Albemarle County Board of Supervisors 2025 Legislative Forum – December 6, 2024

The Board of Supervisors held its annual legislative forum on December 6, 2024, at 1:30 PM in Room 241 to review and discuss the county's 2025 legislative priorities, budget amendment requests, and policy positions with members of the General Assembly, including Senator Creigh Deeds, Delegate Amy Laufer, Delegate Katrina Callsen, Delegate Suzette Densel, and Delegate David... The meeting featured presentations by Interim County Attorney Andy Herrick and Economic Development Director Emily Kilroy, followed by an interactive discussion with state legislators.

Legislative Priorities

• Expand photo speed device authority – The county seeks authority to deploy photo speed monitoring on designated road segments where speeding is a problem. Since implementation on October 21, 2024, 2,411 citations have been issued, and driving behavior changes are being observed. Delegate Callsen noted that litigation over the requirement for an officer to witness the violation may be a challenge, but she is working with Delegate Jones on legislation.
• One-cent sales tax option for school capital projects – The county requests designation as a locality eligible for a local sales tax for school construction, or statewide authorization. Senator Deeds suggested using the state budget surplus for school construction grants instead, noting the tax bill faced previous opposition in the Senate Finance Committee.
• Expand civil forfeiture for community threats – Proposed to allow seizure of property connected to bomb threats, terror hoaxes, and malicious fire alarms, currently capped at $250. Supervisor Pruitt explained the impetus: rising threats against county facilities and personnel, citing a specific case involving death threats and bomb threats at a gym. Delegate Callsen and Senator Deeds questioned the practicality, noting that many threats originate from minors or out of state, limiting collectibility.
• Rivanna Futures Phase I site readiness – Budget amendment request for $11 million to prepare 50 acres adjacent to Rivanna Station for development as a national security innovation hub. Emily Kilroy highlighted an Intelligence and National Security Alliance event on December 3, 2024, with over 300 attendees, and a video message from Senator Tim Kaine expressing support. Senator Deeds noted the challenge of competing with other localities for site preparation funds but acknowledged the project's statewide significance.
• Biscuit Run Park trail connection – Request for state funding for an ADA-accessible trail segment connecting Biscuit Run Park (opening December 14, 2024) to the future Monacan Indian Nation Tribute Park. The county has invested $14 million so far. Delegate Laufer suggested tapping into existing state park ADA improvement funds. Supervisor Mallek asked to be kept informed of state park funding opportunities.
• Study tools to mitigate rent increases from multifamily redevelopment – The county requests a state study of ways to protect tenants when affordable housing units are redeveloped, as current rent stabilization typically exempts new construction. Delegate Callsen noted the drafting deadline had passed but offered alternatives such as a letter to the Housing Commission. Senator Deeds and Delegate Densel discussed the possibility of a study bill, with Delegate Callsen confirming she submitted a drafting request.

Legislative Positions and Policy Statements

Andy Herrick presented 49 positions adopted by the board, highlighting new or revised items:

• Support for increased state funding for economic development, mental health, affordable housing, public schools, and digital equity.
• Opposition to state preemption of local land use authority, especially regarding solar facilities and data centers. Senator Deeds and Delegate Laufer debated balancing local control with clean energy goals; Delegate Laufer noted that many solar permits are approved but developers self-select locales.
• Support for local enforcement of the landlord-tenant act (Delegate Price has carried similar bills). Senator Deeds and Delegate Densel emphasized tenant protections, with Delegate Densel citing a constituent's fear of retaliation.
• Support for a locality's right of first refusal when affordable housing is sold or converted.
• Support for a state study of rent stabilization/gouging protections.
• Support for demerit points for truck violations (overweight, wrong route) – Senator Deeds noted truck drivers often don't control loads but can choose routes.

Delegates' Priorities & Discussion

• Senator Creigh Deeds – Warning about federal spending cuts affecting Medicaid; Virginia faces a $632 million Medicaid shortfall. He chairs Commerce and Labor and a Health subcommittee. He emphasized using the state surplus for one-time capital projects like school construction.
• Delegate Amy Laufer – Carrying bills on unattended firearms in vehicles (civil penalty), dam maintenance (allowing municipal/private access to funds), solar (agrovoltaics, distributed solar), address protection for intimate partner victims, waste tire recycling, mattress recycling, public school procurement flexibility, and maternal telehealth. She supports Rivanna Futures and a speed camera bill.
• Delegate Katrina Callsen – Carrying a study bill for the county's rent mitigation study, criminal justice reform bills (access to counsel), an education bill auto-enrolling advanced math for high-scoring students, a UVA firearm authority bill (permissive for localities), and solar expansion. She invited board members to her office hours and a town hall.
• Delegate Suzette Densel – Focused on housing issues; she carried a bill on rent collusion by software companies and a tax assessment change for affordable housing. She noted that many housing initiatives were vetoed by the governor last year and that bipartisanship is needed.
• Supervisor Mike Pruitt – Emphasized the need for local revenue-raising authority via referendum. He supported the speed camera expansion and noted constituent desperation on Gordonsville Road.
• Supervisor Bea LaPisto-Kirtley – Asked about affordable housing strategies at the state level; Senator Deeds and Delegate Densel discussed the state housing trust fund and recording tax.

Key Outcomes

• The board's 2025 legislative priorities and positions were presented and discussed with state legislators. No formal votes were taken.
• Delegates committed to supporting Rivanna Futures, Biscuit Run Park funding, speed camera expansion, and the one-cent sales tax option where feasible.
• The county will pursue alternative routes for the rent stabilization study (letter to Housing Commission) as the drafting deadline has passed.
• The board will continue to coordinate with TJPDC and the delegation on budget amendments and bills.
• The meeting adjourned to December 11, 2024, at 1:00 PM in Lane Auditorium.