Council refines 2026 legislative policy statement; debates ADA, drug language, sustainability and presumptive coverage
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Staff presented a draft 2026 legislative policy statement and councilors recommended additions and edits: ADA-accessibility language, amended wording on illicit drugs (focusing on distribution rather than possession), new sustainability items (point-source pollution, noise/light), and concern about presumptive workers' compensation laws that may raise premiums and litigation.
Staff presented a draft 2026 legislative policy statement and walked council through highlighted, council-proposed edits. The council moved through the document by section and took quick polls on several proposed additions.
Councilor Johnson proposed adding language that the city "supports and advocates for legislation that promotes an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible community, including accessible businesses." Several councilors supported the addition and staff noted it would help guide state engagement.
On public-safety language related to illicit drugs, councilors debated replacing "opposes legislation that minimizes the accountability of possession" with wording focused on accountability for distribution. Councilors argued that enforcement and treatment must balance public safety and social-service approaches; the council ultimately revised the language to emphasize holding distributors accountable while supporting an integrated enforcement-and-treatment approach.
Sustainability language was expanded to support accountability for point-source pollution and to recommend measures that reduce noise and light pollution; some councilors suggested state incentives to help municipalities implement standards. Councilors also discussed opposing any state action that would weaken current water-quality standards.
On workers' compensation, human resources risk manager Martie Erickson described the state's firefighter cancer presumptive law and its subsequent cost and insurance impacts; staff recommended caution on presumptive-coverage language. Councilors agreed to language opposing presumptive-eligibility provisions that would raise insurance premiums or litigation exposure without offsetting supports.
Staff said they will incorporate council edits and return the policy statement for adoption by resolution next week. Council also asked staff to research a state bill affecting caucus organizers and possible legal exposure.
What's next: Staff will revise the policy statement to reflect council direction and return it for adoption; staff will also investigate caucus litigation concerns and provide an agenda memo with recommended language if desired.