AGENDA DATE: 6/8/2016
TITLE:
Title
Review of 2016 Legislative Priorities
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Review of 2016 Legislative Priorities
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Kamptner, Blount
PRESENTER (S): Greg Kamptner
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: Each year the Board considers and approves its legislative priorities and submits them to the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC), the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo), and the Virginia Municipal League (VML). Generally, the TJPDC’s legislative program incorporates the County’s legislative priorities. Other initiatives are sometimes added prior to the General Assembly session. This executive summary will provide a review of the Board’s 2016 Legislative Priorities (Attachment A), which includes ongoing Legislative Priorities.
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: The purpose of Wednesday’s discussion is to consider priority legislative positions the Board feels it should review with our legislators at a proposed meeting in September and to consider what actions the Board would like legislators to take to more fully support those positions. In preparation for that meeting, a review of the County’s 2016 Legislative Priorities is provided in the attached “2016 Legislative Priorities Report”. The report includes details regarding previous action taken on the priorities, an assessment of what priorities should be continued in the future, and links to the final legislative reports of the TJPDC, VACo and VML. Priorities added in 2016 are marked with an asterisk, and ongoing priorities are also listed. Many of the 2016 Legislative Priorities were carried forward from 2015. Six specific priorities that were added in 2016 are set out below:
Local Government Administration and Finance
Body Worn Cameras The County supported 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 cameras 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. The General Assembly introduced three bills pertaining to body worn cameras, however, none of the bills made their way out of committee.
Seat Belts The County supported legislation that would make the failure to use a seatbelt a primary offense. The General Assembly declined to introduce any legislation on this matter.
Drones The County supported legislation enabling local governments to have authority to regulate the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in their jurisdictions not preempted by federal law. The General Assembly passed HB 412, which provides that no locality may regulate the use of privately owned, unmanned aircraft within its boundaries. The provisions of the bill expire July 1, 2019.
Growth Management, Land Use and Transportation
Noxious Weeds The County supported changes to the Virginia Code and to the Virginia Invasive Species Management Plan, which directs efforts to prevent and control damage caused by invasive species. The General Assembly passed HB 734, which establishes an advisory committee to evaluate the risks of a plant or part thereof that is being considered for designation as a noxious weed.
Water Quality and Resources The County supported state funding for the following: 1) agriculture best management practices, 2) stormwater grant initiatives, and 3) wastewater treatment plant upgrades. The General Assembly did not provide any new funding for the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund.
Stormwater Management The County opposed any legislation that would impact the resource and funding needs of the Department of Environmental Quality to fully administer, enforce, and maintain the Stormwater Management laws. The General Assembly passed HB 438, HB 448, HB 1250, SB 468, and SB 598 with regard to Stormwater Management laws. Bill summaries are detailed in the 2016 Legislative Report.
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 review the 2016 Legislative Priorities Report (Attachment A), and recommend any changes or additions it feels are appropriate for the 2017 Proposed Legislative Priorities to be brought back at a later date before submission of the final 2017 Priorities to the TJPDC, VACo and VML. In addition, staff recommends that the Board identify priority legislative positions it would like to discuss with legislators at the proposed September legislative meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - 2016 Legislative Priorities Report