Kern County updates Administrative Bulletin 16 to clarify legislative‑position process

The Kern County Board of Supervisors approved amendments to Administrative Bulletin 16 that formalize how the county takes positions on state and federal legislation, staff said.

Thomas Brown, chief legislative and intergovernmental affairs officer, told the board the bulletin clarifies three paths for issuing official county position letters: (1) a CAO request to the chair when a proposed position aligns with the legislative platform (the chair may sign after a 24‑hour objection window to other board members); (2) referral to the Legislative Program Committee (LPC) when an item is not covered by the legislative platform; and (3) direct placement on a full‑board agenda when time is too short for LPC review or when board members request fuller discussion.

The amendments also formalize that the chair may delegate signature authority to the vice chair for time‑sensitive items and that individual supervisors may issue district letters using district letterhead that clearly state the views are personal and not the board’s. Brown said the changes are intended to increase transparency about how legislative positions are evaluated and approved.

Board members discussed public posting and distribution practices. Supervisor Peters asked where letters of support or opposition are posted; Brown said position letters are posted to the County Administrative Office (CAO) website. Supervisor Couch asked whether staff has a distribution list for notifying external partners; Brown said distribution is handled on a case‑by‑case basis but offered to develop a standard list.

The board voted to approve the amendments and authorized staff to post the updated bulletin to the county’s website.