Federal and state lobbyists brief Carlsbad on budget timelines; two city projects placed on congressman’s appropriations list

City contract lobbyists updated the Carlsbad legislative subcommittee on both federal and state developments that could affect local projects and budgets.

Federal update: Laura Morgan Kessler (federal lobbyist) reported that Congress has temporarily funded the Department of Homeland Security and that members are working on fiscal-year 2027 appropriations. Notably, she said Congressman Levin included two Carlsbad projects on his list submitted to House appropriations: Sage Creek High School Safe Routes to School and the Carlsbad water recycling facility membrane project. "Congressman Levin included both of the city's projects on his list," she said, noting this inclusion is an important first step in a competitive process.

She also summarized two federal bills the city should watch: a federal e-bike safety/standards bill (informational item) and the American Broadband Deployment Act (HR 2289), which staff recommended opposing because it would create enforceable shot clocks, limit fee recovery and preempt some local land-use and environmental review.

State update: Sharon Gonzales (California Public Policy Group) reviewed the Governor's upcoming May revise, suspense-file thresholds in Assembly and Senate appropriations committees, and a long list of bills affecting housing, data centers, emergency response, ALPR retention and other areas. She flagged city-sponsored bills that have moved to the Senate and emphasized many items will remain on suspense pending fiscal review, recommending the subcommittee defer final positions until June when amendments and fiscal analyses are clearer.

Why it matters: The appropriations-list inclusions do not guarantee funding but position the projects for congressional consideration. The subcommittee discussed whether to weigh in on federal e-bike rules and agreed staff would return with a recommendation in June. State-level suspense-file timing means many bills are unstable until appropriation committees act.

Next steps: Staff and lobbyists will return to the June meeting with recommendations on which federal and state bills Carlsbad should formally support, oppose, or monitor, and will report back on any actions required to support the two federal project submissions.