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SUMMARY:
Agenda Item 8
AGENDA REPORT Reviewed:
City Manager
Finance Director N A
JANUARY 21, 2025
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
ALDO E. SCHINDLER, CITY MANAGER
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Recap of 2024 Legislative activities by the City's advocacy consultant Townsend Public
Affairs, consideration of 2025 Legislative Platform and updates on legislative activity at the
state and federal level.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1. Adopt 2024 Legislative Platform
2. Receive and file legislative update prepared by Townsend Public Affairs
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
CORRELATION TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN:
The Legislative Update contributes to the fulfillment of the City's Strategic Plan Goal D:
Strong Community and Regional Relationships. Specifically, this item implements Strategy
3 which is to ensure strong advocacy and regional leadership.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
2025 Legislative Platform
Each year, the City prepares a Legislative Platform that is designed to do the following:
- Provide direction to the City's legislative delegation on priorities, projects and principles
of the City Council
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City Council Agenda Report
Legislative Update
January 21, 2025
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- Allows staff and Townsend Public Affairs to identify priority bills being discussed in
Sacramento and Washington, D.C. to create a targeted outreach plan
- Allows staff and Townsend Public Affairs to act quickly on priority issues being discussed
in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
The Legislative Platform includes guiding principles that give broad direction to staff and
Townsend Pubic Affairs when considering legislative issues:
- Preserve Local Control
- Promote Fiscal Stability
- Support Funding Opportunities
The Legislative Platform also includes more specific statements in various policy areas such
as:
- Local Governance
- Economic Development
- Land Use Planning and Housing
- Parks and Recreation
- Public Works
- Water Quality and Water Supply
- Human Resources and Risk Management
- Public Safety
Each City department was given time to review and recommend modifications to the draft
Legislative Platform prior to City Council consideration.
Adoption of the Legislative Platform does not mean that staff and Townsend Public Affairs
will focus solely on bills or issues that fall within the Legislative Platform, nor does it mean
that Townsend Public Affairs will not continually seek the City's input or positions on specific
legislation. Staff and Townsend Public Affairs will continue to keep the City Council apprised
of legislation and proposals (whether specifically addressed by the Legislative Platform or
not), and TPA will continue to seek input from the City as legislation of legislative proposals
are discussed. The draft 2025 Legislative Platform is included as Attachment 1.
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City Council Agenda Report
Legislative Update
January 21, 2025
Page 3
Legislative Update
Townsend Public Affairs has created a summary of state and federal legislative activity for
the month of December 2024 which is included as Attachment 2.
Attachments:
1. Draft 2025 Legislative Platform
2. Townsend Public Affairs December 2024 update
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CITY OF TUSTIN
2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
The Mayor and City Manager are authorized to submit advocacy letters on behalf of the
City if the proposed legislation, regulation, or state budget spending directive clearly
follow the City's adopted legislative platform.
PURPOSE
The City of Tustin's 2025 Legislative Platform confirms the City Council's position on
current issues with the potential to directly or indirectly impact the City, thereby
establishing guidelines to actively pursue pending legislation through monitoring and
communications activities. Below are the Guiding Principles and Policy Statements that
will allow City staff to address 2025 legislative, regulatory, and state budget issues in a
timely manner, without precluding the consideration of additional issues that may arise
during the legislative session.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
I. PRESERVE LOCAL CONTROL
Preserve and protect the City's powers, duties, and prerogatives to enact local
legislation and policy direction concerning local affairs and oppose legislation that
preempts local authority. Local agencies should preserve authority and
accountability for land use planning, revenues raised and services provided.
PROMOTE FISCAL STABILITY
Support measures that promote fiscal stability, predictability, and financial
independence, and preserve the City's revenue base and maximum local control
over local government budgeting. Oppose measures that shift local funds to the
County, State, or Federal Governments and/or make cities more dependent on the
County, State, or Federal Governments for financial stability, such as unfunded
mandates or mandated costs with no guarantee of local reimbursement or
offsetting benefits.
III. SUPPORT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Support opportunities that allow the City to compete for its fair share of regional,
state, and federal funding. Support funding for programs including, but not limited
to economic development such as infrastructure investment and housing,
transportation projects including road resurfacing, bicycle and pedestrian safety,
multi -modal transportation systems and transit -oriented development, air quality,
water quality, and local water reliability, parks and recreation, historic preservation,
natural resources, hazard mitigation, public safety, public health and disaster
recovery.
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POLICY STATEMENTS
Local Governance
1. Support local government action, rather than the imposition of state, federal or
regional mandates upon local governments, as well as federal mandates placed
on the state.
2. Support maximum flexibility for local government in contracting and contract
negotiations.
3. Support the implementation of additional flexibilities governing open government
initiatives including of the provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act.
4. Support legislation that facilitates the flexibility of local governments to share
resources to increase efficiencies and decrease costs.
5. Support legislation that preserves the ability of local governments to determine the
appropriate type of election and representation for their jurisdiction.
6. Support the reimbursement of local governments for disaster related expenses,
including the need for essential public safety service overtime, personal protective
equipment, public health response and small business relief.
7. Oppose state or federal efforts to "borrow" local revenues and encourage the state
to find other methods of balancing its budget.
8. Support and monitor efforts to increase the City's ability to recover payment related
fees from customers.
9. Oppose policies that would increase the voter threshold for local revenue measures
or would increase the potential for litigation over local taxes and fees.
10.Oppose efforts to further erode local control over permitting and enforcement of
street vending.
11.Oppose and monitor efforts to increase City contribution costs to CalPERS.
Economic Development
12. Support international, statewide, regional, and local efforts to attract, retain and
provide resources for current and future commercial and industrial businesses.
13. Support policies and programs that encourage working with other cities, counties
and government agencies to jointly leverage resources and assets to create and
strengthen economic clusters within the region.
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14. Support economic development initiatives that preserve and enhance a positive
business climate and maintain and grow the business tax base.
15. Support policies and initiatives that will facilitate development of City owned
property, including Tustin Legacy and Pacific Center East. Oppose policies and
initiatives that run counter.
Land Use Planning and Housing
16. Support efforts to provide flexibility to local governments as well as resources for
local governments to allow them to submit compliant housing elements and
complete the required rezoning.
17. Support funding and policy modifications that require additional staffing resources
be deployed by HCD to ensure uniformity within the housing element compliance
and review process.
18. Support policies and regulations that require additional transparency and local
stakeholder input within the Regional Housing Needs Determination (RHND)
process.
19. Support housing measures that promote the development and enhancement of
safe and affordable housing and accessible housing within the City for all economic
segments of the population, while retaining local control.
20. Monitor local, state, and federal actions related to medical and recreational
marijuana regulatory changes.
21. Support local control over the licensure and regulation of residential recovery
facilities, parolee homes, sober living homes, and other group accommodations in
residential areas, while respecting disabled persons' right to housing.
22. Support proposals that provide funding or tools to preserve historic neighborhoods
and structures.
23.Oppose legislation that would erode local control over City owned property,
including Tustin Legacy and Pacific Center East.
24.Oppose proposals that increase requirements and place undue burdens on the
City with regard to the Surplus Land Act.
25.Oppose efforts that require the City to ministerially approve housing development
projects without adequate input from local agencies or a robust public engagement
process.
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26.Oppose legislation, proposals, or regulations that impose regional, state, or federal
growth development or land use planning standards within the City without the
City's direct input.
27.Oppose legislation, proposals, or regulations that penalize local governments for
noncompliance with their housing element or regional housing needs assessment
requirements.
Parks and Recreation
28. Support continued state funding for local art, cultural, and music programs.
29. Support the creation of more affordable, innovative, and quality parks and
recreation.
30. Support the inclusion of per -capita grants to cities and counties within statewide
park bond measures.
31. Support efforts that strengthen policies to fund parks, open space acquisitions,
bike lanes, and active transportation opportunities.
32. Promote local agency control over policies that recognize the benefits of parks and
recreation facilities.
33. Support efforts to increase funding, accessibility and programs for seniors.
Public Works
34. Support increased state and federal funding of transportation improvements with
regional or sub -regional benefits for all modes of transportation.
35. Support protection of dedicated transportation -related tax revenues and enhance
the ability of local agencies to finance local transportation programs and facilities.
36. Support Federal, State, County and local programs to increase funding and
simplify permitting for transit, bicycling, and pedestrian travel.
37. Support all efforts to create efficiencies within the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA), including benefits to streamline the development of mixed use infill
projects that support transit and housing.
38. Support legislation that allows local governments to continue to retain full authority
to reject projects or to condition project approvals and impose mitigation measures.
39. Support efforts to facilitate public -private partnerships to complete development
projects.
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40. Support efforts that fund broadband infrastructure.
41. Support efforts that assist the City in meeting its waste and recycling mandates
and adding flexibility to comply with state regulations.
42.Oppose efforts to remove City representation on regional boards that oversee
water, drainage and/or sewage.
Water Quality and Water Supply
43. Support and monitor legislation that increases the availability of, and funding for,
water conservation, water reuse technologies, water recycling, local water storage
and other water supply technologies such as the Groundwater Replenishment
System project.
44. Support the enhancement of a reliable and sustainable water supply for California
as well as measures that improve water quality in the region.
45. Monitor the development of a state framework for long term water conservation
measures.
46. Support policy development, funding and research for water conservation,
addressing urban runoff and beach closures and required programs associated
with Orange County National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permits.
47. Support efforts to address long term water resiliency and affordability without
implementing a statewide water tax.
48. Support legislation that preserves local discretion in the assessment, collection
and usage of development fees for projects, including but not limited to, water,
wastewater, transportation, and other critical infrastructure needs.
49.Oppose efforts that restrict or eliminate local permitting and enforcement of water
quality measures.
50.Oppose efforts that unilaterally reduces the indoor water use standards without the
input of local and regional stakeholders.
Human Resources and Risk Management
51. Support pension reform measures designed to (i) control or decrease employer
liability, or (ii) increase transparency in reporting, without imposing undue
hardships or administrative burdens on local government.
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52. Support policy and regulatory reforms to tort law and liability insurance to protect
the function of local governments from unforeseen risk circumstances.
53. Support workers' compensation -related legislative measures which positively
affect public employers.
54.Oppose redundant or unnecessary proposals (legislation or policies) that require
excessive human resources burdens without sufficient reimbursement.
55.Oppose measures that reduce local control over employee relations issues or
mandate new or enhanced local government employee benefits.
Public Safety
56. Support measures that encourage community safety and well-being including
those which support state and federal reimbursement of homeland security related
expenses.
57. Support funding to mitigate the effects of Proposition 47 (The Reduced Penalties
for Some Crimes Initiative — 2014) and Proposition 57 (The Public Safety and
Rehabilitation Act — 2016)
58. Support initiatives involving county, state, and federal governments to reduce and
prevent homelessness in Orange County.
59. Support measures that provide funding and local resources for wildfire fire
prevention, suppression, and mitigation.
60. Support local control over adult entertainment facilities, alcohol establishments
and properties where illegal drugs are sold.
61. Support local control for the regulation of cultivation, storage, manufacture,
transport and use of medicinal and recreational marijuana and monitor legislative
and administration activity to create a regulatory structure for medical and adult
use.
62. Support legislation increasing resources and local authority for abatement of public
vandalism, especially graffiti.
63. Support Federal, State, County or local efforts to develop programs, partnerships
or grants programs to assist cities in providing housing solutions and/or services
to address homelessness.
64. Support regional and state proposals to increase funding for locally operated
homeless shelters.
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65. Support efforts that add de-energization to the conditions that constitute a state
and local emergency.
66. Support legislation that deters the distribution, sales, and consumption of
controlled substances.
67. Support the continuation of Cal OES emergency preparedness funding for cities
and counties to provide organized staffing during incidents.
68.Oppose legislation that places burdensome restrictions on law enforcement and
limits their ability to protect public safety.
69.0ppose legislative attempts at early release of incarcerated prisoners and
measures that would further de -criminalize non-violent offenses.
70.Oppose efforts to limit the City's ability to enforce parking rules and regulations
and recover the costs of implementation and maintenance.
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TOWNSEND
TPA
MEMORANDUM
To: City of Tustin
Honorable Mayor Lumbard and Members of the City Council
Aldo Schindler, City Manager
From: Townsend Public Affairs
Eric O'Donnell, Director
Carlin Shelby, Senior Associate
Date: January 10, 2025
Subject: December 2024 Legislative Monthly Report
December marked the beginning of the 2025-26 legislative session with freshman and incumbent
members being sworn in during the Organizational Session on December 2. Legislators hit the
ground running introducing approximately 140 new bills, angling for committee membership, and
building up their Capitol and District Office staff. Priorities have begun to emerge from both the
Legislature and Governor's office, setting the stage for another active year.
Below is an overview of pertinent state actions from the month of December.
STATE LEGISLATURE
Legislature Commences 2025-26 Session
In early December, the California State Assembly and Senate reconvened for Organizational
Session to welcome new legislators, adopt house rules, and elect their respective leadership
teams. One notable change to the Standing Rules in each house is a reduction in how many bills
legislators may introduce during the two-year Session. Assembly Members and Senators are now
only permitted to introduce 35 bills, a change from 50 in the Assembly and 40 in the Senate, in
order to allow more time for consideration of measures and improve the deliberative process. So
far, approximately 140 bills, resolutions, and constitutional amendments have been introduced
since December 2nd.
Assembly Member Robert Rivas and Senator Mike McGuire were re-elected as Assembly
Speaker and Senate pro Tempore, respectively, and both addressed their chambers kicking off
their Regular and Special Sessions. Members from both houses introduced bills in the Special
Session related to shoring up resources for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to pay for federal
litigation expenses, one of which appropriates $500,000 to the Department. More details on the
Special Session and funding to DOJ are anticipated to coincide with the Governor's January
Budget. Next, we can expect changes to committee chairs and membership as members and
staff get settled in.
Wildfire Insurance Legislation Introduced
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Assembly Member Connolly kicked off the legislative session with the introduction of AB 1 (a re-
run of 2024's AB 2416) which requires the Department of Insurance to include additional building
hardening measures for property -level mitigation efforts and communitywide wildfire mitigation
programs. The measure is co-authored by Assembly Speaker Rivas and aims to provide some
relief to homeowners throughout the state who have been seeing cancellations and significant
increases in insurance premiums based on updated modeling for climate intensified wildfire risk.
Amidst California's insurance crisis, AB 1 offers a practical solution that enables consumers to
lower their insurance costs while also enhancing disaster preparedness for vulnerable
communities.
EXECUTIVE BRANCH ACTIVITY
Insurer Promises to Write More Policies in California
With the Department of Insurance set to implement new regulatory reforms to the state's
insurance market, Farmers Insurance has committed to writing 9,500 new homeowner's policies
each month (up from 7,000) and starting December 14, it plans to insure additional condos and
renters which it had previously paused. In 2023, Farmers instituted the 7,000 policy cap and
paused condo and renters insurance, and the Department of Insurance has been working since
last September on its Sustainable Insurance Strategy to stabilize insurance market conditions.
Farmers' decision to once again expand in the California market is a key indicator that the
Department's pending regulations could bring other insurers back to California.
The new catastrophe modeling and ratemaking regulations have been posted by the Department
and filed with the Secretary of State, officially concluding the rulemaking process. Members of the
Legislature are already active introducing legislation geared toward home hardening and
vegetation management as tools to prevent wildfires and make home insurance more available
across the state and in high wildfire severity zones.
November Income Tax Withholdings Come in Below Projections
Overall, for fiscal year 2024-25 Personal Income Tax (PIT) withholdings have run about even with
projections, but November withholdings came in $806 million, or about 10%, below projections.
Most withholding payments are for wages and salaries, but income tax withholding payments are
also due on bonuses and stock options received by employees. With a later Thanksgiving holiday
week, end -of -month and holiday bonuses were remitted to the state in December as opposed to
November, which contributed to the lackluster collection.
The drop in withholdings could drive the state's General Fund revenues down, but other revenue
sources are still pending. Also, the Legislative Analyst's Office notes the collection during the
week after Thanksgiving came in approximately 20% higher than the same period last year, which
would in turn be reflected in this year's December collection. The Department of Finance's next
state budget projections will coincide with the Governor's January Budget Proposal early next
month.
State of Emergency Declared Over Bird Flu
In response to the rapid spread of H5Nl avian influenza virus, Governor Gavin Newsom declared
a state of emergency in California. Since March, the virus has spread through dairy cattle herds
across the country raising concerns amongst virologists. No person -to -person spread of the Bird
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Flu has been detected in California, but there have been 34 human cases linked to infected birds
or cows, and considering the state's dairy sector's susceptibility to H5N1 there is already a strong
testing and monitoring network established. Declaring a state of emergency will provide local
entities with additional flexibility around staffing, contracting, and other rules to support any
necessary response.
The Department of Public Health, Department of Food and Agriculture, and Office of Emergency
Services have joined other agencies to provide outreach to all Californians and seasonal flu
vaccines to agriculture workers to reduce concurrent flu risks. The Food and Drug Administration
has advertised that grocery shelf beef and dairy are safe to consume, but they recommend against
consuming raw unpasteurized milk. Moving forward, more personal protective equipment will be
delivered to dairy -farm workers, and the state will continue to monitor and investigate the spread
of the virus.
JUDICIAL BRANCH ACTIVITY
California Courts Upholds Local Sober Living Home Ordinance
This week, the United Stated Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Costa Mesa's
ordinance on geographic distancing for sober living homes. In The Ohio House LLC v. City of
Costa Mesa, the Court evaluated the City's separation ordinance, which aimed to prevent the
overconcentration of sober living homes within residential areas. The suit originated over the Ohio
House's sober living facility located in a multi -family residence district but violated the City's
separation ordinance by operating within 550 feet of another sober living home.
While acknowledging the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the California Fair Employment and
Housing Act (FEHA) prohibit discriminatory treatment of protected classes, including recovering
addicts who are considered disabled, the Court determined the City's ordinance ultimately served
to benefit these individuals. To set out a successful case of intentional discrimination under FHA,
a plaintiff needs to show that a protected group has been subjected to explicitly discriminatory
treatment, but FEHA allows a facially discriminatory policy if it is the least -restrictive means of
achieving its purpose. Instead, the Court opined that the ordinance promoted a balanced
residential environment and prevented clustering that could undermine community integration and
support.
This ruling marks a significant victory for numerous cities in California and beyond that have faced
ongoing challenges to ordinances aimed at regulating the concentration of sober living facilities
in residential neighborhoods. AB 3 (Dixon) was also introduced in early December to address this
very issue. With this measure, the Legislature will continue to contemplate guidelines that strike
an appropriate balance with community -based service provision while maintaining distancing
standards that realize the intended de -institutionalized setting.
Congress Passes Stopgap Funding Bill to Avoid a Government Shutdown
After a week of rollercoaster negotiations Congress has approved a legislative package to avert
a government shutdown and extend current government funding levels until March 14, 2025. The
bill, H.R.10545 also includes provisions providing more than $100 billion in disaster relief and
several extensions of health care and agriculture programs.
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This final package comes after two previous attempts failed earlier in the week. The first proposal,
which Republicans negotiated with Democrats, included measures to regulate pharmacy benefit
managers, limit trade with China, and allow year-round sales of certain ethanol -blended fuels.
However, this proposal was withdrawn after President-elect Donald Trump opposed it, urging
Republican leaders to address the debt limit first.
A second plan, which removed most of the provisions from the first, aimed to suspend the debt
limit until January 2027. This plan was rejected on December 19, with a vote of 174-235, as 38
Republicans opposed it and only two Democrats supported it.
The latest plan resembled the second but excluded the debt limit suspension and extensions for
the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services Program and the MaryLee Allen Promoting
Safe and Stable Families Program. The House approved this plan by a vote of 366-34 with one
member not voting.
Below are provisions and extensions included in the package:
SDendina Provisions
• The legislative package included a continuing resolution (CR) extending current funding from
Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations through March 14, 2025.
Anomalies (adjustments to funding that differ from FY24 appropriations) include:
o Allocate an annualized $625 million to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to maintain the acquisition schedule for the Geostationary Earth Orbit
weather satellite program.
o Permit the Federal Aviation Administration to use funds necessary for air traffic
operations, aviation safety oversight, and the hiring and training of air traffic controllers.
o Authorize the Energy Department to utilize funds required for specialized security
activities.
o Grant the Education Department the flexibility to allocate funds needed to administer
federal student loan and aid programs.
• The bill blocks an automatic cost of living pay increase for Members of Congress, the Vice
President, and other executive and senior -level government officials.
Extensions
Several programs that were set to expire are extended through March 14, 2025, these include:
o The CFTC Whistleblower Program
o The Domestic Trafficking Victims Fund
o Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
o Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Flood Insurance Program.
o DHS' and the Justice Department's authority to counter uncrewed aircraft systems that
pose a credible threat.
o The Homeland Security Department's National Cybersecurity Protection System.
o US Agency for International Development's Food for Peace program.
Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune Previews Legislative Agenda
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After the Republican sweep in the federal elections, incoming Senate Majority Leader John
Thune is pitching a two -pronged approach to enacting their agenda, starting with a reconciliation
bill focused on border security, defense, and energy within 30 days of President-elect Donald
Trump's inauguration. Under Senator Thune's plan, a second reconciliation package focused on
tax policy would come later in the year. That would give tax writers more time to come up with a
bill and to bridge the intraparty divides that separate them from a deal.
Budget reconciliation is a Senate rule that allows one party to pass fiscal legislation without help
from the other party. However, it comes with limitations enforced by the Senate Parliamentarian.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that extending all of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
would add $4.6 trillion to deficits over about a decade. This is a concern for members of the
Republican conference who have campaigned on being fiscal hawks. Discussions over total costs
and what programs receive funding have begun, but finding a consensus will be a challenge over
the course of next year.
Another reason for potentially delaying action on a tax bill until later in 2025 is that President-elect
Trump has selected three members of the House to join his administration, leaving the Republican
majority at one vote for the first quarter of 2025. The special elections to fill those vacancies are
not likely to occur until spring at the earliest. With an effective House majority of one for the first
few months of the year, more contentious aspects of the Republican agenda may be delayed until
special elections can increase their majority.
Congress Approves Water Resources Development Act, Sends to President for Signature
The bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (S. 4367) is now on its way to President Joe
Biden after the Senate approved it on Wednesday. The bill, which authorizes civil works and water
resources projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers across the U.S. is passed by Congress
every two years. The 2024 version was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate with a 97-1 vote,
following its passage in the House last week.
The legislation will allow the Army Corps of Engineers to begin 21 projects related to navigation,
flood management, ecosystem restoration, and other water infrastructure, with an estimated cost
of about $17 billion. Additionally, it will authorize over 200 feasibility studies for new projects and
modifications to existing ones.
Senate Approves National Defense Authorization Act
The Senate has approved an $884 billion defense measure that includes a 14.5% pay raise for
junior enlisted troops and a 4.5% increase for the rest of the military. The bill, H.R. 5009, passed
the Senate 85-14 on December 18 following House passage by a vote of 281-140 on December
11. Many of the current policy prescriptions faced expiration on December 31, and the bill now
heads to President Joe Biden for his signature.
The $883.7 billion spending authorization aligns with last year's debt -limit deal, with $850 billion
allocated to the Pentagon. The total discretionary spending is $895.2 billion. The annual NDAA is
considered essential as it authorizes troop pay increases, military construction projects, and sets
weapons policy and geostrategy.
The 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted troops aims to improve their quality of life and reduce food
insecurity. This raise is a compromise between the House's proposed 19.5% increase and the
Senate's 5.5% boost. The White House requested a 4.5% raise and opposed a larger increase.
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Congress still needs to fund this raise, with the government currently operating under a stopgap
measure.
The Pentagon will maintain its policy allowing troops to travel for abortions, but the defense bill
restricts transgender medical treatment for minors. It also will not cover hormone therapy, puberty
blockers, or other treatments for gender dysphoria that could result in sterilization for those under
18.
The bill authorizes the production of 68 F-35 fighter planes but delays some deliveries until
development issues are addressed. It also funds a second Virginia -class submarine, crucial for
the Australia -UK -US security partnership. Funding for the new Constellation -class frigate is
blocked until design approvals are complete.
The bill prohibits the Pentagon from working with companies that sell computer chips and services
to Huawei. It also aims to prevent Chinese espionage in the U.S. military and secure
biotechnology supply chains critical to national security.
The measure includes the annual intelligence and State Department authorizations.
EXECUTIVE BRANCH ACTIVITY
HUD Releases Advancing Equity in Local Housing Development Implementation Guide
Recently the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released The Advancing
Equity in Local Housing Development Implementation Guide, part of a toolkit HUD's Increasing
the Supply of New Affordable Housing Toolkit. This guide outlines actionable steps for local
governments to enhance equity in housing development. It also provides strategies for integrating
equitable policies and practices into housing and community development. The guide emphasizes
the importance of applying an equity framework, understanding historical context, engaging
underserved communities, promoting equitable economic development, forming reinvestment
partnerships, and using data for accountability. These measures aim to ensure equitable
outcomes in expanding the local affordable housing supply.
EPA Announces Latest Actions to Ban Trichloroethylene and Perchloroethylene
On December 9, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the latest risk management
rules for trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) under the bipartisan Toxic
Substances Control Act of 2016. The final rule will ban manufacturing and processing of both
substances within one year in an effort to protect public health.
TCE is known to cause liver cancer, kidney cancer, and non -Hodgkin's lymphoma. It also causes
damage to the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, immune system, reproductive organs, and
causes fetal heart defects. PCE is known to cause liver, kidney, brain and testicular cancer, as
well as damage to the kidney, liver and immune system, neurotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity.
Both TCE and PCE are found in consumer and commercial products such as cleaning and
furniture care products, degreasers, brake cleaners, sealants, lubricants, adhesives, paints and
coatings, arts and crafts spray coatings, and are also used in the manufacture of some
refrigerants. Safer alternatives are readily available for the majority of these uses.
EPA Grants Waiver for California's Advanced Clean Cars II Regulations
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is granting two requests from the California Air
Resources Board (CARB) for waivers to implement and enforce its Advanced Clean Cars I I (ACC
11) regulations for light -duty vehicles, and its "Omnibus" low-NOx regulation for heavy-duty
highway and off -road vehicles and engines. Under the Clean Air Act, California is afforded the
ability to adopt emissions requirements independent from EPA's regulations to meet its significant
air quality challenges. The state must seek a waiver from EPA for new motor vehicle emission
standards.
The ACC I I program is a single coordinated package of requirements for model year 2026 through
2035 and beyond for on -road light- and medium -duty engines and vehicles. The ACC II
regulations include revisions to both California's Low Emission Vehicle and Zero Emission Vehicle
regulations. After reviewing the information provided by California, the EPA determined in each
case that it would be appropriate to grant both waiver requests. The records, included in the
waiver decisions, contain public comments on the programs' feasibility, including costs to
manufacturers and the lead time provided. EPA's review found that opponents of the waivers did
not meet their burden to show how either program is inconsistent with the Clean Air Act.
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