Summary of Existing Policy and Guiding Principles 2024

We are pleased to present the 14th edition of Cal Cities Summary of Existing Policy and Guiding Principles. In a process that continues today, the first version was prepared in 1997 by researching and summarizing policy guidelines and positions on past legislation adopted by Cal Cities, as well as past annual conference resolutions.

The Summary was developed with the assistance of the seven standing Cal Cities policy committees and the Cal Cities Board of Directors to ensure the content accurately reflects existing Cal Cities policy. The 2024 edition reflects policy changes adopted by Cal Cities through February 2024, following a review of Cal Cities’ positions on recent legislation and annual conference resolutions. The Summary is posted on Cal Cities’ website in its entirety, as well as on individual policy committee pages.

The Summary of Existing Policy and Guiding Principles is intended to be a living reference, updated biennially, to reflect changes to Cal Cities policy. Cal Cities uses it to review new legislation and determine how it relates to existing Cal Cities policy. The Summary can also be used to better understand Cal Cities policy and positions on state and federal legislation.

We encourage cities to adopt all or part of the Summary so that they can respond in a timely manner to new legislation introduced at the state and federal levels. This will permit cities to become more active in the legislative process and involved in issues impacting cities. Quick, thoughtful action on these issues helps your community, helps us, and Californians throughout the state.

We hope you will find the Summary useful in your city’s involvement in the legislative process and Cal Cities. Please do not hesitate to relay any comments you may have about this reference guide to the Cal Cities Sacramento office. Your suggestions are always welcome.