Exhibit AExhibit A
Exhibit A
Exhibit A
2025 STATE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Purpose
The City of Santa Rosa’s State Legislative Platform confirms the City Council’s position on current issues with the potential to impact the City directly or indirectly. The legislative platform is a guiding document that the City will continue to work on with constituents, legislative consultants, and elected representatives to promote and preserve the City’s interests at the state level.
City staff will monitor state legislation and administrative or regulatory proposals, take appropriate action when required to address proposed legislation, and administrative, or regulatory actions to advance and protect City interests, as necessary. Also, staff will collaborate with our local and regional partners when appropriate, such as the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, Sonoma Water, Sonoma County Agricultural and Open Space District, Sonoma County Transportation Authority, Sonoma Clean Power, Zero Waste Sonoma, County of Sonoma’s Continuum of Care, Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, and Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
Council Priorities
The City Council adopted priority areas in 2024 guiding its legislative priorities and initiatives:
Promote Citywide Economic Development
Achieve and Maintain Fiscal Stability
Create an Environment that Supports Staff and Operational Excellence Invest in the Development and Maintenance of the City’s Infrastructure Plan for and Encourage Housing for All and Reduce Homelessness Address Climate Change
Foster a Safe, Healthy, and Inclusive Community
Legislative Overview and Fiscal Outlook
In 2024, we worked closely with California Public Policy Group on state legislation and funding priorities. In Sacramento, the City took a position on 27 policy proposals ranging from affordable housing, homelessness, and conservation measures to indoor drinking water standards, public safety and emergency management, climate change and public transit. We also partnered with Cal Cities on priority areas, including state ballot measures that would adversely impact the ability of local governments to raise revenue and other priority policies in the state Capitol.
Legislative Strategy and Actions
The Communications and Intergovernmental Relations Office proactively coordinates with City executives, management and staff, and the Mayor and City Council to develop the list of items and subsequent actions below to ensure the City’s interests are protected.
Wildfire Prevention and Recovery, Hazard Mitigation, & Resiliency Support Legislation and Regulatory Efforts:
To support policy and funding needs, outlined in the City’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan, General Plan and other regulatory documents.
To minimize the frequency and impact of electric utility power shutoffs intended to reduce wildfire risk.
To fund hazard mitigation projects, such as wildfire hardening, seismic upgrade, and flood protection measures, including those identified in a FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
To fund state efforts to update and prepare earthquake hazard mapping.
To establish resiliency hubs throughout cities or population centers.
To advocate that additional funding be appropriated for emergency areas such as parks to have proper bathrooms, and to be properly equipped for emergency use.
To address the State Insurance Commissioner’s cancellation of fire insurance and rates for those living near or in the Wildland Urban Interface. Support efforts to ensure a fair market cost to fire insurance for the City’s residents.
Oppose Legislation:
That attempts to shift wildfire costs associated with investor-owned utility-caused events to the City and its residents. 88 8
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