AGENDA DATE: 5/3/2017
TITLE:
Title
2017 Legislative Update
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Review of 2017 General Assembly session and update on legislative priorities
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Walker, Kamptner
PRESENTER (S): Greg Kamptner
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Douglas C. Walker
BACKGROUND: Each year the Board of Supervisors 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 2017 Legislative Priorities (Attachment A).
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality Government Operations: Ensure County government’s capacity to provide high quality service that achieves community priorities.
DISCUSSION: A review of the County’s 2017 Legislative Priorities is provided as Attachment A. The report includes details regarding action taken on the priorities.
On August 3, 2016, the Board adopted its three legislative priorities for the 2017 Virginia General Assembly. The three priorities were to: (1) give counties the authority to establish economic revitalization zones; (2) amend Virginia Code § 15.2-2303.4, the new proffer statute, to clarify certain language in the law; and (3) initiate or support legislation granting urban counties taxing powers equal to those granted to cities. These priorities are set out below, with summaries of various bills provide in the attached update.
Economic Revitalization Zones
Economic Revitalization Zones The County initiated legislation to amend Virginia Code § 15.2-1129.2 to enable counties to create economic revitalization zones. HB 1970, which was introduced by Delegate Landes on behalf of Albemarle County, was adopted by the General Assembly this year. This legislation grants counties the authority to create economic revitalization zones. This enabling authority had previously only been granted to cities.
Land Use and Growth Management
Proffers The County supported legislation to amend Virginia Code § 15.2-2303.4 to strengthen localities’ authority by enabling them to utilize adequate public facilities ordinances and establish proffer systems that are workable and meaningful for various parties. The General Assembly failed to pass any legislation on this matter.
Equalized Taxation
The County supported legislation granting counties taxing powers equal to those granted cities and towns, without decreasing, limiting or changing city and town taxing authority. The General Assembly failed to pass any legislation on this matter.
The May 3, 2017 discussion will review additional legislation of interest to the County considered by the General Assembly during its 2017 session.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no budget impact.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
No action is required at this time, however, staff welcomes any feedback from the Board. Staff will return in June to begin discussing the Board’s proposed 2018 Legislative Priorities.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - 2017 Legislative Priorities Update