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2023 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

The SGVCOG annually adopts an agenda of local, state, and federal legislative objectives in the core regional policy areas of water, transportation, housing, homelessness, energy, and the environment, aligning closely with the adopted Strategic Plan and in support of its member agencies. The 2023 Legislative Agenda continues a number of objectives initiated under previous agendas and includes new objectives responsive to emerging issues and challenges, notably in the areas of Government Administration and Infrastructure & Utilities. The legislative priorities are recommended by the SGVCOG policy committees. These priorities help ensure that advocacy is coordinated, effective, and responsive to often fast-moving legislative developments.

The 2023 Legislative Priorities were officially adopted by the SGVCOG Governing Board on January 19, 2023.

GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

State and Federal:

Support state and federal laws, propositions, policies, and regulations that restore or maintain local control over key resources-related decisions, including but not limited to: land use and zoning, housing development, water access, use, and conservation, the production of clean and recycled water, and local revenue raising ability.
Advocate and lobby for state laws and policies which maximize the effectiveness of regional bodies like COGs, MPOs, Special Districts, and JPAs in their efforts to effectively and efficiently conduct their business. This includes but is not limited to sensible revisions to the Brown Act's teleconferencing rules for regional agencies.
Support laws and policies which provide for state funding, incentives, and grant programs to help local and regional agencies meet state mandates.

AIR QUALITY

Support the inclusion of city officials on the governing bodies of air districts and opposes efforts to remove such city representation.
Support the reduction of vehicle emissions through increased fuel efficiency, use of appropriate alternative fueled vehicles, and low-emission vehicles in public agency fleets.
Support cities’ authority to establish local air quality standards and programs that are stricter than state and federal standards.
Oppose legislation that redirects funds that are dedicated to supporting locally-based air quality programs.
Support legislation that increases funding dedicated to local cities to reduce mobile source pollution.

ENERGY

Support implementation of energy programs in partnership with the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN).
Support efforts to keep energy costs affordable and stabilized.
Support expansion of electric vehicle charging stations.
Support the continuation of incentives for rooftop solar panel installations.
Encourage local governments to complete an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions, set appropriate reduction targets, and create greenhouse gas emission reduction plans.
Support local governments in their efforts to benchmark their municipal facilities to monitor energy usage, identify facilities with high energy usage, and conduct audits to pinpoint potential energy efficiency projects to reduce energy consumption at those
facilities.

Support tax credits, grants, loans, and other incentives to assist the public and local agencies that invest in energy-efficient equipment and technology, as well as fuel- efficient and low-emission vehicles.
Ensure energy supply while limiting dependence on foreign sources of energy.
Employ diverse strategies for conserving energy including: energy efficiency, land use strategies, urban forest management, and infrastructure improvements (i.e. green building).
Develop innovative and affordable financing options for energy efficiency.
Move towards a “net-zero energy” model where the amount of energy provided by on- site renewable energy sources is equal to the amount of energy used by a building.
Support advancement of technology that expands renewable energy generation and storage.
Inform the cities and agencies about the choice and opportunities of community choice aggregation (CCA).
Promote public education of energy efficiency and conservation opportunities.

HOMELESSNESS

State and Federal:

Support legislation that promotes solutions to homelessness for those facing mental health and/or substance abuse challenges.
Support funding for programs that provide additional resources for homeless persons facing mental health and/or substance abuse challenges.
Support funding, particularly direct, non- discretionary funding, for the SGVRHT and other entities that will create affordable housing for the region.
Support funding for the creation of housing units – especially very low, low, andmoderate income – while respecting cities’ local control of land use decisions.

Support legislation and funding for programs that encourage workforce development activities for persons experiencing homelessness.
Support funding for thoughtful programs aimed at preventing people from falling into homelessness, including innovative local programs instituted by local cities.
Support legislation and funding for projects and programs that address quality of life issues, including public safety and water quality for all residents, including homeless persons.
Support funding for homelessness programs administered by COG and its member agencies.
Advocate for regional approaches that allow cities to comply with their Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) requirements.
Support for financial incentives and tax advantages (such as the waiver of property value reassessments) for the construction of accessory dwelling units, particularly when they are restricted to house low-income individuals.
Advocate for funding for permanent supportive housing (PSH) resources dedicated to those with mental illness, including through project-based housing, tenant based rental assistance, and Los Angeles County’s “restorative care village” model.
Support efforts to better meet the needs of those who require a higher level of care than PSH, including by increasing the State payment rate for licensed board and care homes, as well as one-time funding necessary to prevent the closure of such facilities.
Advocate for the direct allocation of State funding, including but not limited to the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Program, to sub-regional entities in addition to continuums of care (CoCs) and jurisdictions greater than 300,000 people.

Local:

Promote the allocation of Measure H resources towards cities’ projects and programs – as well as regional projects and programs – that work to solve the homelessness crisis in the San Gabriel Valley.
Support funding for prevention programs that stop the flow of residents into homelessness, including innovative local programs instituted by local cities.
Promote collaboration between the County of Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley cities in implementing projects, policies, and programs that work to solve the homelessness crisis in the San Gabriel Valley.
Support reforms to the structure and function of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and/or elements of the County homeless services system including BRCH recommendations, to better meet the needs of the San Gabriel Valley.
Support efforts, funding, and partnerships with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) to implement locally-based alternative crisis response models, particularly as relates to non-violent crises by people experiencing homelessness.
Support enhanced data gathering and sharing to advance understanding of and response to homelessness among all regional public and non-profit agencies to supplement the annual Point-in-Time count.
Recommend the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors and other public entities, such as the State, community college districts, and school districts evaluate the use of surplus or underutilized public facilities for mental health treatment and housing for mental illness.
Advocate for funding for homelessness programs, and the construction and operation of interim and permanent housing units in the San Gabriel Valley.
Advocate for solutions, funding, and more resources for persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) to improve safety on public transportation.
Advocate for enhanced outreach resources and housing connections for unhoused individuals using public transit to help ensure that public transit doesn't become a shelter of last resort.

HOUSING

Continue to advocate and support initiatives, legislation and policy that restores or maintains local control of land-use and affordable housing development policies.
Support legislation to provide incentives and grant funding intended to encourage housing production and particularly affordable housing development.
Support legislative efforts to provide local cities with greater flexibility to meet their Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) targets, especially for affordable housing.

OPEN SPACE

Support the implementation and expansion of the Neighborhood Coyote Program.
Identify and protect open space for the multi-benefit enhancement of natural resources and enjoyment for the public.
Plan for growth by incentivizing compact development in some areas to protect open space.
Develop greenbelts and greenways along and within urban development to limit unsuitable development and provide buffers to wildlife habitat.
Acquire and preserve open space at high risk of ecological degradation, primarily along the foothills, waterways, flood plains, and within the upper watershed.

Promote connectivity of wildlife corridors.
Promote development of diverse and localized recreational opportunities.
Promote public outreach and interpretation to foster awareness, knowledge, and stewardship of open space as a valuable resource.
Advocate for state and federal appropriations, funding from the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, California Natural Resources Agency, and/or loan programs for open space acquisition, development, restoration, and management.

SOLID WASTE

Support the implementation and expansion of the San Gabriel Valley Regional Food Recovery Program.
Encourage finding new uses for recycled plastics and encourage the reduction of plastic usage altogether.
Encourage the diversification of solid waste management strategies, including conversion technology, that will create new markets that are feasible given the landscape and conditions of the San Gabriel Valley.
Support efforts to improve curbside recycling programs.
Encourage alternative renewable energy generation from organic waste, including biogas production.

Promote shared responsibility waste management principles, such as product stewardship, throughout the entire life cycle of a product, from design to disposal.
Advocate for county, state, and federal appropriations and/or loan programs for solid waste management programs and initiatives.
Support regional, state, and federal efforts to implement policies that promote zero waste objectives.
Advocate for increased infrastructure to support expansion of municipal composting capacity as per SB 1383 (Lara, 2016).
Provide a strong commitment to utilizing financial incentives rather than mandatory requirements.
Ensure local jurisdictions are not subject to duplicative or contradictory legislative requirements.

TRANSPORTATION AND CAPITAL PROJECTS

State & Regional:

Submit and/or advocate for funding requests, grant applications, or specific budget earmarks to ensure San Gabriel Valley transportation and capital projects and programs are timely allocated or awarded Metro-administered funds, SB 1 and other state funds, and relevant county-administered funds.
Support increased funding to the State’s Active Transportation Program (ATP) to provide resources necessary for active transportation and first/last mile improvements in the San Gabriel Valley.
Support funding dedicated for Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs and strategies.

Support funding to preserve and maintain transportation infrastructure for key regional goods movement infrastructure enhancements.
Support investments in active transportation infrastructure as a component of other state- funded transportation improvement projects recognizing the critical role of walking, biking, and complete streets in connecting the multi-modal transportation system.
Support the development of transportation and capital projects best practices and funding programs beneficial to San Gabriel Valley transportation and capital projects and programs.
Support legislative or administrative efforts to expedite environmental and permitting approvals and project delivery of San Gabriel Valley transportation and capital projects and programs.
Support the development of the San Gabriel Valley Transit Feasibility Study, progress on the East San Gabriel Valley Multimodal Improvement Project, and management of the San Gabriel Valley Regional Vehicle-Miles Traveled (VMT) programs in compliance
with SB 743.
Support the implementation of the GoSGV Regional E-Bike Share Program.
Continue to collaborate with Metro, Foothill Transit, Metrolink, Caltrans, the County of Los Angeles, and state agencies and participate in the San Gabriel Valley Legislative Caucus, the Mobility 21 Coalition, and other stakeholders to benefit and enhance San Gabriel Valley transportation and capital projects and programs.

Federal:

Support efforts that expand public transit projects and services, both bus and rail, in the region to reduce congestion and enhance sustainability.
Propose and advocate policies, funding, and programs beneficial to San Gabriel Valley transportation and capital projects and programs, including in the context of the reauthorization of the FAST Act multi-year surface transportation program legislation,
possible standalone legislation or other relevant legislation.
Support funding for the INFRA Program, including increased transparency measures for competitive grant awards.
Support transportation and capital projects in the San Gabriel Valley.
Support legislation and efforts to minimize aircraft noise impacts in the San Gabriel Valley.
Support legislative or administrative efforts to expedite environmental and permitting approvals and project delivery of San Gabriel Valley transportation and capital projects and programs.
Continue to work with the San Gabriel Valley’s federal representatives, the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors, the Mobility 21 Coalition, and other stakeholders in support of these legislative priorities and other matters that benefit San Gabriel Valley transportation and capital projects and programs.
Pursue funding available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) to support transportation and capital projects in the San Gabriel Valley.

WATER

State & Federal:

Continue to advocate and/or pursue legislative solutions for adopting financial capability assessment guidelines in the issuance of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) permits that provide an economic analysis of the costs and benefits of water quality improvements.
Continue to advocate for the establishment of reasonable timelines for compliance with new drinking water standards.
Advocate for reasonable metrics, monitoring, and standards of applicable water quality requirements with available funding.
Advocate for water rights assignment to MS4 agencies for new infiltrated water outside of the Main San Gabriel Basin.
Advocate for any needed legislative solutions for innovative projects that allow cities to implement MS4 Permit projects.

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Advocate for funding sources that provide on-going funding for the implementation of stormwater projects, including those that encourage producer responsibility.
Pursue legislative fixes that address the challenges that cities face in implementing SB 205 (Hertzberg), including updating the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes.
Advocate for legislative and funding solutions that help local agencies’ implement plans for reduced water use; improved water conservation, reuse, and efficiency; investments in sustainable water infrastructure, supply and storage; and conservation practices that combat the ongoing drought.
Advocate for legislative and funding solutions that support the treatment of water contamination from PFAS, PFOA, and other “forever chemicals” to ensure drinking water quality.
Advocate for state funding for low-income customers of publicly-owned water retail systems.

Local:

Advocate for Safe Clean Water Program funding for cities’ MS4 projects.
Advocate for enhancements to the implementation of the Safe Clean Water Program to ensure that the funding is effectively, efficiently, and equitably used for projects that focus on ensuring clean water for all residents and cities' compliance with the MS4 Permit.
Advocate for regional projects that provide drinking and stormwater quality, supply, and resiliency benefits to the San Gabriel Valley.
Support capital projects necessary to comply with the MS4 Permit, such as the Rio Hondo Load Reduction Strategy (LRS).
Support regional coordination among cities and local water agencies in combatting the ongoing drought and implementing water conservation best practices.

WILDFIRE PREVENTION

Support the implementation and expansion of the Fire Prep SGV program.
Support legislation that reduces wildfire risk in San Gabriel Valley communities.
Advocate for county, state, and federal appropriations and grant programs for wildfire prevention planning, brush clearance, and hazardous fuel mitigation programs.
Promote public education of wildfire adaptation and prevention opportunities.
Support regional wildfire prevention planning efforts.

INFRASTRUCTURE & UTILITIES

Support funding and investments to expand broadband infrastructure throughout the San Gabriel Valley to close the digital divide and provide access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet service for unserved and underserved communities.