To: Board of Supervisors
From: Monica Nino, County Administrator
Report Title: Annual Reports on State and Federal Advocacy Activities
?Recommendation of the County Administrator ? Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ACCEPT the 2025 Year-End Reports on state and federal advocacy activities, as recommended by the County Administrator's Office.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
In January of each year, following conclusion of the State and Federal legislative sessions, the Board of Supervisors is provided with a Year-end Report that summarize the County's legislative advocacy activities for the prior calendar year.
The 2025 State Advocacy Year-End Report was prepared by the County's state lobbyists, Nielsen Merksamer (Attachment A). The 2025 Federal Advocacy Year-end Report was prepared by the County's federal lobbyists, Thorn Run Partners. (Attachment B).
At the federal level, this year was notably active, with the changeover in administrations and the passage of H.R. 1 (also referred to as the "Big Beautiful Bill Act" or "OBBA"), which has represents a major shift in policy with direct impacts on county-operated federal programs. On the state side, activities have been predictably busy, primarily in relation to the budget and legislative cycles, which adhere to a set calendar. State activity is expected to increase as implementation of H.R. 1 will require new laws, regulations, and funding to be addressed at the State level. Additionally, 2026 marks the second year of the two-year legislative session, where new bills continue to be introduced while controversial measures carryforward from the prior calendar year.
Noteworthy activities during 2025 also included a Legislative Delegation Reception, which was held as a public meeting of the Legislation Committee on August 8, 2025. This meeting was planned under the direction of the Committee and in coordination with the County's state and federal advocates. The event received positive feedback f...
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