In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the California State Legislature introduced and CSDA reviewed 5,129 bills during the 2021-22 Legislative Session. CSDA’s Legislative Committee adopted positions on 1,498 bills, including 224 priority positions. Of the 102 bills opposed by CSDA, only 23 became law. Of the 123 bills supported by CSDA, 69 became law. CSDA members can now download the 2022 Year-End Legislative Report.
Highlights from CSDA’s 2022 advocacy efforts include:
Protecting special district revenue for essential services:
- Led the special district response to a detrimental state constitutional amendment that would limit the ability of voters and state and local governments to raise revenues; over 50 special districts have joined CSDA in opposition of the measure that missed the 2022 statewide ballot but is expected to qualify for 2024. (Initiative #21-0042A1)
- Worked extensively with the California Department of Finance and key stakeholders to prevent the diversion of tens of millions of dollars in excess ERAF property tax revenues away from special districts and the communities they serve. (State Budget)
Putting infrastructure to work:
- Promoted public policy supporting the most beneficial public works projects in the most efficient manner.
- Blocked legislation expanding CEQA liability that could increase costs and inhibit the construction of critical projects serving communities in need. (AB 1001 and SB 1404)
- Worked collaboratively to promote reasonable application of prevailing wage provisions on construction projects, including the exemption of volunteers. (AB 1851 and AB 2463)
Supporting the services needed to support increased housing:
- Successfully opposed legislation that would have made local agencies liable for expansive new penalties associated with the Surplus Land Act. (AB 2357)
- Bolstered a coalition that successfully prevented the State from jeopardizing the effective use of local agency property leases. (SB 361)
- Secured amendments to guard against unilateral reductions in development impact fee revenues needed to fund special district infrastructure. (AB 2186 and AB 2536)
Little Hoover Commission: improving oversight and accountability
- Together with other stakeholders, accomplished 16 of the 20 formal recommendations by a 2017 Little Hoover Commission report on special districts, with a pathway forward identified for the remaining four recommendations.
- Concluded a multi-year collaboration with stakeholders on a key recommendation by the Little Hoover Commission that simplifies LAFCO protest provisions. (SB 938)
- Hosted a breakout session panel at Special Districts Legislative Days, moderated by the Little Hoover Commission Executive Director, to revitalize recommendations to improve state permitting for local climate change adaptation projects.
Enhancing open and public meetings
- Developed Brown Act policy principles to guide legislative advocacy efforts building upon successful sponsorship of an emergency remote meeting law (AB 361 of 2021)
- Supported legislation to afford board members an avenue to meet remotely from a private location in a manner that balances the public interest. (AB 2449)
- Backed bills that protected the orderly conduct of meetings and alleviated administrative delays associated with access to meeting materials. (SB 1100 and AB 2647)
Safeguarding our communities’ assets from cyber threats
- Garnered amendments to avoid the unnecessary reporting of sensitive information to State bureaucracy in addition to leading federal agencies. (SB 892)
- Stopped the restriction of employers from using common technologies and adopting new technologies for efficiency in the workplace. (AB 1651)
- Avoided the mandating of local agencies to abide by onerous data handling and retention policies outlined in State and federal government policy manuals. (AB 2677)
- As part of the National Special Districts Coalition, advocated for additional resources on cybersecurity threats and improved information sharing. (S. 2520)
Partnering with the National Special Districts Coalition in Washington D.C.
- As a founding member of the National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC), CSDA extends NSDC resources and benefits to all CSDA members.
- Produced a national report investigating community gaps in fire suppression infrastructure, after engaging with a 24-member working group from nine states.
- Fielded 78 requests through the NSDC “Project Idea Portal” facilitated by CSDA endorsed affiliate The Ferguson Group, and shared access to funding opportunities.
- Adopted official positions on 23 federal bills that would benefit special districts’ access to local government programming and enhance their local services.
Advancing grassroots action
- Visited over 800 special districts.
- Increased the number of CSDA-affiliated chapters to 25, with the most recent addition in Sonoma County, and participated in 86 chapter meetings throughout the state.
- Met with 79 state and federal district offices and 40 LAFCOs.
- Facilitated 39 roundtable discussions between special district leaders and State Legislators, Members of Congress, and their staff.
- Brought together 188 special district officials and partners to meet with their Legislators and hear from State leaders, including Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara.
- Hosted a two-day tour for 27 Capitol Staff, as well as two one-day tours and a virtual tour for hundreds of state and federal officials featuring 19 special districts.
- Organized local events to honor Congressman Salud Carbajal, State Senator Melissa Hurtado, and Assemblymember Robert Rivas as Legislators of the Year for their tireless efforts on behalf of special districts.
- Conducted educational outreach and arranged briefings, tours, and other engagements with leading legislative candidates.
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