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How to Use the Legislative Platform Purpose The purpose of the Legislative Platform is to provide a means for summarizing the City's legislative priorities to guide advocacy efforts at the state and federal level. The Legislative Platform contains broad policy statements pertaining to a variety of issues that affect the City of Santa Ana. Platform Overview The Legislative Platform provides a streamlined process through which the City Council, City Manager, City staff, and the City's legislative advocates can act in a timely manner in response to legislative proposals. The Legislative Platform is adopted annually and serves as an opportunity to identify specific priority areas of interest for the City and the region, which benefit the community. The Legislative Platform is developed and maintained using legislative positions taken by the City Council, input from the City Council and City staff, research of current law and pending legislation, and discussions with local legislative staff in consultation with the City's legislative advocates. When the need to respond to state and federal legislation arises, staff composes letters outlining the City's position. These letters include one of the following positions: support, support if amended, oppose, oppose unless amended, neutral, or watch. Legislation that is consistent with the Legislative Platform are reviewed, approved and signed by the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, or City Manager. In addition, legislative positions that are deemed time -sensitive and are consistent with the Legislative Platform may be approved and signed by the City Manager when the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern are unavailable. Once approved, a position letter is sent to the bill's author, the City's legislative advocate, and other stakeholders as deemed appropriate by staff, and a copy of the letter is distributed to the City Council. Legislation that is inconsistent with or silent in the City's Legislative Platform may be placed on a public meeting agenda for consideration by the City Council or a subcommittee of the City Council. The City Manager may also provide a letter of concern or interest on behalf of the City of Santa Ana without taking a formal position on a piece of legislation, upon concurrence of the City Council or subcommittee of the City Council. Legislative Positions Support —Asupport position indicates to the corresponding legislature, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders, that the City of Santa Ana is in favor of the legislation in question. A support position may include the following resources: position letters, councilmember testimony to committees, and meetings/phone calls with members of the legislature and/or regulatory agency. Support if Amended — Asupport if amended position indicates to the corresponding legislature, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders, that the City of Santa Ana is in favor of the legislation in question, if the requested changes are adopted. Asupport if amended position may include the following resources: position letters, councilmember testimony to committees, and meetings/phone calls with members of the legislature and/or regulatory agency. Neutral — A neutral position indicates to the corresponding legislature, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders, that the City of Santa Ana is impartial on the legislation in question and does not wish to take a position. 19C-7