MEETING DATE:
APRIL 8, 2025
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-9421 - LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
ADOPT a resolution taking a position on pending legislation in the California State Legislature and projects of local impacts.
Body
Relevant Council Strategic Theme
Planning for the Future
Good Governance
Introduction
The City Council adopted the 2025 Legislative Platform to guide the consideration of state and federal bills that affect City operations. The end of bill introduction for the first year of the two-year cycle for the California Legislature, a total of 2,350 bills were introduced. Over one third of these bills are spot bills, which do not propose any substantive changes to the law and will serve as a vehicle for future amendments. Staff, lobbyist consultants and Cal Cities are currently reviewing all the legislation introduced this session, with future positions pending.
Discussion
Lawmakers have introduced over 2,300 bills during this first year of the two-year cycle. This report provides updates on newly proposed legislation. Staff will continue to monitor these bills and will collaborate with Cal Cities and our lobbyist teams on future City Council consideration for official positions on introduced legislation. Policy committees are starting to set hearings, and in the coming weeks will complete their review of the newly introduced bills.
The Governor’s budget was proposed in January, and is a roughly balanced budget with increased revenues, no deficit and spending cuts to “make government leaner.” However, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office the state may face double digit deficits in years to come. The budget may remain roughly balanced at the time of the May Revision, but the ultimate state of the budget remains to be seen. According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, looking forward, revenues are unlikely to grow at a pace that catches up to spending.
On March 3, 2025, Governor Newsom released Executive Order N-22-25, which requires all agencies and departments within his Administration to update hybrid telework policies to establish an expectation of four days per week in-office. Additionally, N-22-25 seeks to enhance the state’s workforce needs by directing CalHR to streamline the hiring process for former federal employees seeking employment in key roles, including firefighting, forest management and weather forecasting.
The League of California Cities has sponsored 15 bills in this legislative cycle. Staff are reviewing these bills and are developing recommendations for which bills to present to Council for positions or letters of support. There are several bills that have connections to the City’s 2025 Legislative Platform and could be places where the city can support Cal Cities legislative agenda. Staff continue to review these bills and will make recommendations at a future City Council meeting.
The bill introduction deadline occurred on February 21, 2025. The next deadline to consider is the deadline for bills to be referred to committee, and for spot/legislative intent bills to receive their initial amendments. Staff are working closely with lobbyist consultants, and reviewing Cal Cities analyses to determine what bills may impact City legislative priorities, and to make recommendations for positions.
Bills have until the May 2, 2025 deadline for policy committees in both houses to hear and report on bills introduced in their respective house of origin. At this time staff, based on the bill’s most current form, staff is recommending positions on the following proposed bills.
|
PROPOSED LEGISLATION |
POSITION |
|
AB 424 |
Davies |
Alcohol and other drug programs: complaints. Requires DHCS to notify individuals at three key points: when their complaint is received when the investigation concludes, and the outcome of the investigation. Currently, DHCS does not automatically provide this information, but complainants must file a Public Records Act (PRA) request. |
SUPPORT |
|
AB 492 |
Valencia |
Alcohol and drug programs: licensing. This measure would require DHCS to notify cities anytime a new alcohol and drug treatment facility is approved in their jurisdiction. |
SUPPORT |
|
SB 569 |
Blakespear |
Homeless Encampment Collaboration Act. Requires Caltrans to develop locally tailored plans for homeless encampments on state-owned land and the department to establish advisory committees in each Caltrans district, set clear timelines, speed up the contracting process, and provide additional funding to better help transition people into shelter and services. |
SUPPORT |
Environmental Review
The proposed action does not constitute a “project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, Sections 15000 - 15387), and is therefore not subject to environmental review pursuant to Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3).
Fiscal Impact
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with adopting the proposed resolution. Unknown fiscal impacts are associated with the bills in Attachment A. A more thorough analysis of each bill’s implementation requirements is needed to demonstrate total fiscal impact.
Attachments
Attachment A: 2025 Legislative Platform
Attachment B: League of California Cities 2025 Sponsored Bills List
Attachment C: Resolution
Prepared by: Michael Lieberman, Legislative Analyst
Reviewed by: Phil Scollick, City Clerk/Director of Legislative Affairs
Approved by: Michelle Bender, City Manager