AGENDA DATE: 11/4/2015
TITLE:
Title
2016 Legislative Priorities
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Consideration and Approval of the 2016 Legislative Priorities
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Davis and Blount
PRESENTER (S): Larry Davis
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: Each year the Board considers and approves its legislative priorities for the upcoming General Assembly session. The priorities inform our legislative delegation as well as the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC), the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo), and the Virginia Municipal League (VML) of the Board’s position on important legislative issues. On August 5, 2015 the Board reviewed the General Assembly’s bills related to the 2015 Legislative Priorities and the Board reviewed and approved its initial 2016 Legislative Priorities. The Citizens Resource Advisory Committee met on October 21, 2015 and its report will be presented at the November 4, 2015 Board meeting. Issues identified in this report and other initiatives can be considered or added prior to the final adoption of the Board’s 2016 Legislative Priorities. The TJPDC 2016 Legislative Priorities will also be presented at the November 4, 2015 Board meeting.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Mission: To enhance the well-being and quality of life for all citizens through the provision of the highest level of public service consistent with the prudent use of public funds.
DISCUSSION: During the Board’s review of the preliminary 2016 Legislative Priorities, two new priorities were identified by the Board:
(1) Noxious Weeds: Support changes to the Virginia Code and to the Virginia Invasive Species Management Plan that direct efforts to prevent and control damage caused by invasive species. This priority is included in the TJPDC legislative priorities, as well.
(2) Seat Belts: Support legislation that would make the failure to use a seat belt a primary offense.
In addition, since the Board’s preliminary review, the following four issues have been identified by the Board, VACo, or VML as important legislative priorities:
(1) Broadband: Support legislation by the Commonwealth and the Federal Government that would assist communities in their efforts to deploy universal affordable access to broadband for all areas, particularly in underserved and rural areas while preserving local land use, permitting, fees, and other local authority.
(2) Body Worn Cameras: Support legislation to amend Virginia Code § 2.2-3706 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to clarify that local law enforcement agencies have the authority to withhold from mandatory disclosure under FOIA those records, including body worn camera and dashcam video, that contain identifying information of a personal, medical or financial nature where the release of such information could jeopardize the safety or privacy of any person.
(3) Drones: Support legislation enabling local governments to have authority to regulate the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in their jurisdictions not preempted by federal law.
(4) Stormwater Management: Oppose any legislation that would impact the resource and funding needs of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to fully administer, enforce, and maintain the Stormwater Management Laws. This issue was raised at VACO’s Environment and Agricultural Steering Committee meeting on October 14, 2015 and staff recommends that a position be included in the 2016 Legislative Priorities.
Finally, the County has received a request from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to support the following: adequate funding for agricultural best management practices, stormwater grant funding Initiatives, funding for wastewater treatment plant upgrades, and oyster replenishment program funding (Attachment B). Staff has added the following position to the draft 2016 Legislative Priorities to support the first three of these items that could directly affect the County:
Water Quality and Resources: Support state funding for the following: 1) agriculture best management practices, 2) stormwater grant initiatives, and 3) wastewater treatment plant upgrades.
BUDGET IMPACT: The County’s legislative priorities seek to ensure that the state adequately funds its mandated responsibilities and does not jeopardize the County’s ability to effectively and efficiently implement the policies (including fiscal) and programs that it deems necessary. There are no specific, identifiable budget impacts.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board approve its 2016 Legislative Priorities (Attachment A), with any additions or deletions it feels are appropriate.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Proposed 2016 Legislative Priorities
B - Chesapeake Bay Foundation Legislative Recommendations