Agenda Item Wording:
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Receive presentation from Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Gross & Leoni (NMPGL) on 2024 state legislative activity and a forecast of state legislative activity for 2025.
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Deadline for Action: 1/21/2025
Submitting Department: Community Development
Contact Name and Phone Number: Devon Jones, 713-4190
Department Recommendation:
Receive presentation from Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Gross & Leoni (NMPGL) and provide NMPGL and city staff any input on state legislative priorities or concerns to be mindful of for 2025.
Background Discussion:
Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Gross & Leoni LLP (NMPGL) is the current service provider for state lobbying services. 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, will provide an overview of state legislative activity for the 2024 session, expectations for the 2025 session, and some of the strategies their firm employs as state legislative advocate for the City. Not presenting, but also active members of the City's lobbyist team at NMPGL are Andrew Langley, Manager of Research for Legislation and Public Policy and Geoff Neill, Senior Legislative Advocate. 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.
Mr. Moffatt and Ms. Rubalcava come annually to present to Council. At this time, we are 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...
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