FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
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LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2023
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
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RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file the Legislative Affairs Update for the month of April 2023.
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BACKGROUND
The Orange County Sanitation District’s (OC San) legislative affairs program includes advocating for OC San’s legislative interests; sponsoring legislation (where appropriate); and seeking Local, State, and Federal funding for projects and programs.
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 for OC San’s legislative interests. Help to create/monitor legislation and grants that would benefit OC San, the wastewater industry, and the community. To assist in relationship building efforts, OC San will continue to reach out to elected officials providing facility tours, one-on-one meetings, and trips to Washington D.C. and Sacramento.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
If OC San does not work with Local, State, and Federal elected officials, legislation could be passed that negatively affects OC San and the wastewater industry. Additionally, a lack of engagement may result in missed funding opportunities.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Federal Update:
On April 24, Congressman Correa visited Plant No. 1 to present OC San with a check for $3.45 million for the Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO) Project. During this event, a roundtable was held where OC San Board of Directors, staff, and the Congressman were able to discuss the project and how the funding will be used. OC Staff provided a tour of the SCWO project site and discussed the benefits of the pilot project and where OC San sees the project going forward.
State Update:
The month of May will serve as a time that the Governor presents his “May Revision” of the January budget proposal, followed by the constitutional deadline of July 1 where the Governor must sign a budget bill into law. Since the bill introduction on February 17, the Legislature produced 1,751 Assembly Bills and 881 Senate Bills, for a total of 2,632 bills. Of those bills introduced, there were 495 spot bills and 551 intent bills between the two houses, for a total of 1,046 placeholder measures. That means 40 percent of the introduced bills were placeholder measures in need of substantive language amendments.
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
• Federal Legislative Matrix
• State Update
• State Legislative Matrix