Carlsbad officials outline 2024 legislative priorities and raise concerns about AB 2560��

Jason Haber, the cityintergovernmental affairs director, and Councilmember Melanie Burkholder briefed the Carlsbad Housing Commission on May 9 on the citylegislative platform, recent advocacy and targeted funding efforts. They told commissioners the platform is rooted in City Council policy and a council resolution adopted in 2018 and that staff partners with Cal Cities, the National League of Cities and targeted lobbyists to press the cityinterests at the state and federal levels.

"We do a lot of advocacy for things that we want here in Carlsbad," Burkholder said, explaining the subcommitteework and the rationale for the city's legislative platform.

Haber walked the commission through the platformpriorities that affect planning and zoning, affordable and supportive housing, local inclusionary programs, RHNA formula concerns and homelessness services. He said the platform supports local control and fiscal responsibility while advocating for funding and policy changes the city views as necessary. He cited past city-sponsored successes including legislation to allow ocean lifeguards to work at city pools and changes to speed limits for lifeguard rescue vessels.

Haber also described the city's current 2024 interests, saying staff and council are tracking bills that could affect development fees, HCD oversight and RHNA expectations. He told the commission staff may write letters, provide testimony and meet with legislators and agency staff throughout the legislative cycle.

On a specific matter of local concern, Haber described a proposal referred to in the presentation as AB 2560 and said the bill would "clarify that state density-bonus law would apply in the coastal zone with the Coastal Act notwithstanding," effectively allowing density-bonus provisions to override conflicting Coastal Act provisions. "One thing that's of concern to the city is that . . . it means that we would have less control at the coastal level of the development that goes along the coast if that were to go through the process the way it's written right now," a commissioner said in response.

Commissioners asked staff to make presentation materials available earlier for review. Commissioner Chang asked if slides could be posted in advance so commissioners could provide feedback; staff said the legislative platform document is available on the city's website and that PowerPoints are often finalized very close to meeting time but that staff would work to make materials available when practicable.

Haber and Burkholder also reviewed funding wins and priorities: they said the city secured $350,000 in a state discretionary appropriation for EV charging and $850,000 through congressionally directed spending for a Safe Routes to Schools project. On shelter projects, staff said the La Posada expansion faces both a funding shortfall and regulatory agreements that must be resolved with HCD before construction can proceed.

Staff told the commission that HUD-related administrative changes to Housing Choice Voucher inspections will require updates to the administrative plan and that the commission should expect an item in a future meeting to address those changes.

Haber said staff will continue to track bills through the May house-of-origin deadlines and beyond and will bring priority items to the City Council as needed for formal positions or further action.