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 ...
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