Budget Committee for San Francisco advances language-access ordinance, flags staffing needs

The Budget and Appropriation Committee on May 22 forwarded an ordinance to the full Board that would amend San Francisco's Administrative Code to expand language-access services across city departments and lower the threshold for qualifying languages to 6,000 limited-English-proficient residents.

The ordinance, read into the record as Item 1, would clarify departmental responsibilities, require translations of signage and digital content, rename the annual compliance plan to an annual compliance report, create a complaint-and-investigation reporting process and require the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs (OSEA) to post investigation summaries online. The measure would also remove a financial-disclosure requirement for an Immigrant Rights Commission member.

Supporters said the changes close gaps in service. "We actually did address these changes in Rules Committee and are really excited about the opportunity to do everything we can to provide language access for more communities in San Francisco," Supervisor Walton said during opening remarks. OSEA policy staff Jorge Rivas outlined the office's current capacity — three language specialists, one assistant and supervisory positions — and said the amendments will increase training, complaint-processing and investigative duties.

Dan Goncher of the Budget and Legislative Analyst's (BLA) office provided the fiscal estimate: the BLA projects roughly $730,000 in new translation costs in calendar year 2025 and about $1,695,000 in 2026, and reported that OSEA identified four position reclassifications and three new staff with an estimated cost of about $600,000 beginning in FY 2024–25.

Public commenters representing immigrant communities urged the committee to approve the changes and to prioritize language access despite a tight budget year. The committee voted to forward the ordinance with a positive recommendation; the roll call recorded four ayes with Supervisor Peskin excused.

The ordinance now moves to the full Board for final action and any budgetary adjustments needed to fund the additional positions and translation work.