Agenda Item Wording:
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State Legislation Presentation - Receive presentation from Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Gross & Leoni on 2025 state legislative activity and a forecast of state legislative activity for 2026.
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Prepared by:
Devon Jones, Economic Development Manager, Devon.Jones@visalia.gov, (559) 713-4190.
Department Recommendation:
Receive presentation from Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Gross & Leoni (NMPGL) and provide NMPGL and city staff with any input on state legislative priorities or concerns to be mindful of for 2026.
Summary:
The current contract with NMPGL was approved by Council on November 15, 2021, and it is an annual service contract with up to four additional one-year extension options. The service cost represents a status quo extension of the prior contract amount ($7,000 monthly plus an estimated monthly hourly expense of $200 for separate lobbying activity reporting required by the state). NMPGL is currently in their fourth and final annual extension option term.
Background Discussion:
NMPGL has represented the City of Visalia for state lobbying services since July of 2011. John Moffatt has been the City’s lead lobbyist since that time and along with Michelle Rubalcava, Senior Counsel at NMPGL, and Geoff Neill, Senior Legislative Advocate, will provide an overview of state legislative activity for the 2025 session, expectations for the 2026 session, and some of the strategies their firm employs as state legislative advocate for the City. Not presenting, but also an active member of the City’s lobbyist team at NMPGL is Andrew Langley, Manager of Research for Legislation and Public Policy. The team at NMPGL are consistently responsive to City issues, up to date on legislation as it moves through various committees to the Assembly and Senate and are well informed of state legislative matters that may be of interest to the City.
The NMPGL team comes annually to present to Council. At this time, Staff is seeking any input the Council may have on state legislative matters to be mindful of for the coming year. Along those lines, attached is the current State Legislative Platform that was approved by Council on January 18, 2022. This state platform is a guiding document that outlines proposed positions the City may take on a broad array of state legislative items that have been crafted based on previous stances on legislation and direction from City Council and City staff. The platform identifies positions of support, opposition, and continued monitoring on a variety of issues of importance to city leaders and staff. Upon approval of the platform, the mayor may sign letters to legislators or appropriate agencies advocating the city’s position as stated in the platform, and Council Members and/or staff may use the platform to discuss the city’s position with interested parties. If Council has any edit or addition recommendations, discussing those interests during the work session would be appropriate.
Fiscal Impact: This is an existing, budgeted contract with 12 months of service at a monthly fee of $7,000 plus an estimated hourly expense of $200 each month (for separate lobbying activity reporting service) along with any travel related expenses for pre-approved trips to the City of Visalia.
Prior Council Action:
• November 15, 2021 - Authorized new service contract with NMPGL for state legislative advocacy services and included up to four additional one-year extension options.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Per Council direction.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
No formal action required.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 3/2/2026
Attachments:
• NMPGL City of Visalia - 2025 session review PowerPoint
• Current State legislative platform
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