East Bay officials lobby lawmakers in Sacramento

By Brian Hendershot, Cal Cities Advocate managing editor. Additional contributions by Samantha Brightman, regional public affairs manager (East Bay Division)

The Cal Cities East Bay Division Board of Directors traveled to Sacramento last Wednesday to advocate on top city issues, including changes to wildfire liability and key public safety bills.

“It’s important for legislators to hear how our residents are impacted by decisions they make in Sacramento and to urge them to do the right thing on behalf of our cities,” said Holly Tillman, Clayton council member and the board’s first vice president. “It’s also an opportunity to hear what keeps them up at night and how we can help them in the district.”

Proposed changes to wildfire liability were a prominent part of the meetings. The Governor is backing a last-minute bailout for private utility giants PG&E, SCE, and SDGE. The yet-unveiled proposal is expected to dramatically limit how much money local governments and individuals can recover from utility companies after fires caused by investor-owned utilities. The group urged lawmakers to reject these changes outright.

City officials expressed their thanks for passing SB 922 (Laird), a bill sponsored by Cal Cities. The measure, pending Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature, would help maintain funding for local roads and services. Local officials encouraged legislators to pass another Cal Cities’ measure, AB 2296 (Papan), as well. The measure allows cities to begin the housing element update process six months earlier than existing law.

Public safety was another major topic. City officials asked legislators to approve two measures co-sponsored by Cal Cities: AB 1941 (González, M.) and SB 758 (Umberg). AB 1941 strengthens penalties for organized metal theft. SB 758 bans the sale of nitrous oxide at tobacco retailers (excluding grocery stores) to combat the illegal use of this popular and dangerous product.

The delegation also spoke about the importance of property transfer taxes. One-third of East Bay cities use property transfer taxes to maintain police, fire, infrastructure, and homelessness services. The taxes were the target of a pulled ballot measure opposed by Cal Cities.

The division met with Senators Jesse Arreguín and Tim Grayson and Assembly Members Anamarie Avila Farias, Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Buffy Wicks, and Lori Wilson, as well as staff from Assembly Member Mia Bonta’s office.