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Legislative and External Affairs Advisory Committee adopts flexible framework for evaluating bills
Summary
The committee voted to recommend a living decision-making framework to guide which legislation the full commission should consider endorsing; the motion passed on a roll-call vote and staff will solicit stakeholder input on the fillable form process.
The Legislative and External Affairs Advisory Committee voted to recommend use of a “flexible living document” decision-making framework to guide whether the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission should endorse, support or oppose pieces of legislation. The recommendation passed on a roll-call vote during the committee’s inaugural meeting.
Committee leaders described the draft framework as a tool to assess alignment with the commission’s mission and priorities, likely impacts and equity considerations, and whether a commission position would add value. Committee Chair Mark Bontrager said the intent is “to create a discipline, not a barrier,” so endorsements remain meaningful and consistent.
Under the proposal, stakeholders could submit a completed fillable form in advance; staff would review submissions, meet with stakeholders as needed, and bring a prioritized list of bills to the committee for discussion and possible recommendation to the full commission. The commission also created a dedicated email address for legislation inquiries: legislation@bhsoac.ca.gov.
Motion and vote: Committee Vice Chair Kallen made the motion to recommend use of the framework; Commissioner Larson seconded. The roll-call tally recorded the following: Commissioner Fairweather — yes; Commissioner Larson — yes; Commissioner Mitchell — absent; Commissioner Southard — yes; Commissioner Thomas Beckett — absent; Committee Chair Mark Bontrager — yes; Committee Vice Chair Kallen — yes. The committee announced the recommendation motion passed.
Commissioners and staff emphasized the draft nature of the form and asked that stakeholders test it and provide feedback on accessibility and usability. No formal change to commission policy was taken at the meeting; the committee’s vote advances the framework as its recommended approach to be used in future deliberations and to be refined with community input.
The committee plans to solicit additional public comment as stakeholders begin using the form.
