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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 - March 13, 2026 - Legislative Process Updates and Staying InformedCITY MANAGER’S OFFICE CITY HALL 10300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255 TELEPHONE: (408) 777-3223 • FAX: (408) 777-3366 CUPERTINO.GOV CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM Date: March 13, 2026 To: Cupertino City Council From: Kirsten Squarcia, Deputy City Manager Re: Legislative process updates and staying informed Background On February 19, 2026, the City Council approved the 2026 Legislative Platform (Attachment A) and reestablished the Legislative Review Committee (LRC), which is customarily a committee made up of two Councilmembers. This year the LRC will include Vice Mayor Liang Chao and Councilmember R “Ray” Wang, with Mayor Kitty Moore serving as an alternate. The 2026 Legislative Platform outlines the City’s legislative priorities at the state and federal level. This platform along with other helpful legislative information can be found on the City webpage cupertino.gov/legislation. This webpage includes an overview of all legislative affairs within the City and outlines the legislative process as shown below: City of Cupertino Legislative Process * LRC adopts positions that align with the Council approved legislative platform. All other positions are considered by the full Council. The legislative activity webpage serves as a centralized resource for all legislative affairs within the City. It includes all previous LRC activity dating back to 2018 including past bills considered and position letters. All future LRC activity will be added to this page going forward. Assign Legislative Review Committee (LRC) members during Council Committee Assignments. City Council will review and adopt the annual legislative platform. LRC and Council considers bills and adopts positions* throughout the legislative session. Step One December Step Two Jan -Feb Step Three Mar -Oct 2 Staying Informed and Being Engaged To view general information on the Legislative Review Committee such as information on the members and upcoming meetings, visit the LRC webpage at cupertino.gov/LRC. The City also has a webpage outlining The Legislative Process and Staying Engaged, which offers residents clear tools, references, and guidance to participate meaningfully in the California legislative process and to communicate directly with elected state and federal officials. This page includes clear instructions and videos on how to participate in the legislative process, including how to submit a letter on the California Legislature Position Letter Portal. This page also includes links to helpful resources to track and search bills as well as all the contact info for Cupertino’s state and federal legislators. Next Steps Staff is working with the lobbyist and the LRC to schedule its first meeting anticipated at the end of March or early April. Sustainability Impact No sustainability impacts. Fiscal Impact No fiscal impacts. California Environmental Quality Act No California Environmental Quality Act impact. City Work Program Item/Description None Council Goals Public Engagement and Transparency Prepared by: Astrid Robles, Senior Management Analyst Reviewed by: Kirsten Squarcia, Deputy City Manager Floy Andrews, Interim City Attorney Approved by: Tina Kapoor, City Manager Attachments: A – 2026 Legislative Platform City of Cupertino 2026 Legislative Platform 1 Approved at February 19, 2026, City Council Meeting The 2026 Legislative Platform is comprised of guiding principles that provide a framework for the City of Cupertino’s regional, state, and federal legislative priorities. Adopted annually, the City’s Legislative Platform serves as a reference guide for legislative positions and objectives that provide direction for the City Council, the Legislative Review Committee, and staff throughout the year. The Legislative Platform is the foundation of a focused advocacy strategy. Guiding Principles I. Fiscal Responsibility The City of Cupertino has a fiduciary responsibility to its residents to ensure assets and resources are properly safeguarded and deployed in a fair, prudent, and efficient manner. As such, the City supports the protection of existing federal, state, and local funding sources and the authorities that provide revenues to the City. Likewise, the City has an interest in the solvency of public entities that provide resources to the City. The City opposes any new mandates that are unfunded or inadequately funded, and supports efforts to eliminate, or provide funding for currently unfunded mandates. II. Local Control The City supports local decision-making authority and opposes preemption of local control. Cities are voluntarily created by the residents of a community to provide local self-government and to make decisions at a local level to best meet the needs of the community. Each community has unique needs and characteristics that are best met by policies set by its local governing body. Efforts to remove the ability to set policy at the local level should be opposed, while promoting legislation that incentivizes and allows flexibility in the City's effort to cost-effectively meet local priorities. III. Sustainability The City of Cupertino is a leader in embracing sustainability efforts in response to current and anticipated environmental challenges. The City continuously looks for innovative strategies to reduce its carbon footprint and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The City supports environmentally friendly legislation and urban sustainability consistent with our Climate Action Plan (CAP). As such, the City supports environmentally friendly legislation and urban sustainability consistent with our CAP goals. IV. Infrastructure and Mobility The City seeks to maintain existing infrastructure and enhance the safety and accessibility of sustainable, alternative mobility options for our residents and businesses. The City can accomplish this by supporting legislation that increases funding for transportation, infrastructure, operations, and maintenance in Cupertino. The City seeks to upgrade and maintain municipal facilities so that they operate at peak energy and water efficiency. In addition, Cupertino seeks to enhance the provision of carbon-free City of Cupertino 2026 Legislative Platform 2 Approved at February 19, 2026, City Council Meeting services, such as electric vehicles and buildings that are free of fossil fuels. Cupertino supports legislation or rulemaking that enhances the City’s ability to procure and implement fuel- switching, on-site renewable energy deployment, and low-carbon or carbon-free critical power backup services. V. Healthy, Safe and Resilient Community One of the City’s primary goals is to provide a healthy and safe environment for our residents. The City supports legislation that protects and enhances services to the City’s most vulnerable populations, such as the economically disadvantaged, elderly, homeless, and disabled. In addition, the City supports federal and state assistance for local law enforcement, as well as any measures that would help contribute to local public safety and mental well-being, such as support for parks and open spaces. In order to foster a resilient community, the City supports legislation that strengthens local disaster preparedness, emergency planning and response activities, as well as programs that invest in climate adaptation planning and deployment of adaptation strategies. VI. Education The City understands that access to quality education is a key factor in maintaining a strong and vibrant community. The City supports state efforts to ensure that California schools have adequate funding to ensure that every child has access to a quality education and all schools have the personnel and materials needed to create an environment where children can succeed. City of Cupertino - 2026 Federal Legislative Priorities COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) 1. Support the preservation, or increase, of funding for the CDBG program. 2. Support increased flexibility in how CDBG funds can be utilized. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 1. Monitor the EB5 Visa Program to ensure that investments are concentrated in target employment areas, such as Qualified Opportunity Zones, that would most benefit from economic development. EDUCATION 1. Support education funding to include support for special needs students. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 1. Support legislation that assists regional and local governments in development and implementing energy efficiency, renewable energy, and conservation strategies. Ensure that states and local governments can continue, and not be preempted in, their efforts to achieve economic improvements through increased energy efficiency, renewable energy and conservation plans that seek to decrease carbon emissions. 2. Advocate for funding for projects for potable water reuse projects, nonpoint source pollution control, and watershed management. Accelerate authorization for indirect and direct potable reuse projects. Support legislation that generates additional revenue for water infrastructure improvements, provides for the funding of programs mandated for compliance, and addresses drought resilience. City of Cupertino 2026 Legislative Platform 3 Approved at February 19, 2026, City Council Meeting City of Cupertino - 2026 State Legislative Priorities ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND FISCAL STRATEGY 1. The City embraces efforts to support legislation or obtain funding for economic development initiatives, including the creation of affordable housing, retail/commercial preservation, and social services. 2. Work with elected representatives to secure funding through the State Budget for priority projects and programs in the City. 3. Support legislation that would provide workers with a living wage. 4. Support legislation and funding for workforce development and skills training programs, including those developed with business and education partners. 5. Monitor legislation related to Artificial Intelligence that may impact the workforce. 6. Oppose legislation that would increase local costs related to public employee retirement. 7. Oppose legislation that limits the City’s ability to collect Transient Occupancy Taxes. 8. Oppose legislation that would burden local rate payers with increased state utility costs and mandates. 9. Monitor legislation that would provide local governments with additional 3. Support for increased funding for environmental remediation of groundwater/drinking water supplies impacted by hazardous waste (e.g. PFAS, PCE, TCE). HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY 1. Support legislation to provide services to those experiencing domestic violence, addiction, or mental health issues, including mental health services for youth. 2. Support legislation to aid local governments in the preparation for, and response to, public health emergencies. 3. Monitor legislation related to the public’s right to protest, as well as legislation related to standards on appropriate law enforcement response to public protests, including use of force levels. LOCAL AUTHORITY 1. Oppose legislation that may reduce municipal authority, with an emphasis on land use policy, local review, and design standards. 2. Oppose preemption of local authority. 3. Oppose new program mandates that are unfunded or underfunded. TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE 1. Support adoption of a long-term federal transportation authorization that provides a stable and reliable funding stream for transportation with focus on maintenance and preservation, and funding for roads, bridges, and transit. 2. Support legislation that generates funding to support all modes of transportation, including transit, bicycles, and pedestrians. 3. Support legislation that generates funding for storm drain capacity and maintenance projects. City of Cupertino 2026 Legislative Platform 4 Approved at February 19, 2026, City Council Meeting tax-increment based economic development tools, such as Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts or tax increment financing districts. 10. Oppose legislation that would amend sales tax distribution formulas in a manner that negatively affects the City. 11. Monitor legislation that would amend the definition of independent contractors. 12. Support legislation that preserves retail and commercial spaces. 13. Monitor legislation that would allow further increases to the sales tax cap (e.g. SB 63) EDUCATION 1. The City understands that access to quality education is a key factor in maintaining a strong and vibrant community. The City supports state efforts to ensure that California schools have adequate funding to ensure that every child has access to a quality education and all schools have the personnel and materials needed to create an environment where children can succeed. 2. Support legislation that ensures full funding of the State’s Proposition 98 guarantee. 3. Support legislation that would increase funding for schools for programs and salaries. 4. Support legislation that would amend the Leroy F. Greene School Facilities Act to ensure that facilities funding is sufficient to cover all costs of new facilities, including the acquisition of land. 5. Support legislation that provides students access to educational resources and technology needed to be prepared for higher education or the modern workforce. 6. Monitor legislation that clarifies square footage-based parcel taxes. LOCAL AUTHORITY 1. Oppose legislation that may reduce municipal authority, with an emphasis on land use policy, local review, and design standards. 2. Oppose preemption of local authority. 3. Oppose new program mandates that are unfunded or underfunded. ELECTIONS 1. The City supports legislation that encourages and expands civic engagement and voter participation in elections. 2. Oppose legislation that weakens voters’ right to petition through the initiative and referendum processes. 3. Support legislation that provides resources and support for municipal elections. 4. Monitor legislation that affects the California Voting Rights Acts. 5. Oppose legislation that lowers the voting requirements for passage of local special purpose agency funding propositions, absent local government approval. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS 1. Support legislation that provides funding for local emergency preparedness planning. 2. Support legislation that provides reimbursement for costs associated with public safety power shutoffs and other emergency response efforts. 3. Support legislation that provides funding or incentives for retrofitting, and City of Cupertino 2026 Legislative Platform 5 Approved at February 19, 2026, City Council Meeting other seismic preparedness activities including city emergency operation centers. 4. Support legislation that would ensure the City, as well as businesses and residents, have access to communications during emergency events. 5. Support specific funding opportunities to address natural disaster mitigation and evacuation planning. 6. Monitor legislation regulating the use of drone aircraft by public agencies for use in emergency response, or other capacities. 7. Monitor legislation and funding regarding wildfire preparedness. 8. Monitor legislation regarding insurance for natural disasters. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 1. The City supports legislation and policies that emphasize sustainable development, improve environmental standards and the regulatory process, and promote sustainable energy policies. 2. Support legislation that provides incentives and financial support for preservation of natural resources, organic waste recycling, and landfill diversion. 3. Support sustainability efforts that are consistent with the City’s Climate Action Plan 2.0. 4. Support legislation that assists local governments in the development and implementation of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and conservation strategies. 5. Oppose legislation that would preempt local government efforts to achieve economic improvements through increased energy efficiency, renewable energy, and conservation plans that seek to decrease carbon emissions. 6. Support increased funding for green buildings, electric vehicle charging stations, and related infrastructure, including residential homes. 7. Support legislation to reduce plastic waste and single-use plastics, such as plastic bags and containers. 8. Oppose legislation that weakens environmental review policy or CEQA. 9. Support legislation that expands funding of environmental remediation (e.g. dry cleaners, PFAS) across the state. 10. Support legislation that expands, promotes, or incentivizes water conservation practices and programs, including the expanded use of local water resources such as recycled water, graywater, and rainwater harvesting. GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY 1. The City supports government transparency, public access to required meetings and records, and legislation that facilitates these principles while still allowing for necessary municipal operations and services. 2. Support legislation which continues to further increase public access through remote participation. 3. Support legislation which allows for remote participation of less than a quorum of the legislative body, commissions, and committees for reasonable cause. City of Cupertino 2026 Legislative Platform 6 Approved at February 19, 2026, City Council Meeting 4. Oppose legislation that impacts the ability of special districts and joint powers authorities to self-regulate. 5. Oppose legislation that expands the Public Records Act without funding to carry out the new requirements. 6. Support legislation that improves the ability of local governments to utilize digital communication and archiving. HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY 1. The City values public health and social services. The City supports legislation and policies to access resources that provide high quality police, fire, emergency management, and emergency medical services. 2. Support legislation to provide services to those experiencing domestic violence, addiction, or mental health issues, including mental health services for youth. 3. Support legislation to provide funding and services for vulnerable populations. 4. Support legislation that allows for local ordinances related to commercial and recreational drone usage. 5. Support legislation to regulate vaping devices and other e-cigarettes and their packaging, advertisement, and promotion to youth. 6. Support legislation to regulate the potency, packaging, and advertisement of recreational cannabis products. 7. Oppose legislation that restricts the ability for the City to adopt ordinances regarding the purchase, distribution, consumption and cultivation of cannabis. 8. Monitor legislation related to organized retail theft, as well as modifications to the definition of petty theft and petty theft value limits. 9. Support funding to implement Prop 36 (2024), the “Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act,” which allows felony charges for certain repeat drug and theft offenses and increases penalties for specified crimes. 10. Monitor legislation related to standards on appropriate law enforcement response to public protests, including use of force levels. HOMELESSNESS 1. Support legislation that provides funding to create pathways to permanent housing and supportive services. 2. Support legislation and funding to help facilitate and promote regional efforts to address homelessness. 3. Support legislation to address issues affecting the homeless population, including mental health and substance abuse. 4. Support legislation that provides resources for job training, financial counseling, and skills development for those experiencing homelessness, or at risk of becoming homeless. 1. The City acknowledges that areas of California continue to face a job- housing imbalance. The City supports legislation that addresses the root causes of this problem and positively addresses housing shortages in communities. City of Cupertino 2026 Legislative Platform 7 Approved at February 19, 2026, City Council Meeting HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 2. Oppose legislation that may reduce municipal authority, with an emphasis on land use policy, local review, and design standards. 3. Oppose efforts to erode local decision making over the appropriate location, scale, and character of residential development or that may reduce public hearing or oversight. 4. Support legislation that gives local municipalities credit and incentives for actions under their direct control, including the approval of housing developments. 5. Support legislation that provides state funding for the construction of affordable housing, including Extremely Low Income, Very Low Income, Low Income, and Moderate-Income housing. 6. Oppose legislation that would impact the ability of a local municipality to regulate ADUs. 7. Support legislation that promotes the construction and protection of parkland, open spaces, affordable housing, and other community facilities, instead of allowing in-lieu fees in place of actual facilities. 8. Support legislation to address issues that lead to gentrification, the displacement of long-time residents, the lack of housing for full-time students on campus, and homelessness. 9. Monitor legislation that would impact the rental market and tenant protections. 10. Oppose legislation that provides for by-right up-zoning. 11. Support legislation that requires employers to contribute to the funding of affordable housing to keep pace with job growth. 12. Support legislation to assert local authority to regulate the use of public right of ways. 13. Oppose legislation that erodes the ability of cities to condition and deny projects that inadequately mitigate impacts to the community, including infrastructure, public safety, and schools. 14. Support legislation that would incentivize community colleges to provide housing to students and faculty on campus. 15. Support legislation that would provide streamlined projects with minimum density requirements. 16. Oppose legislation that provides the State with additional powers to overturn local planning decisions and expands “by-right” or ministerial approval. 17. Monitor legislation that modifies previously enacted legislation, such as the Housing Accountability Act, Housing Crisis Act, Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, Density Bonus Law(e.g. SB 35 project streamlining and SB 330). 18. Monitor legislation that modifies the housing element process and RHNA area calculations. 1. The City values its ability and authority to make policies tailored to diverse local needs, enable excellent public services, and protect and enhance the City of Cupertino 2026 Legislative Platform 8 Approved at February 19, 2026, City Council Meeting QUALITY OF LIFE quality of life for Cupertino residents and businesses. 2. Support legislation that would provide local funding for libraries, arts and cultural expression in Cupertino. 3. Support legislation and initiatives that provide funding for vibrant parks, trails, and visitor amenities. 4. Monitoring legislation that affects immigration and the rights and benefits of immigrants. 5. Oppose legislation that includes unfunded or underfunded mandates. TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE REHABILITATION 1. The City supports legislation and policies that support and fund data-driven transit solutions that increase the speed and frequency of services. 2. Monitor new statewide funding opportunities for maintenance and repair of local roads and highways. 3. Support data-driven, prioritized investments in the maintenance and rehabilitation of aging infrastructure and allow for system capacity expansion to support smart growth principals. 4. Support legislation that allows for the planning of on-site parking and other planning tools that can increase safety for pedestrians and bicycles (including E-Bikes/Scooters) while considering all mobility methods. 5. Monitor the use of cap-and-trade funds derived from transportation fuels which currently go to high-speed rail, transit and intercity rail (SV Hopper grant), transit passes, ZEV incentives, Wildfire Suppression, Affordable housing, and air pollution reduction in disadvantaged communities. 6. Monitor legislation and initiatives that address regional transportation congestion and transit agency budget deficits 7. Support legislation that generates funding for wastewater infrastructure, storm drain capacity and maintenance. 8. Oppose legislation that limits or reduces local impact fees that fund local infrastructure, including those associated with lot splits or the addition of a second unit on a parcel. 9. Oppose legislation that would impact local authority of cities to zone and plan for the development of telecommunications infrastructure. 10. Support legislation that enhances the City’s ability to procure and implement fuel-switching, on-site renewable energy deployment, and low-carbon or carbon-free critical power backup services. 11. Oppose legislation that would reduce access to, or otherwise condition the receipt of, local streets and roads funding. 12. Support legislation that would allow flexibility for public contracting associated with routine public works projects. 13. Oppose legislation that would increase taxes on businesses and residents without providing a direct tangible benefit to Cupertino. 14. Support legislation and funding to provide free or reduced-price access to public transit to low-income individuals. 15. Support legislation and funding for local micro-transit (eg. SV Hopper)