2025 Legislative Platform

The Legislative Platform embodies the Board of Supervisors’ direction on Federal, State, and other intergovernmental legislative matters. The purpose of having an annual adopted Platform is: (1) to provide an overview of the Board’s policy priorities; and (2) to provide County Staff with the authority to act quickly on time-sensitive matters – in alignment with the Platform – that arise throughout the year. Items are numbered for reference purposes only, and do not reflect a priority ranking.

I. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

1. Race Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. Support efforts to ensure an equity approach toward policy, legislation, and administration of public programs that is anti-racist and acknowledges community members affected by systemic inequities built into government systems, including racism; sexism; ageism; ableism; and ethnic, gender, immigration status, and socio-economic-based discrimination. Public policy should seek to address imbalances to enhance inclusion and equity with meaningful analysis of impacts, including what constituencies are benefitted or burdened, as well as acknowledge the intersectionality of forms of prejudice with racism. Support community-level education, workshops and trainings.
2. Addressing Ageism and Ableism. Support efforts that acknowledge and work to root out explicit or implicit ageism and ableism, including increased education to combat stigmas, support intergenerational connections, and funding for age- and disability-friendly improvements to community physical and social infrastructures, and economic security, including employment opportunities.
3. Honoring Indigenous Peoples. Support policies that honor the sovereignty of our local tribes, including ensuring access to cultural sites and initiatives that promote education about the history of Indigenous peoples in Marin County for all residents and visitors. Continue engagement with representatives from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, the Coast Miwok, and Southern Pomo on policy matters related to land use and historical preservation. Support educational, economic, housing, health and social services that target those with Indigenous ancestry and acknowledge the lasting trauma from centuries of land theft and genocide of Indigenous peoples.
4. Immigration. Support a pathway to full and equal citizenship, including protection of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program; the rights of immigrants, including birthright citizenship; and keeping families together. Oppose federal enforcement actions targeting immigrant residents that lead to family separations and removal of long-time community members – recognizing the vital contributions of immigrants to the cultural, social and economic fabric of Marin County. Support eligibility of social services (Medi-Cal, food stamps, housing vouchers, unemployment, disability benefits, etc.) to residents regardless of immigration status. Support funding for legal services to immigrants regardless of status and explore all-resident voting in local elections. Oppose federal efforts to penalize states or local jurisdictions that have sanctuary policies in place, such as withholding federal funding.

Support state efforts to implement and expand programs that provide essential services to undocumented residents and their families, including enabling undocumented residents access to drivers’ licenses and assistance navigating naturalization processes. State and local funding should be directed to community-based organizations most trusted by immigrant communities.  

II. Affordable Housing and Homelessness

A. Housing and Land Use

1. Housing Production. Support state and federal assistance to finance new affordable and accessible housing construction (including tax credits), and ongoing operating subsidies needed to serve extremely low-income households. Under the Regional Housing Need Allocations (RHNA) process, unincorporated Marin has been assigned 3,569 units, which represents 25% of the 14,405 units allocated to Marin including its 11 cities and towns. Marin’s Housing Element identifies possible sites for more than 5,200 possible residences to ensure goals are met. In addition to affordability, support changes to tax credit and funding programs that broadly address the accessibility gap.
   1. Support policies to enable the conversion of single-family homes to multi-family duplexes, triplexes, and to add new Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s), such as property tax waivers for homeowners who build and rent ADU’s affordably and funding programs for accessible modifications (including to family members who may be living with disabilities or providing caretaker support). Explore mechanisms to ensure that new ADU’s and Junior ADU’s constructed are livable spaces that are rented and add to Marin’s housing stock.
   2. Support affordable housing for low-income residents, including workforce housing, and for older adults and people living with disabilities (including accessibly designed housing). Resolve “over-housing” issues by creating smaller, affordable units so that older adults have options to resize and remain in their community, thereby freeing up housing for new families.  
   3. Support efforts to use surplus publicly owned lands – by the state, county, schools or local agencies – to create affordable housing, including new construction and opportunities for mobile home communities. Support initiatives to advance school employee housing projects by: 1) enhancing spending flexibility of school district-collected fees to include planning and development for housing projects; and 2) expanding state and local technical assistance to school districts.
   4. Support funding and policies to address substandard housing, especially in rural, coastal, and agricultural areas, to bring existing units up to health and safety standards and/or provide relocation assistance to affected residents. Policies must recognize the prevalence of substandard housing, prioritize preventing displacement, and emphasize the need for flexibility and quick action in implementing solutions.
   5. Support state legislation that recognizes that some areas, due to geography, climate change, and ingress/egress accessibility are not safe to expand new development into. This includes high-fire risk zones in Marin’s Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), and low-lying areas anticipated to be at significant, regular flooding risk with sea level rise projections.
   6. Support efforts to increase Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) availability for development projects in Marin, recognizing that while Marin is currently part of CTCAC’s Northern California Region (Butte, Napa, Shasta, Solano and Sonoma counties), due to its proximity to San Francisco, Alameda and Contra Costa counties, Marin’s affordable housing needs mirror the acute shortages in those high-cost urban centers.  
   7. Support homeownership opportunities for historically marginalized and disadvantaged residents. While increasing the availability of all types of housing, including new rental units, is much-needed, state investments in housing production should prioritize reinvesting profits from homebuilding back into local communities and residents versus disproportionately benefiting for-profit developers. Promoting property ownership builds intergenerational wealth, ensures lasting security, and meaningfully lifts families out of poverty.
   8. Support “build local” efforts that strengthen Marin’s local economy by prioritizing the use of local contractors, employing local workers, and on-site construction and assembly in housing and development projects that benefit from public funds and subsidies.  
2. Housing Preservation. Support efforts to preserve and rehabilitate existing affordable and accessible housing units and prevent displacement and gentrification by allowing conversion of existing naturally occurring affordable housing to count towards the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) and the Annual Progress Report (APR) when a local government provides committed resources.
   1. Support rent subsidy programs to leverage more affordable housing options, and simplify the tax credit, voucher and renewal process. Support efforts to increase program funding available for accessibility modifications for affordable units, including tax credits.
   2. Expand property tax postponement for low-income homeowners to include floating, mobile, and manufactured homes.
   3. Support policies that support and incentivize small-scale landlords that rent housing stock to low- and moderate- income tenants, and provide for accessibility improvements to units.
   4. Support efforts to regulate short-term rental housing and/or fractional home ownership, including Airbnb/VRBO and Pacaso, for impacts to the housing stock.
   5. Support work with federal partners for needed capital improvements and ensure tenant protections for those living in public housing, including the 650 residents of Golden Gate Village in Marin City.
   6. Enhance capacity for public-private partnerships between local government and CBOs like Community Land Trusts as a strategy for housing preservation.
3. Displacement Prevention. Support expanding legal assistance to vulnerable renters facing unlawful evictions as an upstream diversion from homelessness and precarious housing.

4. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing. Support continued and expanded funding for affordable and accessible housing developments in high resource areas and areas of concentrated affluence to provide housing choice for lower income households, including state Housing and Community Development funding formulas. Support retained community input and involvement in development decisions, especially in areas historically underrepresented in public processes. Ensure that laws designed to streamline construction of housing with low- and moderate-income units result in geographically equitable distribution of new development especially in high resource areas and racially concentrated areas of affluence, and do not disproportionately impact underserved, lower-resourced neighborhoods.

   Monitor updates to state laws related to developer incentives and support efforts to clarify definitions of “low-income” and “transit-oriented development” to ensure related incentives and bonuses for development align with community realities and needs, especially historically disadvantaged communities. A one-size-fits-all approach to density bonuses, parking requirements, etc. does not recognize important differences between transit in urban cores vs. suburban neighborhoods. Support efforts to improve the definition of “affordable” housing by using the Median Income of the census tract of the development or other more localized indices, rather than the countywide Area Median Income (AMI). Additionally, funding must be increased to align with any lower median income to ensure development is feasible.

5. Coordination of planning requirements and resources. Support efforts that maximize the efficiency of local resources invested into planning efforts and reducing redundancies by creating opportunities for regional collaboration and economies of scale in meeting state requirements. The current cycle of fragmented, siloed and perpetual planning updates across jurisdictions and fragments local resources and limits the ability of staff to dedicate resources to effectively advance housing production and development outside the planning process. Coordinated planning efforts and incentives to do so should also reflect consideration of impacts of all development planned in an area, across city and county boundaries.
6. Cost Recovery for Related Infrastructure. While there will be appropriate opportunities to waive fees and lower development costs for new affordable housing production, support maintaining the ability for local governments and utilities to charge fair share impact fees to market-rate development for related infrastructure. Housing developments require public infrastructure improvements related to surrounding roads, traffic, and utilities – and use of local services including parks, libraries, law enforcement and others. Support more state funding for infrastructure costs associated with all new housing development; including recycled water, schools, new roads, utilities (including onsite septic improvements in rural areas) and expanded multimodal transportation.
7. Property Tax, Land Use Revenue Impacts. Work to ensure that any state laws regarding property tax exemptions and related land development policies balance local housing needs with possible impacts on public services resulting from assessment roll and property tax revenue reductions.
8. Housing, Land Use and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Work to ensure that any state efforts to develop housing appropriately balances housing needs with environmental concerns, including for climate-related hazards for vulnerable communities and appropriate CEQA review. Protect local regulation of housing and land use issues.
9. Coastal Housing. Work with the Coastal Commission agency to reconcile the Coastal Act with new Housing Element laws and requirements. Support policies and allowances that acknowledge the urgent need to address substandard housing in the Coastal Zone, including limiting appeals for affordable housing development that is intended to address these hazardous living conditions.
10. Water Conservation and Drought Resilience. Support funding to expand reclaimed water infrastructure to ensure water supply is not a barrier to new housing production. Support efforts to reduce non-essential drinking water use and expand the availability of reclaimed water (e.g., “purple pipes”) – especially at the County’s largest water-using sites. Support efforts to enhance the resiliency of Marin’s drinking water infrastructure, and multi-jurisdictional efforts to expand storage and/or supply to West Marin to address rural water shortages and provide assistance to farmers and ranchers.
11. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS). Support funding for community wastewater systems that would expand housing options in areas without sanitary sewer services. Support funding for property owners to repair, replace or augment onsite wastewater treatment systems to accommodate added density. Support regulatory changes at the State Water Resources Control Board to increase flexibility and options in OWTS standards to accommodate housing opportunities. 

B. Homelessness

1. Comprehensive Approach. Support a comprehensive strategy statewide consistent with core principles, including: 1) coordination across policy areas to build housing and serve individuals in need; 2) creation of a comprehensive system that recognizes the role of all levels of government and community partners working together with clear responsibilities and accountability; 3) implement long-term, sustainable policies and funding that encourage housing opportunities in every community – including disability accessible housing – and near where unsheltered and precariously-housed residents choose to live; 4) sustainable, long-term and flexible funding for housing with wraparound services needed to keep people housed; and 5) prevention approaches, strategies and best practices in alignment with the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness ‘Homelessness Prevention Framework’.
2. Encampment Resolution. Support initiatives that share state urgency in resolving encampments – especially those with public safety concerns – while maintaining a commitment to “Housing First” principles, acknowledging the only permanent solution to homelessness is housing. Oppose tying state homelessness funding to new requirements that would mitigate local governments’ ability to resolve encampments with compassion and a tailored approach for local, unhoused residents, including those living in substandard conditions, that do not meet health or safety criteria for habitability.

3. Program Funding. Protect/enhance state and federal funding, including Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP), and for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs; including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Continuum of Care and Section 8 vouchers. Support funding carve-outs for high-need populations, including Transition Age Youth (TAY) – including foster youth – and older adults and/or those living with disabilities. Support all efforts to increase Marin’s housing voucher allocation, including flexibility to reallocate underutilized vouchers from elsewhere and utilize rapid rehousing funds to best meet the unique needs of individuals seeking stable housing. Support efforts to simplify rent-setting and enhance housing mobility and choice for veterans, older adults, families, and those experiencing chronic homelessness. Support funding for programs that target homelessness prevention by providing the subsidies required to keep individuals and families housed, such as through Shallow Rental Subsidy programs.

   There are currently 2,000 households in Marin with Housing Choice Vouchers. While the Marin Housing Authority has been issued several hundred new vouchers under the Biden Administration since January 2021, many more are needed.  

   1. Support initiatives to address the “fiscal cliff” anticipated with ongoing voucher and supportive services, which otherwise leaves counties’ responsible for keeping individuals housed once one-time funding projects like Homekey reach their end dates.  
   2. Support solutions to expedite awarded state funding to local governments and nonprofit partners delivering services to vulnerable, unhoused residents in immediate need of support.
4. Permitting and Approvals. Support streamlined permitting and approvals, including CEQA exemptions and NEPA review, when appropriate and feasible for housing for people experiencing homelessness, such as those in place for Homekey.  
5. Allowances for Emergency Housing. Support regulatory flexibility and funding for local governments needed to set up safe, accessible short-term emergency housing when urgent needs arise. This is especially the case when individuals or families are living in substandard housing, defined as when the life, limb, property, safety or welfare of occupants or the general public is endangered.

III. Natural Resources and Climate Change

A. Environmental Stewardship

1. Federal, State and Local Park and Recreation lands. Support coordinated, multi-jurisdictional frameworks in land management and regional planning, such as One Tam, the Tomales Point Area Plan, Golden Gate Biosphere Network, and the North Bay Baylands Regional Conservation Investment Strategy. Support opportunities for public-private partnership funding to support regional work plan priorities. Support funding for sustainable recreation; visitor services and related infrastructure; County roads within federal and state lands; utility infrastructure; waste reduction; and other measures to mitigate impacts to adjacent West Marin communities. Explore opportunities for sustainable agriculture in parklands.  

   Support protection of cultural resources from Marin’s 10,000-year history of Indigenous peoples, including tribe access to parklands and investments in public education to promote historical narratives that reflect an accurate history of Indigenous communities and lands.

2. Natural Resources Bond (Proposition 4, 2024). Support opportunities to fund local priority climate resiliency projects through the statewide climate resilience bond, including advancing the California Climate Reliance Package, California Nature Based Climate Solutions, California Climate Adaptation Strategy, and Pathways to 30X30 California. Prop 4 bond funding will be critical in advancing habitat restoration, park preservation and recreation improvements, flood mitigation, wildfire preparedness and prevention measures and sustaining local agricultural resources.
3. Park Recreation Infrastructure Funding. Support funding for park infrastructure, and opportunities to leverage state and federal matching for Marin County’s local parks sales tax dollars. Improve park accessibility for under-resourced and disadvantaged communities in Marin. Support funding for inclusionary infrastructure improvements and enhancements to existing parks and open space areas to serve visitors of all abilities, including people with disabilities, older adults and people with access and functional needs.
4. Restoration of San Francisco Bay and Regional Watersheds. Support funding for restoration projects and habitat improvement that advance the goals of the comprehensive management plan for the San Francisco estuary and the Delta/Bay region. Protect and enhance habitats for all native species in coastal streams while recognizing the needs of protecting Marin agriculture as it provides invaluable resilience to our food system and food security.
5. Stormwater Treatment. Seek dedicated funding for low-impact development, green infrastructure features and trash capture facilities in the stormwater system to protect water quality and aquatic habitats. Funding is needed to meet changing state-level requirements and local regulations such as those set by the State Water Resources Control Board.  
6. Promotion of Sustainable Pest Management Principles. Support efforts that promote an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to addressing pests, and expansion of related educational efforts, while recognizing the importance of maintaining the flexibility of a “last resort” use of pesticides when there are no safer alternatives to protect agricultural lands from invasive species.
7. Endangered Species. Protect the federal Endangered Species Act from attempts to constrain the federal government’s ability to protect critical habitat for plants and animals.  
8. Environmental Toxins. Seek funding for studies on the health effects of exposure to environmental toxins, and natural and synthetic chemicals and establish health and cleanup standards for PFAS and its associated impacts.

B. Flood Control and Sea Level Rise

1. Sea Level Rise Adaptation, Mitigation and Resiliency. With over 70 miles of coastal and 40 miles of bay shoreline, Marin County is one of the most vulnerable counties to sea level rise in the San Francisco Bay Area. Both nature-based and man-made solutions are needed, such as wetland restoration and levee and floodwall construction/enhancement.
   1. Support a coordinated, countywide and Bay Area-wide approach and governance, and accompanying resources (including technical assistance) to accomplish regional collaborations. State and federal entities should provide coordinated support, including Bay Conservation and Development Commission, Coastal Commission, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Caltrans, Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
   2. Seek funding and work with partners to enhance protections and adaptations to sea level rise, and managed retreat where alternative mitigations are not feasible. Support “cutting the green tape” efforts for environmentally beneficial projects, such as beneficial reuse of dredge material in wetland restoration.
2. Flood Control and Watershed Management. Support new, flexible funding opportunities for maintenance and improvements in Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Flood Zones, including for hazard mitigation and response related to upgrades or repairs to local levee systems, dredging and pump station replacement/maintenance, and revised/updated spending limits requiring formal action that have not been updated in decades. Explore efforts to modernize the District’s statute. Support urban stream management and watershed restoration projects to reduce the likelihood and frequency of flooding events.
3. Flooding on State Highways. Support efforts to address flooding on state highways and rights of way in a timely and coordinated approach. Recurring flooding on Marin highways includes State Route 37; Highway 101 exits at Marin City; State Highway 1 at the Manzanita junction with Highway 101; Lucky Drive and Highway 101; Highway 1 adjacent to Bolinas Lagoon between Stinson Beach and Bolinas; and future projected flooding due to sea level rise.  
4. Advance sea level rise projects under the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). WRDA 2020 included specific language authorizing the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to support flood protection and mitigation in the San Francisco Bay including protection against tidal flooding and sea level rise adaptation; and projects that support the local economy, habitat restoration, stormwater runoff capacity, and lessen the erosion of beaches and coast. Continue to work with USACE on a comprehensive Eastern Marin Shoreline Study.
5. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance. Support efforts to ensure FEMA uses transparent processes and communicates adequately with property owners regarding changes to flood insurance rate maps. Ensure that changes do not result in disproportionate increases to areas that have not historically been subjected to flooding. Support efforts to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

C. Grid Capacity and Decarbonization

1. Response to Climate Change. Support efforts and investments in greenhouse gas emission reductions. Support public/private partnerships, incentives and investment for clean energy, clean transportation and agricultural conservation efforts including carbon mitigation/sequestration.  
2. Cap-and-Trade. Support reauthorization of the state’s Cap-and-Trade Program, last addressed in AB 398 (2017), including utilizing revenues to support communities and climate-oriented industries in need, investments in environmental justice communities and small-scale sustainable agriculture. Support efforts to shore up California’s carbon markets under cap-and-trade in the face of deprioritized climate policies under a new federal government administration.
3. Local Renewable Energy and Governance: Support continued development of local renewable energy resources and supply like solar and wind. Support more local control over the purchase and development of renewable energy resources to increase consumer access to renewable energy at stable, competitive rates, and decreasing statewide emissions. Support an equity-focus on the clean energy transition, particularly for low-income individuals and families.
4. Grid Capacity. Support efforts to expand current energy capacity and resiliency, including expanding energy storage and the use of microgrids – especially in the communities most at risk for sustained power outages. Support efforts to improve regulation of battery storage sites that prioritize public health and safety, reduce fire risk and improve emergency response, and ensure protection of nearby environmental resources. Advocate for enhanced coordination with PG&E in grid capacity for new, planned development in Marin, and for charging stations for both clean public transportation and municipal fleets and public vehicle charging. Marin seeks to continue to lead in transitioning to a zero-emission public vehicle fleet – while advocating for reasonable allowances in state-level mandates to ensure the County’s vehicle and equipment readiness and response to emergencies is not impaired.
5. Consumer Protection. Support fair competition in statewide energy markets for CCAs and municipal or other publicly owned utilities. Support transparency of energy procurement practices, stranded costs, and departing load charges. Oppose legislation that would shield fossil fuel companies from liability for production of oil and gas and/or other carbon-producing intensive business activities that create public harm, as well as unfair market pricing. Oppose the cutting of core utility energy efficiency programs and/or the reduction or shifting of funding from low-income discount programs (CARE/FERA).
6. Energy Efficiency and Electrification: Support efforts and subsidies to decarbonize the built environment, including all-electric new construction and funding for retrofitting gas appliances with high-efficiency electric units. Support effective leveraging of energy efficiency programs tailored to address local needs and concerns. Support efforts to streamline the integration of renewable and greenhouse gas resources into the grid and fund CAISO resources to decrease permitting timeframes.
7. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Support maintaining and expanding the federal LIHEAP program that provides thousands of low-income households in Marin with financial assistance in paying for heating and cooling costs, preventing energy shut-offs during extreme weather and improving overall energy security.
8. Product Take-Back and Other Zero-Waste Policies and Practices. Support zero-waste practices, recycling and/or Extended Producer Responsibility programs among retailers and grocery stores for products that can be recycled, including pharmaceuticals, to ensure safe and proper disposal. Support efforts that would strengthen the capacity of local jurisdictions and waste haulers to meet the organic waste collection and procurement mandates under SB 1383 (2022), including coordinating with Zero Waste Marin to prioritize unfunded local compliance resources toward the most impactful measures for reducing methane emissions, and aligning enforcement practices with existing methods.
9. California Air Resources Board Scoping Plan. Monitor updates to the Scoping Plan, a planning document outlining how the state will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. Pursue funding made available under the 2022 Scoping Plan, a planning document outlining how the state will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, for projects or programs eligible to receive carbon credits under California’s greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program, including agricultural projects. Support the eligibility of Cap-and-Trade revenues towards transportation infrastructure investments, as well as for housing and nonmotorized transportation goals, with funding determinations made at the regional level.
10. Small Off-Road Engines (SORE) Regulation. Monitor efforts with the State Air Resources Board (ARB) to implement and fund regulations for AB 1346 (Berman and Lorena Gonzalez; 2021), which require all new "small off-road engines" produced after January 1, 2024 to be zero-emission.
11. Oil/Gas Development. Oppose efforts to: open the coast to new oil/gas development; weaken regulations that protect marine ecosystems; restrict oil/gas companies from incidentally harming and killing marine mammals; or retract the 2015 expansion of the Cordell Bank and Gulf of the Farallon Islands national marine sanctuaries. 

D. Disaster, Emergency Preparedness and Response

1. Disaster Preparedness. Support efforts to improve disaster preparedness and mitigation including preparation for extreme heat; wildfires; winter storms and flooding; earthquakes and other events. Support programs that identify and assist populations with access and functional needs with emergency readiness, evacuation planning, and shelter access; including older adults, persons with disabilities, and individuals experiencing homelessness, and visitors unfamiliar with local terrain and egress routes. Support efforts to establish accessible cooling and filtered shelters during excessive heat and unhealthy air events, including transport options for persons with mobility or access/functional needs barriers. Oppose any efforts to hinder or limit federal disaster funding (for response and mitigation projects).

2. Wildfire Prevention, Protection and Vegetation Management. Support additional tools or funding to support fire prevention and reduce hazardous fuels on County, State and Federal lands, including vegetation management, tree mortality, forest health and wildland fire protection and other initiatives under the Marin Forest Health Strategy fuels. Support the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force strategies for landscape-scale wildfire, forest resilience, and recreation management. Support funding for evacuation routes and strategies.

   Support funding for programs to prevent/suppress fires including fireworks disposal and fire equipment needs. Seek state funding for Marin’s small, volunteer fire districts, whose operations critically enable Marin County Fire to serve as one of six CAL FIRE “Contract Counties” and provide firefighting support statewide. Seek capital funding, including for new local training and housing facilities, such as at College of Marin’s Indian Valley Campus.

3. Homeowner Insurance. Support sustainable, long-term state-level solutions to the homeowner insurance crisis in California; several of the largest private insurers have stopped renewing or issuing new policies in the state, and/or have sharply increased rates for existing homeowners. Support efforts to provide financial incentives for home-hardening and wildfire mitigations taken by homeowners to reduce their premiums (especially for low-income property owners). Support an equity-based approach to rate setting which takes homeowner income and property value into account.
4. Cost Recovery for Local Emergency Operations: Protect/enhance federal participation from FEMA (and CalOES) for local response activities required to ensure public safety during emergency events; including expanded federal recognition and financial support in responding to climate change-enhanced emergencies such as extreme heat and smoke events which are not currently associated with the Stafford Act, which constitutes the statutory authority for federal disaster response. Support ongoing cost-recovery efforts from providing non-congregant shelter to local, at-risk populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Support mental health services associated with emergency response.
5. Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS). Support efforts to enhance partnerships with and CPUC regulation of PG&E to ensure community lifelines can be maintained during power outages, PSPS and EPSS events. Such events must be regulated to ensure a balance of utility risk mitigation with adequate notice to local governments, emergency managers and residents for the protection of vulnerable customers and critical facilities, particularly in areas with poor cellular networks. Support efforts harden circuits that experience repeated, disproportionately frequent fast-trip outages, and efforts to build resilience centers in areas disproportionately impacted by outages. To the extent feasible, support deployment of grid technology that will enable public service agencies to maintain power during shutoff events.
6. Utility Undergrounding/“Dig Once” Policy. Support efforts to fund utility underground conversion projects, ensuring projects include coordinated installation when local government, utility, telecommunication, transportation, and other entities require excavation. Support consideration of demographics – including the presence of vulnerable populations such as older adults and persons with disabilities – in determining high-risk, priority areas for undergrounding, and projects targeted in historically underserved communities and ensure that any associated rate increases applied by PG&E to fund undergrounding include an equity component so that low-income households are not disproportionately burdened.  
7. Telecommunications. Support efforts to establish resiliency plans for telecom providers to ensure that cellular service is maintained for at least 72 hours during electrical outages. Alternative solutions to ensure landline service is retained in areas with poor cell service remain necessary during outage events. Support the unique disaster resiliency needs of a community, such as the importance of radio station infrastructure in West Marin where cellphone reception has known gaps. Oppose efforts that would further restrict local authority over telecommunications siting or zoning, including small cell installation in local communities and public rights-of-way.
8. Streamlining Emergency Work. Support making permanent authorizations by the Governor in response to the 2022-2023 storms which gave jurisdictions streamlined permitting approval to clear debris and perform emergency repairs to critical infrastructure. Ensure emergency allowances include a path to obtain permanent permitting after-the-fact.

E. Priority Projects

1. Marshland Habitat Restoration. Seek funding for wetland restoration projects that are critical for Bay aquatic and marshland habitats, and to mitigate sea level rise, including Bothin Marsh, McInnis Marsh, Novato Creek area, Tomales Bay and Bolinas Lagoon.
2. Flood Control. Support funding to advance critical flood control and watershed projects including the Santa Venetia floodwall, Corte Madera Creek, Coyote Creek, and resolving flooding and ingress/egress issues in Marin City. Support targeted efforts to overcome complex administrative and regulatory hurdles to construction of critically needed projects, including 1) streamlining permitting of Bayland dredging and restoration; and 2) acquisition of a significant number of private easements to construct the new Santa Venetia floodwall to protect more than 600 homes.
3. Tomales Bay Water Quality Programs. Seek assistance for projects designed to improve water quality in Tomales Bay, including a multi-jurisdictional approach to visitor facility management and water quality monitoring and enforcement.  Support increasing the availability of potable water sources within the watershed. Support permitting streamlining efforts that recognize the urgency of addressing public health concerns.
4. Great Redwood Trail. Support the Great Redwood Trail Authority’s vision to complete additional segments of the Great Redwood Trail, including SMART’s efforts to complete Marin and Sonoma segments. Oppose efforts to use the rail right of way for transport of coal.
5. Magical Bridge Inclusive Playground. Support funding and partnerships to create a Magical Bridge Playground at McInnis Park, offering an inclusive space designed to provide safe, enriching play experiences for individuals of all ages and abilities, including those with physical, cognitive, and sensory challenges – and their intergenerational families and care providers. McInnis Park is appropriate as a major recreation center that brings together people of all ages and backgrounds, offering families a variety of outdoor social activities to enjoy.
6. Richardson’s Bay Habitat Restoration. Support Richardson’s Bay Regional Agency (RBRA) efforts to restore eelgrass habitat and maintain clean water; and alleviate the public safety and access concerns caused by vessels anchored in Richardson’s Bay. Those living on and formerly living on anchor outs require housing assistance and supportive services to successfully transition.
7. San Rafael Canal Dredging. In partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers, the City of San Rafael, and community members, create a path for sustainable, long-term funding for regular dredging of the San Rafael Canal. The federal navigation channel has been fully dredged only twice in the last 25 years, both with one-time appropriations. Dredging is a vital public safety issue: San Rafael Police and Fire units are based in the channel for patrols, rescues, and residential fires; and the waterway serves as the drainage for stormwater pump stations adjacent to the densely populated and low-income Canal neighborhood. 

IV. Transportation  

A. Access

1. Public Transit. Support public transit and alternative and accessible transportation options, especially serving low-income residents with high transit needs such as students, older adults, and people living with disabilities and access and functional needs. Ensure adequate service in targeted need areas including West Marin, Marin City, the Canal and Santa Venetia; and that transit routes provide access to recreation. Support the wide needs of a transition to electric and zero-emission bus, rail and ferry fleets, including maintenance facilities, charging, and subsidies and programs to make public fleet conversions financially feasible. Support public transit improvements in locations zoned for additional housing.

   Support solutions to reduce vehicle traffic congestion: such as TAM’s US 101 Part-Time Transit Lane Pilot program and school bus operations. Support strategies to address operating deficits and short-term state and federal relief to keep transit agencies operational, while holding them accountable to realistic performance goals. Support construction of a new San Rafael Transit Center

2. Multimodal Transportation. Support public transit, bicycle and pedestrian-oriented (including barrier-free) infrastructure, and transportation demand management (TDM) measures, including efforts to complete the North-South Greenway to create a continuous multiuse pathway network from each end of the County and connect users to transit along the network. Support funding targeted at ongoing maintenance of bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure, including for needed specialized equipment. Support ways to enhance the safety of all multi-use path users; especially those with accessible mobility devices.
3. Micromobility safety. Support enhanced e-bike and scooter safety regulations from state agencies and federal Consumer Product Safety Commission – include age-appropriate restrictions for school-age children, which in Marin have 5x higher rates of serious injuries from e-bikes than all other age groups. Support safety regulations to set speed limits, convey known risks to parents and youth including the greater maintenance needs of e-bikes over conventional bicycles, while still encouraging the use of age-appropriate e-bike models for transportation.  
4. Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART). Support funding for SMART, including its planned extension north to Cloverdale, completion of the multi-use pathway, and potential extension east to Interstate 80.

B. Funding and Priority Projects

1. Federal Infrastructure Funding: Support the continuation and reauthorization of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, IIJA) with the newly elected federal Administration, and oppose efforts to rescind unallocated or unobligated funding. Pursue competitive grant opportunities through the IIJA and the Inflation Reduction Act, which provided $1.2 trillion for transportation and infrastructure investments and $369 billion in clean energy investments, respectively. Work closely with partner agencies to identify new federal funding opportunities and submit viable applications for grant programs under these two historic pieces of legislation.
2. Local Road and Transportation Funding. Support efforts to enhance local road funding, as well as transit, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, including ‘safe routes to schools’ initiatives and other safety, mobility and walkability initiatives. As the use of electric vehicles increases and gas tax revenues decrease, explore revenue options based on vehicle miles traveled or road user charges including to delivery companies.  
   1. Oppose efforts to add further restrictions and requirements to transportation funding that prevent it from being utilized to serve the greatest local needs.
   2. Oppose efforts to consolidate transit operators if it does not improve local transit, is not cost-effective, and is inconsistent with locally approved policy.
   3. Support increased funding for: local bridge infrastructure (including a return of functional obsolescence as an evaluation criterion); community connectivity including interchange improvements; and new transportation technologies.
   4. Seek enhanced funding that recognizes the impact of climate change-intensified storms and efficiency in expending public dollars to repair infrastructure in a holistic approach as opposed to piecemeal: the 2022-2023 winter storms caused nine landslides along Fairfax-Bolinas Road, which needs major reconstruction along 6.5 miles. The roadway serves as a critical evacuation and firefighting route and provides the only access to one-third of Marin Water’s treatment facilities.
   5. Support project streamlining and delivery improvements to improve cost efficiencies and reduce construction timelines.
3. State Route 37. Support accelerated planning and construction of the elevated causeway “ultimate” project. The multimodal, multi-benefit sea level rise adaptation project would also include near-term measures to address congestion and flooding, which should align with the “ultimate” project and minimize adverse environmental impacts and advance planned benefits such as wetland restoration. Support broader environmental efforts in the corridor such as around Novato Creek.
4. Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. Support proposed modifications related to the bicycle and pedestrian Westbound I-580 multiuse path pilot on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge that would extend the pilot to convert the path to an emergency shoulder lane Monday through Thursday, while retaining access to the path Thursday afternoons through Sunday when cyclist utilization is highest. Partner with the Transportation Authority of Marin, Caltrans, MTC, BATA and the City of San Rafael regarding potential impacts on local roads of further proposed changes to bridge and lane configurations. Support continued regional prioritization of improvements for the East Bay-Marin transportation corridor including Richmond-San Rafael Forward and other initiatives to relieve congestion and maintain multi-modal access.
5. US 101/580 Multi-Modal and Local Access Improvement Project. Monitor developments on this project, which aims to improve multi-modal access, improve safety, and reduce congestion on both state freeways and local roads in affected Canal, Bret Harte and Larkspur neighborhoods. Support continued regional prioritization of the project that balances near-term and longer-term investments. Supported continued coordination with state and regional partners on long-term sea level rise planning for the corridor, given its vulnerability to flooding events.

V. Health and Human Services

A. Health Care Services

1. Affordable Care Act. Protect/enhance the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including funding and coverage available for the 1 in 3 Californians enrolled in Medicaid (Medi-Cal). Marin alone has over 57,000 residents on Medi-Cal. Oppose efforts to repeal or scale back the critically needed healthcare benefits expanded to millions of low-income, and previously uninsured Californians under the ACA. Oppose federal policies that would shift costs to the state or local governments.
2. CalAIM (California Advancing and​ Innovating Medi-Cal). Monitor ongoing implementation of the statewide CalAIM initiative and potential impacts on County programs and funding. CalAIM payment reform should maximize federal funding for services, reduce county disallowances, and eliminate unnecessary administrative burdens for county providers associated with receipt of funding.
   1. Detention Medical Expenses/Reinstatement of Benefits to Jail Inmates. Support efforts to expand federal/state reimbursement for local detention medical and behavioral health. Support policies to allow local jails to bill third-party insurers for healthcare costs of insured incarcerated individuals.
3. Improved Access to Health Care/Parity. Support efforts to expand health coverage and promote behavioral health parity for all populations regardless of insurer, income, or age. Healthcare access is especially critical for those experiencing homelessness and more state support is needed for targeted local initiatives to expand access, and maintain consistent services for this hard to reach population. Support efforts to maintain services in rural areas and fund transportation when necessary. Seek to strengthen partnerships between Public Health and Primary Care and increase coverage of prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery support services. Support improved regulation of prescription drug pricing.
4. Privacy Rights and Coordinated Healthcare. Support improving coordination and integration of physical health, mental health and substance use treatment services – especially the most vulnerable in need of wraparound services. Support efforts to enhance the sharing of information and data for more coordinated and effective care between providers to improve health outcomes, while also aligning with HIPAA and 42 CFR, Part 2.
5. Health/Food/Services Equity. Support policies that address systemic inequities in health care, nutrition, and services for marginalized communities, racial and ethnic minorities, women, people with disabilities, older adults, LGBTQ+, rural populations and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups to reduce disparities and narrow gaps in outcomes and promote health and wellbeing for all. Support investments that match County funding for local priorities, including access to nutritious, locally sourced food. Seek enhanced funding for mandated civil rights functions within Health and Human Services to monitor services, administration of benefits and effects of policy changes on protected classes. Support culturally competent, evidence-based strategies in services contracts, in alignment with health equity initiatives.
6. Medi-Cal Charges to Recipients. Explore efforts to address problems associated with expensive Medi-Cal co-payment requirements for prescription medications, particularly among low-income residents with multiple needs. Support Medicare for All/Single-Payer healthcare reform.
7. Community Based Treatment. Support and expand access to Medi-Cal Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers in a way that maximizes opportunities for Marin’s older adult, disabled, or functionally limited population to preserve their independence as long as possible, and reside in the least restrictive environment to receive services and treatment. Support efforts to allow federal funding for intellectual and developmental disabilities residences with over six residents that delivery high-quality, community-based care, and support Developmental Services Provider Rate Reform.
8. Family Planning, Reproductive and Gender-Based Health Care. Support access for women and all gender identities seeking reproductive and gender-based care to have access to quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care – including family planning. Support access to pre-, peri- and post-menopausal healthcare. Ensure issues affecting those who identify as female are considered in all policy proposals.
9. Local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Governance. Protect the ability of local elected officials to determine Marin’s EMS system design, funding, policy development, medical control and governance. Support the expansion of EMS training to include dementia and fall prevention.

B. Public Health

1. Ongoing Investments in Public Health. Support direct, flexible and ongoing public health funding to support the County’s most vulnerable residents access health care services, including mental health and substance use services, and pandemic preparedness.  Maintain equity-oriented funding for health promotion and chronic disease prevention. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of maintaining adequately resourced public health departments in our communities.
2. Opioid Crisis. Support public health-oriented policies and strategies to address opioid abuse and dependence, including preventative programs, education and treatment – with a focus on the urgent need to combat the fentanyl crisis. Support efforts to ensure funds from litigation settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers provide meaningful funding at the local level, and oppose unnecessary restrictions and administrative reporting burdens associated with investing settlement funds where they are needed most to support Marin’s substance abuse prevention and treatment efforts. Oppose policies that center on a punitive, criminalization approach to combat addiction without resources and opportunities to provide treatment.   
3. Harm Reduction. Support funding for syringe exchange programs and other proven harm reduction programs to prevent the spread of disease and empower individuals who use drugs with the choice to live healthy, self-directed, and purpose-filled lives.
4. HIV/AIDS Funding. Support additional funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which provides medications to low-income people with HIV who are uninsured or underinsured. Oppose additional co-pays or waiting lists or any mechanisms that would disrupt a patient’s ability to receive necessary medications.
5. Preventive Healthcare. Support efforts to integrate prevention of disease as a part of the continuum of services across County programs, including:
   1. Vaping products. Support efforts to protect residents, especially youth and communities of color, from the harms of vaping.
   2. Tobacco Free Living. Support local, state and federal efforts to expand smoke-free business and residential environments and the development and enforcement of policies that address the health, environmental and economic effects of tobacco usage and litter.
   3. THC regulation. Support evidence-based policies to regulate recreational cannabis and other THC-containing products, including intoxicating hemp, to ensure it is used safely and legally. Support efforts to close the federal and state loopholes that have allowed the proliferation and underage access to intoxicating hemp products – and further policy and educational efforts to limit access, appeal, and use among underage residents. Marin high schoolers rank 4th statewide for THC use, and local data shows a 93% increase in 911 calls related to THC for youth under 18 from 2021 and 2022.
   4. Healthy Eating and Physical Activity across the Lifespan. Support efforts to promote equitable access to nutritious foods and local food systems within impacted communities. Promote consumption of healthy food and beverages across all demographics through education, affordability, cultural relevancy, and accessibility. Prioritize strategies that address food security and improve nutritional outcomes for vulnerable populations including older adults and socioeconomically disadvantaged residents. Promote interagency collaboration and build capacity within the countywide Health Eating Active Living (HEAL) program. Healthy eating and activity are essential components of chronic disease prevention and care across the lifespan, particularly vulnerable demographics.
   5. Healthy Habits across the Lifespan for Adults. Support efforts to promote healthy lifestyles, including policies that prevent harm; promote safe sex and sexual health including for people residing in assisted living and long-term care facilities; increase physical activity (including Park Rx programming); and promote new evidence-based strategies to reduce falls among older residents. Support efforts to promote mental, physical, and social health across the lifespan.
   6. Preventing Drug Abuse, Misuse and Excessive Alcohol Use. Support efforts to reduce alcohol abuse, drug use (including prescription drug misuse) and related adverse community impacts. Support efforts targeted at combating the rise in fentanyl use, especially among youth.  
   7. Injury and Violence Free Living. Support statewide efforts to develop prevention and early intervention strategies to prevent bullying, domestic violence, and family/ interpersonal violence, including emotional violence against older adults.  
   8. Vaccination. Support strategies and policies that strengthen community protection against vaccine preventable diseases.
6. Oral Health. Support efforts to reduce oral health disparities, increase access to dental care resources and ensure full coverage under Medi-Cal. Provide accessible oral health education and prevention to all populations, including school-based initiatives.
7. Taxes/Fees on Alcohol, Tobacco, Cannabis and Soda. Support taxes intended to reduce consumption and harm from products and fund public health programs.

C. Behavioral Health

1. Continuum of Care. Support a systems-oriented approach to behavioral health reform and policy development, recognizing importance of cohesive policies and programs that empower counties to deliver targeted, effective, flexible, and cohesive care to individuals most in need. Major state-level initiatives including Proposition 1, CalAIM, the CARE Act, BH-CONNECT, behavioral health workforce development programs, 988 crisis services, and conservatorship reforms should close gaps in the continuum of care, rather than create new silos in treatment and support services.
2. Behavioral Health Services Act and Bond Funding. Monitor updates related to the Behavioral Health Services Act and the $6.38B general obligation bond to build new treatment beds and housing units (Proposition 1). Support efforts to maintain and enhance existing workforce, prevention and outreach work including critical local initiatives such as the Mobile Crisis Response Team and Suicide Prevention Collaborative and other prevention and early intervention programs that target vulnerable populations. Support efforts to ensure geographic equity in the distribution of funding for new behavioral health treatment beds and permanent supportive housing units, and the streamlining of permitting associated with the new, much-needed facilities. It is critical the bond funding can be used flexibly to meet Marin’s highest need and underserved populations – including funds earmarked for the shared goal of ending Veterans homelessness.
3. CARE (Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment) Act. Support additional funding to local governments and greater flexibility for the administration and services mandated by the CARE Act, the new state civil court framework for individuals with untreated schizophrenia and psychotic spectrum disorders. Oppose new, unfunded and unnecessary administrative and data collection requirements on counties that would take away from limited resources available to serve difficult-to-reach populations.
4. Cost Recovery for Psychiatric Crisis Stabilization and Substance Use Treatment Services. Support efforts to enforce existing laws that require healthcare insurers reimburse counties for services to privately-insured patients that receive county services (including at the County-run Crisis Stabilization Unit), as well as through new state programs including CARE Court. Private insurance must provide an adequate network for behavioral treatment services for privately-insured residents so that resources in the County Behavioral Health system can continue to target serving the most vulnerable, low-income residents.
5. Public Guardian and Conservatorship. Support enhanced funding for Public Guardian functions, including for: evaluations by Behavioral Health; Public Guardian investigations; Public Defenders representing candidates for Conservatorship; and funding for anticipated increased conservatorship placements under recent state legislation. Monitor ongoing developments and cost impacts to Counties related to SB 43 (Eggman, 2023), which Marin will implement no later than January 2026. Support prioritizing the agency, dignity, and rights of individuals throughout the conservatorship process, and ensuring temporary or long-term placements are under the least restrictive settings possible that meet an individual’s unique needs.
6. Acute and Residential Behavioral Health Treatment. Support efforts to maintain and enhance funding for psychiatric emergency beds, acute and transitional mental health care facilities, and substance use treatment residential facilities. Support efforts to provide medically necessary crisis stabilization services beyond 24 hours when transitional beds are not available.
7. Children and Youth Behavioral Health. Support funding to increase efforts to improve access to school-based Behavioral Health screenings, mobile crisis response and treatment and support services targeting at children’s behavioral health. Support additional prevention efforts to address the mental health and substance use needs of children and youth—including Marin’s Newcomer students.
8. Older Adult Behavioral Health. Support funding to increase efforts to improve access to Behavioral Health screenings, mobile crisis response and treatment and support services for older adults. Support additional prevention efforts to address the mental health and substance use needs of older adults, especially those in vulnerable or unstable living situations.
9. Federal Institutes of Mental Disease (IMD) Exclusion Rule. Support legislation and the CalAIM BH-CONNECT Demonstration waiver that would repeal the federal Institutes of Mental Disease (IMD) Exclusion Rule, which prohibits federal Medicaid reimbursement for patients receiving mental health or substance abuse care in a facility with more than 16 beds. Support policies that would strengthen a continuum of high-quality community-based behavioral health treatment settings by funding additional beds where they are most needed.

D. Social Services  

1. Social Services. Protect funding and simplify eligibility/enrollment for social services programs, including initiatives to broadly connect enrollment across different entitlement programs. Support efforts to increase the levels of CalFresh benefits, and support policies to maintain enrollment including an additional 3,000 households in Marin that newly enrolled during the pandemic. Explore opportunities to revise the CalFresh funding formula to allow for more equitable distribution of benefits statewide.

   Protect recent expansions of California’s social safety net protections for all residents, regardless of immigration status, and oppose federal preemption of state privacy laws that would provide access to personal identifying information on enrolled residents. Oppose the use of the “public charge rule” by federal immigration officials to penalize immigrant residents who legally enroll in essential programs like Full-Scope Medi-Cal, California Food Assistance Program and WIC, whose benefits are fully funded by state dollars to improve public health and safety for the entire community (thereby reducing pressures on local governments and community-based organizations).

2. Caregiver Programs. Support the protection and improvement of the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, including efforts to provide increasing, livable, wages to providers. The state should increase the wage cap by which it will fully participate in its share of program costs and allow Public Authorities the flexibility in payment mechanisms that address their region’s unique needs. Oppose efforts to impose penalties on counties based on a one-size-fits-all approach to local bargaining outcomes. Monitor efforts to move bargaining for providers to the statewide level.

   Support efforts to address the urgent need for caregivers for individuals of all ages living with disabilities that fall into the “eligibility gap”, where income levels are too high to qualify for Medi-Cal services but too low to afford quality community or home-based care. These individuals often must rely on family members for caregiving, with no financial support provided.

3. Older Adults. Support efforts to protect and expand funding, services, supports and protections for Marin County’s increasing older adult population, and protect/enhance core services under the federal Older Americans Act. This includes frail older adults, dependent adults, and those experiencing access and functional needs to keep them safely in their homes and communities and to strengthen outcomes of the social determinants of health. Nearly 30% of Marin’s population is 60 and older, compared with 20% statewide. Support funding for enhanced, expanded and innovative services and initiatives aligned with California’s Master Plan for Aging.

   Support areas of high need for older adults, including Behavioral Health services, affordable senior housing and residential care facilities, and efforts to increase, diversify and support the workforce supporting this demographic. Encourage development of innovative care models including opportunities for social homelike environments, expanded eligibility for older adult case management, and Adult Day Care Programs and other options for Memory Care.

   Support community-based initiatives and organizations that support ongoing education and training for older adults and caregivers to maintain quality services and ensure older adults receive the comprehensive support they need to thrive in their communities.

4. Long-Term Care/Assisted Living Funding. Support efforts aimed at restructuring and increasing funding for long term care programs, focusing on improving preventative and complex health conditions and promoting independence and aging in place. Support efforts to keep people in their homes and communities, including construction of local long-term care/assisted living and memory care facilities for low/moderate-income residents. These facilities should be built with innovative designs which help meet the social determinants of health and mitigate the spread of infectious agents. Support efforts to establish a public Long Term Care Insurance program.
5. Dementia Awareness and Support.  Support programs to educate residents on dementia awareness, assessment, safety measures and resources, and provide support to families dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and related research. Support programs to train emergency and law enforcement personnel on effective communication strategies for interacting with people who have dementia, and programs that facilitate further collaboration among Marin’s service providers serving individuals, familiar and caregivers living with dementia.
6. Elder Justice. Support efforts to increase funding for the Elder Justice Act. Support efforts to prevent elder and dependent adult abuse (including financial and emotional abuse), protect funding for the Adult Protective Services program, and to ensure quick resolution for victims of elder abuse.

7. Child Welfare and Foster Children and Families. Support legislation to improve the Child Welfare System, including strengthened collaboration with County services and enhanced services to meet the needs of foster children and their families/caregivers. Support enhanced transition supports for children once they “age out” of the system including housing (to ensure they can stay in Marin), and for higher education. Support efforts to aid in recruiting new resource families and caregivers who can meet the needs of foster youth. Support efforts to improve behavioral health services.

   Support policies that strengthen families, promote healthy child development, and prevent child abuse and neglect. This includes evidence-based early childhood home visiting services to support growth and development and foster positive outcomes later in life.

8. Social Security Benefits. Support policies to preserve, enhance and increase Social Security benefits.
9. Veterans Services. Protect/enhance funding for County Veterans Service Offices. Support legislation that would require state agencies to coordinate with the California Department of Veterans Affairs to improve care and benefits provided to veterans. 

VI. Community Services, Education and Technology

1. Broadband. Support efforts in alignment with the Digital Marin Strategic Plan to fund middle and last mile broadband infrastructure to provide affordable, accessible, reliable high-speed internet for older adults, low-income and rural communities, schools, school-age children in their homes, and other underserved communities and institutions, with a preference for wireline fiber-to-the-premises service. Support 100 Mbps download/upload as the target minimum broadband speed standard, and monitor efforts to define high-quality broadband as a public utility. Oppose efforts to limit local authority to finance, deploy, operate, maintain, or oversee broadband assets, challenge broadband service maps, establish quality of service requirements, or require open access architecture. Support enforcement measures to hold providers accountable to maintain equipment and improve network quality, service and connections in low-income neighborhoods, and end the practice of “redlining” digital access.
   1. Support efforts to require installation of open access broadband infrastructure during construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of multi-dwelling buildings, and subsidized and affordable housing. Internet Service Providers have not historically taken opportunities to expand broadband infrastructure in multi-dwelling buildings.
   2. Support enhanced funding for financial subsidies to low-income households and individuals that enable them to afford internet and phone access, including the Affordable Connectivity Program and the California LifeLine program.
   3. Oppose efforts to reduce and defund landline telephone service, including Carrier of Last Report (COLR) obligations. Basic, landline service still provides a vital, sole public safety access point to disproportionately low-income, senior and rural households.
2. Library Funding. Seek to enhance state or federal funding to support public library services. Support efforts to amend state education code to permit General Obligation bonds for local library capital improvements and efforts to lower the local vote threshold for library construction bond measures from the current two-thirds vote to 55 percent. Support programs that utilize libraries to improve other social determinants of health, such as early literacy initiatives and food security programs.
3. Education and Access. Support efforts to provide a sustainable, equitable, quality education system to promote accessible and affordable education, including community college lifelong learning at no/low cost to older adults. Support efforts to successfully implement the expansion of California’s transitional kindergarten program and ensure schools have the resources needed to address children with wide-ranging developmental and language learning needs. Support efforts to close the Digital Divide with devices and low-cost digital access to underserved populations of all ages and mitigate loss of learning potentially caused by the lack of in-person instruction due to COVID-19. Support the freedom to read and access to material in public libraries with diverse points of view.
4. Preschool and Child Care. Support enhanced state funding for preschool, day care, more childcare slots and facilities; increased childcare reimbursement rates and provider wages; and training and retention of childcare workers – including new sustainable, long-term sources as Prop. 10 tobacco tax revenues tied to early childhood development decline. Support efforts to help childcare providers adjust to market shifts due to the expansion of California’s transitional kindergarten. Support flexibility in childcare operations to ensure it can meet the needs of all communities: lower-income residents need not only culturally responsive centers, but also operations during irregular hours.
5. Artificial Intelligence. Monitor developments and progress regarding A.I., including opportunities to leverage the technology to improve government service delivery and streamline operations and processes. Support regulations that protect against the risks of A.I. deployment such as discrimination, cyberattacks, cyberbullying, and deepfakes. Support state and federal legislation to ensure existing law is appropriately caught up to definitions for new technology.
   1. Support the ability of counties to independently determine the scope and extent of AI integration within county government services, inclusive of employment practices. Oppose legislation that exempts AI from existing copyright, cybersecurity, privacy, and public record laws. Support compliance with existing data requirements and applicable laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA), and California Public Records Act (CPRA).
6. Social Media. Support state and federal efforts for healthier social media usage among adolescents, consistent with the Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, citing links to depression, anxiety, sleep disruptions and other addictive behaviors. Support additional research, safety standards and funding and tools for law enforcement and schools in outreach efforts to promote safe and responsible usage of online platforms for school age youth. Support efforts to mitigate social media that targets older adults and people with disabilities, especially those who are isolated or experience physical or mental health issues.

VII. Economic Development

A. Local Economy

1. Local Businesses. Support the needs of Marin’s local businesses, of which nearly 70% have 9 or less employees. Target support is needed for businesses in underserved neighborhoods, businesses that employ/serve communities of color, and businesses that serve/employ Marin’s rural communities. Monitor ongoing implementation of CERF (California Economic Resilience Fund) and other Go-Biz initiatives to ensure Marin’s low-income and underserved rural communities benefit from new statewide investments.

2. Workforce Development. Support funding in all sectors that help residents secure local employment with sustainable wages and career ladders for advancement, especially for frontline workers. Marin County’s Economic Vitality Strategic Plan recognizes the local economy’s significant reliance on low-paying service jobs and highlights the need for targeted workforce training and job growth initiatives to facilitate more higher-wage opportunities.  

   Support efforts to improve the supply, distribution, and diversity of Marin’s workforce in key sectors, including climate and energy projects and healthcare. Initiatives and funding are needed to meaningfully address critical shortages in primary care, behavioral health, and older adult care providers. Support programs that facilitate meaningful employment opportunities that foster financial security, independence, community engagement, and social inclusion for older adults and people living with disabilities. Support workforce programs that are accessible to residents countywide, with equitable availability for both East and West Marin residents.

3. Consumer Protection. Support legislation that preserves and enhances funding for mandated County Weights and Measures and Environmental Health Services consumer protection programs at the state and local level, such as for the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Division of Measurement Standards statewide quantity control program and for package inspections. Explore equity-centered policies on fees imposed by service providers; such as prohibiting communication providers from continuing to charge customers rental fees on equipment such as routers or modems long after the consumer has paid the market value of the equipment. Support efforts to protect vulnerable populations from deceptive financial schemes.
4. Food Businesses. Support legislation that reduces barriers to the establishment and operation of food facilities and businesses.
5. Cashless Transactions. Support requirements to accept cash payment to ensure those without bank accounts or access to technology, have equitable access to the marketplace and essential services.

B. Agricultural Heritage

1. Preserving Local Agriculture. Support land use policies and state legislation that preserves Marin’s centuries-old tradition of sustainable agriculture and ranching, and that provides the Bay Area with local, sustainable food systems. Explore updates to the Williamson Act (designed to preserve agriculture in communities) to meet present-day needs of historical, small-scale farms; such as allowances for agritourism, more housing and use of lands for open space preservation. Oppose changes to the Williamson Act that open contracts to low-barrier cancellations.
   1. Expand housing for rural workers, addressing the acute housing crunch in West Marin that has left low-wage, agricultural workers vulnerable to substandard housing conditions, or commuting long distances. Explore updates to the definition of ‘agricultural worker’ to reflect the increasingly diversified rural economy of the North Bay, that supports visitor access to Marin’s coastal and farmland areas.
2. Local Organic Program. Oppose any effort that would reduce revenues for state or county agencies responsible for enforcing organic state law that would result in unfunded mandates to those agencies. Support explicit product labeling of genetically modified foods. Support the National Organic Standards Board’s (NOSB) efforts to maintain integrity of the organic label, while ensuring that new national standards do not result in the loss of local certifiers like MOCA best suited to support small-scale operations. The onerous financial and administrative burdens associated with NOSB’s 2023 and 2025 standards have caused MOCA to have to drop its livestock and poultry certification program.
3. Diversification and Agritourism. Support local organic farmers seeking to create diversified revenue streams by expanding into agrotourism. Marin’s proximity to Bay Area urban centers provides it with a unique opportunity to attract visitors and create new demand for locally-sourced, sustainably-grown products. Support streamlined processes where possible associated with the agritourism transition, while retaining local decision-making on land use and environmental issues.
   1. Support climate-based adaptations to agriculture that will ensure local producers are better prepared and able to adapt to climate change.
4. Regulatory Relief for Small-Scale Operations. North Bay dairies and agricultural operations face an expansive and costly set of state and federal regulatory and environmental compliance requirements compared to other parts of California – imposing costs and complexity that small operations cannot spread across large production scales. This includes the California Coastal Act, Region 1 and 2 Regional Water Quality Control Boards, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the National Organic Program, among others. Support targeted regulatory relief and streamlined permitting for small-scale operations as they seek to advance environmentally sustainable practices, protect surface water availability, and add needed low-income, agricultural worker housing.
5. Coastal Zone. Explore amendments to the California Coastal Act to allow agricultural operations that are immediately adjacent to the shoreline to qualify for Categorical Exclusions by allowing a setback of 100 feet, thus allowing the properties to not be subject to costly and time-consuming coastal permits for minor agriculturally related activities. 

VIII. Public Safety and Justice Reform

1. Reduce Harm Caused by Gun Violence. Support efforts to limit the harm caused by gun violence, including education; enforcing existing gun control regulations; banning the sale of semiautomatic weapons and regulating the number of bullets available in gun clips; and more stringent background checks on gun purchases.
2. Prison Reform. Support advancements in prison reform aimed at rehabilitation and reducing recidivism. Support the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center Project and other state initiatives that center education, rehabilitative services, and campus-style facilities. Support funding for proven successful reentry programs to build safer communities through rehabilitation, education, and restorative justice.
3. Collaborative Justice Courts. Support funding and enhanced opportunities for Collaborative Justice Court programs that address the root cause of criminal justice behavior, and focus on rehabilitation and reducing recidivism by connecting participation with treatment, services, and ongoing supervision. In Marin, these include Adult Drug Court, STAR (Mental Health) Court, Veterans Treatment Court, Youth Transforming Justice Court, Family Violence Court, and the new CARE Court (launched 2024).
4. Court Funding. Protect/enhance state funding levels for trial courts, and oppose increases in County maintenance of effort levels above agreements reached, and protect counties’ ability to recover their costs. Support enhanced funding for state court facilities.  
5. Public Safety Funding. Support continued federal funding for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act, and protect Marin’s AB 109 Public Safety Realignment allocation. Support requiring revenue back-fill to counties for state policies which alter criminal justice fines, fees, or penalties.  
6. Standards and Training for Corrections. Support continued Standards and Training for Corrections (STC) funding, which focuses on job classification requirements, as well as recruitment and training standards for probation officers, juvenile and jail officers.  
7. Juvenile Justice. Oppose efforts which set back progress in aligning responsibility for the juvenile justice continuum from the state to County governments and diminish local authority in determining the best care and rehabilitative treatment settings for justice-involved youth.
8. Proposition 47 reforms. Monitor amendments and state-level policies related to the passage of Proposition 36 and the Legislature’s 2024 package of retail theft and fentanyl laws (2024). Implementation of Proposition 36 – anticipated to increase felony prosecutions, extend carceral sentences and introduce “treatment mandated felonies” – is anticipated to impose unfunded costs on counties. The success of the law’s intended focus on drug treatment over incarceration hinges on the availability of substance use disorder treatment facilities, already in short supply across California.    

IX. Governance and Finance

1. State and Federal Mandates. Oppose new mandates or realignment without adequate ongoing revenue. Realigned programs should follow core principles: 1) Counties’ share of costs should reflect their ability to control program costs; 2) realigned programs should have flexibility to respond to changing needs and requirements; and 3) realignment funding should be transparent and understandable.
2. County Revenue Sources and Local Authority. Oppose attempts to restrict county revenue sources or authority, including efforts to alter ERAF formulas shifting more local property tax funding for state benefit. Excess-ERAF funds support vital services for Marin residents in need, including school employee housing and social safety net programs for families of school children. Oppose restriction of discretion to contract for county services. Oppose new, costly administrative requirements associated with employee recruitment that require a “one size fits all” approach to diverse county workforce needs. Support lowering the voter approval threshold for new revenue measures for local public infrastructure and affordable housing from 67 to 55 percent, aligning with those of school measures.  
3. Pension Reform. Support additional statewide pension reforms, including efforts to develop a voluntary hybrid defined-benefit/defined-contribution option for new employees, subject to agreement with collective bargaining units, and efforts to expand retiree healthcare plan options.
4. Workers’ Compensation and Disability Retirement Reform. Support efforts to reform the state workers’ compensation program and similar efforts regarding disability payments to control costs and to reduce potential abuse. Oppose efforts to broaden disability presumptions where current policies and processes already provide employees fair access to benefits.
5. Voting Rights and Accessibility. Preserve the right to vote without suppression or intimidation and support further expansion of diverse voting options to accommodate voters of all abilities as local resources and demand allow. Support efforts to amend SB 450 (Allen, Hertzberg; 2016), which allowed pilot counties to conduct elections by mail ballot with regional vote centers open up to 10 days prior to Election Day, allowing for options specific to a participating county based on voter local and regional election participation data. Election data indicates high cost but low utilization of vote centers for initial days of required operations.
6. Fair Political Practices Commission. Support efforts to simplify and streamline statewide filing and administrative requirements associated with running for and holding elected office, with the goal of reducing barriers to entry and increasing diversity and representation in local elected officials while retaining the need for transparency, prevent conflicts of interest, and ensure accountability.
7. Public Records, Transparency and Participation. Support maintaining the requirements of the California Public Records Act and increase the availability of electronic records and accessible alternate formats. Support allowing advisory boards and commissions to meet remotely given limitations and considerations that may make onsite advisory meetings difficult for many to attend.  
8. Safe Public Comment Under the Brown Act. Support allowances in public meeting rules and procedures to prevent hate speech or other extreme/threatening behavior while honoring the Brown Act’s commitment to free speech and participation in public proceedings.
9. Campaign Finance. Support campaign finance reform that limits excessive political spending.
10. Attorney Fees. Explore state-level measures beyond individual judicial discretion to reasonably limit public funds expended for repayment of private attorney fees in legal outcomes.