FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Jennifer Cabral, Director of Communications
SUBJECT:
title
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTHS OF JULY AND AUGUST 2025
end
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
Receive and file the Legislative Affairs Update for the months of July and August 2025.
body
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 and 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 through 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
Activities for July:
Planning for the State of OC San has begun. The event is scheduled for Friday, October 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at OC San’s Headquarters. The in-person event will feature State Water Resources Control Board Chair Joaquin Esquivel. Additionally, it will host Local, State, and Federal dignitaries. The event will provide an update on OC San, our accomplishments, and the future direction of the agency. Invitations are scheduled to go out in mid-September. Additional details will be provided as we approach the event date.
Activities for August:
The development of OC San’s annual Legislative and Regulatory Plan is underway. Over the next couple of months, OC San staff and our legislative consultants will review our current plan. From this, staff will draft the updated plan that will be presented to the Administration Committee in October, and the Board of Directors in November. The adopted Legislative and Regulatory Plan is used as the guiding document for legislative and regulatory activities in the 2026 calendar year.
Activities for September
OC San staff, along with our federal lobbyist, will continue working with the Environmental Protection Agency on the Community Funding Request for the Supercritical Water Oxidation Project. We expect to receive an update in September on the timing of project funding.
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
• Federal Legislative Update
• Federal Matrix
• State Legislative Update
• State Matrix
• Local Legislative Update
• Presentation