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Resolution#251217Passed
In plain English

This resolution authorizes the construction and improvement of various public safety facilities, including the Emergency Firefighting Water System and police infrastructure, to enhance earthquake preparedness, with an estimated cost of $535 million. It also allows landlords to pass on 50% of any resulting property tax increase to residential tenants.

Resolution determining and declaring that the public interest and necessity demand the construction, acquisition, improvement, rehabilitation, expansion, renovation, and seismic retrofitting of the Emergency Firefighting Water System, Firefighting Facilities and Infrastructure, Police Facilities and Infrastructure, transportation facilities for the Municipal Railway Bus Storage and Maintenance Facility at Potrero Yard, and other Public Safety Facilities and Infrastructure for earthquake and public safety and related costs necessary or convenient for the foregoing purposes (collectively, the “ESER Facilities”); authorizing landlords to pass-through 50% of the resulting property tax increase, if any, to residential tenants in accordance with Chapter 37 of the Administrative Code; finding that the estimated cost of $535,000,000 for the proposed ESER Facilities is and will be too great to be paid out of the ordinary annual income and revenue of the City and County and will require expenditures greater than the amount allowed therefore by the annual tax levy; finding that portions of the bond proposal are not a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and adopting findings under CEQA for the remaining portion of the bond proposal; finding that the proposed bond is in conformity and consistent with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1(b); and waiving the time requirements specified in Section 2.34 of the Administrative Code.

How it got here

The legislation for the Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response (ESER) Bond originated from the need to enhance public safety infrastructure in San Francisco, particularly in light of seismic risks.

1
Approval of Capital PlanApril 2025
Board of Supervisors

The Board approved the FY 2026-2035 Capital Plan, which included a schedule for planned debt and capital financing, setting the stage for the ESER Bond proposal.

BLA Rpt 011426
2
Amended Capital Plan ApprovalDecember 2025
Capital Planning Committee

The Capital Planning Committee approved an amended FY 2026-2035 Capital Plan, which included the ESER Bond proposal for $535 million, reflecting urgent public safety needs.

BLA Rpt 011426
3
Introduction of Bond LegislationDecember 9, 2025
Mayor Daniel Lurie

Mayor Lurie introduced the legislation for the ESER Bond, which included provisions for funding critical public safety facilities and infrastructure improvements.

MYR Cover Ltr 120925
4
Meet and Confer DeterminationDecember 12, 2025
Department of Human Resources

The Department of Human Resources assessed the legislation for compliance with 'Meet and Confer' requirements, determining it was not applicable.

DHR MaC Response 121225
5
CEQA DeterminationDecember 18, 2025
Planning Department

The Planning Department issued a CEQA determination, finding that portions of the bond proposal were not subject to CEQA review, facilitating the bond's progress.

CEQA Det 121825
6
Committee RecommendationJanuary 14, 2026
Budget and Finance Committee

The Budget and Finance Committee recommended the bond legislation for adoption, highlighting its importance for public safety.

Cmte Pkt 011426
7
Final AdoptionJanuary 27, 2026
Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors adopted the resolution for the ESER Bond, paving the way for a special election on June 2, 2026.

Leg Final

Reconstructed from attached documents & the official record

Document trail
PDF ↗
PLN Ltr 021324
SF Planning Department
PDF ↗
PLN Memo to File 102524
SF Planning Department
PDF ↗
Referral GO Bond PLN 121225
SF Planning Department
PDF ↗
CEQA Det 121825
Environmental review (CEQA)
PDF ↗
BLA Rpt 011426
Budget and Legislative Analyst
PDF ↗
PDF ↗
PDF ↗
PDF ↗
Transmitted to Elections
Departmental transmittal
PDF ↗

How they voted

Legislative journey

PresidentDec 9, 2025
RECEIVED AND ASSIGNED
Clerk of the BoardDec 12, 2025
REFERRED TO DEPARTMENT
Human Resources DepartmentDec 16, 2025
·RESPONSE RECEIVED
Planning DepartmentDec 18, 2025
·RESPONSE RECEIVED
ControllerJan 7, 2026
·RESPONSE RECEIVED
Budget and Finance CommitteeJan 14, 2026
RECOMMENDEDPass
Board of SupervisorsJan 27, 2026
ADOPTEDPass
MayorFeb 6, 2026
APPROVED
Clerk of the BoardFeb 12, 2026
·TRANSMITTED