J
une 9, 2025
T
O:
FROM:
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
City Council
Board of Directors, Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8 Board of Trustees, Simi Valley Library
Office of the City Manager/Executive Director/Officer
S
UBJECT: AUTHORIZE A METHOD OF ADVOCACY FOR THE DELTA
CONVEYANCE PROJECT INCLUDED IN THE GOVERNOR’S
PROPOSED TRAILER BILL LEGISLATION
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
I
t is recommended that the City Counci l authorize a method of advocacy for the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) included in the Governor's Proposed Trailer Bill Legislation.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
O
n June 2, 2025, Calleguas Municipal Water District (Calleguas) reached out to the City to request formal advocacy support in an upcoming legislative outreach effort in Sacramento. Calleguas, along with other regional water agencies, is striving to secure meetings with legislators, which may include Senators Limón and Stern and Assemblymember Bennett, on June 11 to encourage support for the Governor’s proposed trailer bill and advocate for the importance of the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) (Exhibit B). T his may be the first of other potential advocacy meetings or legislative discussions around the DCP’s progress.
The C
ity’s adopted 2025–27 Legislative Platform (Exhibit A) includes language in support of the DCP and Staff requests the City Council authorize a method of advocacy for the DCP in light of Calleguas’ recent request.
T
he Governor’s proposed trailer bill is a key step toward enabling state and public water agencies to move the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) into its next phase of development. By streamlining the pre- construction process, the bill aims to reduce permitting delays, eliminate duplicative regulatory requirements, and facilitate a more comprehensive evaluation of the long- term costs and benefits before a final decision is made on funding full construction (see Exhibit C). These updates are not intended to bypass environmental review, but to remove administrative bottlenecks that have historically slowed infrastructure progress across the state.
AGENDA ITEM NO.
9B
2 Specifically, the trailer bill would update existing statutes to authorize tools such as advance utility coordination and funding mechanisms for land acquisition, while also expediting legal processes associated with permitting. These improvements would help state agencies like the Department of Water Resources and their local partners prepare the project more efficiently and transparently. The proposal has drawn broad support from a statewide coalition of labor, business, infrastructure, environmental justice, and water organizations (see Exhibit D).
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
T
he DCP is a critical long-term infrastructure investment designed to modernize the State Water Project (SWP) . The project proposes construction of a single, 36- foot diameter tunnel to transport water more efficiently and reliably beneath the Sacramento –San Joaquin Delta. It would enable the state to capture high- flow stormwater events for storage and use during dry periods, while also providing critical resilience to earthquakes.
The SWP serves over 27 million Californians and supports irrigation for 750,000 acres of farmland.
T
he SWP is also the primary water source for Calleguas, which supplies water to approximately 660,000 Ventura County residents, including the City of Simi Valley, through Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8. During the 2022 drought, SWP limitations compelled Calleguas to implement one- day-per-week outdoor watering restrictions. The DCP is designed to minimize the likelihood of such restrictions by enhancing operational flexibility and supply reliability.
R
ecognizing the long- term regional importance of the project, the Boards of Calleguas and Las Virgenes Municipal Water District adopted a joint resolution in November 2024 in support of continued planning, permitting, and design work. The resolution urges the Metropolitan Water District to invest in preconstruction activities that will inform the State Water Contractors' final decision on whether to proceed with construction in 2027 (see Exhibit E).
I
t is recommended that the City Council authorize a method of advocacy for the Governor’s Trailer bill in light of Calleguas’ June 2 request, which could include a City Council representative accompanying the Calleguas representatives to Sacramento for meetings with legislators on June 11 and/or sending a letter in support of the trailer bill.
T
he following alternatives are available to the City Council/Board of Directors/Board of Trustees:
1. Authorize the a method of advocacy for the Delta Conveyance Project included in the Governor’s Proposed Trailer Bill Legislation, which may include issuing a letter of support;
3 2. Designate a member of the City Council to participate in legislative engagement efforts alongside regional partners related to the Delta Conveyance Project;
3. P
rovide staff with further direction.
S
taff recommends Alternative No. 1 and/or 2.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MOTION
I
move to authorize the following method of advocacy for the Delta Conveyance Project included in the Governor’s Proposed Trailer Bill Legislation:
1) I
ssue a letter of support; and/or
2) D
esignate a member of the City Council to participate in legislative engagement efforts alongside regional partners related to the Delta Conveyance Project.
SUMMARY
O
n June 2, 2025, Calleguas Municipal Water District (Calleguas) reached out to the City to request formal advocacy support in an upcoming legislative outreach effort in Sacramento. Calleguas, along with other regional water agencies, is striving to secure meetings with legislators, which may include Senators Limón and Stern and Assemblymember Bennett, on June 11 to encourage support for the Governor’s proposed trailer bill and advocate for the importance of the Delta Conveyance Project ( DCP) (Exhibit B). This may be the first of other potential advocacy meetings or legislative discussions around the DCP’s progress.
I
t is recommended that the City Council authorize a method of advocacy for the Governor’s Trailer bill in light of Calleguas’ June 2 request, which could include a City Council representative accompanying the Calleguas representatives to Sacramento for meetings with legislators on June 11 and/or sending a letter in support of the trailer bill. ___
_________________________________
Heather Sumagaysay,
Deputy City Manager
P
repared by: Heather Sumagaysay, Deputy City Manager
INDEX Page
Exhibit A – 2025-27 SV Legislative Platform …………………………………………....5 E
xhibit B – DCP Legislative Backgrounder …………………………………………….21 Exhibit C – DCP Trailer Bill- Delta Conveyance Project …………………………..….22 Exhibit D – DCP Trailer Bill Support NASCAR Letter …………………...……………29 Exhibit E – DCP Adopted Joint Resolution - Calleguas MWD-Las Virgenes ……...35 4 LEGISLATIVE LEGISLATIVE
PLATFORMPLATFORM
LEGISLATIVE
PLATFORM
2025 - 2027
5 EXHIBIT A
2 Introduction and Purpose
The City of Simi Valley maintains a Legislative Platform to facilitate the City’s expeditious response to county, State, and federal legislation proactively. Since legislation can often move quickly through legislative bodies, with insufficient time for the City Council to take formal action, the Legislative Platform further serves as a guide for the City Council to consider legislative affairs on an ad hoc basis.
Whenever possible, the Mayor (or Mayor Pro Tem or City Manager, in the Mayor’s absence) is authorized to sign correspondence expressing the City’s position on pending legislation, consistent with the City’s Legislative Platform and/or other positions on pending legislation consistent with prior City Council actions.
City staff monitors State and county legislation for potential impacts to the City. Federal legislation may also be brought to staff’s attention by the League of California Cities, Ventura Council of Governments, or other professional organizations in fields such as engineering, water, finance, community development, or public safety.
City positions on pending legislation on topics not included in the Legislative Platform require a vote of the City Council. Nothing in the Legislative Platform is intended to preclude consideration of any legislation by the City Council, regardless of whether it is included in the Legislative Platform.
City positions in support of legislation on a specified topic shall be construed as opposition to something that shall do the opposite, and the reverse is also true. For example, if the Legislative Platform supports increased funding for libraries, it also inherently opposes decreased funding for libraries.
The City may participate in legislative-focused events hosted by the League of California Cities that include updates from the League of California Cities and its lobbyists representing cities’ interests, panel discussions of critical issues, meetings with the City’s representatives in the State Senate and State Assembly, and other networking opportunities. The City’s elected officials and City staff may also participate in the League’s Policy Committees, which focus on specific policy areas. Staff communicates regularly with elected officials and their representatives to address issues that arise in the City that may best be resolved with legislative action. 6 3
Table of Contents
I. General Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1. Local Control
2. Workers’ Compensation
3. Unemployment Compensation
4. Labor Relations
5. State and Local Government Relations
6. Pension Reform
7. Telecommunications
8. Business Establishments/Licenses
9. Economic Development
10. Litigation Reform
11. Open Meeting Law (Brown Act)
II. Local Government Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1. State-Federal Mandated Programs
2. Long-Term Financing of Local Agencies
3. Revenues, Fees, and T axes
III. Public Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1. Crime
2. Drugs
3. Marijuana Regulation
4. Homeland Security
5. Emergency Preparedness
IV. Transportation and Public Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1. Transportation
2. Vehicles
3. Solid Waste and Recycling
4. Public Works
V. Resources and Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
1. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
2. Water
3. Storm Drain and Sewer
4. Air Quality
5. Energy
6. Utilities
VI. Community Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
1. Housing
2. Land Use
3. Successor Agencies
VII. Homelessness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 VIII. Public Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 IX. The Arts, Cultural Resources, Historic Preservation . . . . 15 X. Animal Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 XI. Military Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
1. Veterans’ Services
2. Military Spouses
7 4
2025 – 2027 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
I. GENERAL GOVERNANCE
1. Local Control
a. Support legislation that protects local control and funding of vital community services, including, but not limited to, public safety, land use planning, transportation infrastructure investments, fair and community-friendly environmental regulations, and transparency in public meetings shared equally between elected and appointed officials at both the City and State governments.
2. Workers’ Compensation
a. Oppose legislation that increases Workers’ Compensation benefits that will result in additional employer costs.
b. Support legislation that reforms the Workers’ Compensation system to eliminate system abuse and limit presumptive eligibility claims for benefits. c. Support legislation that reforms the W orkers’ Compensation process to incentivize employees returning to work, creating a disincentive for those who do not return to available modified duty or alternate positions.
3. Unemployment Compensation
a. Oppose legislation that increases employer liability for unemployment compensation or that would reduce local discretion.
4. Labor Relations
a. Oppose legislation that impedes local administration of labor relations, and legislation that would require, impose, or expand compulsory binding arbitration for public employees.
b. Oppose legislation that imposes state-mandated compulsory mediation or fact-finding processes not mutually agreed upon by the local public agency and its employee organizations.
c. Oppose legisla tion that increases the cost of benefits, the cost of administering benefits, or mandates that a specialized occupational group benefit be provided to all employees.
d. Oppose legislation that reduces local control over public employee disputes and/or imposes regulations from an outside governmental agency or special interest group. e. Oppose legisla tion that requires the use of City employees rather than allowing a City to have the flexibility to determine the most efficient means of providing a service, including contracting out.
f. Support legislation that maintains the confidentiality of personnel matters. 8 5
5. State and Local Government Relations
a. Oppose legislative ef forts that restrict the City from representing itself, including using contract representation, on issues of importance before State agencies and commissions.
b. Oppose State legislation that imposes onerous reporting or compliance burdens on cities, including laws that limit local authority over economic development incentives and land use decisions.
c. Support efforts of neighboring agencies and organizations who seek to accomplish initiatives that align with the City Council’s goals and objectives, Legislative Platform, City programs and projects, and other compatible proposals at the discretion of the City Council.
6. Pension Reform
a. Support legislation for pension reform that reduces long-term costs for participating agencies, provid es long-term financial stability and sustainability, and allows agencies to continue to be ef fective locally in recruiting and retaining a skilled, quality workforce. b. Support investment strategies that balance CalPERS’ s short—and long-term ability to meet its financial commitments to its members.
c. Support legisla tive objectives that maximize investment returns and don’t limit investments to social and environmental mandated interests.
7. Telecommunications
a. Support legislation that preserves local government authority to zone and plan for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure and the ability to maintain and manage the public right-of-way.
b. Support legisla tion that preserves cities’ authority to collect fair market fees from telecommunications providers for the use of local government infrastructure. c. Oppose regulations and legislation that erode or eliminate local government authority regarding the siting of cellular communications towers or transmission sites. d. Support the authority of local government in retaining full control over the time, place, and manner of using the public right of way to provide telecommunications services, including the appearance and aesthetics of equipment placed within it. e. Support legislation that preserves public, educational, and government (PEG) television channel funding and programming support by video service providers, such as payments to local governments of utility franchise fees, PEG fees, and facility/ equipment grants, and furnishing public access production facilities.
8. Business Establishments/Licenses
a. Oppose legislation restricting or weakenin g a city’s ability to license and/or regulate smoking areas, marijuana dispensaries, alcoholic beverage licenses, massage establishments, adult-oriented business establishments, or sidewalk vending. 9 6
b. Support legislation that enhances local control to license and/or regulate smoking areas, marijuana dispensaries, alcoholic beverage licenses, massage establishments, or adult-oriented business establishments, or sidewalk vending.
9. Economic Development
a. Support legislat ion that provides State or Federal aid and assistance in developing local and regional economies.
b. Support legislat ion that provides resources and mechanisms to local governments to finance economic development efforts.
c. Support legislat ion that provides local officials more discretion in use of State and Federal funds.
d. Support legislation that will provide tools and incentives to support job creation and retention, such as Infrastructure Financing Districts, awarding of direct grants to fund the development of infrastructure that results in the creation and retention of jobs, the elimination of matching dollar requirements for economic development and infrastructure State grants; the provision of grants funding for infrastructure planning and design and the creation of economic development strategies; and allowing cities the maximum flexibility in the use of State funds toward local priorities that support job creation.
e. Support legislation that provides additional tools to cities to promote business development, retention, and job creator, generating economic stimulus. f. Support legislation that enacts and expan ds State tax incentives that assist the City’s economic development and community revitalization efforts.
10. Litigation Reform
a. Support legislation that limits local governments’ exposure to lawsuits. b. Support legislation that develops statutory provisions calling for the reimbursement of all public entity attorneys’ fees, and defense costs and expenditures incurred in the successful defense of lawsuits.
c. Oppose legislat ion that limits local government’s power to negotiate indemnification protections in public contracts.
11. Open Meeting Law (Brown Act)
a. Support legislation that recognizes the need to conduct the public’s business in public and that extends the application of the Brown Act to the State. b. Oppose legislation claiming to enhance open and public meetings that in practice, unnecessarily complicates the ability of a local governing body to do the public’s business through unproductive restrictions.
c. Support legislation that supports and enhances alternative methods of meeting public notice requirements using cost-effective, innovative, technology-friendly methods of communication.
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II. LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE
1. State-Federal Mandated Programs
a. Oppose legislat ion that fails to provide adequate funding or creates a negative cash position for the City for State and Federally mandated programs. b. Oppose measures that mandate procedures that would make local government more dependent on the State for financial stability.
c. Support legislation that protects local control and funds vital community services including, but not limited to, improving public safety, land use planning, increasing transportation infrastructure investments, fair and community friendly environmental regulations, and the development of transparency measures of public meetings and other public disclosure requirements that are shared equally between elected and appointed officials at both the City and State governments.
2. Long-Term Financing of Local Agencies
a. Oppose legislation that shifts revenue from local government to the State, or another agency, for any purpose, or reduces local discretion in using local government revenues.
b. Support legislation that further protects local government revenue from being taken, confiscated, shifted, diverted, or otherwise used to fund State government or other agencies’ operations and responsibilities.
3. Revenues, Fees, and Taxes
a. Support legislation that maintains or provides funding mechanisms for better service (i.e., streets and roads infrastructure, economic development-related programs, water and sewer infrastructure).
b. Oppose legislation that does not preserve and protect the existing situs-based sales tax under the Bradley Burns 1% base.
c. Oppose legislation that changes the property tax collection method or formula that would result in less property tax to local governments. d. Oppose legislation that transfers a local government’s reserves, or designated reserves, to the State or other agency, or reduces a local government’ s revenue due to the level of reserves it maintains.
e. Oppose legislation that reduces or eliminates critical local programs and services due to State budget cuts (i.e., public safety, transportation, streets and roads). f. Support legislation that amends the State Constitution Article XIIID, Section 6.C, to include storm drain fees among the types of fees exempt from the voting requirements imposed by Proposition 218.
g. Support legislation that provides State and local authority for cities to collect their fair sales tax allocation on Internet or other remote transactions. h. Support legislation that returns motor vehicle license fees to local governments without offsetting existing local revenues.
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i. Support legisla tion to collect the full amount of local transient occupancy tax from online lodging sales.
j. Oppose legislat ion that threatens a local government’s right to receive compensation for using its public right-of-way, including gas, electricity, refuse, and cable and video providers.
k. Oppose legislation that eliminates any development fee or tax, including excise taxes. l. Support legislation that requires the State to fully and promptly reimburse all local agencies for all State-mandated programs and/or infractions and losses associated with local revenue shifts.
m. Oppose legislation that restricts the ability of the City to transfer revenue from a utility or other enterprise activity to the City’s general fund.
III. PUBLIC SAFETY
1. Crime
a. Support legislat ion that strengthens State anti-graffiti laws and enhances consequences for those convicted of vandalism.
b. Support legislation that increases the authority and resources devoted to cities in abating graffiti and other acts of public vandalism.
c. Support legislation that protects the public from crime. d. Support legislation that provides additional funding for public safety programs, including 911 systems, interoperability, fire suppression, medical response, mental health response, services, and personnel.
e. Support legislation to strengthen local law enforcement efforts to prevent crime and prosecute those who commit it.
f. Support legisla tion that supports reimbursement by the federal government for the costs associated with incarcerating deportable criminals. g. Support legislation that enhances local control over public nuisances, including adult entertainment facilities, problem alcohol establishments, and properties where illegal drugs are sold.
h. Support legislation that provides tools for the comprehensive and collaborative management of sex of fenders, including tools for tracking the location of sex offenders within local jurisdictions, so long as any State-mandated program provides full reimbursement to the local agencies.
i. Support legislation that provides funding for implementing Proposition 36 and enhances penalties for retail theft committed by individuals or organized retail theft groups while increasing resources for law enforcement response efforts. j. Opp ose legislation that limits local control over the use of Asset Forfeiture Funds, ensuring these resources remain available for public safety and crime prevention efforts.
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k. Oppose legislat ion that seeks to remove qualified immunity for peace officers, provided their actions are objectively reasonable given the circumstances, to ensure law enforcement personnel can perform their duties without fear of undue liability while maintaining accountability and public trust.
2. Drugs
a. Support legislation that gives local government the power to restrict or regulate the sale, manufacture, and use of alcohol and marijuana.
b. Support legislation that provides a greater share of seized assets to localities. c. Support legislation that provides local government the power to determine whether anti-opiate medication should be deployed in a given community, and who has the authority to administer it.
d. Support legislation that provides resources for education, intervention, treatment, and criminal justice programs related to the opioid and fentanyl epidemic.
3. Marijuana Regulation
a. Support legislation that enhances and protects maximum local regulatory, land use, and enforcement authority in relation to medical and adult-use cannabis businesses. b. Support legislation that recognizes and affirms the authority of cities as it relates to the location, operation, and establishment of medical and adult use cannabis businesses, including deliveries of cannabis.
4. Homeland Security
a. Support legislation that would provide funding to local governments for Homeland Security measures.
b. Support legislation requiring Federal law enforcement agencies to communicate with local law enforcement officials as threats become known.
5. Emergency Preparedness
a. Support legislation that provides additional funding for emergency communication interoperability, fire suppression, wildfire prevention and mitigation, disaster resilience infrastructure, and mental health crisis intervention to enhance community safety and rapid response capabilities.
b. Support legislation that protects wildfire prevention and response efforts, including funding for vegetation management, defensible space programs, fire-resistant infrastructure, fire hazard reduction zone mapping, and community education initiatives to reduce wildfire risk and enhance resilience.
c. Support expanded resources for emergency preparedness and disaster recovery, including grants for local governments to enhance emergency operations plans, conduct community drills, improve evacuation routes, and provide public education on disaster readiness.
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d. Oppose legislat ion that imposes unfunded mandates or shifts the financial burden of wildfire emerge ncy response onto local governments, and support a State disaster relief fund, and ensure State and federal governments are responsible for funding large-scale disaster response and recovery efforts.
IV. TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS
1. Transportation
a. Oppose legislation that directs local transportation funds away from cities. b. Oppose legisla tion that limits and/or decreases the amount of money local public agencies can withhold from a contractor prior to completion of a project. c. Support legislation appropriated by State and Federal funds to city and regional governments for transportation projects, including funds for the preservation and maintenance of streets and roads.
d. Support legislation or grant opportunities that provide funding for developing or enhancing alternative vehicle fueling infrastructure.
e. Support legislation that provides transportation funding by all system users rather than a gasoline tax, which is a declining revenue source.
2. Vehicles
a. Support legislation that promotes maximum city control of local streets and the road system, including the ability to plan and implement zero-emission infrastructure to meet local needs.
b. Support legislation that promotes designated and enforced vehicle speed limits, considering street design, neighborhood characteristics, adjacent land use, and the mix of transportation mode usage.
c. Support the reauthorization of Cap-and-T rade funding and other State and federal programs that provide dedicated funding for zero-emission infrastructure expansion, incentives for EV adoption, and investments in sustainable transportation solutions.
3. Solid Waste and Recycling
a. Support legisla tion promoting long-term, cost-beneficial recycling and conversion technologies.
b. Oppose legislation restricting or limiting a local government’s ability to franchise refuse and recycling collection services.
c. Oppose legislation restricting or limiting a local government’s ability to direct municipal solid waste flow.
d. Oppose legislation restricting or limiting a local government’s ability to contractually require haulers to guarantee the achievement of AB 939/AB 341 and SB 1383 goals. e. Support legislation providing cities with financial assistance for programs designed to dispose of solid, hazardous, and special wastes safely. 14 11
f. Support legislation promoting source reduction measures without creating an unfunded mandate.
g. Support new resource recovery and conversion technologies, such as bio-diesel from organic waste and digester gas (methane) recovery and reuse, to enhance sustainability and reduce waste.
h. Support legislation and ef forts to expand the market for recycled materials, including advanced disposal fees, minimum content laws, manufacturer responsibility programs, and recycling market development zones.
4. Public Works
a. Support legislat ion that would allow the City increased discretion for awarding contracts. b. Support legisla tion that promotes innovative ways of contracting for public projects allowing for award based on best value while providing full and open competition/ supports flexibility for public-private partnerships to enhance public works funding.
V. RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
1. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
a. Support legislation that amends the CEQA permit and review process to be more efficient.
b. Support legislation that increases local government discretion during the CEQA process.
c. Oppose legislative changes to CEQA that would unfairly burden cities. d. Oppose legislation that limits a local agency’ s ability to challenge the aesthetic impact of a project under CEQA.
2. Water
a. Support legislation that provides the Fox Canyon Ground Water Management Agency with the necessary tools to manage and protect the groundwater system. b. Support legislation that provides Southern California with a more stable and reliable water supply , and improve infrastructure for conveyance, storage capacity, flexibility, and reliability of clean water, including the Delta Conveyance Project and expanded water storage projects. Support legislation that provides economic incentives and funding to develop alternative local water resources.
c. Support legisla tion that advances the opportunity for local governments to provide reclaimed/recycled water as an alternate water source.
d. Support legislation that addresses the conflict-of-interest requirements and the ten percent rule that governs the State and Regional Water Quality Control Board. e. Support legislative efforts to provide financial and technical assistance for the development of local water supply enhancement projects that promote resource sustainability including, but not limited to, groundwater desalination, recycled water, water conservation measures, and distribution system interconnection projects 15 12
designed to reduce dependence on the imported State Water from the Sacramento- San Joaquin Delta or Colorado River. Support legislation that makes it easier for cities to fund and comply with new and increasingly stringent water quality permit requirements.
f. Support legislation that comprehensively evaluates water supply in relation to housing production with the State.
3. Storm Drain and Sewer
a. Support legislation to provide funding for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit compliance and other mitigation measures and projects to reuse, divert, or treat urban runoff.
b. Oppose legislation imposing more stringent requirements on storm drain runoff without providing fundin g and/or considering the feasibility of monitoring and mitigating such requirements.
c. Support legislation that the capacity of existing sewer and water lines can be considered when granting a permit for the construction of housing, e.g., ADUs and SB9 units. d. Support legislation to provide funding for replacement of end of life pipe in sanitary collection systems to mitigate leakage.
4. Air Quality
a. Oppose legislation that mandates State and Federal air quality regulations and programs that are not fully funded.
b. Oppose legisla tion that restricts the authority of cities to establish local air quality standards and programs that are stricter than federal and State standards. c. Oppose legislation that restricts the land use authority of local cities. d. Support funding and/or a graduated implementation timeline for cities for the mandatory transition of fleet and heavy-duty vehicles to electric vehicles. e. Support tax credits, grants, loans, and other incentives to assist the public, businesses, and local agencies in investing in energy-efficient equipment and technology and fuel- efficient vehicles.
5. Energy
a. Support legislation funding alternative energy sources, energy efficiency, and conservation measures.
b. Support legislation that supports tax credits, grants, loans, and other incentives to assist the public, businesses, and local agencies in investing in energy-efficient equipment and technology and fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles. c. Oppose legislation that preempts the ability of a city to deny a land use permit or restrict its ability to issue a conditional use permit for the siting of a hazardous waste facility.
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d. Support legislat ion that protects cities’ rights to use cap-and-trade revenues and other funding sources for activities to increase innovation, such as funding for transit efficiency and air quality projects, to implement actions to decrease emissions. e. Support legislation that comprehensively evaluates energy polices in relation to current and future demand, including housing production.
6. Utilities
a. Support the constitutional right of municipal utilities to operate outside the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) jurisdiction.
b. Oppose any legislation that erodes the ability of municipal utilities to operate, or place them under PUC control.
c. Support legislation that enhances the public power options available to cities. d. Support Community Choice Aggregation and measures that further the goals of choice, clean energy, and af fordable rates.
e. Support funding for local governments for energy resiliency. f. Support legislat ion or rule changes at the California Public Utilities Commission that hold Investor-Owned Utilities financially responsible to local governments, businesses, and residents for imposing Public Safety Power Shutoffs in the community. Financial liability can include but is not limited to liability for traffic accidents due to the de-energization of traffic signals, loss of revenues and productivity for businesses and employees, loss of food, and irreparable damage or failure of appliances. g. Support legislat ion or rule changes at the California Public Utilities Commission that hold Investor-Owned Utilities to the rates set by the California Public Utilities Commission and rates cannot unilaterally change due to market conditions.
VI. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
1. Housing
a. Oppose legislation restricting local discretion in using housing funds or meeting local housing needs without local input.
b. Support legislation that addresses occupancy levels and strengthens a local government’s ability to reduce overcrowding in residential housing. c. Support legislat ion to develop State and Federal financial support and incentives for programs that provide adequate, affordable housing for the elderly, disabled, and low- income persons throughout the community.
d. Support Housing Element reform legislation that increases local control and flexibility, simplifies the process, improves effectiveness, and limits the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s review role.
e. Support legislat ion that defines an equitable process to determine regional housing needs.
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f. Support legislation that permits cities to regulate group home facilities and residential care facilities in residential neighborhoods, including the application of zoning, building, and safety standards.
g. Support legislation that requires State and County licensing agencies to confer with the City before issuing a license for a community care facility. h. Support legislat ion for sober living and recovery homes that aligns with local efforts to ensure community and neighborhood safety and effective treatment options. i. Support Federal funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for community development, af fordable housing, neighborhood improvement, and economic development needs.
j. Oppose reductions to formula funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
k. Support legislation that provides local government with community revitalization tools and funding mechanisms.
l. Support legislation that implements comprehensive reforms to the housing element process that address conflicts between local growth projections and State regional housing need numbers; resolves problem s associated with the distribution of RHNA units within a council of governments; achieves improvements to the housing element review process; develops a neutral dispute resolution process and fair enforcement alternatives to deal with disputes over questions of compliance; requires State laws and policies that affect housing land use to be internally consistent; establishes additional legal protections to local agencies that approve affordable housing and that establish local proactive affordable housing policies; and authorize communities that achieve quantifiable affordable housing production levels to self-certify their housing elements without being subject to State review.
m. Oppose legislation that mandates housing production quotas or imposes punitive measures on cities for failing to meet RHNA allocations, recognizing that cities facilitate but do not construct housing. Support legislation that assists in providing financing for af fordable housing, including the development of fiscal tools and incentives to assist local government s in their efforts to encourage housing and finance the infrastructure to support housing, as well as establishing an ongoing State commitment for funding affordable housing.
n. Support legislat ion that maintains cities as the enforcement authority for mobile home regulation.
o. Support legislation that preserves existing mobile home parks as a source of affordable housing.
p. Support legislation that allows the construction of ADUs to be counted toward an individual city’s RHNA allocation.
q. Oppose legislation that requires cities to amend its permitting process and programs without any funding available for reimbursement.
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2. Land Use
a. Oppose legislation or other agency actions that would usurp local control of land use decision-making.
b. Oppose legislation that imposes State mandates or procedures contrary to local development standards.
c. Support legislation that protects local zoning as a function of cities. d. Support legislation that supports the continuation of the State Williamson Act contracts. e. Support legislation that supports the filming industry in the City. f. Oppose legislation that preempts the City from denying a land use permit or restricts the City’s ability to issue a conditional use permit for the siting of a hazardous waste facility.
g. Support legislation that the proposed use of a project site (e.g., parking garage vs. residential development) should be the determining factor in the proposed cleanup level of a site.
3. Successor Agencies
a. Oppose legislation that reduces the amount of Redevelopment Property Tax Trust Fund (RPTTF) revenues allocable to successor agencies.
b. Oppose legislation that shifts revenue from successor agencies to the State. c. Oppose legislation that authorizes other agencies to assess successor agencies for services rendered.
d. Oppose legislation that prohibits a successor agency from repaying loans from a city provided to the agency for a lawful purpose.
e. Support legisla tion that simplifies the process of creating infrastructure financing districts.
f. Support legislat ion that allows infrastructure financing districts and other uses of tax increment funds to be untied to high unemployment or low-income areas. g. Support legislation that allows cities that loaned redevelopment agencies funds and have achieved their Finding of Completion to be repaid 100%, exclusive of a housing set-aside requirement.
VII. HOMELESSNESS
a. Support legislation that makes funding and other resources available, ensuring local governments have adequate resources for shelter programs, supportive services, and homelessness prevention efforts.
b. Support legislation that increases State and federal funding for mental health services, transitional housing programs, and long-term housing solutions, including implementing and expanding Proposition 1 funding to help local governments effectively address homelessness and community needs.
19 16
c. Support legislation that requires “wrap-around” services, including job training, mental health and substance use treatment, and case management, as part of housing programs to promote long-term stability and self-sufficiency.
VIII. PUBLIC LIBRARY
a. Oppose legislation that reduces funding for public libraries, including Public Library funds, and support legislation that provides financial assistance for local public libraries without imposing new taxes.
b. Support legislat ion that ensures cities receive a proportionate share of property taxes upon withdrawal from a county library services district, or any other county service or district for which property taxes are received.
c. Support legislation that provides financial assistance for local public libraries. d. Support legislation with the intent to allow City-operated Libraries (as opposed to districts) to have an “advisory” commission, not a Board as per current law.
IX. THE ARTS, CULTURAL RESOURCES, HISTORIC PRESERVATION a. Support legislation for continued State funding that recognizes the role of local arts activities and historic preservation in community life.
X. ANIMAL SERVICES
a. Support legislation that promotes low-cost or no-cost spay and neuter programs. b. Support legislation that holds animal owners accountable for injuries or property damage caused by animals under their care or control.
XI. MILITARY SERVICE
1. Veterans Services
a. Support legislation and funding to increase accessibility to Veterans’ Services in Simi Valley and the surrounding area.
b. Support legisla tion that makes it easier for Military Veterans to work in California, including transferring out-of-state licenses and certifications for a temporary period during a tour of duty or obtaining a permanent license in their field.
2. Military Spouses
a. Support legislation that makes it easier for military spouses to work in California, including transferring out-of-state licenses and certifications for a temporary period during a tour of duty or obtaining a permanent license in their field. 20 Backgrounder:
DCP Legislative Package
The Governor’s trailer bill seeks to pass common sense clarifications to existing law to ensure the project is able to move past frivolous challenges and delays. It would save the state and public water agencies significant time and cost, and includes:
1. Removing time -bound considerations for the SWP’s water rights permit , deeming it a perpetual project until deemed no longer necessary by DWR. This will expedite the change in point of diversion proceedings for DCP as the Water Board and DWR will no longer need to debate the scope of DWR’s water rights and how it extends to DCP.
2. Ex
plicitly providing DWR with authority to issue bonds for DCP construction. These bonds will be issued on behalf of the participating water agencies, not the state. As the manager and operator of the SWP, this is a commonsense measure that ensures DWR has clear authority to issue bonds for construction of the projects it operates.
3. Li
miting court injunctions on DCP construction to only apply to challenges that demonstrate an imminent threat to public health and safety. This would prevent project opponents from using frivolous legal challenges to halt construction of the project unless there is a true threat to the public.
4. Cl
arifies that protests submitted during the change in point of diversion proceedings must meet existing protest standards otherwise they will be dismissed. Ensures that only substantive protests are considered and saves time by removing protest considerations that are not substantive.
5. Allo
ws DWR to enter into administrative settlements for land acquisition associated with project construction. Would allow DWR to settle land value disagreements without needing to advance eminent domain.
6. Pro
vides DWR full contracting authority for land acquisition. Would remove duplicative processes between the state Department of General Services and DWR and give DWR full authority to engage in contracts for land acquisition related to SWP facilities.
7. Allo
ws DWR to issue advanced payments for utility work. Advanced payments for known needs for electrical utility work would help expedite the project, leading to months of time savings.
This trailer bill is a priority for the Newsom Administration and is an important step in providing Metropolitan and the other public water agencies a tool to streamline the pre -construction process and provide a full view of the long-term cost and benefit considerations to make a final decision on whether to fund full construction.
21 EXHIBIT B
22 EXHIBIT C
23 24
25 26
27 28
May 23, 2025
Governor Gavin Newsom
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Senate President Pro Tempore Mike
McGuire
1021 O St., Suite 8518
Sacramento, CA 95814
Speaker of the Assembly Robert
Rivas
State Capitol
P .O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0029
RE: Support for Delta Conveyance Project Streamlining Trailer Bill Dear Governor Newsom, Pro Tem McGuire, and Speaker Rivas, On behalf of a broad coalition of labor, business, infrastructure, social justice and nonprofit organizations, we would like to express our strong support for the budget trailer bill that is 29 EXHIBIT D
intended to streamline processes for advancing the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) to a point where informed decisions can be made regarding construction investment.
This budget trailer bill is NOT about circumventing public engagement and review – this budget trailer bill is all about breaking through redundant, archaic processes that have resulted in endless delays, duplicative reviews, and millions upon millions of dollars of additive costs, while impeding the State’s ability to complete the DCP and other critical, needed infrastructure projects.
The DCP is a critical component of California’s plans to fortify the State Water Project (SWP) in preparation for the impacts of extreme weather and climate change. The SWP delivers water to more than 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland and is the engine that powers California’s economic success. However, this system is vulnerable to extreme weather and unpredictable precipitation patterns and, as a result, our state’s main water supply is at serious risk.
According to the Department of Water Resources’ SWP Delivery Capability Report, the SWP is expected to lose up to 23% of its supply in the next 20 years due to changing flow patterns and extreme weather shifts. It is critical that we act NOW by advancing the DCP to prepare California’s water infrastructure to protect the long-term reliability and affordability of water for the millions of Californian homes and businesses that rely upon the SWP.
The 2024 Benefit/Cost Analysis of the Delta Conveyance Project found that water conveyed through the SWP is the most affordable source of water compared to alternatives like desalination or recycling. These alternative sources are necessary, but the volume of water delivered by the SWP cannot be replaced.
For decades, the DCP has been stalled by frivolous lawsuits and duplicative reviews. These are the universal problems facing major infrastructure throughout California, and foundational to why it is so difficult to do big things in our state and bring major infrastructure to completion.
The budget trailer bill proposal restores balance to this process – ensuring legitimate concerns are addressed, while removing tools for obstruction and delay. Every year of delay in construction of the DCP costs California’s water ratepayers – including nearly 8 million people living in disadvantaged communities – approximately $600 million. The budget trailer bill proposal reduces bureaucratic red tape, which translates into real savings for Californians and for the State budget.
The proposed trailer bill smooths administrative processes to help move the Delta Conveyance Project in a way that balances environmental protections while improving the efficiency of the review and approval process.
It needs to be said, that this DCP “is not your grandparent’s water conveyance project.” The DCP has been redesigned to be smaller, more environmentally responsive, and less intrusive to Delta communities. At the same time, the DCP will generate thousands of good-paying 30 union construction jobs and stimulate local economies, especially in areas hardest hit by economic downturns and drought-related agricultural cutbacks.
For these reasons, our coalition urges you to support the DCP trailer bill. We appreciate your consideration and look forward to working with you to advance this important legislation.
Sincerely,
Deven Upadhyay, General Manager
The Metropolitan Water District of
Southern California
Joe Cruz, Executive Director
California State Council of Laborers
Matthew Cremins, Legislative Consultant
CA/NV Conference of Operating
Engineers
Tyler Munzing, Director of Government
Affairs
American Council of Engineering
Companies – California
Peter Tateishi, Chief Executive Officer
Associated General Contractors of
California
Kris Murray, Executive Director
Association of California Cities – Orange
County
Adrian Covert, Senior Vice President of
Public Policy
Bay Area Council
Jeff Montejano, Chief Executive Officer
Building Industry Association of
Southern California
Tracy Hernandez, Founding CEO
Los Angeles County Business Federation
(LA BizFed)
Dan Dunmoyer, President & CEO
California Building Industry Association
Rev. Jonathan Mosely, Director
National Action Network – Western
Region
Nella McOsker, President
Central City Association of Los Angeles
Rick Callender, President
NAACP California Hawaii State Conference
Kristopher Anderson, Policy Advocate,
Water, Agriculture and Resources
California Chamber of Commerce
Michael Quigley, Executive Director
California Alliance for Jobs
Ernesto Medrano, Executive Secretary
LA/OC Building & Constructions Trade
Council
Robert Saucedo, Chairman
Groundswell for Water Justice
Thomas D. McCarthy, General Manager
Kern County Water Agency
Valerie Pryor, General Manager
Zone 7 Water Agency
Aaron Baker, P .E., Chief Operating Officer –
Water Utility
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Richard Lambros, Managing Director
Southern California Leadership Council
Charley Wilson, Executive Director
Southern California Water Coalition
Jon Switalski, Executive Director
Rebuild SoCal Partnership
Dave Sorem, President
Secure Water Alliance
Ahmad Thomas, CEO
Silicon Valley Leadership Group
Stuart Waldman, President
Valley Industry & Commerce Association
31 Mayor Sharona R Nazarian, PsyD.
City of Beverly Hills
Amanda Walsh, VP of Government Affairs
Orange County Business Council
Mike Lewis, Senior Vice President
Construction Industry Coalition on
Water Quality (CICWQ)
Joe Mouwad, P .E., General Manager
Eastern Municipal Water District
Monica Garcia-Diaz, Chair
South Bay Association of Chambers of
Commerce
Chisom Obeolu, Assistant General
Manager -- Water
Glendale Water and Power
Joe Cina, President & CEO
Glendora Chamber of Commerce
Danielle Borja, President & CEO
Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of
Commerce
Peggi Hazlett, President & CEO
Greater Ontario Business Council
Zeb Welborn, President & CEO
Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce
Bobby Spiegel, President & CEO
Corona Chamber of Commerce
Erin Sasse, Chair
Southwest California Legislative Council
Nina Jazmadarian, General Manager
Foothill Municipal Water District
Claudette J. Baldemor, President & CEO
Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce
Matthew Stone, General Manager
Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency
Paul Granillo, President & CEO
Inland Empire Economic Partnership
Carlos A. Singer, SVP & Chief Policy Officer
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
Julie B. Michaels, Executive Director
Inland Action
Shivaji Deshmukh, P .E., General Manager
Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Luis Portillo, President & CEO
San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
Charlie Nobles, Executive Director
Southern California Contractors
Association
Gus Flores, Director of Government Affairs
United Contractors
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Kristine McCaffrey, General Manager
Calleguas Water District
David Pedersen, General Manager
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
Henry Rogers, Executive Director
Harbor Association of Industry and
Commerce
Joanne McClasky, Executive Director
Industry Business Council
Jennifer Spindler, General Manager
Crestline-Lake Arrowhead Water Agency
Paul A. Cook, General Manager
Irvine Ranch Water District
32 Matthew Hargrove, President & CEO
California Business Properties Association
Harvey De La Torre, General Manager
Municipal Water District of Orange
County
Adam Eventov, President
Murietta Temecula Group
John Kennedy, General Manager
Orange County Water District
Eileen Hupp, President & CEO
Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of
Commerce
Jason Martin, General Manager
Rancho California Water District
Mara Santos, President & CEO
Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce
Marisa Creter, Executive Director
San Gabriel Valley Council of
Governments
Robb Grantham, General Manager
Santa Margarita Water District
Dennis Cafferty, General Manager
El Toro Water District
Mandip Samra, General Manager
Burbank Water and Power
Pete Martinez, General Manager
Channel Islands Beach Community
Services District
Dennis D. LaMoreaux, CEO/General
Manager
Palmdale Water District
Darin Kasamoto, General Manager
San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water
District
Heather Dyer, General Manager
San Bernardino Valley MWD
Rob Lapsley, President
California Business Roundtable
Lance Eckhart, General Manager
San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency
Aldo E. Schindler, City Manager
City of Tustin
Monica Farias, President & CEO
Greater West Covina Business
Association
Randall Reed, Board President
Cucamonga Valley Water District
Victoria Hernandez, Executive Director
South Orange County Economic
Coalition
Matthew Litchfield, General Manager
Three Valleys Municipal Water District
Donna Duperron, President & CEO
Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce
Paul Shoenberger, General Manager
Mesa Water District
Justin M. Scott-Coe, General Manager
Monte Vista Water District
Amy Valdiva, Chairman of the Board
Upland Chamber of Commerce
Tom Love, General Manager
Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal
Water District (Upper Water)
Louise Lamparra, Executive Director
Ventura County Coalition of Labor,
Agriculture and Business (CoLAB)
Alma Quezada, P .G., General Manager
Ventura River Water District
Edward J. Caldwell, General Manager
West Basin Municipal Water District
Jim Barrett, General Manager
Coachella Valley Water District
33 CC: Honorable Scott Wiener, Chair, Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Honorable Roger Niello, Vice-Chair, Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Honorable Benjamin Allen, Chair, Senate Budget Subcommittee 2 Honorable Jesse Gabriel, Chair, Assembly Budget Committee Honorable Heath Flora, Vice-Chair, Assembly Budget Committee Honorable Steve Bennett, Chair, Assembly Budget Subcommittee 4 Honorable Brian Jones, Senate Republican Leader
Honorable James Gallagher, Assembly Republican Leader
Members, Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee
Members, Assembly Budget Committee
Steve L. Johnson, P .E., General Manager
Desert Water Agency
Marsha Hansen, President & CEO
El Segundo Chamber of Commerce
John Thiel, General Manager
West Valley Water District
Andy Conli, President & CEO
West Ventura County Business Alliance
Councilman Brian Tisdale, City of Lake
Elsinore
Chair, Advocacy Committee
Western Riverside Council of
Governments
Craig D. Miller, General Manager
Western Water District
Monica Garcia-Diaz, Executive Director
Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
34 35
EXHIBIT E
36 37
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