Del Norte supervisors authorize letter supporting coastal act legislation on farmworker housing

The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize the chair to sign a letter of support and cosponsorship for draft coastal act legislation addressing farmworker housing in coastal agricultural areas.

Supervisor Howard briefed the board on the proposal, noting Marin County authored the draft and that most coastal counties had supported the language. Howard said the United Farm Workers has raised objections unless the bill explicitly excludes H-2A visa workers from the housing; Howard and others said the language as drafted does not include such a restriction and that counties have generally supported the current draft.

A board member said communication with state representatives is valuable even if the bill is not perfect, and another member emphasized the importance of clarifying the county's position. After discussion, the board moved and unanimously approved authorizing the chair to send the letter in support.

What's next: Staff will transmit the letter to the county's state-level contacts; movement in the current legislative session is uncertain, and the board's action was framed as a statement of position rather than adoption of specific legislative text.