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Carlsbad outlines legislative platform, seeks state and federal funding for EV charging and shoreline projects
Summary
Council Member Teresa Acosta and Intergovernmental Affairs Director Jason Haber briefed the commission on the city's legislative program, recent city-sponsored bills and this year's funding requests, including EV charging, South Carlsbad Boulevard climate studies, water-recycling improvements and shoreline preservation funding.
Council Member Teresa Acosta and Jason Haber, the city's intergovernmental affairs director, told the Carlsbad Environmental Sustainability Commission that the city's legislative program is built around three guiding principles: preserve local control, maintain fiscal responsibility and protect quality of life.
Acosta, who represents District 4 and serves on the council's legislative subcommittee, described a program that uses staff, contract lobbyists and a contract grant writer housed in the city manager's office to identify bill opportunities and pursue funding. She said the subcommittee meets monthly and that the council annually approves a legislative platform that guides the city's positions and requests.
"We really want to make sure Carlsbad's position is known and that we are able to influence the outcome that we want on behalf of Carlsbad," Acosta said.
Haber walked commissioners through the legislative calendar and recent city-sponsored measures, noting the city has sponsored bills on lifeguard operations, workplace-harassment restraining orders, local exceptions related to cybersecurity and an ebike restriction for young riders. He highlighted three bills from last year as examples: AB 130 (procedural provisions tied to a budget trailer and certain CEQA changes), AB 131 (streamlining procedures for some housing and wildfire risk projects) and AB 35 (a proposed mechanism to distribute bond funds for climate and wildfire preparedness). Haber described how the platform and department input shape what the city asks the legislature or agencies to fund.
Commissioners pressed for details on likely funding sources and grant programs for the projects listed in the city's funding request. Haber said staff and the contract grant writer screen competitive opportunities from a variety of state and federal grant programs and work with departments to prepare submissions. Acosta warned the state budget outlook is constrained and said the city must focus on pots of money already allocated.
Commissioners also asked about coastal issues. Haber said the city maintains a standing position opposing new offshore oil and gas leasing and that the city engages with regional partners, the League of California Cities and National League of Cities on coastal and environmental positions. He added the legislative subcommittee posts monthly bill lists and support/opposition letters on the city website for transparency and public review.
A member of the public, Diane Nygaard of Preserve Calavera, told the commission she remains concerned the commission's draft work plan is too generic and urged a more proactive approach to open-space work.
No formal action or vote occurred; staff said the legislative-subcommittee packet and support/opposition letters are available online and the subcommittee typically meets on the second Tuesday of each month.
