Legislative Committee

2022 Legislative Program (adopted Oct. 8)

Chair:   Christine Snead, Councilwoman, City of Hampton
Vice Chair:  Deanna Reed, Mayor, City of Harrisonburg

City Section
Carolyn Carey, Mayor, City of Emporia
Pat Dent, Council Member, City of Williamsbur
Frank Friedman, Mayor, City of Lexington
Cindy Mester, Deputy City Manager, City of Falls Church (Transportation Chair)
Terry Short, Council Member, City of Waynesboro (HD&E Chair)
David Smith, Mayor, City of Winchester

Town Section
Nancy Bailey, Vice Mayor, Town of Big Stone Gap (General Laws Chair)
Michael Barber, Mayor, Town of Christiansburg
Sara Carter, Town Manager, Town of Amherst (C&ED Chair)
Josh Farrar, Town Manager, Town of Ashland (Finance Chair)
Keith Harless, Town Manager, Town of Pennington Gap
Ed Owens, Mayor, Town of South Boston

Urban Section
Christopher Blakeman, Environmental Manager, City of Roanoke (EQ Chair)
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Vice Mayor, City of Alexandria
Michelle Davis-Younger, Mayor, City of Manassas
Roger Fawcett, Council Member, City of Suffolk
Tim Hemstreet, County Administrator, County of Loudoun
Robert Ike, Council Member, City of Chesapeake
Alonzo Jones, Mayor, City of Danville
Sena Magill, Vice Mayor, City of Charlottesville
Deanna Reed, Mayor, City of Harrisonburg
Christine Snead, Council Member, City of Hampton
Tina Vick, Vice Mayor, City of Newport News
Sabrina Wooten, Council Member, City of Virginia Beach

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.