City of Huntington Beach
2024 Legislative Platform
Guiding Principles
The City of Huntington Beach Legislative Platform outlines the process through which the City Council, City Manager, City staff and the City’s legislative advocates can respond to legislative proposals in a timely manner., and allows for flexibility so that the City Council, City officials, and our legislative advocates can be proactive and quickly respond within the defined boundaries of the platform to address legislative, regulatory, administrative, and budgetary issues that arise during the year.
In addition, the City of Huntington Beach 2023-2027 Strategic Plan was adopted to define the internal policies and programs the City prioritizes, and the Legislative Platform helps carry out the City’s Strategic Plan goals which both aim to bolster the Surf City USA economy, take on opportunities to shape additional public policy like local control, and create fun, safe spaces for the community. The Strategic Plan set eight goals and strategies:
Economic Development: Greater business retention, investment , and job growth in Huntington Beach.
Fiscal Stability: Available funding to support a high -quality level of programs, services and capital investments and to build a structural surplus.
High Performing Organization: An engaged City workforce committed to responsive and exceptional public service for all. Achieve a customer service satisfaction rating of 90% or higher.
Homelessness: A continuum of care that reduces homelessness and maintains quality of life for the entire community.
Housing: Proactive programs to address diverse housing needs within the City’s jurisdiction.
Infrastructure Investment: Maintained and upgraded infrastructure that supports the community’s day -to-day needs in accordance with the City’s Infrastructure Report Card.
Public Engagement: A community that has easy access to clear, accurate, and timely City information and expresses increased awareness and involvement in City activities.
Public Safety: Ensure the safety and protection of all community members, both efficiently and effectively.
The Legislative Platform is developed and maintained using legislative positions taken by the City Council, input from the City Council and City staff, research o n current law and pending legislation, and discussions with coalitions and local legislative staff in consultation with the City’s legislative advocates.
Legislation that is consistent with the 2024 Legislative Platform will be reviewed, approved, and signed by the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem. In addition, legislative positions that are deemed time -sensitive and are consistent with the Legislative Platform may be signed and approved by the City Manager. Once approved, a position letter will be sent to the bill’s author, the City’s legislative advocates, and other stakeholders as deemed appropriate by staff, and a copy of the letter will be distributed to the City Council.
Legislation that is inconsistent with or silent on the City’s Legislative Platform may be placed on the agenda for consideration by the Intergovernmental Relations Committee and the City Council. The City Manager may also provide a letter of concern or int erest without taking a formal position on a piece of legislation, upon concurrence of the IRC.
Legislative Priorities
A. Preserve and Enhance Local Control.
The City s upports measures that preserve and protect the City’s local authority as a charter city to enact policy pertaining to local affairs. Oppose measures that seek to preempt local control without the concurrence from the City of Huntington Beach.
1. Support measures that provide municipalities with increased input in the development of sea level rise policy, residential building standards, land use policy and housing laws including, but not limited to, laws related to the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), Housing Element Law, Accessory Dwelling Units, Density Bonus , the Housing Accountability Act , and the Coastal Act.
2. Oppose legislation that places a state mandate on the City without providing the funds necessary, or offsetting benefit/matching funds, to carry out the program (unfunded mandate). With a looming state budget deficit, it is critical to counter efforts to erode or redirect local revenue away from necessary City operations and projects to carry out state obligated programs.
B. Economic Development and Fiscal Responsibility.
The City supports business-friendly legislation and strategies to facilitate sustainable, financial growth.
1. Support legislation that strengthens, protects, and expands ongoing revenue for the City.
2. Support additional resources to facilitate public -private partnerships to enhance economic development opportunities for the City.
2. Support efforts to bolster the City’s small business community.
3. Support measures that promote and enhance Huntington Beach as a tourist destination.
a. Support efforts to coordinate economic development and land use. b. Support efforts to finance and develop infrastructure, resident and visitor experiences, and programs in preparation for hosting the 2028 Olympic events (LA 2028) , especially those improving mobility and access for all.
C. Homelessness.
The City supports efforts and legislation that seek to alleviate homelessness throughout the State by providing funding and programmatic assistance to cities and counties.
1. Support increased or sustained community services and housing programs including Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership, Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG ), and housing voucher programs.
2. Support legislation that allo cates funding for local and regional programs addressing mental health, substance abuse, and continuum of care .
D. Housing & Land Use Regulations.
The City supports legislation that honors the City’s fundamental principle as the local land- use authority.
1. Monitor land use issues and support measures that preserve local control over planning and zoning matters.
2. Support legislative efforts to modify State housing obligations. These reforms should seek to simplify and streamline processes and requirements for local agencies; establish judicial review and expand remedies for cities regarding RHNA determinations ; and reform the regional determination process, RHNA methodology and requirements, and the housing element review and certification process.
3. Support efforts that provide municipalities with more control over the establishment and placement of licensed and unlicensed group home s, sober living homes, and transitional and supporting housing uses within the community.
4. Monitor and evaluate measures related to amendments to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act for impacts to the City, its residents and businesses.
E. Public Safety.
The City seeks to promote practical policy responses that reduce crime, increase response capacity, and provide more support to those residents requiring mental health assistance.
1. Support legislation and grants that would provide funding for “Be Well OC”, a mobile mental health crisis response program, that works in coordination with the police department and the homeless outreach teams.
2. Support public safety -related legislation and funding of activities, infrastructure, technology, staffing, training, and equipment needs of police, fire, and lifeguards.
3. Support legislation that clarifies the public safety strategy for e-bikes and e- bike riders.
F. Infrastructure.
The City is committed to investing in public infrastructure that advances the City’s goals of public safety , the delivery of efficient services , and the enhancement of economic development.
1. Seek state and federal funding for local infrastructure projects.
2. Support legislation that expands transportation planning, funding, and voluntary incentives to include an increasingly multi -modal perspective focusing on transit, pedestrian ways, bikeways, multi-use trails and parking.
3. Support legislation that provides for the relinquishment of certain portions of state routes within the City if found to be in the best interest of the state and our community.
4. Support legislation or regulatory reform that alleviates the financial burden of fleet replacement to comply with the State’s various air quality policies, including Advanced Clean Fleets.
G. Assets and Environment.
The City supports efforts to improve and protect the beaches, ocean, wetlands, harbor, and coastal resources and continuously provide assets like clean, safe drinking water, coastal access, and recreation spaces . This support must be balanced with respect for the rights of property owners and local land use authority.
1. The City will support sand replenishment efforts by the Army Corps of Engineers through efficient permitting and funding.
2. The City seeks funding that addresses coastal protection and expands access opportunities.
3. The City seeks funding that maintains and provides for recreation and community programs.
4. Support legislation that provides funding and/or resources for programming for narrowed populations (low -income, special needs, seniors, sports, etc.) and/or broad populations (enhancement of open spaces to expand drop -in programming to public spaces, etc.)