Memorandum
Date: November 3, 2026
To: The Honorable Brad Rasmussen, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Susan Parker, County Administrative Officer
Stephen L. Carter, Jr. Assistant County Administrative Officer
Matthew T. Rothstein, Chief Deputy County Administrative Officer
Subject: Consideration of a Presentation from Nielsen Merksamer on the 2026 Legislative Session and Potential Areas of Emphasis for 2027
Executive Summary:
Nielsen Merksamer, Lake County’s advocates in Sacramento, are pleased to present a report on the 2026 Legislative Session. The presentation will give an overview of the state of politics in Sacramento, provide a brief summary of the State budget and key impacts of 1,040 bills signed by Governor Newsom throughout this year. Additionally, this presentation will feature potential areas of legislative and regulatory emphasis for 2026 of interest to Lake County, to inform development your Board’s 2027 Legislative Priorities.
Geoff Neill, Senior Legislative Advocate, will present and respond to questions from your Board.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☒ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☐ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☒ Public Safety ☒ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☒ Economic Development ☒ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: Informational update, only. Consider Direction to Staff, as appropriate.