose compulsory and binding arbitration with respect to employees.
64. Support pension reform measures designed to control or decrease employer liability or increase transparency in reporting without imposing undo hardships or administrative burdens on local government.
65. Oppose redundant or unnecessary proposals that require excessive human resources burdens without sufficient reimbursement.
66. Monitor legislation or regulations that mandate vaccines for public employees. 6 67. Oppose measures that reduce local control over employee relations issues or mandate new or enhanced local government employee benefits.
68. Support legislation or policies that protect the City from frivolous lawsuits or third-party litigation practices with no substantive objectives.
69. Support legislation or policies that limit financial penalties or payouts for local governments engaged in litigation.
Public Safety
70. Support measures that encourage community safety and well-being including those which support state and federal reimbursement public safety expenses.
71. Support the use of Homeland Security Funds for local law enforcement agencies as first responders.
72. Support existing Proposition 83 (Jessica’s Law) restrictions on residency requirements for sex offenders and advocate for increased restrictions and enforcement of penalties.
73. Support continued and ongoing funding to implement the provisions of Proposition 36 (2024).
74. Support initiatives involving county, state, and federal governments to reduce and prevent homelessness in Orange County.
75. Support measures that provide for additional funding to clean up illegal dump sites or homeless encampments
76. Advocate for local recovery efforts by providing cities with direct and flexible federal and state funding to support the public's health and the economy.
77. Support initiatives to reimburse local law enforcement agencies for unsupported state mandated training and legislation that places a financial burden on local law enforcement without reimbursement for costs.
Police
78. Support local control over adult entertainment facilities, alcohol establishments, and properties where illegal drugs are sold.
79. Support local control for the regulation of cultivation, storage, manufacture, transport, and use of medicinal and recreational marijuana and monitor legislative and administration activity to create a regulatory structure for medical and adult use.
80. Oppose legislation that places burdensome restrictions on law enforcement and limits their ability to protect public safety
81. Support legislation increasing resources and local authority for abatement of public vandalism, especially graffiti.
82. Support the use of Homeland Security Funds for local public safety agencies.
83. Support and promote statewide actions to reform POBAR to allow for more transparency.
Fire and Emergency Medical Services
84. Support local control of emergency medical services and ambulance services, including pre-hospital care and transport.
85. Support efforts to streamline and coordinate hazardous materials regulations.
86. Oppose the California Emergency Response Initiative and similar initiatives.
7 Public Works
87. Support increased State and Federal funding of transportation improvements with regional or sub-regional benefits for all modes of transportation.
88. Support increased support and funding to maintain City streets and roads as well as additional funding beyond SB 1 to allow the City to increase the average pavement condition index.
89. Support protection of dedicated transportation-related tax revenues and enhance the ability of local agencies to finance local transportation programs and facilities.
90. Oppose any further funding for the California High Speed Rail project and support reallocating that funding for local roads and infrastructure.
91. Support the reallocation of state or federal transportation dollars to fund local rail and transit projects.
92. Support continued appropriation of monies to fully fund the Federal Aviation Administration Contract Tower Program.
93. Support the City securing their fair share of funding from SB 1 revenues to fund local transportation projects.
94. Oppose efforts that remove local regulatory authority on wireless infrastructure development.
95. Oppose aggressive compliance schedule for the CARB Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF) regulation.
96. Support continued State and Federal funding programs for safety improvement planning and implementation projects.