Carlsbad staff, councilmember outline citylegislative priorities and sponsored bills

CarlsbadIntergovernmental Affairs Director Jason Haber and Council Member Melanie Burkholder told the Arts Commission on Sept. 4 that the citymaintains an annual legislative platform and pursues state and federal funding and sponsored bills to advance Carlsbadpriorities.

Haber said the cityoperates its intergovernmental affairs program out of the city manageroffice and relies on a pair of council policies and a standing legislative subcommittee to set advocacy direction. "I'm Jason Haber. I'm the city's intergovernmental affairs director," he said, describing the program's reliance on professional partners and on-site department coordination.

The update matters to the Arts Commission because the citylegislative platform includes one explicit arts position and the cityhas sponsored bills and pursued grants that affect parks, public art and community services. Burkholder and Haber described a process that starts at the subcommittee, can move to full council when needed, and uses outside lobbyists and grant writers to reach state and federal decisionmakers.

Haber and Burkholder summarized recent city-sponsored legislation and priorities. In 2022through 2024, Carlsbad initiated concepts that led to bills signed into law covering lifeguard operations and workplace protections. Haber identified three city concepts pursued this year that gained traction but were not running as stand-alone bills; he said the city intends to pursue them again next session. He also noted the city signed off on eight bill proposals earlier in 2025 and continues to track a number of state measures relevant to arts and public works.

Commissioners asked about specific measures. Haber described SB456, a bill to "exempt muralists from" the contractor-licensing requirement that otherwise would apply to anyone performing building work valued above $500; the bill was reported as advancing to a third reading. Commissioners raised concerns about whether other public-art creators would be covered or remain subject to contractor licensing, and Haber said the city is in a watch position on the measure.

Burkholder and Haber also discussed recent city engagement in Sacramento and Washington, citing opponents they have testified against (Haber said he provided testimony against SB79, a housing bill) and city-sponsored items that became law, including an e-bike safety concept and an amendment enabling closed-session discussion of cybersecurity under a bill identified as AB2715. The pair described the legislative calendar: bills must clear the legislature by Sept. 12, the governor has 30 days to sign or veto, and new laws generally take effect in January.

Haber explained how the city sets funding priorities and pursues grants: staff align project lists to federal and state funding categories, meet with congressional and legislative offices to seek appropriations, and coordinate with agencies such as SANDAG and San Diego County. He noted Congressman Levin has recommended $1 million to study trenching the railroad tracks in the village.

The commission did not take an action on the presentation but asked questions about lobbying partners and the scope of the muralist exemption. Haber named the city's state and federal lobbyists and their grant-writing partner during the presentation.

Whathappens next: staff said projects and platform statements will be revisited after the session and the legislative subcommittee will bring any recommended position changes to the full council for adoption.