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C. 16
To: Board of Supervisors
From: Monica Nino, County Administrator
Date: January  17, 2023
The Seal of Contra Costa County, CA
Contra
Costa
County
Subject: Proposed 2023-24 State and Federal Legislative Platforms and 2022 Year-end Reports
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On:   01/17/2023
APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:
John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Ken Carlson, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor
Contact: L. DeLaney, (925) 655-2057
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED:     January  17, 2023
Monica Nino, County Administrator
 
BY: , Deputy

 

RECOMMENDATION(S):

1. ACCEPT the Year-end Reports on the County's 2022 federal and state legislative advocacy efforts. (Attachments C and D)  
2. ADOPT the Proposed 2023-24 State and Federal Legislative Platforms for Contra Costa County. (Attachments A and B)  

3. DIRECT the County Administrator's Office to return to the Board of Supervisors, as necessary, to update the County's adopted 2023-24 Legislative Platforms to reflect intervening actions of the Board.  
RECOMMENDATION(S): (CONT'D)
4. DIRECT the County Administrator's Office and Department staff to review proposed legislation that relates to the County's adopted legislative platforms and recommend appropriate positions on specific bills, ballot measures and regulations for consideration by the Board's Legislation Committee and/or the Board of Supervisors.  
5. AUTHORIZE Board Members, the County's federal and state legislative representatives, and the County Administrator, or designee, to prepare and present information, position papers and testimony in support of the adopted 2023-24 Federal and State Legislative Platforms.
FISCAL IMPACT:

No direct impact to the County from the acceptance of the Year-end Reports and the adoption of the Legislative Platforms.
BACKGROUND:

2022 Year-end Reports   
  
In January of each year in which the Legislative Platforms are presented for consideration and adoption, Year-end Reports that summarize the County's legislative advocacy activities for the prior calendar year are submitted to the Board of Supervisors for its review and acceptance. The state advocacy 2022 Year-end Report was prepared by the County's state lobbyists, Ms. Michelle Rubalcava and Mr. Geoff Neill, of Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni LLP. (Attachment C) The federal advocacy 2022 Year-end Report was prepared by the County's federal lobbyists, Mr. Paul Schlesinger, Mr. Jim Davenport, and Mr. Greg Burns, of Thorn Run Partners. (Attachment D)  
  
In addition to the information provided by the state and federal lobbyists, advocacy efforts coordinated by the County Administrator's Office staff in 2022 also included the following:

  • Board support for Menstrual Products Pilot Program Budget Allocation of $45 million
  • Board support for Contra Costa Transportation Authority's Grant Application for the National Infrastructure Project Assistance Competitive Grant Program; 680 Forward
  • Board support for AB 2120 (Ward): Investing Federal Funding in Local Bridges (held in committee)
  • An Oppose Floor Alert on AB 205/SB 122, the Energy Trailer Bills, allowing for a shift of local authority for siting of solar, wind, and certain battery backup projects to the California Energy Commission (signed by the Governor)
  • Emergency Rulemaking for AB 205, Opt-In Provisions: Letter from Contra Costa County and follow-up advocacy efforts led by Sustainability Coordinator Jody London
  • Letters of support for AB 1502, AB 2077, and SB 842 from the Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging
  • Board support for California Library Services Act Funding
  • Board support for Lunch at the Library and Online Job Training
  • Board support for Department of Child Support Services Budget Item no. 5175, Supporting Local Child Support Agency Administration
  • Board support for Funding Backfill to Counties related to Pass-Through Collections of Child Support Payments
  • Board support for Emergency Services and Disaster Response Funding ($159 million) for County Human Services Departments
  • Board support for Increased State Investment in Graduate Medical Education and Increased Access to Equitable Care in Medi-Cal
  • Board support for $300 million in ongoing funding for State and Local Public Health departments and Support for Public Health Equity and Readiness Opportunity (HERO) Initiative
  • Industrial Hemp Regulations Comment Letter to California Department of Public Health
  • Consolidated Cannabis Regulations Comment Letter to Department of Cannabis Control
  • California Public Utilities Commission letter requesting Installation of Automatic Warning Devices at Private At-Grade Crossings in Unincorporated Brentwood
  • Board support for Fully Funding the Resource Family Approval (RFA) Workload in the Continuum of Care Reform True-up
  • Board support for $200 million for Green Schoolyards from Existing Extreme Heat Set-Aside Budget
  • Board support for $180 million for Local Assistance for Organic Waste Recycling Program Development and Implementation
  • Support for funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Atmospheric Research Weather and Air Chemistry Research for Advanced Quantitative Precipitation Information (AQPI) system
  
2023-24 Proposed State and Federal Legislative Platforms  
  
At the beginning of each two-year legislative cycle, the Board of Supervisors is expected to adopt a State Legislative Platform that establishes Contra Costa County's priorities and policy positions with regard to potential state legislation and regulation. The State Legislative Platform includes County-sponsored bill proposals, legislative or regulatory advocacy priorities, and principles that provide direction and guidance for identification of and advocacy on bills, regulations, and ballot measures which could affect the services, programs or finances of Contra Costa County. At the same time, the Board of Supervisors also adopts a Federal Legislative Platform that establishes federal funding needs and policy positions with regard to potential federal legislation and regulation. These Platform documents are utilized by the County's state and federal lobbyists, elected officials, and staff as the basis for the County's advocacy efforts.   
  
The State and Federal Legislative Platforms are prepared by staff of the County Administrator's Office in collaboration and consultation with County department heads and other key staff, the County's state and federal advocates, and with input from the Board's commissions/committees and the public. For the 2023-24 Platforms, CAO staff conducted outreach in the fall of 2022, inviting input so that draft documents could be reviewed and considered by the Legislation Committee at its November 21, 2022 meeting. Elements of the Platforms related to the subject matter of the Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee (TWIC) were also reviewed by that committee prior to the Proposed Platforms being presented to the Board of Supervisors for adoption.   
  
Notable changes from the Adopted 2021-22 State Legislative Platform include the following:   
Introduction: Demographic data was updated to reflect 2022 data from the State Department of Finance for population estimates. Graphics were also updated to include latest from Bay Area Equity Atlas. District IV Supervisor was updated to Ken Carlson.  
  
Sponsored Bill Proposals: Two sponsored bill proposals were included. (Note that the last day to submit bill requests to the Office of Legislative Counsel is January 26, 2023.)  
  
1. Requested by the Department of Conservation and Development: "Legislation to direct the California Air Resources Board to develop greenhouse gas inventories for California cities, counties, and special districts. The Legislature should allocate up to $2.5 million for this purpose." County staff and lobbyists are exploring a partnership with CivicWell (formerly the Local Government Commission), a nonprofit organization that has developed a similar legislative proposal, to advance the proposal.  
  
Currently, there is no standard protocol that is used across GHG inventories. Having an inventory prepared by the State would ensure that each jurisdiction is looking at comparable data. In October 2021, the Board of Supervisors signed on to a letter from more than 100 local governments and stakeholder groups requesting that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) conduct greenhouse gas inventories for all cities, counties, and special districts in California. In meetings between County staff and CARB staff, CARB has indicated that it does not anticipate taking on this responsibility absent direction and funding from the Legislature.  
  
2. Requested by Supervisor John Gioia: "Statewide permitting for hauling solid waste by non-franchise haulers. Permits are required for non-franchise solid waste haulers in unincorporated areas of the County, but no similar requirement exists for cities, which impedes enforcement of illegal dumping." County staff, advocates, and CSAC staff are soliciting feedback, input, and legislative interest in a bill that could potentially establish a pilot project allowing Contra Costa County to regulate non-franchise waste haulers throughout the county, including loads originating within city boundaries.  
  
Advocacy Priorities: Three amendments were incorporated into the Proposed State Platform for 2023-24:
  • Owing to the Governor's announcement in October regarding the end of the COVID-19 State of Emergency on February 28, 2023, the advocacy priority related to "COVID-19 Response" was deleted.
  • Goals of the Measure X Community Advisory Board were added for "Mental Well-Being, Equity in Action, Healthy Communities, Intergenerational Thriving, and a Welcoming & Safe Community."
  • "Justice Reform" was also deleted as no significant justice reform proposals by the Legislature or Governor are anticipated at this time.
  
Principles and Policy Statements Text Changes:  
  
Substantive changes were proposed by staff to Climate Change, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Finance and Administration, Human Services, Library, and Transportation. Notable changes include the following:  
  
Climate Change (p. 9-11)
  • SUPPORT funding and policy to harden and enhance the infrastructure of public facilities, including public hospitals and health care centers, to the impacts of climate change.
  • SUPPORT actions that cost-effectively reduce exposure to criteria air pollutants and toxic air pollutants,
Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Response (p. 12-13)
  • SUPPORT legislation to maintain or strengthen the authority and governing role of counties and their local emergency medical services agencies to plan, implement, and evaluate all aspects and components of the emergency medical services system.
  • SUPPORT legislation to maintain or strengthen the administration and medical control of emergency medical services, pre-hospital emergency medical care, and ambulance services at the county level.
  • SUPPORT legislation that would enable paramedics and emergency medical technicians responding to 911 calls to transport patients to the most appropriate facility, such as, mental health urgent care centers or sobering centers, subject to the County’s Emergency Medical Services Policy.
  • SUPPORT legislation that provides adequate and stable funding for LEMSAs and EMS systems components including but not limited to: EMS administration, trauma systems, specialty centers (e.g. trauma, pediatric, cardiac, stroke), ambulance transport, emergency and disaster preparedness and response, reimbursable transport to alternate destinations, and uncompensated care by emergency department physicians and on-call specialists.
  • OPPOSE legislation that would threaten or weaken the authority and governing role of counties or local medical control over the locally coordinated and standardized provision of emergency medical services.
  • OPPOSE legislation that may result in the fragmentation of the emergency medical services systems, prehospital emergency medical care, and ambulance services.
  • OPPOSE legislation that would prevent or weaken the ability of the LEMSA Medical Director to assure medical control of the EMS system.
Finance and Administration (p. 15)
  • SUPPORT efforts that ensure public entities are procuring products and delivering services in a manner that progressively reduces the carbon footprint of goods and services.
Human Services (p. 19-22)
  • SUPPORT funding and policies to provide older adults with holistic, culturally appropriate services and treatment modalities that support well-being, health, and mental health.
  • SUPPORT actions that promote safety in skilled nursing and other long-term care facilities for older adults.
  • SUPPORT ongoing funding for programs that would provide disability benefit advocacy and housing assistance to our indigent, disabled, and homeless populations.
  • SUPPORT ongoing funding for CalAIM PATH III, including funding to support staff.
Library (p. 25)
  • SUPPORT legislation that allows libraries to purchase eBooks and e-audiobooks at the same price as consumers.
  • SUPPORT funding for early literacy, school readiness, adult literacy, career development, vocational support, and assistance to vulnerable populations.
  • SUPPORT legislation that affirms the freedom to access library materials with diverse points of view. OPPOSE legislation that seeks to restrict access to library materials with diverse points of view.
Telecommunications and Broadband (p. 25)
  • SUPPORT programs and funding for outreach to raise awareness of programs, discounts, and subsidies that are available to eligible members of the community for internet service and computer equipment.
  
To see the proposed changes in a redline version, please see this document provided to the Legislation Committee at their November 21, 2022 meeting.  
  
The 2023-24 Proposed State Legislative Platform is Attachment A.
  
  
Notable changes from the Adopted 2021-22 Federal Legislative Platform include the following:  
  
As with the Proposed State Platform, similar changes were made to the Introduction section for the 2023-24 Proposed Federal Legislative Platform.  
  
Priority Policy Statements  
  
Substantive changes were made to the following sections: Climate Change, Health Care, Human Services, Library Services, Telecommunications and Broadband, and Veterans. These changes include the addition of the following policies:
  • SUPPORT legislation and administrative policy changes that will continue into the future the flexibilities in use of Telehealth services. (p. 14)
  • SUPPORT reinstatement of the Child Tax Credit. (p. 15)
  • SUPPORT reevaluation and updates to the Federal Poverty Guidelines. (p. 15)
  • SUPPORT policies that provide greater access for people with disabilities to participate in programs for training, education, upskilling, and job seeking. (p. 19)
  • SUPPORT federal funding for library renovation and construction projects. (p. 19)
  • SUPPORT extension of Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) that provides income-eligible individuals and families discounts to internet service and computer equipment. SUPPORT funding for outreach to create awareness of ACP and other opportunities for increased digital access. (p. 20)
  • SUPPORT legislation that enhances health care/mental health care in support of veterans. (p. 20)
  • SUPPORT legislation that would focus on getting homeless veterans off the street and into housing. (p. 20)
  
The redline changes can be found in this document provided to the Legislation Committee at their November 21, 2022 meeting. In addition, former Supervisor Karen Mitchoff requested the addition of another policy:  
  
SUPPORT legislative efforts to advance the exoneration of the Port Chicago 50. (p. 21)  
  
The Proposed 2023-24 Federal Legislative Platform is Attachment B.  
  
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Unless the Board of Supervisors adopts a State and Federal Legislative Platform, there will be no official document guiding the legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts of its staff and contract advocates.

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