REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Annual Review of New Legislation Including Discussion and Potential Action to Identify 2026 Priority Advocacy Issues and Long-Term Legislative Advocacy Positions (LAPs)
Report
BACKGROUND
The City of Sunnyvale's Intergovernmental Relations Program enables timely and effective advocacy of City interests on pending legislation and issues that significantly impact City operations. To support these efforts, the City contracted with Townsend Public Affairs (TPA) in 2025 as a strategic partner and extension of City staff by monitoring priority legislation, developing tailored advocacy agendas, engaging with state and federal policymakers, and assisting with the pursuit of competitive public funding for community priorities.
The City may initiate advocacy based on any existing City policy. Each year, the City Council adopts a targeted advocacy platform that identifies the City's priority legislative advocacy issues for the year, as well as the City's long-term Legislative Advocacy Positions (LAPs), which are contained within each chapter of the Council Policy Manual. Long-term LAPs do not require annual Council adoption; however, any amendments to those positions must be approved by the City Council. Additional sources of City policy include the City Charter, Municipal Code, General Plan elements, and the Council Policy Manual.
This report provides the City Council with the opportunity to review the proposed 2026 Priority Advocacy Issues, the City's long-term LAPs, and new laws enacted during the 2025 calendar year that have a substantive service or operational impact on the City of Sunnyvale.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.4.14, Legislative Advocacy Positions
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a "project" within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378 (a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in t...
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