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OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
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From: City Manager's Office J^^
Date: February 9, 2026
Subject: Approval of the Federal & State Legislative Platforms For Calendar Year 2026
At the February 3, 2026 meeting of the Legislative Policy Committee, the Committee approved the staff recommendations with the following revisions:
Add a new section in the Federal Platform on the City's support of election integrity
• Add support for more collaborative opportunities with the state in the development of policy
Revise the newly added "Tort Reform" section in the State Platform to be more generalized.
Meeting of: 2/9/2026
City Hall' 100 N. Garfield Avenue • Pasadena, C4 91109
(626) 744-4333 ' Fax (626) 744-4774 "S^tiua Item NO. 7
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Agenda Report
February 9, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Legislative Policy Committee (February 3,2026) FROM: City Manager's Office
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF THE FEDERAL & STATE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORMS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2026
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that the action proposed in the agenda report is covered by the "Common Sense" exemption set forth in State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) as CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment; and
2. Approve the Federal Legislative Platform and the State Legislative Platform for calendar year 2026.
BACKGROUND:
The City Manager's Office oversees Pasadena's legislative activities and works with departments, City lobbyists, as well as state and federal elected officials to respond to impactful bills.
The Federal and State Legislative Platforms are guiding documents that identify City positions on fundamental legislative issues critical to Pasadena, such as safeguarding local decision-making authority. The platforms streamline the position taking process by providing staff and City lobbyists with clear direction to advocate on these matters. The platforms help ensure the City's timely response to support:, remain neutral or oppose legislation that might impact the City's ability to operate effectively. The platforms also convey to legislators, policymakers, and the public where the City stands on important policy issues and legislative discussions.
Every year, City lobbyists attend one-on-one meetings with department directors and staff members to discuss platform updates. The meetings include a review of the previous year's legislative activities, a discussion of potential bills for the upcoming legislative sessions, and funding priorities and opportunities. From these discussions, staff prepares \,
MEETING OF.2/9/2026AGENDA ITEM NO.7
2026 FEDERAL & STATE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORMS
February 9, 2026
the platform and incorporates recommended revisions for Legislative Policy Committee review and City Council adoption.
Please note: Importantly, the platforms can be amended at any time. The annual update is intended to capture the bulk of recommended updates known at the time of preparation.
If unanticipated legislative issues arise, the platforms can be revised during the year to add, remove, or modify language as needed.
Upon City Council approval, the platforms assist the Mayor and City Council, City Manager, City lobbyists, and City staff to respond quickly to the rapidly changing nature of legislative proposals throughout the year.
Key legislative issues will continue to focus on affordable housing, public health, and climate change.
LeflisLative^Action Process_with the Platforms
Using the Council-approved platforms as a resource, the City Manager's Office works closely with the City lobbyists to continue day-to-day oversight of and response to legislative matters as follows:
Communicate City positions to Pasadena's legislators and other government offices, as needed;
Work with City departments, League of California Cities, National League of Cities, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and other local government/professional associations to identify, analyze, and recommend positions on impactful bills; If a recommended position is consistent with the platforms, staff may draft a position letter for the Mayor's signature. If the Mayor is not available, staff may prepare a letter for the Vice Mayor's signature. The City Manager, Assistant City Managers, and department directors may also sign position letters, as needed; Send copies of signed position letters to bill authors, the City's state and federal elected officials, League of California Cities, City lobbyists and other stakeholders, as well as all Council members through the Mayor's weekly letter to Council and the agenda packet of an upcoming Legislative Policy Committee meetin; Occasionally, the City may choose not to send its own letter but instead include the City's name on a coalition letter of agencies sharing a mutual position on a bill. In this instance, a signature might not be necessary, but staff must still confirm if a position is consistent with the platforms prior to recommending the City join a coalition;
Communicate matters of legislative importance to the Legislative Policy Committee and City Council through periodic updates;
Participate in proposing and drafting bill amendments, as needed; and 2026 FEDERAL & STATE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORMS
February 9, 2026
Participate in and attend legislative briefings and meetings to actively engage and stay apprised of trends and upcoming legislation.
Federal Legislative Platform for 2026
With the Trump administration in its second year, staff anticipate frequent and major legislative activity across numerous federal policy issues. Staff have made substantive and technical changes to the federal platform (Attachment A) in response to many of the actions of the federal administration in its first year. Some of the substantive platform changes recommended for 2026, grouped by major category, include:
A. Disaster and Pandemic Responses
1) Expanded the prior "Pandemic Response" section to include federal aid for disaster response, including against the impacts of wildfires and other natural disasters.
B. Utilities
1) Added support for policies to expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits towards payment of residential tap water service charges.
C. Public Safety
1) Clarified opposition against efforts to condition federal funding to local cooperation and assistance with federal immigration law enforcement.
D. Transportation
1) Added support for funding and resources that promote zero-emission vehicle fueling/charging infrastructure, including hydrogen.
2) Added a new section on support for dedicated funding streams toward local streets preservation and rehabilitation.
E. Housing
1) Added support for maintaining funding and scoring applications against criteria at the time of submission for the Continuum of Care program.
F. Workforce Development
1) Consolidated the "Workforce Development" and "Municipal Assistance, Services, and Housing Division" sections.
G. Library Services
1) Added support for assistance and funding toward operational services beyond capital improvements.
2) Added support for legislation that protects digital library user data. 3) Removed duplicative language.
4) Added support for library-centered restorative justice and educational equity programs.
2026 FEDERAL & STATE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORMS
February 9, 2026
5) Added support for extending FEMA and DHS resilience funding eligibility to libraries that serve as community hubs during emergencies.
H. Economic Development (new section)
1) Added a dedicated section on support for federal legislation and funding to further key objectives of the City's Economic Development Strategic Plan, including, among other things, continued funding of the Economic Development Administration, the Small Business Administration, and the Community Development Block Grant program.
State Legislative Platform for 2026
Historically, most legislative proposals occur at the state level. Staff have made substantive and technical changes to the state platform (Attachment B). Some of the substantive platform changes recommended for 2026, grouped by major category, include:
Legislative Priorities Section
A. Disaster and Pandemic Responses
1) Expanded the prior "Pandemic Response" section to include state aid for disaster response, including against the impacts of wildfires and other natural disasters.
B. Removed the section on "Abatement of Nuisance Liquor Stores".
C. Zone Zero Legislation (new section)
1) Added a dedicated section on the impacts of Zone Zero regulations to the City and residents, along with support for measured considerations in the development of this regulation.
D. Tort Reform (new section)
1) Added a dedicated section supporting state legislation that reduces excessive tort liabilities and preserves public resources toward providing essential services to the community.
E. Workers' and Employee Compensation
1) Added specific line items that the City believes are integral to a fair and prompt workers' compensation system.
2) Removed an outdated reference to the 2012 state bill that established PEPRA.
F. Transportation
1) Within Roadway Safety, added support for state policies that enhance road safety, including automated speed enforcement, reduction of distracted driving, mailing of parking citations for enhanced officer safety, and regulation of e- bikes.
2026 FEDERAL & STATE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORMS
February 9, 2026
2) Within Pasadena Transit, added support for state resources toward in-state hydrogen production.
G. Copper Wire Theft (new section)
1) Added a dedicated section on support for state policies and laws that deter and prevent copper wire theft.
H. Climate Change and Sustainability Programs
1) Added support for policies and legislation that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.
2) Added support for policies and legislation that create funding streams for community hardening and adaptation from penalties assessed against generators of climate pollution.
I. Economic Development (new section)
1) Added a dedicated section on support for state legislation and funding to further key objectives of the City's Economic Development Strategic Plan, including, among other things, continued funding of the California Competes Tax Credit and California Competes Grant Program, continued funding of the Community Economic Resilience Fund and Workforce Development Boards, and continued innovation of financing tools like the Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts.
J. Public Libraries (new section)
1) Added support for the inclusion of libraries in emergency preparedness and climate adaptation plans.
2) Added support for third-party educational and library software to have transparency requirements.
Funding Priorities Section
A. Public Health
1) Added support for policies, legislation, and funding toward education on cannabis use, access to women's reproductive health services, and education and access to LGBTQ+ health services.
2) Clarified the need for direct funding opportunities toward participating in partnerships with Managed Care Plans, in accordance with state mandates and initiatives.
B. Street and Sidewalk Infrastructure (new section)
1) Added a dedicated section on supporting unique funding streams for the preservation and rehabilitation of local streets and sidewalks.
C. Public Libraries
2026 FEDERAL & STATE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORMS
February 9, 2026
1) Added support for assistance and funding toward operational services beyond capital improvements.
2) Added support for library-centered restorative justice and educational equity programs.
D. Affordable Housing
1) Added support for continued funding in the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention grant program.
Sustainability, Energy, and Water Legislative Priorities Section A. Greenhouse Gas Reduction
1) Revised to reflect updated state statutes and forward-looking milestones COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
Approval of the subject recommendation represents a continuation of the annual policy/practice of establishing federal and state legislative platforms as the advocacy strategies for regional, legislative, and funding request priorities supported by the City of Pasadena. If further supports all of the City Council's strategic plan goals:
• Maintain fiscal responsibility and stability'
• Improve, maintain and enhance public facilities and infrastructure; Increase conservation and sustainability;
Improve mobility and accessibility through the City;
Support and promote the quality of life and local economy; and Ensure public safety.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The proposed action has been determined to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3), the Common Sense Exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. 2026 FEDERAL & STATE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORMS
February 9, 2026
FISCAL IMPACT:
The recommendation to approve the 2026 Federal and State Legislative Platforms will have no fiscal impact to the City, but may result in future grant opportunities and funding.
Funds for the legislative advocates and lobbyists are included in the City Council's annual operating budget.
Respectfully submitted,
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/BRENDA E. HARVEY-
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WILLIAMS
Assistant City Manager
Prepared by:
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Kathleen Chen,
Management Analyst IV
Water and Power Department
Approved by:
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MIGUELJVlARQUEZ
City Manager
Attachment A - 2026 Federal Legislative Platform
Attachment B - 2026 State Legislative Platform