Elk Grove City Council Receives 2025 Legislative Update - Bracing for Regional Housing Overhaul

Amid a shifting of state priorities and regional housing challenges, the Elk Grove City Council received an update during its Wednesday, January 28, meeting regarding the 2025 legislative session and possible effects on governance.

Christal Love-Lazard, the city's Community Engagement and Government Relations Program Manager, detailed a frenetic year in Sacramento where the Legislature introduced 2,833 bills. The session, which was extended to address critical Cap-and-Invest and budget trailer bills, ultimately saw Governor Gavin Newsom sign 1,124 measures into law while vetoing 123.

A central theme of the report was the state's response to a $12 billion budget deficit. The final $325 billion state budget relies on $3.5 billion in spending cuts—primarily affecting health and social services—and $7.8 billion in short-term borrowing.

Love-Lazard noted that the Los Angeles region wildfires and an ongoing housing affordability crisis heavily influenced the legislative focus.

Ms. Love Lazard's written report noted, "...this year, the Legislature focused on policy issues around wildfire mitigation, housing and homelessness, and shifting Federal Government priorities."

One of the most significant items tracked by city staff is Senate Bill 802. Introduced by Senator Angelique Ashby, the bill proposes a significant regional shift by restructuring the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency into the Sacramento Area Housing and Homelessness Agency.

If adopted, his new regional authority would oversee affordable housing and homelessness prevention for Elk Grove and five neighboring jurisdictions. When Ashby initially unveiled the legislation last year, it was subjected to considerable blowback from local elected officials like Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume (see video below).

Beyond specific bills, the report also noted that the city is revamping its advocacy efforts and is currently selecting new firms for state and federal legislative services through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. An advisory committee, including Vice Mayor Darren Suen and Councilman Rod Brewer, is expected to finalize recommendations by June 2026.

As the Council looks toward the remainder of 2026, it faces a carryover of 1,098 "two-year bills" that failed to pass last year but remain active in the current session. The report also stated staff will continue to assign positions on these bills based on established City Legislative Principles.