San Francisco supervisors grant mayor expanded emergency powers to tackle fentanyl, homelessness

On Jan. 28, 2025, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance amending the administrative code to give the mayor temporary authorities intended to speed procurement, hiring and service delivery aimed at homelessness, drug use and mental-health crises. The board voted 10–1 to pass the measure as amended; Supervisor Shimon Walton cast the lone no vote.

The ordinance, introduced from the budget committee, allows the executive branch to use expedited contracting and to accept certain non-governmental donations tied to the city's "core initiatives," subject to new limits. Supervisor Chan, the budget committee chair, told colleagues the amendments include a $10,000,000 cap on non-government donations tied to the core initiatives, clarifications about how the measure is published by the Clerk of the Board, and a narrowed scope and deadline for the temporary waiver of the city's behested payments policies. "We are limiting at $10,000,000," Chan said while outlining the changes.

Supervisor Jackie Fielder, a co-sponsor, said she would vote in support but stressed the…