County Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) and county counsel staff briefed the Health and Hospital Committee on proposed 2026 updates to the county’s legislative policies, focusing on the health and hospital system chapter and explaining how the policies give IGR authority to act on legislation.

Deputy County Executive David Capos, Monica Tong of IGR and Elaine Chun summarized the multi-part legislative platform (policies, bill ideas, priorities and one-time funding requests) and recounted 2025 outcomes relevant to the committee: passed and signed bills (for example AB 82 and AB 309 as reported to the committee), vetoes (including AB 546, AB 554 and SB 257) and a recently signed SB 378. Staff described the update process that included department reviews and the intent to return to the full board on Nov. 4 for approval so IGR would have clear guidance heading into the next legislative session.

Why it matters: The policies document guides staff advocacy and determines whether IGR can register support or opposition on bills without returning to the board for each matter. Supervisors asked about staffing levels and how IGR prioritizes thousands of bills; the county executive and staff explained coordination with departments and statewide associations and noted that trailer bills and late-stage legislative changes remain a monitoring challenge.

Committee action: Supervisor Abeyakova moved and Chairperson Lee seconded a motion to receive the update. Both voted Aye and the motion carried.

Staff committed to return budget and one-time funding requests through the established timeline and to work with board members on specific funding requests such as continued support for county AAPI outreach programs.