Staff Report.Legislative Priorities
PREPARED BY: Holly Young
Senior Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 08/01/2023 ITEM NO: 16
DATE: July 25, 2023
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Provide Direction on Legislative Priorities with Regard to State, Federal, and
Regional Legislation and Town Council Policy #2-18: Legislative Policy
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide direction on legislative priorities with regard to State, Federal, and regional legislation
and Town Council Policy #2-18: Legislative Policy.
BACKGROUND:
In 2016, the Town Council adopted Council Policy #2-18: Legislative Policy (Attachment 1). This
Policy sets forth the procedures for engagement in the legislative process and the types of
issues that are appropriate for the Town to state a position.
On March 28, 2023, the Policy Committee discussed a list of potential legislative priorities.
These priorities are intended to be helpful to Town Council members as they engage in
discussions with State legislators and as the Town considers which bills it chooses to endorse,
oppose, or recommend amendments.
DISCUSSION:
Prior to the March 28, 2023 Policy Committee meeting, Committee Chair/Council Member Rob
Moore compiled legislative priorities for Los Gatos’s State and Federal Representatives
(Attachment 2).
At the March 28, 2023 Policy Committee meeting, the Committee unanimously voted to bring
these legislative priorities to the full Council.
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: Legislative Priorities DATE: July 25, 2023
DISCUSSION (continued):
Consistent with the Legislative Policy, the following draft legislative priorities were brought to
the Policy Committee for consideration because they align with proposals that impact Los Gatos
and funding resources:
• Concealed Weapons: In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling, the Town should
advocate for legislation that clarifies the concealed carry weapons process and protects
sensitive places from the presence of concealed weapons. Senate Bill (SB) 2 is an
example of a such a bill. On June 20, 2023, the Council voted to introduce an
ordinance to update the Town’s Concealed Carry Firearm Licensing Ordinance and
prohibit the carry of firearms in sensitive places.
• Clarifications regarding SB 9: The Town may want to advocate for legislation that
clarifies SB 9 lot splits and developments in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones,
affordability requirements, and the attestation of intent to occupy.
• Reform of Proposition 47 and 57: Several bills are expected to address the unintended
consequences of these ballot measures. For example, AB 1708 would increase
accountability for repeat theft offenders and offer pathways for pre-plea diversion
programming.
• Protect Vehicle License Fee (VLF) and Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF):
As the State may consider how it will address future budget shortfalls, it is critical that
the State not take funding from local government. In the past, these two funding
sources have been redirected to the State for its own budgeting purposes.
• Internet Sales Tax: With the exception of our Measure G district sales tax, internet
sales tax goes into a pool and is distributed based on a jurisdiction’s share of the
overall sales tax collected in the respective County. In contrast, the Town’s Measure G
district sales tax is distributed based on the buyer’s location, yielding higher revenue
for the Town. Changes to the general distribution of sales tax would benefit Los Gatos.
Based on the discussion at the Policy Committee meeting, the proposed legislative priorities are
being brought to the full Council for discussion and direction. Council may also wish to provide
direction on the Legislative Policy. For example, the Legislative Policy does not outline a
process for Council to set legislative priorities and it could be amended to include such a
process. Specifically, the Council may direct a draft update to the Legislative Policy to:
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: Legislative Priorities DATE: July 25, 2023
DISCUSSION (continued):
• Add language to recognize that the Council may wish to consider its potential legislative
priorities on an annual or periodic basis. The priorities themselves would likely change
over time and would not be added to the Legislative Policy. With this option, Council
may also direct specific legislative priorities for 2023 and 2024; or
• Refine the list of categories for legislative engagement (Legislative Strategies, page two
of Attachment 1). With this option, specific priorities would not be required; however,
the Council may wish to provide specific guidance on an annual or periodic basis; or
• Address other options.
In addition, the Town Attorney has identified that the “Legislative Position Process” section of
the Policy (Attachment 1) may need to be updated to meet the Brown Act and/or other State
laws. If so directed, these proposed modifications could return with the draft update of the
Policy to address legislative priorities.
CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS:
Staff looks forward to the Council’s direction and will return with revised documents based on
this direction.
COORDINATION:
This report was coordinated with the Town Manager’s Office and Town Attorney.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no associated fiscal impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachments:
1. Council Policy #2-18: Legislative Policy
2. Council Member Moore’s Memorandum regarding Los Gatos State and Federal Legislative
Priorities