Hearing to discuss the findings and recommendations of the Proposition E Commission Streamlining Task Force's (Task Force) Final Report, and the draft Charter Amendment, entitled "Boards, Commissions, and Advisory Bodies," which proposes to implement the Task Force's recommendations, pursuant to Charter, Section 4.100.1(e); and requesting the City Administrator's Office to report.

This agenda item concerns the implementation of significant reforms to San Francisco's boards and commissions, based on the Proposition E Commission Streamlining Task Force's Final Report and a draft Charter Amendment. The Task Force, established by voters in November 2024, aims to enhance government efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability by streamlining the city's 152 appointive bodies. The report recommends reducing the number of public meeting bodies to 87 from 115 active bodies, eliminating 36 inactive bodies, and removing 24 additional bodies from the legal code due to overlap or inactivity. The estimated annual cost of operating these bodies in FY2024 was over $33.8 million.

Key Recommendations & Changes:

• Structural Shifts: Many commissions, including all non-decision-making bodies, will move from the Charter to the Administrative Code (or Transportation Code for MTA-related bodies). This change, requiring voter approval for Charter bodies, aims to increase flexibility for future amendments by the Board of Supervisors.
• Accountability & Authority: For most departments, the power to nominate, hire, and fire department heads will shift from commissions to the Mayor. Exceptions include the Ethics, Elections, Civil Service, and Retirement Boards, which retain this authority to preserve their independence. The Police and Fire Commissions will transition to an appellate role for employee discipline, with initial decisions made by their respective Chiefs. The Police Commission gains direct hiring/firing authority over the Director of the Department of Police Accountability.
• Standardization: New default rules establish 4-year terms with a 3-term limit (12 years) for Commissions and 3-year terms with a 4-term limit (12 years) for Advisory Bodies. Holdover service is limited to 60 days. Member removal will generally be "at-will" by the appointing authority, with "for-cause" removal reserved for specific independent bodies. Seat-specific qualifications are largely replaced by desirable, body-level qualifications.
• Eliminations & Consolidations: Notable bodies to be eliminated include the Sanitation and Streets Commission, Public Works Commission, and the Special Strike Committee. The Homelessness Oversight Commission will be renamed the Homelessness Advisory Board and absorb the Local Homeless Coordinating Board as a subcommittee. The Law Library Board of Trustees will be removed from the Charter as it's a state-governed entity.
• Ethics Commission: The process for the Ethics Commission to place ballot measures is revised, requiring Board of Supervisors review and action. The ability to recall members of the Airport, Ethics, Port, and Public Utilities Commissions is abolished.

The Task Force's Final Report was submitted on January 28, 2026, and the City Attorney's draft Charter Amendment was submitted on February 27, 2026. The Board of Supervisors is required to hold a hearing by April 1, 2026, with voter approval sought on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Charter amendments.