RESOLUTTON NO. 2026-28
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, OPPOSING THE
ESSENTIAL SERVICES RESTORATION ACT, LOS
ANGELES COUNTY GENERAL SALES TAX MEASURE
AND OPPOSING ASSEMBLY BILL 1768 COUNTY OF
LOS ANGELES TRANSACT¡ONS AND USE TAX
WHEREAS, on February 10, 2026, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to place the one Essential Services Restoration Act on the June 2, 2026, Statewide Primary Election ballot; an d
WHEREAS, the proposed measure would impose an additional half-cent (0.5%) general sales tax throughout Los Angeles County for a period of five years, projected to generate approximately $t.0 billion annually; and
WHEREAS, revenues generated from the proposed general tax measure would be deposited into the County's General Fund and could be used for any lawful County purpose at the discretion of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors' and WHEREAS, the proposed measure would increase the overall sales tax rate in the City of Torrance from 1 0.25o/o to 10.75o/o through October 1, 2031; and WHEREAS, Torrance voters approved Measure SST in 2022, which was presented as a locally controlled revenue source to maintain essential City services within the statutory limit on combined local transactions and use taxes; and
WHEREAS, the State Legislature has previously modified the statutory cap on transactions and use taxes in Los Angeles County, allowing the cap to be exceeded beyond those previously contemplated by local voters; and WHEREAS, the Assembly Bill 1768, introduced on February 9, 2026, proposed to override the combined rate of local sales taxes in Los Angeles County to exceed the statutory limit of two percent (2o/o); and
WHEREAS, the proposed tax measure has broad and unspecified purposes, limited local authority, and would place additional financial burdens on residents and businesses in Torrance; and
WHEREAS, shifting the financial impact of federal funding reductions to local taxpayers through additional taxes raises concerns regarding long{erm fiscal responsibility and the protection of local revenue authority.
NOW THEREFORE, BE lT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Torrance, hereby tind, determine and resolve as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Council opposes the Essential Services Restoration Act, on the proposed Los Angeles County general sale tax measure appearing on the June 2, 2026, Statewide Primary Election ballot.
SECTION 2. The City Gouncil finds that the proposed measure would increase the overall
sales tax rate within the City of Torrance, exceeding previously established limits on local sales tax rates, and imposing additional burdens on Torrance residents and businesses without sufficient local benefit.
SECTION 3. The City Council hereby expresses its opposition to Assembly Bill 1768 (2025-2026), which would authorize the combined rate of local transactions and use taxes in Los Angeles County to exceed the statutory limit.
SECTION 4. The Mayor is hereby authorized to execute letters on behalf of the City Council, expressing the City's opposition to Assembly Bill 1768 and the proposed Essential Services Restoration Act.
INTRODUCED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 24th day of March 2026.
Mayo rge K. Chen
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
PATRICK Q. SULLIVAN, City Attorney A
by TrhJ þ 4^-¿^--
lhTatia Y. Strader, Assistant City Attorney Poirier, MMC, City Clerk TORRANCE CITY COUNCI RESOLUTION NO. 2026.28
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
CITY OF TORRANCE
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SS
l, Rebecca Poirier, City Clerk of the City of Torrance, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly introduced, approved, and adopted by the City Council of the City of Torrance at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 24th day of March 2026 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS Gerson, Kaji, Kalani,
Mayor Chen.
None.
None.
None.
Lewis, Mattucci, Sheikh, and
NOES:
ABSTAIN
ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBERS
COUNCILMEMBERS
COUNCILMEMBERS
Date fr rØ , MMC
City Clerk of the City of Torrance