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Overview

Now more than ever special districts need to advocate on behalf of the communities they serve. From the pandemic to climate adaptation, lawmakers in Sacramento and Washington D.C. are making critical decisions that will impact the budget, infrastructure, and operations of your district.

Virtual Special Districts Legislative Days is the only opportunity for all types of special districts, large and small, north and south, rural and urban to come together with one united voice. Issues like revenue, governance, labor, and public works matter to all districts whether they provide water, sewer, fire protection, parks, cemeteries, healthcare, mosquito abatement, ports, harbors, airports, libraries, or other essential services.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from California’s top decision-makers, build partnerships, and strengthen the voice of local control. Past speakers have included California’s State Controller, State Treasurer, Secretary of State, Secretary of Natural Resources, Director of the Office of Emergency Services, State Auditor, Legislative Analyst, and Director of Finance.

Legislator of the Year Presentation

John Garamendi

The Honorable John Garamendi, Congressman, CA-3

Legislator of the Year Presentation (Live)

Author of the Special Districts Provide Essential Services Act, Congressman Garamendi will receive CSDA’s Legislator of the Year Award and share from his experiences and perspective on Capitol Hill.

The Honorable Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Assemblymember, AD-4

The Honorable Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Assemblymember, AD-4

Legislator of the Year Presentation (Live)

California State Assembly Local Government Chair, Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry will receive CSDA’s Legislator of the Year Award and share from her experiences and perspectives related to local government.

Keynote Sessions

Deborah Jordan, Acting Regional Administrator, U.S. EPA Region 9

Deborah Jordan, Acting Regional Administrator, U.S. EPA Region 9

Keynote Session

Jordan will address drinking water and wastewater issues, air quality-related efforts, and community revitalization work, and touch on how EPA Region 9 programs are advancing the Biden Administration’s climate and environmental priorities

Bob Fenton, FEMA Region 9 Director

Bob Fenton, FEMA Region 9 Director

Keynote Session

Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IX Administrator Robert Fenton will join SDLD to share how districts can best prepare for disaster, programs to leverage in preparing for emergencies and how special districts can access emergency services programming in preparation for times of crisis. Fenton will also take questions from attendees.

Brittney Barsotti, General Counsel, California News Publishers Association

Brittney Barsotti, General Counsel, California News Publishers Association

Keynote Session

In this session the General Counsel for the California News Publisher’s Association will help district officials look at the these most impactful laws from a fresh perspective that will provide guidance on pitfalls and best practices to better serve the public and avoid costly litigation.

Erica Pan, MD, MPH, FAAP

Erica Pan, MD, MPH, FAAP, State Epidemiologist Deputy Director, Center for Infectious Diseases

Keynote Session

No topic has been bigger in the last year than COVID-19. What is the current state of the pandemic in California? What does it mean for local governments, both as employers and as local service providers? And, what can special districts be doing now and into the future to best partner with the state and well-serve our communities through this challenge we face together?

Breakout Sessions

Paul Mitchell, President, Redistricting Partners

Paul Mitchell, President, Redistricting Partners

Breakout Session

Changing Districts in Changing Times: How redistricting, the CVRA, and emerging demographic trends will continue to influence the governance of special districts

Josh Heller, Consultant, Kaufman Campaign Consultants

Joshua Heller, Consultant, J Squared Group

Breakout Session

Higher Office: Understanding the process that makes a lawmaker and the political issues underlying today’s elections at all levels

JOSHUA C. WALTERS, ESQ President & CEO, Walters Strategies

Joshua C. Walters, ESQ., President & CEO, Walters Strategies

Breakout Session

Higher Office: Understanding the process that makes a lawmaker and the political issues underlying today’s elections at all levels

Jessica Morse, Deputy Secretary for Forest Resource Management

Jessica Morse, Deputy Secretary for Forest Resource Management

Breakout Session

Climate Adaptation: How special districts and the State of California may partner in confronting wildfires, water sustainability, sea-level rise, and other infrastructure challenges

Kealiʻi Bright, Division Director, California Department of Conservation

Kealiʻi Bright, Division Director, California Department of Conservation

Breakout Session

Climate Adaptation: How special districts and the State of California may partner in confronting wildfires, water sustainability, sea-level rise, and other infrastructure challenges

General Information

Attendee Pricing:


Early Bird Registration on or before April 23, 2021:
$175 CSDA Member
$265 Non-member

Regular Registration after April 23, 2021:
$225 CSDA Member
$340 Non-member


Register

Live Sessions - subject to change

DAY ONE: Federal Advocacy Day – May 18, 2021 – 9:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Get updated on what’s happening in Washington D.C. so you can join local leaders from throughout the nation to take action on the priority issues facing special districts.  

  • Hear directly from top federal leaders on hot topics affecting local services and infrastructure. 
  • Receive a briefing from CSDA’s Federal Advocacy Coordinator and our National Special Districts Coalition lobbyists from Washington’s leading advocacy firms.
  • Explore how decisions are really made at the federal level and help shape their outcome.

DAY  TWO: State Advocacy Day – May 19, 2021 – 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Gain insights from statewide officials and CSDA’s lobbyists on the biggest challenges and newest laws to come out of Sacramento.

  • See what is shaping the future of special district funding, governance, and operations.
  • Find answers to your tough questions from expert panels.
  • Connect the action in the State Capitol with the implementation in your community.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS: Available on-demand through May 28

Drill into hot topics through breakout sessions on key issues.

  • Changing Districts in Changing Times: How redistricting, the CVRA, and emerging demographic trends will continue to influence the governance of special districts.
  • Climate Adaptation: How special districts and the State of California may partner in confronting wildfires, water sustainability, sea-level rise, and other infrastructure challenges.
  • Higher Office: What drives someone to become a lawmaker and the political issues
    underlying today’s elections.

Buy One-Get One

Each PAID registration is eligible to register one additional person for 2021 Special Districts Legislative Days at no charge. The additional registrant should - be a staff or board member from YOUR district who has NOT previously attended Special Districts Legislative Days. You'll receive an email with the complimentary registration information within 1 day of completing your paid registration.