Welcome to the State of California 

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

Jennifer W. Simoes (JS)
LC     Licensing & Certification
LB     Laboratory Field Services


Susie Smith (SS)
AD     Administration                                     
CD     Chronic Disease and Injury Control
OB     Coordinating Office of Obesity Prevention
EO     Environmental & Occupational Disease
LA      Legislative and Governmental Affairs
LG     Office of Legal Services
SB     State Budget

 
Richard Kwong (RK)
AS     Office of AIDS
DC     Communicable Disease Control  
EP     Emergency Preparedness                      
BH     Office of Border Health
CR     Office of Civil Rights
IA       Internal Audits
MH     Office of Multicultural Health
WH     Office of Women’s Health
IT        Information Technology Services
HI       Health Info & Strategic Planning
GD     Genetic Disease
MF     Maternal, Child & Adolescent (*Family Planning)
WC     Women, Infants & Children

 
Sarah Logue (SL)
DE     Drinking Water & Environmental 
FR     Food, Drug & Radiation Safety

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