City of South San Francisco’s
2026 State and Federal Legislative Platform
This Legislative Platform is the framework for legislative proposals for the 2026 legislative year.
The platform establishes a clear and efficient framework to guide the City Council, City Manager, staff, and the City’s legislative advocates in advancing state and federal policies that support South San Francisco’s priorities. The platform enables timely, strategic advocacy aligned with the City Council’s Priorities Action Plan Major Focus Areas and supports coordinated engagement throughout the legislative session.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES ACTION PLAN MAJOR FOCUS AREAS & ASSOCIATED
LEGISLATIVE POLICIES
The following are the City of South San Francisco’s priorities for the 2026 legislative year.
1. Housing and Supportive Services
Promote housing stability, affordability, and access to supportive services that meet the needs of South San Francisco’s diverse community.
Legislative Priorities:
• Support funding and policies that expand affordable, workforce, and supportive housing. • Advocate for resources addressing homelessness, including prevention, shelter, and permanent supportive housing.
• Preserve local land use authority for cities with pro-housing designation by creating exemptions from state-mandated streamlining and density overrides. • Provide designated benefits to cities with pro-housing designation such as the expansion of the state’s Pro-housing Incentive Program and Local Housing Trust Fund grant programs.
• Support programs that provide behavioral health and social services to vulnerable populations and expand allocations to cities or allow cities to be eligible applicants. • Protect local land use authority and ensure housing policies reflect infrastructure capacity and community needs.
2. Infrastructure and the Environment
Invest in resilient, sustainable infrastructure and protect environmental quality to support longterm community and environmental health and economic vitality.
Legislative Priorities:
• Support increased investment in transit, including regional and local improvements (e.g., support for SB 63 or similar measures).
• Advocate for infrastructure funding for transportation, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, utilities, and climate resilience and open space preservation. • Support policies and funding to improve air quality and community health outcomes. • Promote environmental sustainability, climate adaptation, sea level rise and shoreline protection, responsible resource management, and protective infrastructure for City facilities, such as the Water Quality Control Plant.
• Continue streamlining of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process for housing and climate-related risk reduction of fires, floods, and drought mitigations. • Secure funding to expand the City’s urban forest and tree canopy, specifically advocating for grant programs that include establishment period costs and ongoing maintenance to ensure long-term survivability and climate resilience.
• Preserve research & development and industrial uses, particularly in key economic areas such as around the South San Francisco ferry terminal.
3. Modern and Sustainable Organization
Ensure a fiscally responsible, innovative, and high-performing City organization that can effectively serve the community.
Legislative Priorities:
• Prioritize a legislative fix for the Property Tax in-lieu of Vehicle License Fee (VLF) shortfall to ensure that San Mateo County and every city receives its full share of VLF revenue to fund the services our community needs and deserves. • Advocate for increased local fiscal autonomy by reforming state-imposed barriers and restrictive thresholds that limit a city’s ability to seek voter-approved revenue measures or set tax rates based on local community needs.
• Support policies that strengthen workforce recruitment, retention, and development without increasing legal, administrative or financial burdens for the City. • Promote investments in technology, cybersecurity, efficient service delivery systems, and administrative space.
• Oppose pension or retirement policy changes that create unfunded liabilities or impose unsustainable financial obligations that jeopardize the City’s long-term fiscal health. • Oppose unfunded state or federal mandates and advocate for full reimbursement when mandates are imposed.
4. Quality of Life
Enhance public safety, community well-being, and access to essential services that contribute to a high quality of life.
Legislative Priorities:
• Support funding for public safety services, infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and long-term support for the Public Provider Ground Emergency Medical Ambulance Transport (PP-GEMT) funding for public ambulance providers. • Advocate for investments in parks, recreation, senior and child care services, libraries, and community facilities.
• Promote public health initiatives, including clean air, safe neighborhoods, and access to services.
• Support programs that strengthen economic opportunity and community stability.
5. Welcoming and Connected Community
Foster an inclusive, engaged, and connected community that reflects South San Francisco’s diversity and values.
Legislative Priorities:
• Advocate for equitable access to services, economic opportunities, and civic participation. • Strengthen partnerships with community-based organizations and regional stakeholders. • Support initiatives that enhance community engagement, cultural vitality, and social cohesion.
• Support policies that protect immigrant communities and promote inclusion.
IMPLEMENTATION
Legislative positions consistent with this platform may be approved and executed by the Mayor or City Manager, or the City Manager’s designee.
To ensure responsiveness during the legislative session, the City Manager or their authorized designee may take positions on legislation consistent with this platform and the City Council’s priorities, including alignment with positions taken by partner organizations such as Cal Cities, the National League of Cities, and regional coalitions.
State and federal advocacy can take many forms, depending on the specific goals and circumstances involved. Effective strategies may include, but are not limited to:
• Submitting formal position letters
• Making targeted phone calls
• Organizing or participating in trips to Sacramento and/or Washington, D.C., and facilitating meetings with elected officials and high-level staff at pertinent State and Federal departments
• Hosting district tours
• Building coalitions
• Authoring legislation
• Opposing legislation, and
• Leveraging a range of other tailored tactics.
Per the City Manager’s discretion and in alignment with this platform, staff may take any of the above listed actions. The City Manager, or their authorized designee, is granted the authority to sign formal position letters that align with this platform as representative of the City’s official position. When position letters are requested, staff will prepare and submit the signed letter within two weeks.
Individual Councilmembers may undertake lobbying efforts. When lobbying as an individual Councilmember, the Councilmember should state or write: These statements are made in my individual capacity as a Councilmember; they are not intended to represent the official position of the City Council or the City of South San Francisco.