A Sierra Perspective on Statewide Decisions
The Sierra Nevada is home to communities, businesses, forests, watersheds, and infrastructure that are essential to California’s future. Decisions made at the state level have real consequences for the people and places that make up this region, and what happens in the Sierra impacts the whole state.
We work with policymakers, local leaders, and partners across the region and the state to ensure the Sierra is represented in policy and investment decisions that shape its future.
2026 Midterm Ballot Priorities
Bringing the Sierra’s perspective to statewide decisions
SBC evaluates statewide ballot measures through the lens of their potential impact on Sierra communities, economies, natural resources, and quality of life.
Ahead of California’s 2026 elections, we’re sharing our perspective on several ballot measures with implications for housing, local government capacity, environmental review, climate resilience, and the ability of Sierra communities to shape their own future.
SBC's Ballot Positions
Prop 45 – Oppose
Prop. 45 would make significant changes to California’s environmental review and permitting processes for certain projects.
SBC supports thoughtful efforts to streamline permitting for projects that address urgent needs, including housing and wildfire resilience. However, we believe the changes proposed by Prop. 45 are too broad and could reduce important environmental protections, public participation, and local decision-making while placing additional demands on already-limited local government capacity.
Prop 43 – Oppose
Prop. 43 would change the voting requirements for certain local special tax measures and prohibit local governments from levying certain ad valorem property taxes.
SBC opposes the measure because local governments need the ability to identify and fund solutions that reflect the needs of their communities. In the Sierra, where communities face significant challenges related to wildfire, emergency services, housing, infrastructure, and other essential services, local funding capacity is particularly important.
Prop 37 – Support
Prop. 37 would establish a state program to provide financing assistance to eligible Californians purchasing newly constructed homes.
SBC supports efforts to expand homeownership opportunities for working and middle-income households, particularly as housing costs continue to make homeownership difficult across California and in Sierra communities.
Prop 1 – Support
Prop. 1 would authorize $11.25 billion in general obligation bonds to support affordable housing, homeownership, and housing programs serving Californians including veterans, seniors, farmworkers, Tribal communities, and other households facing barriers to housing.
For the Sierra, continued state investment is particularly important as communities face high housing costs, limited developable land, wildfire risk, rising insurance costs, and the challenges of building and preserving housing in rural and mountain communities.
How a November Ballot Measure can support housing in the Sierra
SBC is supporting the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 (Prop 1), which will go in front of voters on the November ballot. Its passage is critical to advancing California’s housing goals, as Prop 1 would provide much-needed sustained investment in housing programs and projects across the state. Progress without it would be much more challenging, as funding for many housing programs has been exhausted.
Our Policy Priorities and Advocacy Updates
SBC engages in policy conversations where state and federal decisions have meaningful implications for Sierra communities and the systems they depend on.
2026 Legislative Session: What It Means for Wildfire & Climate Resilience
California’s 2026-27 legislative session wrapped up September 1 after a turbulent final week of negotiations over wildfire policy, funding, and the state budget. While a last-minute proposal on wildfire liability ultimately stalled, the Legislature did restore and increase funding for climate resilience through Proposition 4 and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF)—a meaningful outcome for Sierra communities amid a challenging state budget year.
The final plan includes $329.5 million for wildfire and forest resilience through Prop 4 and $118 million for wildfire prevention through GGRF. While these investments are an improvement over the June budget, wildfire resilience funding remains near historic lows, with no clear plan for sustained investment in future years.
Read more about the final budget, Prop 4 and GGRF allocations, and what’s next for wildfire and climate resilience in the Sierra.
How a November Ballot Measure can support housing in the Sierra
SBC is supporting the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 (Prop 1), which will go in front of voters on the November ballot. Its passage is critical to advancing California’s housing goals, as Prop 1 would provide much-needed sustained investment in housing programs and projects across the state. Progress without it would be much more challenging, as funding for many housing programs has been exhausted.
August 2026: From the capitol
The Legislature is entering the final days of the legislative session with a packed agenda. Hundreds of bills still need to reach the Governor’s desk, while legislators face major decisions on climate funding, the Governor’s wildfire liability proposal, and a range of other competing policy priorities.
July Legislative Update: Housing Bond & Wildfire Plan
Our July update from our government affairs team with what’s happening this month in the Capitol, information on the new Wildfire Action Plan, and a link to our Wildfire Resilience Workforce survey. This month’s blog also features a look at the upcoming Housing Bond that will be on ballots this November, and how it will impact communities in the Sierra.
June Advocacy Updates
This issue takes a closer look at recent changes to California’s Cap-and-Invest program and what they could mean for climate investments across the state. You’ll also find the latest on what’s happening in Sacramento that impacts on our region.
May 2026 – Appropriations & Legislative Updates
May 2026 – Appropriations & Legislative Updates May 15 was the final day for fiscal committees to consider bills introduced in the House where they
What Does Nevada’s Data Center Boom Mean for Tahoe’s Energy Future – and Local Consumer Costs
What Does Nevada’s Data Center Boom Mean for Tahoe’s Energy Future – and Local Consumer Costs Rapid growth in energy demand — driven in part
Concerns with CARB’s Cap-and-Invest Proposal
CARB’s recent Cap-and-Invest proposal would undermine our region’s climate resilience by extending our reliance on fossil fuels and reducing funding for the solutions our communities need. Here’s why.
Recap: Annual Sierra Day at the Capitol Turns Dialog Into Action
On April 28, Sierra Business Council and the Sierra Nevada Alliance convened a contingent of more than 30 regional leaders, local elected officials, state policymakers, and in Sacramento for Sierra Day at the Capitol, an annual advocacy event that brings Sierra voices and perspectives to California’s lawmakers.
April 2026 Legislative Update
As the second year of the legislative session enters full swing, SBC has been busy advocating in the Capitol for legislative and budget priorities related to wildfire resilience, climate bond funding, and housing.
March 2026 Legislative Updates
March Legislative Updates February 20th was the bill introduction for the second year of the 2025-26 legislative session. Bills are now moving to policy committees
Feb. Leg Updates
SBC’s Government Affairs team provides an update on California’s legislative and budget developments.