BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code Section 84308 Applies: Yes ? No ?
(If "YES" Complete Attachment A)
SUBJECT:
Title
Approve Amendments to the 2023 Legislative Policy Proposals and Guiding Principles. (PREVIOUSLY LISTED AS ITEM 3.5)
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Review and approve amendments to the 2023 Legislative Policy Proposals and Guiding Principles.
Body
SUMMARY:
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 Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) and the residents of Santa Clara County, in alignment with the Board's legislative priorities. The Valley Water Board (Board) annually reviews and adopts legislative policy proposals and legislative guiding principles that form the foundation for Valley Water's advocacy efforts.
The 2023 Legislative Proposals and Guiding Principles were adopted by the Board on December 13, 2022. During that Board meeting, there was a discussion of adding three additional guiding principles. In response, staff proposes to delete one existing guiding principle and add three more as follows:
1. On Page 2 of the guiding principles, under B. Water Quality, delete Item 1 to merge it with a new principle under D. General Water Policy and Reliability, Item 5, regarding fossil fuel consumption:
Delete: 1. Support efforts to place a moratorium on fracking and all related legislative bills.
Replace with: 5. Support efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions, including opposing fracking or any expansion of oil and gas production.
2. On Page 3 of the guiding principles, under A. Waterway and Ecosystem Protection, add Items 7 and 8.
7. Support the expansion of transitional and permanent housing for unhoused people.
8. Support improvements to behavioral health services provided to unhoused people.
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