Agenda Item #13.1
For Council Meeting of January 11, 2022
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT ALONSO, INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS OFFICER, COMMUNICATIONS & INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS SUBJECT: 2022 STATE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Communications & Intergovernmental Relations Office that the Council, by resolution, adopt the City’s 2022 State Legislative Platform.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The 2022 state legislative session is now underway. To be best positioned to respond to what is anticipated to be a very active session, City staff have identified state legislative priorities in a proposed 2022 state legislative platform for consideration by the City Council. Defined priorities, approved by the City Council, will help communicate the City’s state legislative and project priorities to the California State Delegation, Legislature, regional and state agencies.
BACKGROUND
Last year, towards the end of the legislative session in Sacramento, the City hired Renee Public Policy Group (RPPG) as the City’s state lobbying contractor. RPPG was selected after a competitive process and hired for a three-year contract.
City staff anticipate that this will be a very active legislative session, especially as the Governor anticipates a budget surplus for the coming fiscal year. To prepare for these activities, staff has worked with various City departments and identified state legislative priorities in the proposed 2022 legislative platform for consideration by the City Council. The priorities focus efforts in the following core areas: COVID-19 Response, Recovery and Economic Resiliency; Wildfire Recovery and Resiliency; Administration, Human Resources and Risk Management; Economic Development; Environment, Climate Change & Sustainability; Water Quality and Water Supply; Land Use-Planning and Housing; Homelessness; Recreation and Parks; Public Safety, Emergency Services & Law Enforcement; Transportation; Public Works and Utilities.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
Not applicable.
ANALYSIS
The statements outlined in the proposed 2022 State Legislative Platform (Attachment 1) are intended to help communicate the City’s state legislative and project priorities to the California State Legislative Delegation, Legislature, regional and state agencies. As defined, the Council-approved platform will allow City Councilmembers and City staff to address proposed legislation efficiently and appropriately, administrative, or regulatory actions to advance and protect City interests, as necessary. This platform is the first comprehensive platform considered by the City Council.
City staff, in coordination with the City’s state lobbyist team, will monitor state legislation and administrative or regulatory proposals, taking appropriate action when necessary in alignment with the approved 2022 State Legislative Platform and in compliance with the City’s existing Legislative Advocacy Council Policy No. 000-40 in order to advance and/or safeguard the City’s priorities in Sacramento.
City staff met with representatives from various Department leaders and staff members to review the legislative platform. Further, RPPG also joined those meetings and provided feedback and analysis regarding the proposed issue areas and priorities.
FISCAL IMPACT
Currently, the approval of this action does not have a fiscal impact on the City’s General Fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The Council finds that the proposed action is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under section 15061(b)(3) and 15378 in that there is no possibility that the implementation of this action may have significant effects on the environment, and that no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution / Exhibit A – 2022 State Legislative Platform
CONTACT
Scott Alonso, (707) 543-4624, [email protected]
2022 STATE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
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