[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6561929,"mediaKeyId","3286704-15f4d54d058c7bd8e7d096ded43948d4","parentId",3286704,"title","Federal, state offices brief Carlsbad subcommittee on coastal protection, airport engagement and school meal EBT proposal","audioSeconds",246,"startMs",106000,"endMs",352000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3286704-15f4d54d058c7bd8e7d096ded43948d4&start=106&end=352","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3286704-15f4d54d058c7bd8e7d096ded43948d4/thumbnail_106000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6561929/Carlsbad/San-Diego-County/California/Federal-state-offices-brief-Carlsbad-subcommittee-on-coastal-protection-airport-engagement-and-school-meal-EBT-proposal","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561929-c105fafb214858171b445f567773b0a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775204165&Signature=hA2etIaHy2iwlvGpVhnOZyrlXN~W4R~PFk14Yk9gy~rRAo9ggHoLVjmpHMGxq7dRDkbQk2CEq9AmVDjb5gF0XnAheQq3DP6V9RIT~vX8UF0S9p65hVwjdzdFINtEZnZEVOTz5tg5Sb~QkaeiCiMCP4eeWAfyUYstbnmvXMQ5gAJkmBic7Jxmni~eeZUQMkTDd7ah3Q2wyH2g10n5wpVAc2qTZTdSvURt5ac1v824peIkMgGc8kHA7AFaJdpaqh056SCebNGl99hVvkonKEh5BnYa3Ux5T080SvYg5ruINAHhA8ZubrRelHQ8EZ4S3hPpAh2DAAqZyc6~AXuRKt90pA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Carlsbad","date","2025-05-13T00:00:00Z","article","Representatives from U.S. Rep. Mike Levin, State Sen. Catherine Blakespear and the state assemblymember’s office updated the Carlsbad City Council legislative subcommittee on funding and policy items affecting the North County region.

Salome Tash, representing Rep. Mike Levin’s office, told the subcommittee the congressman recently pressed the EPA to preserve funding for South Bay water‑treatment upgrades and to hold Mexico accountable for cross‑border pollution cleanup. She said the congressman joined an EPA visit to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant and “urged no cuts to funding dedicated to clean up efforts in the region.”

Tash also reported the congressman reintroduced the Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act, a federal bill intended to bar new offshore oil and natural gas leasing along Southern California’s coast, and reintroduced HR 3217, the Stop Child Hunger Act, which would provide families with EBT cards to cover school meal benefits during school breaks longer than five days. Tash said the congressman’s office is working on a virtual community engagement with the FAA about Palomar Airport if the county directs the scheduling and logistics.

Matt Ruble, district representative for State Sen. Catherine Blake Spear, briefed the subcommittee on state activity including a ribbon cutting for a new organics transfer station and the senator’s sponsorship of bills moving through the Sacramento committee process. Ruble said 18 of 19 Senate committee bills sponsored by the senator had advanced; he highlighted SB 710 (a solar property tax exclusion) as pending before the revenue and taxation committee.

Anna Mladnovik, a district representative from Assemblymember Tasha Burner’s office, reported most of the assemblymember’s bills had cleared policy committees; AB 1286 had passed the Assembly and been referred to the Senate, she said. Mladnovik also promoted two constituent events: a webinar on microplastic harms (May 29) and a small‑business and public‑service resource fair at MiraCosta College (June 6).

Why it matters: the updates range from federal funding for transborder pollution cleanup to state bills that could affect housing and energy policy in Carlsbad. Council members pressed for follow‑up details on FEMA funding and FAA town‑hall logistics and noted the local economic importance of federal and state grant programs.

What the subcommittee directed or requested: Council and staff asked the congressional and legislative offices to follow up with written details on FEMA funding questions and to share scheduling information about the FAA virtual engagement for Palomar Airport. No formal legislative positions or votes were recorded during these briefings.

Public comment: None.

Next steps: Staff said the offices will follow up by email with the city on FEMA questions, the FAA virtual engagement process and schedule details for opportunities to engage with the state legislators on bills affecting Carlsbad.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Carlsbad - Legislative Subcommittee Special Meeting - May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representatives from U.S. Rep. Mike Levin, State Sen. Catherine Blake Spear and the state assemblymember’s office updated the Carlsbad City Council legislative subcommittee on funding and policy items including Tijuana River Valley cleanup funding, a proposed ban on offshore drilling, a summer EBT expansion and a possible FAA virtual town hall about Palomar Airport.","taxTitle","Carlsbad, San Diego County, California","taxId",2843,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6561914,"State lobbyist briefs subcommittee on May revise, SB79 and other housing bills; motion to support SB741 moved but no recorded vote",1041,8199000,9240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3286704-15f4d54d058c7bd8e7d096ded43948d4&start=8199&end=9240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3286704-15f4d54d058c7bd8e7d096ded43948d4/thumbnail_8199000.jpg","/articles/6561914/Carlsbad/San-Diego-County/California/State-lobbyist-briefs-subcommittee-on-May-revise-SB79-and-other-housing-bills-motion-to-support-SB741-moved-but-no-recorded-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561914-d0b06600852332d69c60e35440032012/orig.mp4?Expires=1775204165&Signature=ANnlSsIcOfLxdBsIO1wMltc4qLiHDdYP~MbCvzr9p8j1prIBhwQIux-JFWBUbSgexxwDQIGF5fgNCP0RUzhSDIxVcxAQETWluKBqkL2Yjsx-8vou11iq3ugo0TJFgXgJ6hP1AswR6QNCpkdvSrCdVSuc0CYNVqanyu3NGc-mppT-COkOEbxFl2-SPq9F7QdNpnHuH8U9QR24GHNmA52Su7~7nbG-a2BQfDokD3mXDq8NkSlr29hY67LdNZeoNOeSFnoGWWCOCFAhz7wF5-O9bM7SCDB8oy9My-OnK8E51YA816kqY1rkydU-Avd~amY1DDAMGj2tEbcFUA0oQqav~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sharon Gonzalez, the city’s state contract lobbyist, briefed the subcommittee on the state legislative calendar ahead of the May revise and highlighted bills of interest to Carlsbad.

Gonzalez said the May revise (governor’s updated budget) will clarify the state’s fiscal outlook and influence what bills on the appropriations suspense file can advance. She described the governor’s reorganization plan to split Business, Consumer Services and Housing into separate agencies; that proposal is under review by the Little Hoover Commission and Assembly committees and could be operative by next July if enacted.

Gonzalez reviewed several bills of local interest: SB 79 (transit‑oriented development) faced close votes and remained controversial; SB 677 and SB 423 (housing bills) did not advance out of committee; SB 315 (limits on park dedications under the Quimby Act) was held as a two‑year bill; SB 358 was amended to narrow its scope; and AB 996 (local consultation with the Coastal Commission on sea‑level‑rise planning) and AB 340 (limits on public employer questioning of employee representatives) were on the subcommittee’s radar.

Gonzalez flagged that bills placed on the appropriations suspense file will be considered for fiscal impacts next week; she said the assembly’s fiscal threshold is $150,000 and the Senate threshold is $50,000.

After the update, Councilmember Burkholder moved that the subcommittee support SB 741 (Blakespear), a bill to expand a Coastal Act exemption for certain emergency projects to include railroad repair along a coastal trail; a second was given and the chair indicated they could vote, but no recorded roll call or tally appears in the transcript.

Councilmembers also discussed SB 79 outreach; Burkholder said she would be prepared to testify in Sacramento if the bill reached the Assembly floor. Gonzalez offered to coordinate committee and floor outreach and to supply the committee with sample language for advocacy.

Why it matters: the May revise and suspense file will determine which state bills are solvable within the state budget. SB 79 and other housing bills could reshape local planning obligations; SB 741 affects coastal emergency response authority for railroad infrastructure.

Next steps: city lobbyists will continue to track bills on suspense and provide the subcommittee with recommended positions as items move out of appropriations; staff and interested councilmembers will coordinate testimony and outreach on SB 79 if hearings demand it.","The city’s state lobbyist summarized current bill activity, the governor’s reorganization plan review by the Little Hoover Commission and next‑week appropriations suspense hearings; Councilmember Burkholder moved to support SB 741 (Blakespear) and a second was recorded, but no formal vote appears in the transcript.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6561919,"Carlsbad subcommittee hears wide public support for 'Our Neighborhood Voices' local‑control initiative; council debates timing of endorsement",3890,4306000,8196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3286704-15f4d54d058c7bd8e7d096ded43948d4&start=4306&end=8196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3286704-15f4d54d058c7bd8e7d096ded43948d4/thumbnail_4306000.jpg","/articles/6561919/Carlsbad/San-Diego-County/California/Carlsbad-subcommittee-hears-wide-public-support-for-Our-Neighborhood-Voices-localcontrol-initiative-council-debates-timing-of-endorsement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561919-59f38ad6ccdb4dd872c88d8394dae4e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775204165&Signature=mszVqHt1YyLNZIq2wiQ0oYBCWaKgSWkBf5xtuQA7EhfOfRZUicEMGr8ScxGrbHdeqI~pGu~iJqx2GURcJ8hRzYaMVInvlwWTFvDw5uClUGytBcZcjYRN0ASv1KxfdWbVJoY2tKJEwPeXRxFC08tgDpMA2hrwfMxXwseGkI69SwPnqIKu6U2jCfMmVcmX0f9qh2UU8AyLG5pp5OqAFWvWZJiLWTFu8SwilXYM9TI826fpMZwTT-YY9LD-MYx7-GHXvjn5cJI0czNWGTdjdI6g9xV93FEWoVEsQupyvmsJWP7MOFhYs1k7duSVJvKgufikK37rZ8w-CWFNQhSdy3W4Xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents and representatives of a statewide coalition urged the Carlsbad City Council legislative subcommittee to support a proposed constitutional amendment called Our Neighborhood Voices that would return broad land‑use authority to local governments.

Speakers during public comment included Dean Szabo, Steve Linke, Mike Lewis, Nils Narenheim and Diane Bedrosian. Many said state housing laws in recent years had diminished cities’ authority and produced market‑rate development without local input or affordable housing guarantees.

Mike Lewis read a statement from the Encinitas mayor that he said reflected many cities’ frustration: “This decision is based on the unavoidable ramifications of state housing policies coupled with credible threats from HCD that will result in unavoidable and even greater harm to the city's environment, traffic, flooding, and community character. … We are approving this project under duress and only because of the credible threats made by HCD and the state leaves us no choice.”

Representatives of the Our Neighborhood Voices campaign and the Equitable Land Use Alliance asked the subcommittee to consider a resolution endorsing the initiative and to forward the matter to the full City Council for consideration. They described prior efforts to qualify similar language for the ballot, said a previous title and summary had been politically problematic, and explained signature‑gathering timelines.

City staff reminded the subcommittee the council had already adopted a 2023 resolution and legislative platform supporting local control. Council members expressed broad sympathy for local control but differed on timing and process. City Attorney comment: a city may take positions on ballot measures if it holds a public hearing providing both sides an opportunity to be heard.

Council next steps: staff said the city could agendize a resolution for full City Council consideration in June if the subcommittee asked; council members discussed waiting until the initiative’s language is finalized and formally submitted to the attorney general, which starts the clock for signatures and finalizes the title and summary. Subcommittee members agreed to await final language before recommending an official municipal endorsement, but asked staff to notify the campaign about procedural options and to return the matter when language is submitted.

Why it matters: supporters contend a constitutional amendment would restore local flexibility to set land‑use rules and mitigate local impacts of forced development. Opponents and some council members cautioned that endorsement before final language can create political and legal complications and could affect the city’s leverage with state legislators.

Public record and timing: campaign representatives said a prior iteration of the proposal obtained a title and summary during the COVID period but could not complete signature gathering; they stated a new filing would restart the official clock and that realistic timelines range from 2026 to 2028 depending on funding, volunteer infrastructure and filing dates.

Action requested of the subcommittee: none formally adopted. Staff will return the item for consideration once the language is submitted to the state attorney general and/or the campaign requests a formal city resolution for full council action.","Public speakers urged the subcommittee to endorse a proposed constitutional amendment, Our Neighborhood Voices, to restore local land‑use control; councilmembers praised the principle but deferred endorsement until initiative language is finalized and procedural questions about city action were clarified.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6561923,"CPUC liaison briefs Carlsbad on energy affordability, broadband grants and rail crossing safety",1159,1232000,2391000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3286704-15f4d54d058c7bd8e7d096ded43948d4&start=1232&end=2391","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3286704-15f4d54d058c7bd8e7d096ded43948d4/thumbnail_1232000.jpg","/articles/6561923/Carlsbad/San-Diego-County/California/CPUC-liaison-briefs-Carlsbad-on-energy-affordability-broadband-grants-and-rail-crossing-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561923-4824edcfd85d53fdcea267078290d6da/orig.mp4?Expires=1775204165&Signature=H-ww~ZsNXBroqeH2HdxcU20iv1WjiBUp7koP7WzlbG70k6xU-WQAklO2QQMcg5CXlE2dV3f97alSumxMVJF90gqNYF3mO-UjWt9L2YLLzakgKMAkrr8ntTwjLK8XLUSTIG24~eRS5phVLGCAagpCIEti5tF6MwQtSbAoUofoDjopYP7Wr9n5057vuz-ijmSS7MWl1ZPgxi8oamHPunHWQBo8I92VVu8cAmChisp59R4wyYCarct6hnRhA0Mk-00gVEiq0jb37o8SCWQagGvQkv-GWeLZGrvLAmJIjZw2oAW-LmOE2z4gHMnZystnyk8dIjXJmQhNDaz-nxCCEaPQTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jesus Torres, local government liaison for the California Public Utilities Commission, and Matthew Bond of the CPUC Rail Crossing and Engineering Branch gave an extended briefing to the Carlsbad City Council legislative subcommittee on energy, broadband and rail‑safety issues.

Torres said energy affordability remains a central CPUC concern and described policy options the commission is reviewing: securitizing wildfire mitigation spending, wildfire self‑insurance for investor‑owned utilities and reallocating California climate credits to lower‑income households and those without rooftop solar. He said the CPUC has authorized roughly $11 billion in bonds to spread wildfire mitigation costs over time and noted some utilities are implementing partial self‑insurance to lower premium costs.

On SDG&E’s recently adopted general rate case, Torres said the decision authorizes funding to maintain safety and reliability but did not award all revenue requested by the utility; he urged residents to consult SDG&E’s rate alerts for details. He also described a $24 monthly fixed charge SDG&E plans to implement and explained the policy rationale: fixed charges recover grid costs that rooftop‑solar customers otherwise might not pay when their volumetric bills “true up” to zero.

Torres briefed the subcommittee on two safety developments: updated General Order 167B rules that require incident reporting, emergency response plans and coordination with local authorities for energy storage systems; and CPUC approval for San Diego Community Power to administer regional energy efficiency programs.

On broadband, Torres summarized the federal “last mile” funds the CPUC is administering (BEAD and related programs) and said over $1 billion has been awarded to projects serving more than 2 million Californians.

Rail crossings drew extensive local questions. Torres said the CPUC has “exclusive authority over all rail crossings in California” and reviews proposed new crossings, modifications and quiet‑zone notices. Matthew Bond described the CPUC’s investigation process after incidents and recommended early, technical coordination among roadway agencies, railroads and CPUC staff to avoid costly protests and formal applications. Bond and Torres both advised that grade separation or trenching eliminates most crossing risks and that local agencies should engage CPUC early in design.

Council members pressed CPUC staff for written references on quiet‑zone policy at passenger stations. Torres and Bond said the Federal Railroad Administration oversees horn rules and that FRA practice has recently limited quiet zones that would include train stations; Torres committed to help staff locate a cit-able reference and provide follow‑up in writing. Council members also discussed Carlsbad’s ongoing trenching interest for the Village and were told CPUC staff can engage at any stage and that staff support grade separations for safety.

Public comment came from Nils Narenheim (Redondo Beach), who thanked the CPUC for local outreach and stressed the statewide importance of energy policy and community choice aggregation.

Why it matters: CPUC rules and rate decisions affect local electric bills, grid safety and the feasibility of local projects such as trenching rail lines. The CPUC’s guidance on early coordination and new reporting requirements for energy storage systems has direct implementation implications for city‑permitted projects.

Next steps: CPUC staff will follow up with written references on the FRA quiet‑zone policy and other materials requested by council. City staff and CPUC staff agreed to schedule technical follow‑ups on rail‑crossing planning and trenching.","The California Public Utilities Commission updated the Carlsbad subcommittee on energy affordability measures, SDG&E’s general rate case outcomes, new rules for energy storage safety, broadband grant programs and rail crossing and quiet‑zone rules; CPUC staff urged early engagement on rail crossing projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Federal, state offices brief Carlsbad subcommittee on coastal protection, airport engagement and school meal EBT proposal

State lobbyist briefs subcommittee on May revise, SB79 and other housing bills; motion to support SB741 moved but no recorded vote

Carlsbad subcommittee hears wide public support for 'Our Neighborhood Voices' local‑control initiative; council debates timing of endorsement

CPUC liaison briefs Carlsbad on energy affordability, broadband grants and rail crossing safety