BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Santa Clara Valley Water District Government Relations Program Update and Legislative Outlook.
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RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
A. Receive information on the 2019 Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) government relations advocacy and stakeholder engagement program; and
B. Provide input on current and future challenges, goals, and accomplishments since the last presentation to the Board of Directors.
Body
SUMMARY:
On an annual basis, staff has presented the Board with updates on Valley Water's government relations advocacy and stakeholder engagement program. The last update was presented on January 22, 2019.
BACKGROUND
The Office of Government Relations advocates at the local, regional, state, and federal levels to promote the water supply, flood protection, revenue enhancement, and environmental stewardship interests of Valley Water and the residents of Santa Clara County, in alignment with the Board's legislative priorities. Consequently, Valley Water's government relations program cultivates strategic relationships with a variety of policymaking bodies and advocacy stakeholders, including elected officials, regulatory agencies, administrative agencies, and key advocacy groups. In addition, every October the Board reviews and adopts legislative policy proposals and legislative guiding principles that form the foundation for Valley Water's advocacy efforts. The 2020 Legislative Guiding Principles and Policy Proposals adopted by the Board in October 2019 are included as Attachment 1.
FEDERAL ADVOCACY AND STAKEHOLDER EFFORTS
The federal government operates on a long-term horizon, with bills introduced in one two-year congressional session and, if not enacted into law, requiring reintroduction in future sessions. Efforts at the federal level involve direct engagement and ongoing communication with Congress and executive agencies on legislative and regulatory matters affecting Valley Water's projec...
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