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Home My Public Portal About01-17-24 Agenda Item 8bITEM NO. 8b 3 ORIGINATING SECTION: Office of the General Manager CONTACT: Carol Mahoney/Valerie Pryor AGENDA DATE: January 17, 2024 SUBJECT: Adopt Revised Legislative Framework SUMMARY: The Legislative Framework was first adopted by the Board in December 2021 and acts to guide to the Board, Legislative Committee, and staff on matters pertaining to Agency interests with respect to federal, state, and local government legislative actions. The Legislative Framework was reviewed and discussed by the Legislative Committee on December 12, 2023. No changes were recommended to the body of the document; however, to conform with the legislative positions used by the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), a position of “Not Favor Unless Amended” was added to the list of potential legislative positions the Board could consider. The Committee recommends that the Zone 7 Board of Directors accept this addition and adopt the attached Legislative Framework, as revised. This action supports Strategic Plan, Goal F – Stakeholder Engagement, engage our stakeholders to foster understanding of their needs, the Agency, and its function; and fulfills Goal G - Fiscal Responsibility, Initiative No. 23 – Track State and Federal funding opportunities. FUNDING: N/A RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt the attached resolution. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Resolution 2. Legislative Framework (Revised Draft) ZONE 7 ALAMEDA COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS RESOLUTION NO. 24- INTRODUCED BY DIRECTOR SECONDED BY DIRECTOR Adopt Revised Legislative Framework WHEREAS, the Board created a Legislative Committee to review and recommend positions on key legislative actions; and WHEREAS, the adoption of a legislative framework supports Strategic Plan, Goal F – Stakeholder Engagement, engage our stakeholders to foster understanding of their needs, the Agency, and its function; and Goal G - Fiscal Responsibility, Initiative No. 23 – Track State and Federal funding opportunities; and WHEREAS, to provide a roadmap in supporting the goals of the Strategic Plan and to guide the Board, Legislative Committee, and staff on matters pertaining to Agency interests with respect to federal, state, and local government legislative actions, the Legislative Framework was initially adopted on December 15, 2021; and WHEREAS, the Legislative Committee plans to review, and update as needed, the Legislative Framework annually. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Zone 7 Board of Directors of the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District does hereby adopt the attached Legislative Framework, as revised. ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: I certify that the foregoing is a correct copy of a Resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of Zone 7 of the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District on January 17, 2024. By: President, Board of Directors ZONE 7 WATER AGENCY Legislative Framework DRAFT 2024 Water Supply and Treatment Water Quality Flood Protection Stormwater Runoff Groundwater Management Water Storage Page 2 Page 3 GUIDING PRINCIPLES The guiding principles represent the Agency’s adopted policies and plans and frames the Agency’s legislative interests with respect to the Agency’s mission, vision, and values. Recurring planning efforts for which legislative action may be monitored for impacts to the Agency include updates to capital improvement plans, water supply plans (i.e., Urban Water Management Plan, Groundwater Sustainability Plan, Water Supply Evaluation), flood management plans, and fiscal plans and budgets. GOALS FOCUS AREAS The following Focus Areas identify potential areas of legislative interest based on the Agency’s Strategic Planning Priorities and Mission. 1. Water Supply, Conservation, and Source Water a. The Agency supports legislation and policies that protect or enhance Zone 7’s ability to fulfill our Mission to deliver safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable water services; and b. The Agency supports legislation and policies that align with and further the Goals and Initiatives of our 5-Year Strategic Plan as they relate to water supply, conservation, or source water matters. The Agency’s legislative interests:Advocate •State •Region •Federal Levels Provide information to:Inform •Legislators, Board of Directors, and staff on the legislative process and key issues and legislation that could have an impact on the Agency Actively participate with:Serve •Other water districts, the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), California Special Districts Association (CSDA), and regional agencies on legislative/regulatory issues that are important to the Agency Page 4 FOCUS AREAS (Continued) 2. Water Quality and Treatment a. The Agency supports legislation and policies that further science-based and evidence-driven water quality standards and treatment methods; and b. The Agency supports exploring funding opportunities that further treatment methodologies, facilities, and standards. 3. Flood Protection and Stormwater a. The Agency supports legislation and policies that protect or enhance Zone 7’s ability to fulfill our Mission to deliver safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable flood protection services; and b. The Agency supports legislation and policies that align with and further the Goals and Initiatives of our 5-Year Strategic Plan as they relate to flood protection and stormwater matters. 4. Environmental Regulations and Related Climate Impacts a. The Agency supports legislation and policies that align with and further the Agency’s ability to fulfill our Mission and meet the Goals and Initiatives of our 5- Year Strategic Plan. 5. Fiscal Matters Impacting Water, Flood, or Special Districts a. The Agency supports legislation and policies that protect existing federal, state, and local funding sources that provide revenues to Zone 7; and b. The Agency supports exploring funding opportunities that further our Mission. 6. Energy Matters Impacting Water, Flood, or Special Districts a. The Agency supports legislation and policies that align with and further Agency’s ability to fulfill our Mission and meet the Goals and Initiatives of our 5-Year Strategic Plan, including the implementation of cost-effective energy projects and programs to optimize Zone 7’s energy use portfolio, energy resiliency, and carbon footprint. Page 5 STRATEGIES Communication: Communicate legislative positions on proposed federal, state, county and local legislation, measures, initiatives, and governmental regulations. Advocate, as directed, and Seek Funding: PROCESS The Legislative Committee of the Zone 7 Board of Directors will meet regularly to review and discuss pending and/or potential legislation. The Committee will also review proposed regulatory actions and forward a recommendation to the Board for consideration and adoption. Once a determination has been made, if appropriate, a letter outlining the Agency’s position will be drafted for the Board President or General Manager’s signature. A copy of all legislative letters will be distributed to the Board of Directors. • Work with legislative advocates to develop positions on proposed legislative measures • Review positions and analysis by the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), California Special Districts Association (CSDA), and others in formulating Agency’s position • The Agency will only take positions on proposals that clearly impact our Agency or state water policy • Actively track key bills through the legislative process • Communicate the Agency’s position through correspondence, testimony, and meetings • Meet with legislators and their representatives on a regular basis to discuss issues, proposed legislation, and Agency services • Seek federal, state, regional, and county funding for Agency projects. • Advocate and request letters of support for Agency projects and grant applications Page 6 POSITIONS Options for positions are identified below: • Support (S) — Agency actively supports the proposed legislation. • Support if Amended (S/A) — Agency will actively support the proposed legislation, if it is amended to address specific shortcomings identified by the Agency. • Favor (F) —Agency will join with other organizations in support but will not engage actively in advocacy for the measure. • Favor, if Amended (F/A) — Agency will join with other organizations in support, if legislation is amended to address specific shortcomings identified by the Agency, but will not engage actively in advocacy for the measure. • Watch (W) — Measures or general issues have not been sufficiently defined for a formal position. • Not Favor (NF) — Agency will join with other organizations in opposition, but will not engage actively in advocacy against the measure. • (NEW) Not Favor Unless Amended (NF/A) – Agency will join with other organizations in opposition, unless the legislation is amended to address shortcomings identified by the Agency, but will not engage actively in advocacy against the measure. • Oppose Unless Amended (O/A) — Agency will actively oppose the proposed legislation unless it is amended to address specific shortcomings. • Oppose (O) — Agency actively opposes the proposed legislation.