Agenda 04/25/2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Understanding the Virginia Municipal League's Legislative Committee and Policy Committee Process Each year the Virginia Municipal League develops two sep~rate documents.- a .legislative program a,nd a compilation of policy statements -- through a process that mvolves the LegISlative Comrruttee 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 committees 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 committee comprised of policy committee members. The steering committees guide and assist in the work of the policy committees. 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 Conunittee 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, all of whom are appointed 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. 'W'hat is included in VML's Legislative Program? The legislative program adopted by the Legislative Committee 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 <3 What is the role of the policy conunittees? Policy committees receive briefings on statewide issues identified by the steering committee, consider possible changes to dIe policy statement, and develop legislative recommendations for the Legislative Gmunittee to consider. How are policy committees appointed? Policy committee membership is open to elected and appointed officials of full-member local govenunents. 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 govenunent may appoint up to twO people per policy committee, at least one of whom must be an elected official.