TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH:
FROM: Legislative Committee
SUBJECT:
title
Recommended policy statements and priorities to guide Salem’s Federal and State agenda, and Salem’s response to proposed legislation during the 2024 Oregon Legislative Session.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Good Governance; Natural Environment Stewardship; Safe Community; Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure; Strong and Diverse Economy; Welcoming and Livable Community.
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SUMMARY:
summary
During the interim between State legislative sessions, the City Council’s Legislative Committee meets monthly to consider priorities to guide Salem’s Federal and State agendas. The Oregon State Legislature will convene February 5, 2024 for a short session. Before any official representing the City of Salem can attempt to influence legislation on a particular matter, during the interim or a legislative session, the City Council must adopt an official position related to that matter. To make the best use of Council and staff resources and position the City to respond more expeditiously to moving legislation, the Council approves policy statements which are intended to guide public officials and the City's contracted lobbyists in responding to and formulating positions on issues expected to come before the Oregon Legislature or topics anticipated to be addressed at the Federal level. During the short session and due to the speed at which legislation moves, the City Council often delegates authority to adopt official City positions on legislation to the Council’s Legislative Committee.
On October 20, 2023, the City Council Legislative Committee met to consider Legislative priorities and policies to form Salem’s State and Federal agenda (Attachment 1). The Legislative Committee is comprised of Mayor Hoy and Councilors Stapleton, Nordyke, and Phillips, with Councilor Nishioka serving as alternate.
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council;
1) approve policy statements and priorities to guide Salem’s Federal and State agenda, and Salem’s response to proposed legislation during the 2024 Oregon Legislative Session positions on specific bills for the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session; and
2) authorize the City Council’s Legislative Committee to act on behalf of the Council during the 2024 Legislative Session, adopting positions on bills outside the scope of the policy statements?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
1. Approve policy statements and priorities to guide Salem’s Federal and State agenda, and Salem’s response to proposed legislation during the 2024 Oregon Legislative Session positions on specific bills for the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session; and
2. Authorize the City Council’s Legislative Committee to act on behalf of the Council during the 2024 Legislative Session, adopting positions on bills outside the scope of the policy statements.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The Legislative Committee meets monthly during the interim between State legislative sessions to receive updates and consider priorities for the City’s State and Federal agendas. The Legislative Committee is comprised of Mayor Hoy and Councilors Stapleton, Nordyke, and Phillips. Councilor Nishioka serves as the alternate.
On October 20, 2023, the Legislative Committee approved a set of priorities and policy statements to guide Salem’s State and Federal agendas (Attachment 1).
Given the brevity of the 2024 Legislative Session and the speed at which legislation moves, the Legislative Committee is recommending that the City Council delegate the authority to adopt official City positions on legislation to the Council Legislative Committee. If approved, this change will enable the City to be more responsive and nimble throughout the short session.
BACKGROUND:
The Legislative Committee will provide the City Council with regular updates during the short session. To continue a coordinated and unified response during the upcoming session, and in accordance with Council Policy No. G-1, the Mayor and Councilor are asked to communicate the nature of their legislative contacts to staff via an email to Courtney Knox Busch (cbusch@cityofsalem.net <mailto:cbusch@cityofsalem.net>). Staff will forward the communication to the City’s lobbyist, the Legislative Committee, and City Council as appropriate.
Courtney Knox Busch
Strategic Initiatives Manager
Attachments:
1. Legislative Committee recommended 2024 Federal and State Policy Agenda.