CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
To:
FROM:
DATE:
Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Tamara S. Letourneau, City Manager
March 3, 2026
SUBJECT: Annual Review of the City's Adopted Legislative Platform
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council review the current Legislative Platform and determine if any changes are necessary.
BACKGROUND
On February 19, 2019, the City Council adopted the City's Legislative Platform. The purpose of the legislative platform is to provide an outline and means for summarizing the City's core legislative principles and positions on legislative matters for the purpose of advocacy efforts at the regional, state, and federal levels. The legislative platform serves as the foundation for the City to support or oppose various state and federal legislation .
The legislative platform was developed to be consistent with and support the City's long term strategic mission and vision, as well as to maintain the City's Municipal Code.
On July 25, 2025, the City Council adopted an updated Legislative Platform and instructed staff to bring the Legislative Platform back to the City Council on an annual basis.
ANALYSIS
As the legislature has reconvened for the 2026 Legislative Session and the February 20 deadline for the introduction of new bills has recently passed, it is an appropriate time to review the City's Legislative Platform and determine if any changes are necessary.
The Legislative Platform contains "Guiding Principles," which are values that are paramount when determining whether taking action on legislation is required. The Guiding Principles are:
I. Preserve and Enhance Local
Control
11. Fiscal Responsibility
Ill. Promote Economic Development
IV.
V.
Support Responsible Funding
Opportunities
Maintain Quality Public Safety
The Legislative Platform also includes "Policy Statements," which capture positions on issues the City has previously stated concern for or acted upon. These issues include:
• Local Control • Homelessness
• Local Revenue • Public Safety
• Fiscal Responsibility and • Sober Living Homes
Sustainability • Air Traffic Noise
• Economic Development • Utilities
• Funding Opportunities • Environment
• Drug Abuse • Miscellaneous
Since the City Council's adoption of the legislative platform, City Staff has been able to take timely action on legislation and regulatory issues. This has allowed staff to effectively and efficiently communicate the City's positions to legislators and policymakers in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. on crucial legislation and regulatory efforts that affect the City and its residents.
This report serves to provide the City Council with an opportunity to make any changes to the City's adopted Legislative Platform. Staff recommends that the City Council provide direction to staff on any changes to the City's adopted Legislative Platform.
FISCAL REVIEW
There is no fiscal impact as a result of this report.
LEGAL REVIEW
No legal review is required for this report.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council review the current Legislative Platform and determine if any changes are necessary.
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Tamara S. Letourneau
City Manager
Attachment:
A. Legislative Platform
Kevin X. O'Connor
Assistant to the City Manager
ATTACHMENT A
Legislative Platform
LEGISLATIVE
PLATFORM
Adopted: 02/19/2019
Last Revised: 07/15/2025
Table of
Contents
Introduction 3
Legislative Advocacy Process 3
Guiding Principles 4
Policy Statements
Local Control 5
Loc al Revenue 5
Fiscal Responsibility and Stability 6
Economic Development 6
Funding Opportuniti es 6
Drug Abuse 6
Homelessness 7
Public Safety 7
Sober Living Homes 7
Air Traffic Noise 7
Utilities 8
Environment 8
Miscellaneous 8
2 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the legislative platform is to provide an outline and means for summarizing the City's core legislative principles and positions on legislative matters for the purpose of advocacy efforts at the regional, state and federal levels. The legislative platform serves as the foundation for the City to support or oppose various state and federal legislation .
The legislative platform is developed to be consistent with and support the City's long term strategic vision, General Plan and maintain the City's Municipal Code.
This platform is an evolving document that will be amended regularly from year to year or within each year as critical legislation is introduced. The City Manager's Office will continually update the legislative platform, taking into account new issues or priorities as they relate to the City. When an issue arises that is not addressed within the legislative platform , staff will return to the City Council for direction as needed. The policies established within the platform do not preclude the City Council to consider additional legislative matters that arise throughout the year. These matters may be brought forward by the City Council for the considerat ion of action.
Approval of the legislative platform streamlines the City's process of effectively responding and taking immediate action , by responding to legislators and policymakers in Sacramento and Washington D.C., on crucial legislation that affects the City and its residents.
Laguna Niguel is Orange County's hidden gem. Actions taken by the City since incorporation has allowed Laguna Niguel to become one of the best cities for business, rank in the top 15 safest cities in all of California , maintain a desirable quality of life , preserve an unmatched natural beauty. This legislative platform is aimed towards securing legislative action and resources that will assist in maintaining the City's economic growth , safety record , scenic natural beauty, and enhancing the quality of life our residents have come to enjoy.
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY PROCESS
1. Develop and adopt a yearly legislative platform based off of the long-term strategic vision and current needs of the City
2. Monitor and analyze proposed legislation and regulations to determine effects on City and residents
3. When necessary , communicate City's position on proposed legislation and regulations through letters of support or opposition, direct contact with legislators and policymakers , and other forms of communication
4. When issues arise that are not addressed within the platform, staff will return to the City Council for direction
5. City Council may seek action on legislation or regulations that are not addressed within the platform
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GUIDING PRINCIPLES
I. Preserve and Enhance Local Control
Support measures that preserve, protect and enhance the City's local authority to enact policy and make regulatory determinations as needed pertaining to local affairs. Oppose measures that seek to preempt or degrade local control.
II. Fiscal Responsibility
Support measures that promote sound fiscal policy that ensures good stewardship of the City's taxpayer 's dollars. Support efforts that preserve and promote the City's ability to maintain and grow its revenue base. Oppose measures that diminish the City's ability to obtain revenue sources that are required to provide critical services to its residents , or that result in unbudgeted expenditures Ill. Promote Economic Development
Support legislation and regulatory reforms that provide the City with the necessary tools and opportunity to continue to grow its economy and enhance economic development efforts. Support measures that provide the City with the capability to attract and retain businesses, as well as encourage current businesses to expand and retain jobs locally.
IV. Support Responsible Funding Opportunities
Support responsible funding opportunities and measures that allow the City to compete for its fair share of regional , state and federal funding . Support initiatives that are promoted to dedicate funding streams to cities for critical residential services.
V. Maintain Quality Public Safety
Support legislation that provides the City with the ability to maintain quality public safety for its residents. Support measures and initiatives that are designed to preserve law enforcement action that provided residents with the safety needed to achieve a desirable quality of life. Oppose efforts that would diminish the City's ability to properly fund its police services and funding decreases that negatively affect public safety. Oppose measures that would bypass local authority and control, therefore creating the possibility of rises in illegal activity. 4 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
POLICY STATEMENTS
Local Control
• Support efforts to preserve and protect local control and authority over local affairs , as well as the values reflected within the City
• Support measures that protect locally generated revenues through sales taxes and regional shares
• Support legislation that protects local governments from new regulations that would be burdensome and increase costs of services provided by cities, or regulations that would increase costs of services without a proportionate benefit to cities • Support the reform of regulatory approaches or mandates that transfer state responsibilities to local agencies without protected funding sources • Oppose any legislation that preempts local control and authority or transfers jurisdiction over local programs
• Oppose legislation that would transfer regulatory control and responsibility from the local level to the county, state or federal level
• Oppose legislation that would limit or restrict local land use decision-making authority • Oppose any state or federal mandates without the direct or indirect reimbursement for the costs associated with complying with the new and/or modified laws, regulations , policies, procedures , permits, and/or programs
• Oppose any legislation that creates unnecessary regulations, and/or restricts the City's capability to choose the most cost efficient and effective form of providing essential services
• Oppose any infringements upon the City's resident's right to vote on their own local taxes and fees
• Oppose any legislation that causes the City to become more dependent on federal, state , and/or county government or agencies for policy direction • Oppose federal efforts that would bypass California law designed to preserve provisions found in local ordinances
Local Revenue
• Protect the City's ability to receive revenue through local taxes and fees • Support measures that would keep all local revenues intact • Support local sales and use tax reform that would create an equitable distribution structure that appropriately captures and allocates online sales taxes • Oppose legislation that would preempt or threaten local taxation authority • Oppose legislation that provides for the borrowing or redistribution of local revenues for state budgetary purposes
• Oppose proposals to add new taxes and proposals to increase current taxes 5 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Fiscal Responsibility and Stability
• Support common sense fiscal policy that results in the responsible handling of the City's revenue
• Support predictable and consistent funding levels for local programs to allow cities to properly plan for administering services
• Oppose unfunded state or federal mandates and regulations that would force the City to become responsible for the burden of the cost
• Oppose efforts which provide for burdensome regulation on government access channels • Oppose legislation and the promulgation of rules and regulations that allow regulatory agencies to encroach upon or supersede local authority
• Oppose measures that result in the diversion of local government funds to the state or other entity
• Oppose proposals that create an additional financial burden on or threaten the viability of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) • Oppose legislation or ballot initiatives that would alter or erode the legislative intent of Proposition 13 approved in 1978
Economic Development
• Support legislation that creates , or gives the City the ability to create , an environment that is deemed business-friendly or would create an opportunity for economic growth • Support initiatives that by preserving and enhancing a positive business climate , the business tax base grows
• Oppose legislation that is deemed by the City to be anti-business or would prevent economic growth, job creation and retention , business creation and retent ion • Oppose excessive regulations that would hurt job creation or would prevent the City from providing an economic climate likely to attract new businesses , retain current businesses and create and retain jobs
Funding Opportunities
• Support funding availabilities that allows for the improvement of quality of life , public safety , and residential services for City residents
• Oppose efforts to decrease sources of local funding , i.e., Community Development Block Grant or Federal Highway Administration
• Oppose initiatives that provide for the loss of potential or current funding for the City Drug Abuse
• Support efforts that would decrease the amount of excess , unused, or unwanted prescription medication throughout the City, region , county and state • Support efforts to fight back against the opioid crisis and its effects on individuals , families and communities
• Oppose legislation , regulations and rules that would prevent the City from collecting prescription medications through its police services
• Oppose measures that prevent the City's ability to require fair and proper permits, regulate cannabis dispensaries and potent ial cannabis dispensaries , as well as ban . dispensaries within City limits 6
LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Homelessness
• Support efforts involving county, state and federal governments that would reduce and prevent homelessness, and assist in finding permanent housing and supportive services for those in need
• Support measures that would maximize regional collaboration, partnerships and equitable sharing of costs
• Support legislation that strengthens existing community based organizations and homeless services agencies
• Support increased funding for community based organizations dedicated to ending homelessness and assisting those who are in need
• Oppose efforts that would force the establishment of temporary living facilities or "tent cities" within the City
• Oppose legislation that would mandate the City to establish permanent housing or supportive services
Public Safety
• Support adequate funding for law enforcement , emergency response and other public safety agencies
• Support efforts to improve local law enforcement , fire suppression and prevention , rescue , emergency medical services and disaster preparedness • Support legislation that limits the placement of sex offender homes within City limits • Support efforts to prevent burglaries and burglary tourism • Support legislation and implementation of state programs and policies that promote pedestrian and bicycling safety , including safe use of electronic bicycles (e-bikes) and safe trail use
• Support efforts to reform Proposition 47 approved in 2014 • Support legislation to ensure the location and building standards of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facilities do not compromise community safety. • Oppose legislation that would restrict local law enforcement agencies from collaborating and partnering with federal agencies in responding to requests for notification when a jail or other detention or correction facility houses an individual who might be subject to immigration enforcement action
Sober Living Homes
• Support efforts that provide cities with more control over the establishment and placement of group homes or sober living homes within city limits • Support legislation that ensures residents of sober living homes are provided with a safe and sober home environment that is free of illegal drugs and alcohol abuse • Support legislation that requires sober living homes to be licensed and registered to meet specific standards to preserve the neighborhood value and quality of life Air Traffic Noise
• Support reasonable efforts that would result in the decrease of air traffic noise in the City, lessening the disturbance on residents
7 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Utilities
• Protect the City's ability to manage public rights-of-way, receive compensation for right- of-way use, and zone and plan for the development of telecommunications infrastructure • Protect the City's ability to negotiate fair leases or public benefits for the installation of small cell wireless equipment on public property , lease out publicly owned infrastructure as it sees fit , and make necessary discretionary reviews on all related equipment • Support the ability for cities to manage public rights-of-way and receive compensation for its use
• Support efforts to maintain the ability to retain existing fees and agreements on telecommunications services and for public, educational and governmental channels Environment
• Support legislation that provides increased funding opportunities for City environmental programs and improvements
• Support efforts to improve air quality , energy efficiency, and conservation , while reducing water run-off , and other forms of pollution
• Support changes to CEOA that retain CEOA's foundation of appropriately addressing environmental impacts but ensure that CEOA is not used as a tool for litigation and the delay of important projects
• Support state and federal administrative and legislative efforts aimed at the safe removal , transport , and interim and/or long-term storage of nuclear waste from the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station
• Oppose measures that would eliminate reasonable local environmenta l review • Oppose legislation that places undue hardship on cities to implement new environmental regulation
Miscellaneous
• Support regulations and legislation that support the affordability and availability of homeowners insurance and commercial property insurance
8 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM