Resolutions and the General Assembly
Developing Cal Cities policy is a dynamic process that engages a wide range of members to ensure that Cal Cities represents California cities with one voice. These policies directly guide Cal Cities' advocacy to promote local decision-making, and lobby against statewide policies that erode local control.
The resolutions process and General Assembly is one way that city officials can directly participate in the development of Cal Cities policy. If a resolution is approved at the General Assembly, it becomes official Cal Cities policy. Here's how resolutions and the General Assembly work.
Prior to the Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo
General Resolutions
Sixty days before the Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo, Cal Cities members may submit policy proposals on issues of importance to cities. The resolution must have the concurrence of at least five additional member cities or individual members. Next step: Policy Committees
Policy Committees
The Cal Cities President assigns general resolutions to policy committees where members review, debate, and recommend positions for each policy proposal. Recommendations are forwarded to the Resolutions Committee. Next step: Resolutions Committee
During the Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo
Petitioned Resolutions
The petitioned resolution is an alternate method to introduce policy proposals during the annual conference. The petition must be signed by voting delegates from 10% of member cities, and submitted to the Cal Cities President at least 24 hours before the beginning of the General Assembly. Next step: Resolutions Committee
Resolutions Committee
The Resolutions Committee considers all resolutions. General resolutions approved1 by either a policy committee or the Resolutions Committee are next considered by the General Assembly. General resolutions not approved, or referred for further study by both a policy committee and the Resolutions Committee, do not go to the General Assembly. All Petitioned Resolutions are considered by the General Assembly, unless they are disqualified.2 Next step: General Assembly
General Assembly
During the General Assembly, voting delegates debate and consider general and petitioned resolutions forwarded by the Resolutions Committee. Potential Cal Cities bylaws amendments are also considered at this meeting.
1 The Resolution Committee can amend a general resolution prior to sending it to the General Assembly.
2 Petitioned Resolutions may be disqualified by the Resolutions Committee according to Cal Cities Bylaws Article VI. Sec. 5(f).
2024 Resolutions and calendar deadlines
- Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024: Deadline to submit resolutions, 60 days prior to the opening of the annual conference.
- Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, 8:30 a.m.: Deadline to submit signatures to qualify a petitioned resolution.
- Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024: Resolutions Committee meets to consider and make recommendations on general resolutions and petitioned resolutions.
- Friday, Oct. 18, 8:30 a.m.: All voting delegates must be checked in prior to the beginning of the General Assembly. (Voting delegates must be registered to attend the annual conference and must stay until the conclusion of voting.)
- Friday, Oct. 18, 8:30 a.m.: Consideration of general resolutions and petitioned resolutions by cities in the General Assembly Meeting.
Who's who
Cal Cities policy development is a member-informed process, grounded in the voices and experiences of city officials throughout the state.
The Resolutions Committee includes representatives from each Cal Cities diversity caucus, regional division, municipal department, and policy committee, as well as individuals appointed by the Cal Cities president.
Voting delegates are appointed by each member city; every city has one voting delegate.
The General Assembly is a meeting of the collective body of all voting delegates — one from every member city.
Seven policy committees meet throughout the year to review and recommend positions to take on bills and regulatory proposals. Policy committees include members from each Cal Cities diversity caucus, regional division, and municipal department, as well as individuals appointed by the Cal Cities president.
Learn more
Voting delegates should attend the full conference through the General Assembly, which takes place on Fridays of the annual conference. However, delegates can register for just the Friday portion of the annual conference if they are unable to attend the full conference.
Per the Cal Cities bylaws, every member city may designate a delegate and up to two alternates, by approval of the city council. 2024 Voting delegates must be appointed Wed., Sept. 25. Click here to learn more about appointing your cities voting delegate.”