HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-01-26 LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
CITY OF ROANOKE
MINUTES
June 1, 2026
Time: 9:00 A.M.
Location: Noel C.Taylor Municipal Building
Council Chamber, Room 450
215 Church Avenue, S.W.
Roanoke,Virginia 24011
CALL TO ORDER,ROLL CALL-9:09 A.M.
PRESENT: Chairman S. Terry McGuire, Mayor Joseph L. Cobb, Council Members
Nicolas Hagen, Vivian Sanchez-Jones, Phazhon Nash, Peter Volosin, and Evelyn
Powers.
OFFICERS PRESENT: Valmarie H. Turner, City Manager; Vanessa Bohr, Deputy
City Manager; and Laura Carini, City Attorney.
OTHERS PRESENT: H. Alan Seibert, Constituent Services and Government
Relations Officer, Roanoke City Public Schools; Preston Bryant, Legislative Liaison;
Clayton Cox and Scott Binkley, Federal Legislative Consultants.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE SECRETARY: Cecelia Webb, Deputy City Clerk,
City of Roanoke.
ABSENT: Deidre Trigg and Mary"Franny"Apel (RCPS Committee Members)
OPENING REMARKS:
Chairman S. Terry McGuire welcomed the Committee members, as well as all present at the
meeting.
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES—May 4,2026
Committee Member Hagen moved that the reading of the minutes be dispensed with
and approved as recorded. The motion was seconded by Vice-Chairman Volosin, and
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Committee Members Hagen, Sanchez-Jones, Mayor Cobb, Nash, Volosin,
Powers, and Chairman McGuire-7.
NAYS: None-0.
(Committee Members Apel and Trigg were absent).
DISCUSSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE ITEMS:
Preston Bryant gave a presentation on the Report on the 2026 General Assembly; he
highlighted the following information:
• General Assembly Calendar
o January 14—March 14, 2026 (60-day session)
o April 22 was the Reconvened Session
o April 23 began the Special Session on the Budget
o June 30 is end of Fiscal Year
• Legislation
o House 1,530 bills/727 passed (47.5%)
o Senate 836 bills/477 passed (57.0%)
• Summary/Accomplishments
o Increase value for land bank acquisition PASSED
o Virginia Tech Carillion School of Medicine PASSED capital funding (contingent
on budget)
o Tree canopy; additional tools PASSED
o Solar; expanded use PASSED
o Civil Liberties; repeal marriage amendment; cannabis retail sales; reproductive
healthcare; voting rights restoration for formerly incarcerated PASSED (all)
■ Summary/Positions Supported
o Virginia Housing Trust Fund; additional funds
PASSED (contingent on budget)
o Firearms storage,residence;minor's access PASSED
o Photo speed enforcement; expanded use PASSED
o Stormwater Local Assistance Fund; additional funds PASSED (contingent
on budget)
o PFAS; water quality protections PASSED
o RGGI; Virginia to rejoin PASSED
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Mr. Bryant reviewed the successes as well as the vetoes and responses from the Governor.
He briefly reviewed the bills that were signed and the budget update. Conversation ensued in which
Committee Member Volosin asked about SB 74; whereby, Mr. Bryant advised that he would
investigate the matter and provide information later.
Scott Binkley and Clayton Cox gave a brief presentation on the Federal Affairs Update
highlighting the following:
• Recent Passage
o 21st Century Road to Housing Act&Farm Bill Reauthorization
• The Big One
o Reconciliation 2.0 &3.0
• On The Horizon
o BUILD America 250 Act
• Still Possible
o FY27 Appropriations
• Congressional Maps
o Voter status—Approved on 4/21/26
o 5/8 SCOVA Struck Down
o 5/15 SCOTUS Denial
o Future Outlook
o Field Set for 2026
o Possible again in 2028
•
o Expect Stability Overall
Upon the conclusion of the briefing, brief discussion took place in which Chairman
McGuire questioned what surrounding localities were presenting and if the City of Roanoke
requests would that minimize chances for receipt. Vice-Chairman Volosin affirmed that
surrounding localities were engaged and sent letters of support and it was good to look at
previously received earmarks to track progress for the future.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Chairman McGuire advised that the goal of the Legislative Committee was to complete the
City's Legislative Program in August and suggested that a public hearing be held on July 20 to
afford the public opportunity to speak on the legislative priorities.
Vice-Chairman Volosin moved that the Legislative Committee host a public hearing on
Monday, July 20, at 7:00 pm, to receive feedback from the public on the City/State legislative
agenda. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Nash and adopted by the following
vote:
AYES: Committee Members Hagen, Sanchez-Jones, Mayor Cobb, Nash, Volosin,
Powers, and Chairman McGuire-7.
NAYS:None-0.
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The City Attorney mentioned that a memo was sent to highlight the upcoming changes in
State mandates effective July 1 and no action was required,but it was a long list to review, and the
City Attorney's and City Manager's Offices would make any necessary changes.
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was officially
adjourned at 10:03 a.m.
APPROVED
ATTEST:
óT.Webb, CMC S.Terry McGuire
Deputy City Clerk Chairman r.
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