FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager
SUBJECT:
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LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2021
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
Receive and file the Legislative Affairs Update for the month of April 2021.
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BACKGROUND
The Orange County Sanitation District’s (OC San) legislative affairs program includes advocating OC San’s legislative interests; sponsoring legislation (where appropriate); and seeking Local, State, and Federal funding for projects and programs. Staff will provide an update on recent legislative and grant activities.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Maintain influential legislative advocacy and a public outreach program
• Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders
• Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with regulators, stakeholders, and neighboring communities
PROBLEM
Without a strong advocacy program, elected officials may not be aware of OC San’s mission, programs, and projects and how they could be impacted by proposed legislation.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Continue to work with Local, State, and Federal officials to advocate OC San’s legislative interests. Help to create/monitor legislation and grants that would benefit OC San, the wastewater industry, and the community as a whole. To assist in our relationship building activities, we will continue to reach out to our elected officials providing facility tours, one-on-one meetings, and trips to Washington D.C. and Sacramento.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
If we do not work with Local, State, and Federal elected officials, legislation could be passed that negatively affects OC San and the wastewater industry as a whole. Additionally, a lack of engagement may result in missed funding opportunities.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• Community Funding Requests
As part of the Congressional Community Funding Requests for directed federal spending, OC San staff has requested letters of support from our cities and fellow associations for our Headworks Rehabilitation Project. To date, OC San has received 10 letters of support. The letters have been transmitted to the OC Congressional Delegation. Staff and ENS will continue to work with the Delegation and monitor the requests and possible funding opportunities.
• OC San Visits Sacramento Virtually for Annual Advocacy Day
As part of our legislative outreach program, OC San’s Board Chairman David Shawver and Vice-Chairman John Withers participated in a virtual State Advocacy Day. The meetings were held on April 22-23 and 29, during which current legislation, infrastructure, and funding opportunities was discussed with the Legislatures and their staff.
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
• Federal Update - ENS Resources
• Federal Legislative Matrix - ENS Resources
• Federal Advocacy Day Recap
• State Update - Townsend Public Affairs
• State Legislative Matrix - Townsend Public Affairs
• Grant Matrix