Carlsbad councilmember and intergovernmental affairs director outline legislative platform, recent bills and funding wins

Councilmember Teresa Acosta and Jason Haber, Carlsbad's intergovernmental affairs director, briefed the Library Board on the city's intergovernmental affairs program and legislative platform, explaining how the legislative subcommittee recommends positions and how the city pursues state and federal funding.

Acosta said the subcommittee meets monthly and that the city adopts a legislative platform that allows staff and council to take positions on pending legislation. Haber described the process for monitoring thousands of bills each year, working with the League of California Cities and the National League of Cities, and engaging legislators and state agencies.

Haber highlighted recent local bill sponsorships and policy wins: in prior years the city sponsored bills to allow certain lifeguard certification reciprocity and a lifeguard rescue vessel bill, and the city worked with state legislators on an employee harassment bill that passed. He noted two bills of interest in the library space: SB 321 from last year and AB 1825, which "is currently going through the process" and, Haber said, "was heard yesterday in committee and passed unanimously."

Haber also summarized recent funding secured for Carlsbad: Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (transcribed as "Burner") secured $350,000 for EV charging infrastructure on State Street and Congressman Mike Levin helped secure $850,000 for the city's Safe Routes to School program.

Board members asked whether the bills the city sponsors are always city-generated; Acosta and Haber responded that bill ideas are typically generated by city departments after internal staff engagement, and the legislative subcommittee or full council can refer items for positions when needed. No formal council action was taken at this meeting; the presentation was informational and trustees were invited to stay in touch with staff.