Rafael Mandelman
Rafael Mandelman is a heavy hitter who turns bills into law, authors a high volume of legislation, near-perfect voting attendance, an almost-automatic yes vote. Primary beat: Budget & Taxes.
Rafael.Mandelman@sfgov.orgFocus areas
Authored legislation
- Ordinance#260282PassedJul 30, 2026
This ordinance allows hotels in certain residential districts to have up to eight guest rooms instead of the current limit of five. It also confirms that this change aligns with environmental regulations and city planning policies.
- Ordinance#260281PassedJul 23, 2026
The ordinance establishes a new permit for cannabis cafés that allows them to sell cannabis for on-site consumption and exempts them from certain smoking regulations and location restrictions. It also sets specific eligibility criteria for applicants and outlines associated fees for those seeking the permit.
- Resolution#260774PassedJul 23, 2026
This resolution allows the city to enter into a 75-year lease with Mercy Housing California to develop a 187-unit affordable housing project at 1939 Market Street. It aims to provide low-income households with affordable rental options and ensures compliance with city planning policies.
- Resolution#260856Mayors OfficeJul 21, 2026
This resolution celebrates the 155th anniversary of the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living and acknowledges its compassionate care for older adults and contributions to the community. It is currently under the Mayor's Office.
- Charter Amendment#260536PassedJul 14, 2026
Asks voters to change the city charter: Charter Amendment (First Draft) to amend the Charter of the City and County of San Francisco by 1) requiring or allow the Board of Supervisors to amend specified initiative ordinances. In short: voters would decide.
- Resolution#260819Mayors OfficeJul 14, 2026
This resolution designates the week of August 2 to August 8, 2026, as National Health Center Week in San Francisco. It aims to acknowledge the contributions of health centers to the community's well-being.
- Resolution#260818Pending Committee ActionJul 14, 2026
This resolution intends to start the process of burying utility lines on Homestead Street between 24th and 25th Streets, which is believed to benefit the public. It is currently awaiting action from a committee.
- Hearing#260800Pending Committee ActionJul 7, 2026
This hearing will assess San Francisco's preparedness for extreme heat events, focusing on planning, infrastructure improvements, and risk reduction efforts. It also requests reports from various city departments on their progress and strategies related to these issues.
- Resolution#260711New BusinessJun 16, 2026
A formal position or approval by the Board: Allow the Office of the Treasurer and Tax Collector to accept and expend a grant in the amount of $250,000 from the Jain-Trivedi Fund for the purpose of increasing juror per diems to qualifying low-income jurors in criminal cases in the San Francisco Superior Court from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2031.
- Resolution#260374PassedJun 12, 2026
A formal position or approval by the Board: Recognizing April 6, 2026, as the 100th Anniversary of United Airlines and its central role in San Francisco’s economy and global connectivity. In short: a symbolic stance, not a binding law.
- Ordinance#260398PassedJun 11, 2026
Proposes a change to city law: Set aside money $195,000,000 of General Obligation (GO) Bond proceeds from Series 2026A Healthy, Safe, and Vibrant SF GO Bonds to the Department of Public Health (DPH), Department of Public Works (DPW), Recreation and Park Department (REC), and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA) for acquisition and improvement of real property for various healthcare, nursing, and mental health facilities. In short: it commits city money.
- Resolution#260520PassedJun 11, 2026
A formal position or approval by the Board: Retroactively allow the Office of Cannabis to accept and expend a grant award in the not to exceed amount of $2,169,952 and to expend interest earned or accrued on grant funds for the grant term of April 1, 2026, through October 31, 2027, from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development for the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions.
- Motion#260652PassedJun 9, 2026
An internal Board decision: Motion directing the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to schedule a Committee of the Whole hearing on June 16, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., for the Members of the Board of Supervisors to consider the an official statement allow the Director of Transportation to enter into a loan agreement with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission as lender, for San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency public transit operating purposes, up to a maximum principal amount of $200,000,000, for a 12 year term from July 1, 2026, through June 3, 2038, pursuant to Assembly Bill No. In short: it commits city money.
- Ordinance#260570First ReadingJun 9, 2026
Proposes a change to city law: Changing the the city's zoning/building rules to designate the Alexander Adams Home, located at 1450 Masonic Avenue, Assessor’s Parcel Block No.
Recent votes
- Aye
Motion approving the President of the Board of Supervisors Rafael Mandelman’s nomination for the appointment of Joel Koppel to the Planning Commission, term ending July 1, 2030.
Rules Committee · Jul 27, 2026
- Aye
Motion approving the President of the Board of Supervisors Rafael Mandelman’s nomination for the appointment of Joel Koppel to the Planning Commission, term ending July 1, 2030.
Rules Committee · Jul 27, 2026
- Aye
Motion approving the President of the Board of Supervisors Rafael Mandelman’s nomination for the appointment of Elizabeth Macdonald to the Planning Commission, term ending July 1, 2030
Rules Committee · Jul 27, 2026
- Aye
Motion approving the President of the Board of Supervisors Rafael Mandelman’s nomination for the appointment of Elizabeth Macdonald to the Planning Commission, term ending July 1, 2030
Rules Committee · Jul 27, 2026
- Aye
Motion approving the Mayor's nomination for the reappointment of Kate Stacy to the Public Utilities Commission, term ending August 1, 2030.
Rules Committee · Jul 27, 2026
- Aye
Motion approving the Mayor's nomination for the reappointment of Kate Stacy to the Public Utilities Commission, term ending August 1, 2030.
Rules Committee · Jul 27, 2026
- Aye
Motion approving the Mayoral nomination for the appointment of Mike Chen to the Planning Commission, term ending June 30, 2030.
Rules Committee · Jul 27, 2026
- Aye
Motion approving the Mayoral nomination for the appointment of Mike Chen to the Planning Commission, term ending June 30, 2030.
Rules Committee · Jul 27, 2026
- Aye
Ordinance amending the Planning Code to increase the number of guest rooms for Hotel uses permitted as a Conditional Use in RH-2 (Residential House, Two-Family), RH-3 (Residential House, Three-Family), RM-1 (Residential Mixed, Low Density), RM-2 (Residential Mixed, Moderate Density), RM-3 (Residential Mixed, Medium Density), RM-4 (Residential Mixed, High Density), RTO-1 (Residential Transit-Oriented Neighborhood), and RTO-M (Residential Transit-Oriented, Mission) Districts from five or fewer rooms to ten or fewer rooms; specify that the Planning Commission shall consider the effects on an existing home’s quality and viability as an independent Dwelling Unit where a Conditional Use application seeks to establish a Hotel within a single-family home; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; making findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1; and making findings of public necessity, convenience, and welfare pursuant to Planning Code, Section 302.
Board of Supervisors · Jul 21, 2026
- Aye
Ordinance approving Health Service System plans and contribution rates for calendar year 2027.
Board of Supervisors · Jul 21, 2026
- Aye
Resolution approving an Amendment between the City, acting by and through the Office of Contract Administration, and Sigillo Supply Inc for plumbing supplies, extending the term by two years from November 30, 2029, for a new total term of December 1, 2024, through November 30, 2031, and increasing the contract amount by $12,310,000 for a new total not to exceed amount of $15,510,000; and to authorize the Office of Contract Administration to make necessary, non-material changes to the Amendment prior to its final execution by all parties that do not materially increase the obligations or liabilities to the City and are necessary or advisable to effectuate the purposes of the Agreement.
Board of Supervisors · Jul 21, 2026
- Aye
Resolution authorizing the Department of Technology and the Office of Contract Administration to enter into the First Amendment to the Agreement between the City and County of San Francisco and Zones, LLC for Microsoft Enterprise Products, to increase the contract amount by $60,000,000 for a new total not to exceed amount of $115,000,000; and to extend the term by 36 months from September 1, 2026, for a total term of September 1, 2023, through August 31, 2029, with the option of three one-year extensions.
Board of Supervisors · Jul 21, 2026
- Aye
Resolution approving and authorizing the First Amendment to the Loan Agreement between the City, acting by and through the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (“MOHCD”), and 1234 Great Highway LLC to finance predevelopment costs associated with the development of an approximately 216-unit multifamily residential project affordable to low-income and formerly homeless seniors, including a commercial shell for community serving space (the “Project”) on the property located at 1234, 1270, and 1280 Great Highway in a total amount not to exceed $27,248,500; adopting findings that the Project and proposed transactions are consistent with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1; and authorizing the Director of MOHCD to make certain modifications to the Loan Agreement, as defined herein, and take certain actions in furtherance of this Resolution, as defined herein.
Board of Supervisors · Jul 21, 2026
- Aye
Resolution approving and authorizing the Director of Property and Director of the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (“MOHCD”) to enter into a Ground Lease for real property owned by the City located at 1939 Market Street (“Property”) with Mercy Housing California 109, L.P. for a lease term of 75 years and one 24-year option to extend and an annual base rent of $15,000 (“Ground Lease”) in order to construct a 187-unit (including two managers’ units) multifamily rental housing development affordable to low-income households (the “Project”); adopting findings that the Project and proposed transactions are consistent with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1; determining that the less than market rent payable under the Ground Lease will serve a public purpose by providing affordable housing for low-income households in need, in accordance with Administrative Code Section 23.30; and authorizing the Director of Property and the Director of MOHCD to execute the Ground Lease, and make certain modifications and take certain actions in furtherance of this Resolution, as defined herein.
Board of Supervisors · Jul 21, 2026
- Aye
Motion approving the Mayor’s nomination for appointment of Vanessa Hartigan to the Port Commission, term ending May 1, 2030.
Board of Supervisors · Jul 21, 2026
- Aye
Motion approving the Mayor's nomination for the reappointment of Lydia So to the Planning Commission, term ending June 30, 2030.
Board of Supervisors · Jul 21, 2026