Policy Pulse: March 7, 2025
- ACC-OC
- Mar 7
- 7 min read
We are pleased to welcome First 5 Orange County as our newest affiliate member of ACC-OC! Dedicated to ensuring all children reach their full potential, First 5 Orange County focuses on early childhood development, health, and education. Through innovative programs and strong partnerships, they work to create a solid foundation for the county's youngest residents, supporting families and communities along the way.
We look forward to collaborating with First 5 Orange County to advance policies that support early childhood well-being and strengthen the future of our region!
The Woman Veterans Mental Health Symposium will take place on March 8, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Orange Coast College, College Center Building. This event is dedicated to addressing the mental health challenges faced by women veterans and will include discussions, resources, and support networks.
A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided for attendees.
Event Sponsors:
Vice Chair Katrina Foley, OC Board of Supervisors
Costa Mesa Councilmember Andrea Marr
Orange Coast College Veterans Resource Center
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Southern California Edison Veterans Group
Dr. Veronica Kelley, Director of Orange County Healthcare Agency
Black Chamber Education Fund
This is a valuable opportunity for women veterans to connect, learn, and access resources tailored to their mental health needs.
At today’s ACC-OC Legislative & Regulatory Committee meeting, we welcomed Dr. Sarah Rees, Deputy Executive Officer for Planning, Rule Development, and Area Sources at the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD). Dr. Rees provided an essential update on Proposed Amended Rules (PARS) 1111 and 1121, which aim to reduce NOx emissions from natural-gas-fired furnaces and water heaters.
While these regulations could bring significant environmental changes, concerns remain about transparency, financial impacts on homeowners and businesses, public awareness, and the readiness of the electrical grid. A coalition of stakeholders urges AQMD to delay implementation until at least 2029 to allow for infrastructure improvements and cost mitigation.
What’s Next?
March 21, 2025 - Stationary Source Committee
May 2, 2025 - Public Hearing (subject to change)
Two New Released Documents
Third Preliminary Proposed Amended Rule 1111 - February 28, 2025
Third Preliminary Proposed Amended Rule 1121 - February 28, 2025
ACC-OC remains committed to advocating a balanced, practical approach supporting environmental goals and economic feasibility.
ACC-OC's Submitted Letter | SCAQMD Presentation |
On February 27th, ACC-OC's Legislative and Regulatory Committee convened to review and take positions on critical legislation impacting Orange County. The committee voted to support the following bills:
AB 226 (Calderon) California FAIR Plan Association
SB 38 (Umberg) Proposition 36 Implementation
SB 233 (Seyarto) RHNA Reform
CASLAR/ Sober Living Regulations
AB 3 (Dixon) Alcohol and drug treatment facilities: local regulation
AB 423 (Davies) Alcohol and drug recovery or treatment facilities: discharge and continuing care planning
AB 424 (Davies) Alcohol and other drug programs: complaints
AB 425 (Davies) Certification of alcohol and other drug programs
AB 448 (Patel) Short-term residential therapeutic program: requirements
AB 492 (Valencia) Alcohol and drug programs: licensing
SB 329 (Blakespear) Alcohol and drug recovery or treatment facilities: investigations
These bills align with ACC-OC's mission to advocate for policies that support Orange County's cities and residents. Stay tuned for further updates.
ACC-OC February Bill Briefs
ACC-OC’s Sacramento Advocacy Trip is SOLD OUT!
Thank you to everyone who secured their spot to join Orange County’s local leaders in the state’s capital on March 17-18, 2025. This two-day trip will include high-level meetings with key legislators, state agencies, and policy experts to discuss critical issues such as housing, utilities, transportation, infrastructure, public safety, and more. Stay tuned for future opportunities to be part of shaping Orange County’s future in Sacramento!
The La Paz Landslide Project
Discover the groundbreaking efforts behind one of Orange County’s most impactful environmental recovery projects! In partnership with the City of Laguna Niguel's Public Works Department, ACC-OC is excited to host an exclusive tour and briefing on the La Paz Landslide Project.
Webinar: Transforming Medi-Cal through California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM)
The Association of California Cities—Orange County (ACC-OC) and CalOptima Health invite all Orange County-based federal, state, and local elected officials, as well as their staff and ACC-OC affiliate members, to participate in this webinar.
Women in Leadership
Join us for the 3rd Annual Orange County Women in Leadership Summit as we focus on empowering women in elected office, business, and community-based organizations. Building on the success of the past two years, this summit will bring together Orange County’s leaders to explore strategies to drive meaningful change and accelerate effective action across all sectors. Be part of the conversation and help shape the future of women’s leadership in our region. #OCWOMENLEAD2025
To find out more information about these events or to register, visit our upcoming events page!
ACC-OC is proud to serve as the SoCalGas Regional Energy Pathways Program Ambassador for Orange County, helping cities and public sector organizations improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.
Benefits of Participating:
✔ No-cost energy assessments to identify saving opportunities
✔ Financial support for energy-efficient equipment upgrades
✔ Expert guidance from energy professionals on best practices
✔ Reduced energy consumption to meet state and local sustainability goals
✔ Project management assistance to streamline implentation
Through programs like the Large Public Sector Program and Public Direct Install Program, eligible organizations can receive:
Whole facility energy audits to create customized energy-saving roadmaps
No-cost efficiency upgrades, including hot water insulation, low-flow fixtures, and commercial kitchen improvements
Rebates and on-bill financing for energy-efficient equipment installations
To learn more about how your city or organization can benefit, contact Marlene Barraza (mbarraza@accoc.org) to schedule a meeting or ask questions!
Large Public Sector Program | Public Direct Install Program |
Southern California Association of Governments
Applications for the 2025 SCAG Scholarship Program are now open. The program, in partnership with the California Transportation Foundation, provides nine $4,000 scholarship awards for high school or community college students from the SCAG region. Applications are due electronically on March 21. More information is available on the SCAG website.
City of Irvine
Join the City of Irvine's annual State of the City Address on March 11, 2025, at the Irvine Civic Center. The event kicks off with a free public reception at 4:30 p.m., followed by Mayor Larry Agran's address at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Agran will highlight the City's achievements over the past year and discuss upcoming projects and priorities. This event is free and open to the public, with no RSVP required. The Civic Center is located at 1 Civic Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92606-5207.
Orange County Water District
Join OCWD to explore how sediment management impacts our water supply and its significance to both inland and coastal communities. Experts from the Orange County Water District (OCWD) and the County of Orange will highlight innovative tools like SediMatch, regional collaboration efforts, and solutions to challenges at Prado Dam—a key site for stormwater capture that supports OCWD and its communities. Discover how these initiatives are advancing sustainable solutions and why broader stakeholder involvement and federal support are needed to ensure long-term success and water supply resiliency.
Details:
Date - March 11, 2025
Time - 12:00 PM
Featured speakers:
• Lisa Haney, Executive Director of Planning and Natural Resources, Orange County Water District
• Kevin O’Toole, Senior Planner, Orange County Water District
• Makana Nova, AICP, Coastal Resources Manager, County of Orange
Southern California Water Coalition
The Orange County Water District (OCWD) has introduced its new Resilience Plan to strengthen the county’s water future over the next 25 years. This comprehensive strategy focuses on ensuring a reliable, sustainable water supply for 2.5 million residents through infrastructure improvements and innovative water management approaches. Key highlights of the plan include:
Stormwater Capture Enhancements: Expanding efforts to capture and store stormwater, which can be treated and added to the water supply.
Prado Basin Sediment Management: Addressing sediment accumulation in Prado Basin to improve water quality and storage capacity.
Seawater Intrusion Barrier Expansion: Strengthening the barrier that prevents seawater from contaminating the region's groundwater supply.
PFAS Treatment Systems: Installing advanced treatment systems to remove harmful chemicals, such as PFAS, from water sources.
The plan also emphasizes flexibility and adaptability, preparing for future climate changes, regulatory shifts, and other challenges that may arise. By prioritizing these measures, OCWD is reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding a reliable water supply for the region’s growing population while ensuring resilience against potential future risks.
City of Huntington Beach
You are cordially invited to the Mayor's Breakfast event on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 featuring the honorable Mayor Pat Burns.
Breakfast provided by Masala Waves
Registration - 7:30AM
Breakfast & Program: 8:00AM - 9:30AM
The Senior Center in Central Park
18041 Goldenwest St
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Admission
Chamber Members: $45
Guests: $55
Table of 10: $425
For tables & sponsorship: tfigarsky@hbcoc.com or (714) 536-8888 ext. 703
California Public Utilities Commission
Join the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for an in-depth webinar on wildfire oversight and mitigation. This session will provide valuable insights into the CPUC’s role in wildfire safety, enforcement, and regulatory actions.
CPUC's Safety and Enforcement Division (SED) will review its collaboration with other state agencies, wildfire investigations, wildfire oversight, and the process of conducting a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). SED will also review enforcement actions and present a real-life case study of a PSPS/wildfire investigation. The CPUC Safety Policy Division (SPD) will discuss wildfire mitigation plans, tracking the implementation of these plans, and CPUC's oversight role.
Details:
Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
City of Anaheim
Construction has begun on Fire Station 12, Anaheim’s first fire station in the growing Platinum Triangle area, near Angel Stadium. The station is set to open in mid-2026 and will significantly reduce response times for emergency services in the area. This station will serve the Platinum Triangle, a hub for sports, entertainment, and transit, as well as residents and visitors to Angel Stadium, Honda Center, and OCVibe developments.
This is the city’s first new fire station since 2018, further expanding Anaheim’s public safety infrastructure to keep up with growth.
California Energy Commission National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program – Solicitation 2 This program supports expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, contributing to the national EV network under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The funding aims to boost EV infrastructure across California. Application Deadline: March 25, 2025 | Department of Labor Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP)
This program provides funding to support the reintegration of homeless veterans, including specialized initiatives such as the Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP) and the Homeless Women Veterans' and Homeless Veterans' with Children Reintegration Grant Program (HWVHVWC). These grants aim to assist veterans in securing meaningful employment and achieving long-term stability.
Application Deadline: March 17, 2025 |
Department of Housing and Community Development Permanent Local Housing Allocation/ 2023 PLHA NOFA
This program provides long-term funding to support affordable housing, homeless prevention programs, and other housing-related projects. Funds are allocated based on California jurisdictions’ housing needs.
Application Deadline: June 30, 2027 | Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service
This program provides technical and financial support to conserve priority coastal ecosystems. Through cooperative agreements with conservation partners and landowners, including state and Tribal agencies, the Coastal Program aims to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitats on both public and private lands.
Application Deadline: September 30, 2025 |
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