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LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	12/03/2020
Subject: Draft 2021-22 State Legislative Platform
Submitted For:	LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
Department:	County Administrator
Referral No.:	2020-23
Referral Name:	2021-22 State Legislative Platform
Presenter:	L. DeLaney and Nielsen Merksamer Team	Contact:	L. DeLaney, 925-655-2057

Information

Referral History:

The Legislation Committee annually reviews and considers the draft State and Federal Legislative Platforms prior to their proposal to the Board of Supervisors. The adopted Platforms of the Board of Supervisors are available here: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/2859/Legislation

Referral Update:

Each year in January, the Board of Supervisors adopts a State Legislative Platform that establishes 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 policies that provide direction and guidance for identification of and advocacy on bills which would affect the services, programs or finances of Contra Costa County. Every January, 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 documents are utilized by the County's state and federal advocates, elected officials, and staff as the basis for advocacy efforts.

The State and Federal Legislative Platforms are prepared each year by staff of the County Administrator's Office in collaboration with County department heads, other key staff, the County state and federal advocates, and with input from the Board's commissions/committees and the public. CAO staff generally conducts outreach in the fall of year year regarding the Platform process and invites input so that draft documents can be considered by the Legislation Committee in November and/or December of each year. Elements of the Platforms related to the subject matter of the Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee are also reviewed by that committee prior to the Proposed Platforms being presented to the Board of Supervisors in January for adoption.

With direction from the Board of Supervisors for the Platforms to be more streamlined, concise and provide greater prioritization for the two-year legislative cycle, staff of the CAO's office has conducted Platform input meetings on multiple occasions, convening conference calls and Zoom meetings with staff, community members, and the County's federal advocates from Alcalde & Fay (Mr. Paul Schlesinger and Mr. Perrin Badini) and state advocates from Nielsen Merksamer (Mr. Jim Gross and Ms. Michelle Rubalcava).

SUMMARY OF

PROPOSED STATE PLATFORM CHANGES

Additions to the Draft 2021-22 State Platform:

Demographic Highlights include race/ethnicity and education attainment graphs
To Advocacy Priorities: Added COVID-19 Response and Economic Recovery
Re-framed the Priority related to Health to include Mental Health
Sponsored Bill proposals: Two new proposals have been included; one budget request has been carried over.

Bill Proposal #1 relates to legislation to permit the establishment through subcontract of a partnership/alliance with a private emergency ambulance service provider for the provision of emergency ambulance services, as requested by Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Fire Chief.

Bill Proposal #2 is request from the Department of Conservation and Development for a bill to provide alternative management standards for the Treated Wood program at the Department of Toxic Substance Control so treated wood could be processed at Class II landfills and transfer stations with a composite line.

Budget Proposal #1 is a carry-over from the 2020 State Platform related to the Contra Costa CARES program, seeking state budget support to provide primary care services to undocumented adults in Contra Costa County.

Included all Department and advisory body input on text changes, when provided.

Revisions to the 2020 Platform:

Photos and graphics additions
Agriculture and Weights & Measures (adding principles related to weights and measures)
Child Support Services
Climate Change
Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Response
Flood Control
Health Care
Homeless Services
Human Services
Justice Systems
Land Use/Community Development (added "Natural Resources")
Transportation
Waste Management
Workforce Development

The Draft 2021-22 State Legislative Platform is included in Attachment A.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

PROVIDE direction to staff on the development of the 2021-22 Proposed State Platform and recommend its adoption by the Board of Supervisors at its meeting on January 19, 2021.

Attachments
Attachment A: Draft 2021-22 State Legislative Platform