Since joining the Board of Supervisors January 2001, Liz Kniss has taken many steps toward creating a better community for residents of Santa Clara County.

Successfully passed the Integrated Pest Management Ordinance and oversaw the initial implementation. 8 County Parks are now completely pesticide-free. The County's use of 22 different pesticides has been completely phased out. For every measurable indicator, the County has made significant reductions. The Santa Clara County IPM Program has been selected by the International IPM Symposium Awards Committee to receive an International IPM Award of Recognition in 2009.

Created short and long term strategies to address recruitment and retention of quality health care professionals at the public health and hospital system.

Championed a public awareness campaign with the American Cancer Society that included sharing her families experience with Colon Cancer to highlight the power of early detection in fighting Colon Cancer.

Promoted Juvenile Detention Reform and attained positive results in the County Juvenile Justice System such as an evening reporting center and enhanced programming at the juvenile ranches.

Launched a Task Force to work specifically on the jail population and systems needs related to adult justice, creating a team approach to improvements in this area.

Proposed an Electronic Waste policy for the County that focused on purchasing policies for the life span of electronics - from point of production to point of disposal.

Initiated a County policy related to LEED certification and building standards to save energy in all county buildings. In 2008 the County hired a Climate Change Manager to better coordinate efforts across departments.

Called for the creation of improved access to breast health screening and mammography to reduce late stage breast cancer diagnosis among medically under served women. The Community Mammography Access Project has been serving the community for two years now with outstanding results.  In 2008, over 1300 women were screened through the Project.

Supported the initiation of ‘Valley Care,’ a program to provide 10,000 uninsured citizens with access to health care, has increased funding to our hospital system and improved access to a care.