Office of Legislative and Governmental Affairs

The Legislative and Governmental Affairs office facilitates, coordinates, and advocates for the development and enactment of legislation in the interest of public health. As a key player in carrying out the California Department of Public Health's mission to protect and advance the health of all Californians, the office assists in the development and refinement of the State's health care laws. The office performs its role through various functions.

Primary Functions:

• Develops strategies for introducing and promoting legislation to implement the Department's sound public health principles.
• Monitors the State's political pulse through interactions with Legislators and their staff, public and private agencies, the health professional community, consumers, constituency groups and educational partners who express interest in public health. The Office uses this information as it advises the California Health and Human Services Agency and Governor on public health policy.
• Articulates Department and Administration policies to the California Legislature, in coordination with the California Health and Human Services Agency and the Governor.
• Provides technical assistance to California State legislators and their staff on the Department's various programs through briefings, testimony at informational hearings, individual meetings, periodic newsletters, fact sheets, etc.
• Builds and fosters strong partnerships for health with California State legislators and their staff.
• Monitors federal bills, policies and programs to ensure that the interests of the State are communicated and considered.

Secondary Functions:

• Provides consultative and technical assistance to the Department's programs and the public.
• Ensures that the Department's bill analyses provide a sound basis for effective legislative advocacy. 
• Ensures that the Department's bill analyses synthesize the policies, activities and resource needs of its numerous programs.

Legislative Staff

Monica Wagoner, Deputy Director, monica.wagoner@cdph.ca.gov

Jennifer Simoes, Assistant Deputy Director, (jennifer.simoes@cdph.ca.gov)

Susie Smith, Legislative Coordinator (susie.smith@cdph.ca.gov) 
Sarah Logue, Legislative Coordinator (sarah.logue@cdph.ca.gov) 
Richard Kwong, Legislative Coordinator (richard.kwong@cdph.ca.gov)  
 
Tony Huizar, Staff Services Analyst (tony.huizar@cdph.ca.gov) 

Staff Assignments

Contact Us

Mailing address: MS 0503, PO Box 997377, Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Phone: (916) 440-7502  Fax: (916) 440-7505
Physical address: 1615 Capitol Ave., Suite 73.741, 7th Floor