Walnut Creek adopts 2026 state legislative agenda after presentation and amendments
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Summary
Townsend Public Affairs presented Walnut Creek's proposed 2026 state legislative agenda and the council approved it with amendments to transportation, sustainability and utility-data sections. Council discussion covered CEQA, Prop 36 funding, pilot programs, e-bike legislation and impact-fee advocacy.
Walnut Creek's City Council on Tuesday approved its 2026 state legislative agenda after a presentation from Townsend Public Affairs and staff-proposed amendments.
Casey Elliott of Townsend Public Affairs summarized 2025 legislative activity and highlighted priorities for 2026, including housing, CEQA streamlining and adjustments to cap-and-invest spending rules. Elliott said transportation safety — including e-bike legislation — and increased access to utility energy data were among items the city sought to address. Joe Carrozza, assistant to the city manager, described smaller edits that were added at the dais, including renaming "cap and trade" language to "cap and invest" and inserting support language for MCE (formerly Marin Clean Energy) priorities that protect community-choice aggregation authorities.
Council members asked about pilot programs for traffic and enforcement technologies; Elliott said the legislature typically specifies pilot participants rather than creating an open application process and that successful local pilots are often later expanded. On Prop 36 funding, Elliott said legislative leaders are more supportive of full funding than the administration; the May revise was identified as a likely negotiation point.
Council moved to approve the legislative agenda inclusive of the amendments presented and carried the motion by roll call. Staff and Townsend Public Affairs will use the approved platform for state advocacy and to prepare talking points for upcoming legislative outreach.
