Berkeley delays final vote on 2026 state and federal legislative platform to allow consolidation of proposed amendments

Mayor Adina Ishii presented the city's proposed 2026 state and federal legislative priorities and invited council amendments. Councilmembers proposed a range of additions spanning student homelessness assistance, local regulation of autonomous vehicles, support for public-bank exploration, fire-hardening incentives including state income-tax credits, condo construction-defect liability reform, protection of gender-affirming care access, and expanded distributed-energy resources support.

City lobbyist Niccolo DeLuca provided an overview of Sacramento and Washington activity, noting bill-introduction deadlines and trends such as fire-safety and affordability bills. DeLuca answered members' questions about what the legislature appears likely to advance and flagged the timing of budget and bond opportunities.

Multiple councilmembers asked that their proposed language be circulated in writing. Members of Berkeley's Housing Advisory Commission and other public speakers urged specific edits to the housing section; the clerk and mayor observed discrepancies between the proposed on-dais text and packet material. To ensure transparency and that councilmembers and the public have time to review a single, consistent draft, the mayor put forward — and the council approved — a motion to continue the item to March 10 so staff can consolidate and publish the amendments as a supplemental packet.

Next steps: councilmembers will submit their proposed language to the clerk for compilation; staff and the city's lobbyist will publish a consolidated packet in advance of the March 10 meeting for council consideration and final action.