Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Connie Juarez-Diroll, Chief Legislative Officer
Subject: 2025 Legislative Session Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution approving the San Mateo County 2025 Legislative Session Program.
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BACKGROUND:
The 2025 Legislative Session Program for San Mateo County details state and federal legislative priorities for the County in the new legislative sessions. These priorities, in combination with standing positions and policies, guide the County’s legislative advocacy efforts. The Intergovernmental and Public Affairs Unit (IGPA) of the County Executive’s Office develops the County’s Legislative Session Program with direction from Board members and in collaboration with County departments, the County Executive, the County’s state associations, our state and federal legislative advocates, and community partners.
The County’s Legislative Coordination and Advocacy Policy, approved by the Board on June 4, 2019, sets out the County’s processes for conveying official Board positions and coordination of actions between the Board of Supervisors, County Executive’s Office, County departments/agencies, and the County’s legislative advocates in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
DISCUSSION:
In 2025, County state advocacy efforts will focus on the following list of priority issues:
1) Securing reimbursement for the County’s and cities' FY 2023-24 In-lieu Vehicle License Fee (VLF) shortfall of $114,340,340,
2) Advocating for increased state funding and programs that advance the County’s efforts to combat homelessness, including additional funding for homelessness prevention and needed support services,
3) Supporting efforts to expeditiously implement the Climate Bond (Proposition 4, 2024) and other infrastructure supports in areas of importance to the County, including sea level rise, coastal erosion, climate change, wildfire mitigation, and energy,
4) Policies, regulations, and funding opportunities that promote affordable housing for people at all income levels, and
5) Supporting legislation and funding that aid immigrant communities, regardless of immigration status, including legal services, emergency housing, expanded protections, and safe zones.
At the federal level, 2025 advocacy efforts will be focused on advocating for:
1) Continued federal funding of critical health and human services programs, including Medicaid/MediCal, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), TANF/CalWORKs, SNAP/CalFresh, child welfare services, foster care, housing support, and other safety net programs,
2) Protection of the County’s vulnerable communities, including immigrants, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ persons, individuals with disabilities, and other historically marginalized groups,
3) Strong protection of the environment and federal efforts that address the ongoing impacts of climate change and extreme weather events, including investments to increase disaster preparedness, mitigation, response programs, and the provision of disaster recovery aid, and
4) Securing Community Project Funding for needed County projects as these resources become available.
The proposed 2025 County Legislative Program includes revisions to last year’s program. The revisions are redlined.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The County’s state and federal advocacy efforts and the 2025 Legislative Session Program support policies that represent the County’s interests and further or enhance the needs of County residents.