Subject:
Title
2022 Federal Legislative Program.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the 2022 Federal Legislative Program.
• The 2022 Federal Legislative Program outlines the Board’s federal legislative priorities for the upcoming year.
• National Flood Insurance Program
o SUPPORT a long-term extension to the program (set to expire September 30, 2022) that ensures financial sustainability, while not pricing out policy holders. This includes providing premium discounts for private and community-based mitigation efforts.
o CORRECT the issues with the approach and algorithm for Risk Rating 2.0 (went into full effect April 1, 2022).
• Beach Nourishment
o REQUEST the Army Corps of Engineers reevaluate its Perpetual Storm Damage Reduction Easement policy, which requires 100% of beachfront property owner easements in perpetuity for areas landward of the Erosion Control Line within the limits of the planned Sand Key nourishment project.
o REQUEST that Congress include in the 2022 Water Resources Development Act a 50-year reauthorization of the Treasure Island and Long Key sections of the Pinellas County beach construction program.
• Transportation and Infrastructure
o SUPPORT strategies that address the Federal Highway Trust Fund’s declining revenues in order to adequately fund future transportation needs.
o IDENTIFY federal funding opportunities for Pinellas County as a result of the enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
• Offshore Oil Drilling
o SUPPORT legislation to permanently ban oil drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico within 125 miles of Florida. Legislation providing for a temporary moratorium expires in 2022 and a Presidential Executive Order expires in 2032.
Body
Strategic Plan:
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
Summary
The Federal Legislative Program outlines the Board’s federal priorities for the upcoming year. In addition to the priorities included in the program, staff and the County’s federal government relations firm, Van Scoyoc Associates will closely monitor all issues that emerge and have the potential to impact Pinellas County Government’s ability to deliver services to residents and visitors alike.
Body
Background Information:
The program was drafted to with input from staff, the county’s government relations firm, and the Board. The issues identified are those that have a substantial impact on the County and are likely to be addressed in the current Congress.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Staff Member Responsible:
Brian Lowack, Intergovernmental Liaison, County Administration
Partners:
Pinellas County Federal Legislative Delegation
Van Scoyoc Associates, Federal Governmental Relations Firm
Attachments:
2022 Federal Legislative Program