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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda 03-05-2026; 6-b - Orange County’s Proposed 2026 Priority Legislative Issues 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 5, 2026 Action Agenda Item No. 6-b SUBJECT: Orange County's Proposed 2026 Priority Legislative Issues DEPARTMENT: County Manager ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1) Proposed Top 5 2026 Priority Commissioner Phyllis Portie-Ascott, 245- Legislative Issues 2130 2) DRAFT Orange County 2026 Commissioner Marilyn Carter, 245-2130 Priority Legislative Issues John Roberts, County Attorney, 245- 2318 Travis Myren, County Manager, 245- 2300 PURPOSE: To: 1) Review and discuss the proposed Orange County 2026 Priority Legislative Issues as developed by the Legislative Issues Work Group (LIWG) and any other potential items for inclusion in Orange County's legislative agenda materials for the 2026 North Carolina General Assembly Session; and 2) Consider approval of the Top 5 Orange County 2026 Priority Legislative Issues and the full list of twenty-one (21 ) Priority Legislative Issues for submittal to Orange County's legislative delegation. BACKGROUND: Orange County's Legislative Breakfast with Orange County's legislative delegation, in conjunction with the 2026 North Carolina General Assembly session, is scheduled for March 23, 2026. The Board of Commissioners has historically approved a set of priority legislative issues each year for presentation to/discussion with the delegation. The Board historically has designated two members to work with staff on a Legislative Issues Work Group (LIWG) to develop a proposed legislative priorities document. Based on the work of the LIWG, the BOCC has then reviewed and approved a package of legislative items to present to Orange County's legislative delegation. Commissioners Phyllis Portie Ascott and Marilyn Carter are serving on the 2026 LIWG and have worked with staff on the attached 2026 legislative materials. As the LIWG considered its approach for this year, the Group determined to identify a list of Legislative Priority Issues in conjunction with: • The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Legislative Advocacy Goals; and • Orange County's Strategic Plan Goals/Priorities. 2 During its review, the Group identified twenty-one (21 ) Priority Legislative Issues (Attachment 2). From that list, the Group determined its "Top 5 Priority Legislative Issues" (Attachment 1). It is recommended that the Board review the proposed Top 5 Legislative Issues as well as the full list of twenty-one (21 ) items, consider modifying both documents as may be necessary based on discussion, and consider any other potential revisions. It should also be noted that the LIWG has been developing an expanded document regarding the Orange County 2026 Priority Legislative Issues that provides background information and talking points for the priority issues. Upon completion, that document will be shared with Board members and staff for use as pursuit of the Board's adopted Legislative Priority Issues moves forward. Following discussion of and any amendments to Attachments 1 and 2, the Board is asked to approve both documents. Staff will then work with the Chair to share the approved documents with Orange County's legislative delegation in preparation for discussion at the March 23, 2026 Legislative Breakfast. The work of the Legislative Issues Work Group to this point is based on the current information available for the 2026 General Assembly Session. The issues addressed by the Group may evolve and change over the session and require additional attention by the Group and Board of Commissioners. New issues may also arise necessitating additional review. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with reviewing and approving Orange County's 2026 Priority Legislative Issues. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • GOAL 1: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE ACTION OBJECTIVE 4. Incentivize and promote sustainable agriculture and local food systems development through supportive policy, funding, farmland protection and educational outreach. OBJECTIVE 6. Protect water supply/watersheds. • GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY OBJECTIVE 1. Improve harm reduction, prevention, and support services for adults and children experiencing behavioral health issues, substance use disorder, and intellectual or developmental disability. OBJECTIVE 2. Expand access to quality, affordable healthcare services. (e.g., Crisis Diversion facility, Medicaid expansion, crisis response, healthy living campaign). OBJECTIVE 3. Provide social safety net programming and the resources needed for our most vulnerable community members (e.g., veterans, unhoused people, foster children, older adults, etc.). OBJECTIVE 4. Reduce impacts and barriers for justice-involved children and adults through deflection, diversion, therapeutic interventions, and re-entry support, including housing. OBJECTIVE 7. Invest in services and programs that improve the health and quality of life of the community (e.g., recreation and public open spaces, arts, etc.) • GOAL 3: HOUSING FOR ALL OBJECTIVE 2. Address need and any policy barriers to increase access to emergency shelter beds and other low-barrier housing including eviction diversion. OBJECTIVE 3. Invest in permanent supportive housing. 3 OBJECTIVE 6. Partner with public agencies to increase opportunities for public employees to buy and rent homes where they work. OBJECTIVE 8. Preserve existing housing stock from disrepair and avoid displacement. • GOAL 5: PUBLIC EDUCATION/LEARNING COMMUNITY OBJECTIVE 3. Provide support for workforce development through training, tools, technology, and other resources. OBJECTIVE 4. Improve learning environments by investing in facilities over a 10-year period that address repair, renovation, and educational adequacy needs. OBJECTIVE 5. Invest in and implement a plan that supports schools operational and facility funding needs. • GOAL 6: DIVERSE AND VIBRANT ECONOMY OBJECTIVE 6. Provide workforce and business development resources to enhance the skills of residents of the County. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board: 1) Review and discuss the proposed Orange County 2026 Priority Legislative Issues as developed by the Legislative Issues Work Group (LIWG) and any other potential items for inclusion in Orange County's legislative agenda package for the 2026 North Carolina General Assembly Session; and 2) Consider approval of the Top 5 Orange County 2026 Priority Legislative Issues document and the full list of twenty-one (21 ) Priority Legislative Issues for submittal to Orange County's legislative delegation. Pending action by the Board, staff will work with the Chair to draft a cover letter to accompany the Board approved documents to be provided to Orange County's legislative delegation for the March 23, 2026 Legislative Breakfast. PROPOSED Attachment 1 4 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 2026 PRIORITY LEGISLATIVE ISSUES Alignment between North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) 2025-2026 Legislative Advocacy Goals and Orange County's Strategic Plan FY 2025-2029 TOP 5 PRIORITY LEGISLATIVE ISSUES AGRICULTURE (NCACC Legislative Advocacy Goal Category) • GOAL — Seek legislation to protect and expand farmland preservation programs. GENERAL GOVERNMENT (NCACC Legislative Advocacy Goal Category) • GOAL — Seek legislation to increase funding for preserving and repairing existing affordable housing. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (NCACC Legislative Advocacy Goal Category) • GOAL — Seek legislation to expand behavioral health treatment resources and crisis system capacity. JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY (NCACC Legislative Advocacy Goal Category) • GOAL— Seek legislation expanding state funding for essential medical, mental health, substance use, and social services for people incarcerated in local detention facilities. TAX AND FINANCE (NCACC Legislative Advocacy Goal Category) • GOAL — Support legislation that preserves County funding and taxing authority and instead funds potential expanded exemptions through the state budget. DRAFT Attachment 2 5 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 2026 PRIORITY LEGISLATIVE ISSUES Alignment between North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) 2025-2026 Legislative Advocacy Goals and Orange County's Strategic Plan FY 2025-2029 AGRICULTURE (NCACC Legislative Advocacy Goal Category) • GOAL — Seek legislation to protect and expand farmland preservation programs. (NCACC Agriculture Top Priority Legislative Goal; Strategic Plan Priority 1, Objective 4; Orange County Top 5 Goal) ENVIRONMENT (NCACC Legislative Advocacy Goal Category) • GOAL — Support legislation to protect clean and safe water supply and watersheds. (Strategic Plan Priority 1, Objective 6) • GOAL — Seek legislation to expand state funding for disaster mitigation and storm resilience. • GOAL — Seek legislation to expand access to water and sewer infrastructure in underserved and rural areas. • GOAL — Support legislation to maintain local or regional authority over water transfer agreements and interbasin transfers. GENERAL GOVERNMENT (NCACC Legislative Advocacy Goal Category) • GOAL — Seek legislation to increase funding for preserving and repairing existing affordable housing. (Strategic Plan Priority 3, Objective 8, Orange County Top 5 Goal) • GOAL—Seek legislation to expand workforce housing programs for public employees. (Strategic Plan Priority 3, Objective 6) • GOAL — Seek legislation to increase funding for affordable rental units, including low barrier and supportive housing. (Strategic Plan Priority 3, Objectives 2 & 3) • GOAL — Support legislation allowing stand alone bicycle and pedestrian projects to receive NCDOT administration and maintenance funding. • GOAL — Maintain or increase direct funding to rural and smaller transportation agencies. • GOAL— Maintain or increase support for programs providing transportation to elderly and disabled residents that allow them to participate in community life, such as senior nutrition and supportive employment. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (NCACC Legislative Advocacy Goal Category) • GOAL — Seek legislation to expand behavioral health treatment resources and crisis system capacity. (Strategic Plan Priority 2, Objectives 1 & 2; Orange County Top 5 Goal) • GOAL — Seek legislation to consistently fund treatment and diversion programs that reduce incarceration. (Strategic Plan Priority 2, Objectives 1 & 4) • GOAL — Seek legislation and ongoing funding to support youth in foster care and those transitioning to adulthood. (Strategic Plan Priority 2, Objective 3) 6 JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY (NCACC Legislative Advocacy Goal Category) • GOAL— Seek legislation expanding state funding for essential medical, mental health, substance use, and social services for people incarcerated in local detention facilities. (NCACC Justice & Public Safety Top Priority Legislative Goal; Orange County Top 5 Goal) PUBLIC EDUCATION (NCACC Legislative Advocacy Goal Category) • GOAL — Support legislation that invests in school operational and capital needs. (Strategic Plan Priority 5, Objectives 4 & 5) • GOAL — Seek funding that promotes workforce development, continuing education, and college/career readiness. (Strategic Plan Priorities 5 & 6, Objectives 3 & 6) • GOAL — Support legislation to modernize public school funding formulas. • GOAL — Support legislation to improve teacher and classified staff recruitment and retention, including increased state salary schedules. (NCACC Public Education Top Priority Legislative Goal) • GOAL — Seek funding for community college—high school partnerships that expand experiential learning. TAX AND FINANCE (NCACC Legislative Advocacy Goal Category) • GOAL — Support legislation that preserves County funding and taxing authority and instead funds potential expanded exemptions through the state budget. (Orange County Top 5 Goal)