HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 12269
City of Palo Alto (ID # 12269)
Policy and Services Committee Staff Report
Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 5/11/2021
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Update and Potential Recommendations on Pending State
and Federal Legislation
Title: Update and Potential Recommendations on Pending State and Federal
Legislation
From: City Manager
Lead Department: City Manager
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Policy and Services Committee receive a legislative update
and recommend for City Council approval any specific actions on pending State and
Federal bills or policy.
Background
In February 2021, the City Council adopted the 2021 Legislative Guidelines
(https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas-
minutes/city-council-agendas-minutes/2021/02-08-21-ccm-agenda-revised.pdf). The
guidelines provided a baseline for the City’s legislative advocates at the state and
federal level to advocate on the City’s behalf in relation to proposed legislation.
Discussion
The City’s legislative advocates in Sacramento, Townsend and Associates, will be
present to discuss specific pieces of legislation with the committee in addition to
providing an update on the coming weeks and months in Sacramento. Below is a high-
level summary of activity at both the federal and state level.
Federal Update:
The following federal updates are relevant to the City:
American Rescue Plan: The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides $350 billion in
emergency funding for state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to respond to the
COVID-19 public health emergency, or its negative economic impacts, including by
providing assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, and a direct
allocation to government entities.
City of Palo Alto Page 2
Congressional “Earmarks” or Community Project Funding: The federal government
reintroduced these specific project requests to come from members of Congress. No
funding is certain until it is adopted by all of Congress. Through Congresswoman Anna
Eshoo, the City-submitted project funding request for funding to start a CAHOOTS-like
program in partnership with Mountain View and Los Altos was pushed forward on to the
Appropriations Committee for further review. Congresswoman Eshoo also submitted the
Palo Alto Avenue Grade Separation and Downtown Coordinated Area Plan Study
forward through the Surface Transportation and Infrastructure Process. More updates
to come on these as they move throughout the process. The City submitted the Fire
Station 4 project to Senator Feinstein for consideration to include as an earmark
request.
There will likely be other large legislative bills presented later in the year (such as the
American Families Plan) and Van Scoyoc will continue to monitor them on behalf of the
City.
2020 Census Results
The United States Census Bureau released a first look at the results of the 2020 Census
count. The official population of the United States is now 331,449,281; this is a 7.4%
increase from the 2010 Census. All results reflect the population of the country on April
1, 2020. Also released were re-apportionment number for each state in the House of
Representatives. Texas will gain two seats; Florida, Colorado, Montana, North Carolina,
and Oregon will all add one additional seat in the House. California, Illinois, New York,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia each lost one seat. The new map will take effect
in time for the 2022 mid-term elections.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Census results were released later than normal
this year. The Census Bureau is due to release more detailed data, such as racial and
ethnic makeup of states and counties, by September 30, 2021.
Additionally, the City submitted a joint letter with the Cities of East Palo Alto, Los Altos,
Menlo Park, and Mountain View with comments on the Federal Aviation Administration’s
Overview of FAA Aircraft Noise Policy and Research Efforts during the open comment
period related to airplane noise. The letter is available here:
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/public-works/palo-alto-
airport/airplane-noise/joint-comment-letter-on-faa-aircraft-noise-policy.docx.pdf.
State Update:
April was another busy legislative month packed with policy and budget committee
hearings that are taking longer than normal due to the newly adopted pandemic rules.
Friday, May 7 is the last day for policy committees to advance non-fiscal bills.
Status Updates on the bills on which the City has taken a formal position:
City of Palo Alto Page 3
Senate Bill 9 (Atkins) Oppose
This bill seeks to require ministerial approval of duplexes and specified subdivision
maps; allows an extension of subdivision map validity by one year. This bill has had
amendments and likely to have more when it goes to policy committees in the
Assembly. Current status: This bill has moved through two policy committees and will
be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee then it goes to the Senate Floor.
Senate Bill 10 (Wiener) Oppose
This bill seeks to allow a local legislative body to up zone specified parcels for up to 10
units per parcel. Additional amendments likely to come when the bill goes to policy
committees in the Assembly specifically as it relates to voter initiatives. Current status:
This bill has moved through two policy committees and will be heard in the Senate
Appropriations Committee.
Senate Bill 556 (Dodd) Oppose
This bill seeks to enact the California Connectivity Act, which requires local governments
and municipal utilities to make their streetlights and traffic poles available for small
cells, and regulates the fees that local governments can charge for such attachments.
This bill has been amended a few times. Current status: This bill has moved through
two policy committees and will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Senate Bill 591 (Becker) Support Letter in Progress
This bill seeks to authorize the establishment of intergenerational housing
developments, consisting of units for seniors, caregivers, or transition-age-youth (TAY),
as specified. This bill has sailed through both committees on the consent file and
continues to move forward. Current status: This bill has moved through two policy
committees and will head to the Senate floor.
Senate Bill 765 (Stern) Support
This bill repeals the existing prohibition on a city or county imposing a requirement of a
setback for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) of more than four feet from the rear and
side lot lines. Current status: This bill is not moving forward this session. It was granted
a hearing but without a vote.
Assembly Bill 703 (Rubio) Support Letter in Progress
This bill seeks to make changes to open meetings for local agencies. Current status:
This bill is not moving forward this session.
Townsend and Associates are closely tracking other legislation related to public
meetings, transportation, public safety, the environment, housing, and homelessness.
State Budget:
The Governor’s May Revise Budget will be presented soon and that will kick off budget
City of Palo Alto Page 4
negotiations. The May Revise is when changes are made by the Governor to his
Proposed Budget based upon the latest economic forecasts. Though not official yet, it
will likely include support for homeless efforts, violence prevention efforts, drought-
related aid, and other topics.
Timeline and Resource Impact
The timeline was discussed above. No resource impacts for this particular report.
Stakeholder Engagement
Staff connects with relevant stakeholders as needed throughout the legislative session.
Attachments:
• 2021 Legislative Calendar
JANUARY
S M T W TH F S
1 2
Wk. 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Wk. 2 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Wk. 3 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Wk. 4 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Wk. 1 31
Jan. 1 Statutes take effect (Art. IV, Sec. 8(c)).
Jan. 10 Budget must be submitted by Governor (Art. IV, Sec. 12(a)).
Jan. 11 Legislature reconvenes (J.R. 51(a)(1)).
Jan. 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Jan. 22 Last day to submit bill requests to the Office of Legislative Counsel.
FEBRUARY
S M T W TH F S
Wk. 1 1 2 3 4 5 6
Wk. 2 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Wk. 3 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Wk. 4 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Wk. 1 28
MARCH
S M T W TH F S
Wk. 1 1 2 3 4 5 6
Wk. 2 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Wk. 3 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Wk. 4 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Spring Recess 28 29 30 31
APRIL
S M T W TH F S
Spring Recess 1 2 3
Wk. 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Wk. 2 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Wk. 3 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Wk. 4 25 26 27 28 29 30
MAY
S M T W TH F S
Wk. 4 1
Wk. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Wk. 2 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Wk. 3 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Wk. 4 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
No Hrgs. 30 31
2021 TENTATIVE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR COMPILED BY THE OFFICE OF THE ASSEMBLY CHIEF CLERK AND THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE Revised 12-18-20
DEADLINES
Feb. 15 Presidents' Day.
Feb. 19 Last day for bills to be introduced (J.R. 61(a)(1), J.R. 54(a)).
Mar. 25 Spring Recess begins upon adjournment (J.R. 51(a)(2)).
Mar. 31 Cesar Chavez Day observed.
Apr. 5 Legislature reconvenes from Spring Recess (J.R. 51(a)(2)).
Apr. 30 Last day for policy committees to meet and report to fiscal committees fiscal bills introduced in their house (J.R. 61(a)(2)).
May 7 Last day for policy committees to meet and report to the floor non-fiscal bills introduced in their house (J.R. 61(a)(3)).
May 14 Last day for policy committees to meet prior to June 7 (J.R. 61(a)(4)).
May 21 Last day for fiscal committees to meet and report to the floor bills introduced in their house (J.R. 61(a)(5)).
Last day for fiscal committees to meet prior to June 7 (J.R. 61(a)(6)).
May 31 Memorial Day.
*Holiday schedule subject to final approval by Rules Committee.
Page 1 of 2
OVER
JUNE
S M T W TH F S
No Hrgs. 1 2 3 4 5
Wk. 1 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Wk. 2 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Wk. 3 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Wk. 4 27 28 29 30
JULY
S M T W TH F S
Wk. 4 1 2 3
Wk. 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Wk. 2 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Summer Recess 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Summer Recess 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
AUGUST
S M T W TH F S
Summer Recess 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Summer Recess 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Wk. 3 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Wk. 4 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
No. Hrgs 29 30 31
Aug. 16 Legislature reconvenes from Summer Recess (J.R. 51(a)(3)).
Aug. 27 Last day for fiscal committees to meet and report bills (J.R. 61(a)(12)).
Aug. 30-Sept. 10 Floor session only. No committees may meet for any purpose, except Rules Committee, bills referred pursuant to A.R. 77.2, and Conference Committees (J.R. 61(a)(13)).
IMPORTANT DATES OCCURRING DURING INTERIM RECESS
June 1-4 Floor session only. No committee may meet for any purpose except Rules Committee, bills referred pursuant to A.R. 77.2, and Conference Committees (J.R. 61(a)(7)).
June 4 Last day for each house to pass bills introduced in that house (J.R. 61(a)(8)).
June 7 Committee meetings may resume (J.R. 61(a)(9)).
June 15 Budget Bill must be passed by midnight (Art. IV, Sec. 12(c)(3)).
July 2 Independence Day observed.
July 14 Last day for policy committees to meet and report bills (J.R. 61(a)(11)).
July 16 Summer Recess begins upon adjournment, provided Budget Bill has been passed (J.R. 51(a)(3)).
SEPTEMBER
S M T W TH F S
No Hrgs. 1 2 3 4
No Hrgs. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Interim Recess 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Interim Recess 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Interim Recess 26 27 28 29 30
Sept. 3 Last day to amend bills on the floor (J.R. 61(a)(14)).
Sept. 6 Labor Day.
Sept. 10 Last day for any bill to be passed (J.R. 61(a)(15)). Interim Recess begins upon adjournment (J.R. 51(a)(4)).
2021
Oct. 10 Last day for Governor to sign or veto bills passed by the Legislature on or before Sept. 10 and in the Governor's possession after Sept. 10 (Art. IV, Sec. 10(b)(1)).
2022 Jan. 1 Statutes take effect (Art. IV, Sec. 8(c)).
Jan. 3 Legislature reconvenes (J.R. 51(a)(4)).
*Holiday schedule subject to final approval by Rules Committee.
Page 2 of 2