2018 Legislative Committee
Chair: Don Harris, Mayor, Town of Bluefield
Vice Chair: Roger Fawcett, Council Member, City of Suffolk
| City Section |
| Gene Teague, Mayor, City of Martinsville
Mary Person, Mayor, City of Emporia Dan Sze, Council Member, City of Falls Church (EQ Chair) Billy Withers, Council Member, City of Fredericksburg Benny Zhang, Council Member, City of Williamsburg Andrea Oakes, Council Member, City of Staunton |
| Town Section |
| Don Harris, Mayor, Town of Bluefield
Sheila Olem, Council Member, Town of Herndon Edward Owens, Mayor, Town of South Boston Bill Rush, Town Manager, Town of Marion (CED chair) Jim Bradley, Council Member, Town of Gordonsville Phil Miskovic, Council Member, Town of Crewe (GL Chair) |
| Urban Section |
| Ted Byrd, Council Member, City of Harrisonburg (Transportation Chair)
John Gilstrap, Mayor, City of Danville John Rowe, Mayor, City of Portsmouth Roger Fawcett, Council Member, City of Suffolk Levar Stoney, Mayor, City of Richmond Thomas R. Smigiel, Jr., Council Member, City of Norfolk Tina L. Vick, Vice Mayor, City of Newport News Shannon Kane, Council Member, City of Virginia Beach (HD&E Chair) Katie Cristol, Board Member, County of Arlington Christine Snead, Council Member, City of Hampton (Finance Chair) Raphael “Ray” Ferris, Council Member, City of Roanoke Robert Ike, Council Member, City of Chesapeake |
Legislative Committee process
What is the role of the Legislative Committee? The Legislative Committee is responsible for considering and developing positions on existing or proposed state and federal legislation or regulations, and urging the enactment or amendment of, or opposition to, such legislation or regulations.
How is the Legislative Committee appointed? VML’s Constitution spells out the composition of the Legislative Committee. The committee consists of 24 individuals holding local elective or appointed positions, all 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, six must be representatives of cities and urban counties with populations of 35,000 or less, and six must represent towns.
What is included in VML’s Legislative Program? The legislative program adopted by the Legislative Committee reflects 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 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.
