Agenda 04/27/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Understanding the Virginia Municipal League's Legislative Committee and Policy Committee Process Each year the Virginia Municipal League develops two separate documents - a legislative program and a compilation of policy statements -- through a process that involves the Legislative Committee and five separate policy committees. The Legislative Committee is responsible for developing the legislative program, but it may also rely on input from the policy committees to do so. The policy comnUttees develop broad policy statements, in addition to submitting specific legislative recommendations to the Legislative Committee for its consideration. Each policy committee has a smaller steering comm/ttee comprised of policy committee members. The steering committees guide and assist in the work of the policy commattees. Legislative Committee What is the role of the Legislative Committee? The Legislative Committee is responsible for considering and reporting on existing or proposed state and federal legislation or regulations, and urging the enactment of, amendment of, or opposition to, such legislation or regulations. How is the Legislative Committee appointed? The composition of the Legislative Committee is spelled out in VML's Constitution. The committee consists of 24 people holding elective or appointed positions, al/of whom are appc~mted by VML's President. Of the 24 members, 12 must be representatives of cities and urban counties with populations in excess of 35,000, 6 must be representatives of cities and urban counties with populations of 35,000 or less, and 6 must represent towns. What is included in VML's Legislative Program? The legislative program adopted by the Legislative Comnmttee should reflect specific legislative objectives that VML hopes to achieve during the upcoming legislative session. It is subject to the approval of VML's membership at the annual conference. What is the relationship between the Legislative Committee and VML's policy committees? The Legislative Committee meets prior to the steering and policy committees to identify issues that it would like the committees to consider for potential inclusion in the league's legislative program. It meets again after the policy committees have met to consider their recommendations. Policy Committees What is the role of the policy committees? Policy comtmttees receive briefings on statewide issues identified by the steering committee, consider possible changes to the policy statement, and develop legislative recommendations for the Legislative Committee to consider. How are policy committees appointed? Policy committee memberskip is open to elected and appointed officials of full-member local governments. Nomination letters are sent in the spring to each locality, and each local government determines which of its officials will be represented on each of the five policy committees. Each local government may appoint up to two people per policy committee, at least one of whom must be an elected official.