Item:
Title
Approval of Three Emergent Legislative Issues
Body
Date ff BOCC Meeting: April 29, 2024
Request For Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to review and approve three legislative issues that have emerged from other agencies for the Short Session of the General Assembly. Staff has worked closely with other agencies, our lobbyists, and our Senior Senator Mike Woodard on these items:
1) Occupancy Tax Distribution Legislation. The Board requested to approve the redistribution of occupancy tax as proposed by Discover Durham and defined in the draft bill submitted as part of this package. Senator Mike Woodard is prepared to sponsor the bill contingent on receiving support from Durham County Commissioners. Durham City Council provided their approval on April 15th.
2) RTP Legislative Changes. Scott Levitan, President and CEO of the Research Triangle Foundation requests proposed law changes for RTP 3.0 described as "clarification language" instead of new areas of the law. Mr. Levitan and his lobbyists met with Durham County Senior leadership and our lobbyists on this issue. Their lobbyists are asking that Durham County Commissioners support this proposed update. This has been shared with Senator Mike Woodard as well.
3) GoTriangle Fee 2024 Legislation. While GoTriangle has announced this legislative proposal to seek an increase in the fee structure, Senator Woodard sent forth this legislation and it has been included in this package for the Board's information.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: These items align with all five Strategic Plan Goals.
Resource Persons: Deborah Craig-Ray, Chief Communications Officer; Tony Hall, Discover Durham Chief Financial Officer & Vice President of HR and Operations; Maurice Jones, Deputy County Manager - External Affairs.
County Manager's Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board receive the proposals, indicate support as necessary, and direct staff to work with lobbyists and mem...
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