Legislative Program Committee - County of Santa Barbara - 11/02/26

The County of Santa Barbara Legislative Program Committee met on November 2, 2026. The committee approved a recommendation for the Board of Supervisors to extend its legislative advocacy contracts with Thomas Walters and Associates and HBE for one year, through the end of 2027. Staff said the contracts include no further extension option and that the County expects to conduct an RFP for legislative advocacy services, likely in summer 2027. No contract amounts were stated. The committee also approved the October meeting minutes and received and filed the federal legislative update and public input report on the 2027 legislative platform.

Discussion covered federal FY2027 appropriations and County priorities, including homelessness assistance, SNAP, transportation, water resources, and health programs, as well as state advocacy and the effect of SB 762, which authorizes the County to place a sales-tax measure up to a half-percent above the statutory cap through December 31, 2031. Public commenters raised veterans’ support, housing oversight and affordable housing, oil and gas policy, and the reporting of accessory dwelling units as affordable housing. The committee continued consideration of platform updates and the 2027 meeting calendar; no other procurement actions were identified.