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Carlsbad council members and staff outline legislative agenda, sponsorship record
Summary
City Council legislative-subcommittee members and staff briefed the commission on Carlsbad's intergovernmental affairs program, its legislative platform and recent bill sponsorships, and urged commissioners to flag local issues that align with the platform for state and federal advocacy.
Carlsbad City Council legislative-subcommittee member Melanie Burkholder and Intergovernmental Affairs Director Jason Haber presented the city's legislative program and priorities to the Public Safety Commission, emphasizing the role of a formal legislative platform and partnerships with professional associations and lobbyists.
"The purpose of today's presentation is just to explain that to you," Council Member Melanie Burkholder said, describing the subcommittee's role in deciding whether the city will support, oppose or sponsor legislation. Haber said the program was framed by City Council Policy 39 (adopted 2019) and a resolution establishing a council legislative subcommittee that enables more active engagement at state and federal levels.
Haber outlined the mechanics of the state legislative calendar, explaining bills proceed through policy committees, a budget session and floor votes before reaching the governor. He described routine coordination with the League of California Cities, the National League of Cities and contracted state and federal lobbyists who help the city monitor legislation and prepare letters, testimony and potential sponsorships.
Burkholder cited several recent local sponsorships and positions the subcommittee advanced, including state changes that let ocean lifeguards work at pools (AB 1672), a lifeguard rescue vessel speed-limit change (AB 1682), and workforce-related measures (SB 428). She also noted ongoing local support for e-bike training and age-minimum rules (AB 2234) and for a proposed Brown Act exception tied to cybersecurity discussions (AB 2715).
Commissioners pressed on how Carlsbad compares with peer cities (Haber said the council's 2019 resourcing made Carlsbad more active in sponsorship than most neighboring cities), the subcommittee's cadence (monthly), and how commissions and departments can surface issues. Haber said each year they hold one-on-one meetings with departments and lobbyists and that commissions should forward local concerns so staff can consider them for the legislative platform.
The subcommittee emphasized alignment with the city's strategic priorities (community character, safety, sustainability and organizational excellence) when choosing bills to watch, support or oppose. The session concluded with commissioners encouraged to use the legislative-subcommittee web page, where advocacy letters and position statements are posted, to track the city's activity.
