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Atascadero council reaffirms 2025 legislative platform, adds disaster relief and insurance language
Summary
Council unanimously reaffirmed the city’s 2025 federal and state legislative platform and approved two additions: support for disaster relief funding and support for efforts to maintain the private homeowner insurance market in California.
The Atascadero City Council unanimously reaffirmed its 2025 federal and state legislative platform and approved two narrowly worded additions — support for disaster relief funding at state and federal levels and support for efforts to maintain the viability of the private homeowner insurance market.
Why it matters: the platform directs staff and the city’s lobbyist on when to send letters, request state or federal support, and prioritize grant and legislative advocacy without needing to agendize each action.
Staff presentation and context Community Services Director/Housing liaison (identified in the packet as Miss Christiansen) explained the platform’s prior adoption cycle and said staff recommended no broad changes except the two additions discussed at council. The platform groups priorities under affordable housing and homelessness, infrastructure funding and maintaining local control, and provides policy statements across departments.
Lobbyist update Jason Gonsalves (city lobbyist) gave an oral wrap-up of the 2024 session, noting more than 1,000 bills signed into law and continuing pressure on housing and public safety issues. He told council the state is likely to continue advancing many housing measures and urged continued advocacy for local control.
Council additions and vote Council Member Funk proposed adding both (1) support for consistent federal and state funding for disaster recovery and (2) support for “efforts to maintain the viability of the private homeowners insurance market in California,” language intended to allow staff to engage on those issues without returning to council for each letter. The council discussed narrower versus broader wording and timing for any more detailed policy steps; staff said more detailed direction could be returned to the council at a subsequent meeting if desired. The full council voted unanimously to adopt the platform as amended.
What this does not do The vote does not adopt or endorse specific legislation on insurance or disaster policy; it authorizes staff and the city’s lobbyist to act in line with the platform when opportunities arise and to submit letters consistent with the city’s stated positions.
Next steps Staff will update the written platform to include the two additions and distribute it to the city’s lobbyist and to council representatives who serve on external boards.
