Subject:
Title
120th Congress Federal Legislative Program.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the 120th Congress Federal Legislative Program to advance lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C.:
• Allow staff to advance lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. through partnerships with Pinellas County’s federal contract lobbying firm, Van Scoyoc Associates, and key stakeholder groups.
• Directs lobbying efforts to narrowly focused guiding principles, legislative priorities, and legislative appropriation requests.
• Permits staff to lobby federal legislators, professional legislative staff, the White House, and federal agencies on issues the Board of County Commissioners have prioritized.
• Maintain an active stance opposing federal preemption and unfunded mandates.
• Maintain a role coordinating with the National Association of Counties and other key stakeholder groups to provide updates regarding any departmental impacts or benefits related to certain policy proposals outside the scope of the 120th Congress Federal Legislative Program.
• Delegate authority to the County Administrator to direct staff to act on bills or budget items of significant consequence to Pinellas County that fall outside the scope of the 120th Congress Federal Legislative Program.
• Delegate authority to the County Administrator to direct staff to submit federal earmark requests outside the scope of the 120th Congress Federal Legislative Program for FY 29.
• The 120th Congress Federal Legislative Program may have an indeterminate positive fiscal impact on Pinellas County in various funds and cost centers.
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Strategic Priorities:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.1 Improve traffic flow efficiency.
1.2 Maintain and enhance County infrastructure.
1.3 Increase access to green space.
1.4 Improve environmental quality.
1.5 Strengthen resilience and adaptation.
1.6 Ensure sustainable water management.
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.2 Enhance community safety.
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.1 Increase the availability of attainable housing.
3.3 Increase workforce opportunities.
3.5 Foster business growth.
Smart Service Delivery
4.4 Pursue continuous improvement.
4.5 Develop and retain a highly skilled and efficient workforce.
Summary:
Summary
The 120th Congress Federal Legislative Program codifies operational recommendations from Pinellas County departments with prioritization expectations provided by the Board of County Commissioners.
The 120th Congress Federal Legislative Program narrows lobbying efforts and focuses on Board approved guiding principles, executive & legislative priorities, and federal earmark requests.
Staff will manage lobbying activities through active partnerships with Pinellas County’s federal contract lobbying firm, Van Scoyoc Associates, and key stakeholder groups.
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Background Information:
On November 12th, 2026, the Board of County Commissioners had a Work Session to discuss and provide direction for the 120th Congress Federal Legislative Program. Prior to the meeting, staff worked with departments, the Board, and the County’s federal contract lobbying firm, Van Scoyoc Associates, to finalize a recommendation for the Board to provide further direction for.
The Board has not approved a Federal Legislative Program since 2024.
The 120th Congress Federal Legislative Program will be in place for 2-years until a subsequent Federal Legislative Program is approved for the 121st Congress.
Fiscal Impact:
The 120th Congress Federal Legislative Program may have an indeterminate positive fiscal impact on Pinellas County in various funds and cost centers.
Staff Member Responsible:
Tristan Sommer, Intergovernmental Liaison, Office of the County Administrator
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
TBD