08 Attachment 2 - Proposed Redline Update to 2-18 Legislative Policy
COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL
Title: Legislative Policy
Policy Number: 2-18
Effective Date: 10/5/16
Pages: 3
Enabling Actions:
Revised Date: 9/5/23
Approved:
ATTACHMENT 2
Small Town Service Community Stewardship Future Focus
PURPOSE
The purposes of the Legislative Policy are to: identify opportunities for the Town to participate
in state, federal, and regional legislation and other policy matters, and describe a process for
Town positions, actions, and related activities.
BACKGROUND
Council Members have the opportunity to learn of legislative issues from their work on the
Council, general awareness of current topics, and their service on other Board and Committees as
representatives of the Town. The Town Manager encourages all Town Departments to monitor
and be knowledgeable of any legislative issues related to their disciplines. The Town Manager
and Town Attorney similarly stay engaged with their professions as well as monitor the activities
of the League of California Cities and other organizations. The Town benefits from a Legislative
Policy to articulate overarching legislative principles to guide the Town’s engagement in the
legislative process as outlined in this Policy.
LEGISLATIVE PRINCIPLES
The Town should take a position and advocate for the position when proposed federal, state,
County, or other agency legislative or measure has a potential direct impact on the Town.
Direct impact includes and is not limited to issues of local control, revenue reductions, grant
eligibility, unfunded mandates and regulatory burdens.
POLICY GOALS
1. Advocate the Town’s legislative interests at the federal, state, regional, and County levels.
2. Inform and provide information to our legislators, Town Council, and staff on the key
issues and legislation that could have potential impact on the Town.
3. Serve as an active participant with other local governments, the League of California
Cities, local profession organizations, and/or other entities on legislative/regulatory issues
that are important to the Town and our region.
4. Seek grant and funding assistance for Town projects, services, and programs to enhance
services for our community.
Title: Legislative Policy
Page:
2 of 3
Policy Number:
2-18
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LEGISLATIVE STRATEGIES
1. Communicate legislative positions on proposed federal, state, and County legislation,
measures, initiatives, and governmental regulations.
2. Work with Town Departments to develop positions on proposed federal and state
legislative measures based on analysis done by the League of California Cities,
communication with legislators’ offices, and other local government/professional
associations in formulating our positions.
3. Take positions only on proposals that clearly impact our Town or are a threat to local
control.
4. Actively track key bills through the legislative process, utilizing various legislative
websites, government/professional associations, and other means.
5. Communicate the Town’s position to our federal, state, regional, and County
members, bill author(s), Committees, and/or other governmental bodies through
correspondence, testimony, and in-person meetings.
6. Work cooperatively with other cities, associations and the League of California
Cities on advocating our legislative positions.
7. As necessary, participate in the drafting and amending of proposed federal, state,
regional, and/or County measures that have the potential to significantly impact the
Town.
8. Meet with legislators and their representatives, as well as other federal, state,
regional, and/or County government officials on a regular basis to discuss local
government issues, proposed legislation, requests for funding assistance, and Town
programs and services.
9. Seek federal, state, and County funding through earmarks, grants, and other
discretionary funding for Town projects, services, and programs.
10. Annually identify Town projects for potential submittal for federal earmark
consideration and develop a submittal packet for legislators that provides information
and need for the projects.
11. Provide information to Town Departments on potential grant funding opportunities
and recognition programs.
12. Advocate and request letters of support for Town projects and grant applications or
other resources that are being considered for federal, state, regional, and/or County
funding.
LEGISLATIVE POSITION PROCESS
The Town Council will review and adopt the Town’s Legislative Priorities annually to support
Town Council Members in discussions with legislators and to provide guidance as the Town
considers which legislative proposals to track and/or take a position.
The process for responding to legislative proposals is as follows:
1. If Once the Town Manager and/or Town Attorney determines that a legislative proposal
may impact the Town and a Town position (including but not limited to support, watch,
or oppose) would be in clear alignment with the Legislative Priorities, a letter outlining
Title: Legislative Policy
Page:
3 of 3
Policy Number:
2-18
the Town’s position (support, neutral or oppose) will can be drafted for the Mayor’s
signature. While there may be many legislative proposals for which a Town position
would be in alignment with the Legislative Priorities, only the most pressing proposals
will be acted on and will be subject to staff capacity. If the Town Manager and/or Town
Attorney determines that a legislative proposal falls outside of the Legislative Priorities,
the proposal will need to be considered by the Town Council prior to a position being
taken.
2. The Town Manager or designee will circulate the draft position letter to the Town
Council for its informationreview.
3.2. If there isAny Council Member can request thatobjection, the position letter will
be placed on the next Town Council agenda for consideration.
4.3. If the legislative proposal is not re placed on a future agenda, is no objection, staff
will finalize the position letter for the Mayor’s signature and forward the signed letter to
the bill’s author, the League of California Cities, and/or other stakeholders as deemed
appropriate.
5.4. A copy of the final letter will be distributed to the Town Council.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Robert SchultzGabrielle Whelan, Town Attorney