Legislation & Advocacy
SCAG serves as the unified voice of the region, advocating for the legislative and funding needs of Southern California’s diverse and growing communities, and creating a strong coalition that can achieve more together.
Legislation
SCAG maintains a state and federal legislative program, which consists of the Regional Council’s positions on policies and legislative initiatives related to SCAG’s core planning and policy areas—transportation, air quality, freight/goods movement, housing, environmental impact, sustainability, economic recovery, and job creation—that need the leadership and support of the U.S. Congress and California State Legislature.
SCAG’s legislative efforts result from a bottoms-up process whereby the Legislative/Communications and Membership Committee, comprised of elected officials from throughout the region, identifies and recommends specific legislative action for consideration by the Regional Council with respect to state and federal legislation affecting the SCAG region. The Regional Council takes formal legislative positions and directs the agency’s advocacy efforts on all legislative matters.
Legislative Platforms
SCAG’s 2024 state and federal legislative platforms are the agency’s policy recommendations stemming from the Legislative/Communications and Membership Committee, and adopted by the Regional Council. These legislative platforms encompass broad, policy-oriented objectives of the agency that build upon long-standing, Regional Council-adopted policies, while also taking into account new and evolving issues.
- State Legislative Platform
2024 State Legislative Platform
2024 State Legislative Priorities Booklet
2023 State Legislative Platform
2023 State Legislative Priorities Booklet
2022 State Legislative Platform
2021 State Legislative Platform
- Federal Legislative Platform
2025 Federal Legislative Priorities Booklet
2024 Federal Legislative Platform
2024 Federal Legislative Priorities Booklet
2023 Federal Legislative Platform
2023 Federal Legislative Priorities Booklet
2022 Federal Legislative Platform
Legislative Tracking
SCAG staff continuously monitors legislative activity in Sacramento. The Legislative Tracking Report provides a list of bills SCAG is tracking in the current session of the California State Legislature.
Legislative Delegation
SCAG regularly interacts with members of our state and federal delegation on a variety of issues of importance to the region. The following members of the U.S. Congress and California Legislature directly represent the SCAG region at the state and federal levels.
- U.S. House
- Congressmember Jay Obernolte (CD-23)
- Congressmember Salud Carbajal (CD-24)
- Congressmember Raul Ruiz (CD-25)
- Congressmember Julia Brownley (CD-26)
- Congressmember George Whitesides (CD-27)
- Congressmember Judy Chu (CD-28)
- Congressmember Luz Rivas (CD-29)
- Congressmember Laura Friedman (CD-30)
- Congressmember Gil Cisneros (CD-31)
- Congressmember Brad Sherman (CD-32)
- Congressmember Pete Aguilar (CD-33)
- Congressmember Jimmy Gomez (CD-34)
- Congressmember Norma Torres (CD-35)
- Congressmember Ted Lieu (CD-36)
- Congressmember Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CD-37)
- Congressmember Linda Sanchez (CD-38)
- Congressmember Mark Takano (CD-39)
- Congressmember Kim Young (CD-40)
- Congressmember Ken Calvert (CD-41)
- Congressmember Robert Garcia (CD-42)
- Congressmember Maxine Waters (CD-43)
- Congressmember Nanette Diaz Barragan (CD-44)
- Congressmember Derek Tran (CD-45)
- Congressmember Lou Correa (CD-46)
- Congressmember Dave Min (CD-47)
- U.S. Senate
- Senator Adam Schiff
- Senator Alex Padilla
- California State Assembly
- Assemblymember Tom Lackey (AD-34)
- Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez (AD-36)
- Assemblymember Steve Bennett (AD-38)
- Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (AD-39)
- Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (AD-40)
- Assemblymember John Harabedian (AD-41)
- Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (AD-42)
- Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez (AD-43)
- Assemblymember Nick Schultz (AD-44)
- Assemblymember James Ramos (AD-45)
- Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (AD-46)
- Assemblymember Greg Wallis (AD-47)
- Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (AD-48)
- Assemblymember Mike Fong (AD-49)
- Assemblymember Robert Garcia (AD-50)
- Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (AD-51)
- Assemblymember Jessica Caloza (AD-52)
- Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez (AD-53)
- Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez (AD-54)
- Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (AD-55)
- Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (AD-56)
- Assemblymember Sade Elhawary (AD-57)
- Assemblymember Leticia Castillo (AD-58)
- Assemblymember Phillip Chen (AD-59)
- Assemblymember Corey Jackson (AD-60)
- Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (AD-61)
- Assemblymember Jose Luis Solache (AD-62)
- Assemblymember Bill Essayli (AD-63)
- Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco (AD-64)
- Assemblymember Mike Gipson (AD-65)
- Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (AD-66)
- Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (AD-67)
- Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (AD-68)
- Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (AD-69)
- Assemblymember Tri Ta (AD-70)
- Assemblymember Kate Sanchez (AD-71)
- Assemblymember Diane Dixon (AD-72)
- Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (AD-73)
- Assemblymember Laurie Davies (AD-74)
- California State Senate
- Senator Steve Padilla (SD-18)
- Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (SD-19)
- Senator Caroline Menjivar (SD-20)
- Senator Monique Limón (SD-21)
- Senator Susan Rubio (SD-22)
- Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares (SD-23)
- Senator Benjamin Allen (SD-24)
- Senator Sasha Renée Peréz (SD-25)
- Senator Maria Elena Durazo (SD-26)
- Senator Henry Stern (SD-27)
- Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (SD-28)
- Senator Eloise Gomez Reyes (SD-29)
- Senator Bob Archuleta (SD-30)
- Senator Sabrina Cervantez (SD-31)
- Senator Kelly Seyarto (SD-32)
- Senator Lena Gonzalez (SD-33)
- Senator Tom Umberg (SD-34)
- Senator Laura Richardson (SD-35)
- *VACANT* (SD-36)
- Senator Steve Choi (SD-37)
- Senator Catherine Blakespear (SD-38)
Bill Position Tracker
SCAG’s Bill Position Tracker makes it easy to stay informed on the status of bills in the California State Legislature on which the Regional Council took a formal position. The SCAG Bill Position Tracker monitors bills cover several policy areas such as transportation, planning, environment, finance, government, and economic development.
The Bill Position Tracker provides:
- A bill number, topic, and description for each bill.
- SCAG’s position on the bill and the date on which that position was taken.
- Bill status.
Advocacy
- Federal
In federal legislative matters, SCAG provides regional input to congressional lawmakers, the administration, and federal agency officials concerning the broad spectrum of issues encompassing SCAG’s core jurisdictions: transportation, land-use, environment, climate change, energy, sustainability, and water. As the nation’s largest metropolitan planning organization, SCAG seeks to both apprise and advocate for its 191 member cities, six member counties and other stakeholders/members on legislative actions in Washington, D.C. that affect the region in these areas.
- State
In state legislative matters, SCAG’s efforts focus on stabilizing and enhancing transportation funding while preserving the authority and flexibility of local government and transportation entities to best utilize available resources to meet the needs of the region. SCAG seeks to implement its Regional Council-adopted legislative priorities to advance policies beneficial to the region in areas such as project acceleration and streamlining, economic development and community reinvestment, cap-and-trade revenue allocation, surface transportation authorization implementation, climate change/greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and housing/affordable housing expansion.
SCAG also pursues legislation consistent with the agency’s economic and growth strategy objectives to spur economic recovery by supporting measures such as the extension of the state’s successful film tax credit program and targeted tax incentives and beneficial regulatory treatment in the green technology industries. In all such legislative efforts, SCAG endeavors to create a collaborative, “bottom-up” approach with its constituent members and local stakeholder partners to achieve legislative policy results that are comprehensive and beneficial to the entire region.
- Advocacy Letters
SCAG advocates for the region at the local, state, and federal levels on key policy issues.
When needed, SCAG will provide policy recommendations through advocacy letters.
2023 Advocacy Letters
- SUPPORT – AB 930 (Freidman) – RISE Districts
- SUPPORT – AB 1181 (Zbur) – Energy Resilience for Multifamily and Affordable Homes
- OPPOSE – AB 1335 (Zbur) – Population Forecasts
- SUPPORT – SB 517 (Gonzalez) – Freight and Supply Chain Coordinator
- SUPPORT – SB 538 (Portantino) – Caltrans Chief Advisor on Cycling and Active Transportation
- SUPPORT – SB 860 (Bradford) – Affordable Connectivity Program Outreach
2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop Program Announced
Register today to join SCAG for the 2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop on Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SCAG offices in downtown Los Angeles. Online attendance is also available.
The program will gather local leaders, elected officials, and demographic experts to discuss how changing population growth affects regional planning—from accommodating development to improving quality of life and cultivating the economy.
2024 Southern California Demographics Workshop Registration Open, Keynote Announced
Registration is now open for the 2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop, “Navigating the New Growth Reality,” presented by SCAG and the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California. This 35th annual event will be held on Sept. 24 at SCAG’s main office in Downtown Los Angeles and will also be available to attend online.
Final State Budget Secures $480 Million for REAP 2.0 Program; Restores More Funding
The California State Legislature has approved the Budget Act of 2024, taking a major step forward in addressing the housing crisis by restoring funding to the Regional Early Action Planning Grants (REAP 2.0) program and other funding programs crucial to Southern California’s collective goals.
Regional Early Action Planning Program Update
On May 30, the legislative leadership in the State Assembly and State Senate announced the Joint Legislative Budget Plan. Thanks to the collective advocacy efforts of SCAG and its partners, the Joint Legislative Budget Plan restores funding for several programs cut under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s January Budget proposal and May Revision.
General Assembly Elects 2024-25 Board Officers
The General Assembly approved the nominations for the SCAG 2024-25 Board Officers as recommended by the Regional Council: Hon. Curt Hagman (County of San Bernardino) will serve as 2024-25 Regional Council president; Hon. Cindy Allen (City of Long Beach) will serve as Regional Council first vice president; and Hon. Ray Marquez (City of Chino Hills) will serve as Regional Council second vice president. Leadership also recognized Hon.
Connect SoCal 2024 Approved
The formal adoption of Connect SoCal 202
Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program of 2021 (REAP 2.0) Advocacy Updates
Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget announced on Jan. 16 includes $300 million in cuts to the Regional Early Action Planning program of 2021 (REAP 2.0) that will result in approximately $123 million in cuts from SCAG’s $246 million REAP 2.0 program.
Proposed State Budget Would Cut Funding for Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program
The proposed budget announced by Governor Gavin Newsom on Jan. 16 includes $1.2 billion in cuts to funding for housing programs, including $300 million for the Regional Early Action Planning program of 2021 (REAP 2.0).
Connect SoCal 2024 Public Comment Update
As part of the public comment period for the draft Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, SCAG hosted 15 briefings with elected officials in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. In all, 229 local elected officials, city and county staff and stakeholders participated in the briefings, where SCAG leadership shared details of the draft Connect SoCal 2024 and discussed implementing the plan’s vision for a more resilient and equitable future.
SCAG Adopts Carbon Reduction Program Guidelines
The SCAG Executive/Administration Committee approved guidelines for the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) on Dec. 6, 2023. SCAG will be initiating a combined solicitation for project nominations for the CRP along with the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program—all FHWA funding programs—in Jan. 2024. Eligible entities should begin discussing potential nominations with their respective county transportation commission as soon as possible.
Draft Connect SoCal 2024 and Draft Program Environmental Impact Report Now Available for Public Comment
The SCAG Regional Council voted on Nov. 2, 2023, to release both the draft Connect SoCal 2024, the region’s 2024-2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) and the accompanying Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for public review and comment through Jan. 12, 2024. The comment period for the draft Connect SoCal 2024 plan begins on Nov. 23, while the comment period for the draft PEIR begins on Nov. 9.
Economic Summit Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for SCAG’s 14th annual Southern California Economic Summit on Dec. 7 at the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles. Mark your calendars and register now to join leaders in business, planning and public policy to assess the state of the region’s economy.
Demographic Workshop Program Preview
Registration is open for the 34th annual Demographic Workshop, “The Seismic Generational Shift,” hosted by SCAG and the USC Price School of Public Policy on Sept. 20. This event will take place at the SCAG Main Office in downtown Los Angeles, with an online broadcast for virtual viewing.
SCAG Awarded $237 Million for REAP 2.0
The Department of Housing and Community Development has officially approved SCAG’s full funding application, awarding SCAG with more than $237 million in REAP 2.0 funds.
Update on the RHNA Reform Process and Schedule
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is crafting recommendations to reform the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) process, which will be provided in a report to the California State Legislature by Dec. 31.
SCAG Leads Annual Regional Conference & General Assembly
SCAG kicked off the 2023 Regional Conference & General Assembly today in Palm Desert with a message from outgoing Regional Council President Jan Harnik and a video review of SCAG’s accomplishments from 2022-23.
SCAG Kicks Off Public Outreach Initiatives for Connect SoCal 2024
Every four years, SCAG updates its visionary plan for the future of the region, Connect SoCal. This process is now underway, and we want to hear from our stakeholders.
Please join us at a public workshop or pop-up event to learn more about the plan, ask questions and provide input. The purpose of these events is to gather input from each community to establish planning priorities for the next 20 to 30 years.