The arrival of fall means embracing a new season and refocusing our work after well-deserved summer activities. That is also true for AWC’s Legislative Priorities Committee. The committee met early in the summer, but took a break in August and came
back strong last week to wrap up its work developing recommendations for AWC’s 2023 legislative agenda. The committee recommended five issues as priorities for 2023, along with a host of other topics of significance to cities.
The five recommended priorities are:
- Infrastructure funding
- Fully fund the Public Works Assistance Account (PWAA), including allowing the current revenue diversions to sunset at the end of fiscal year 2023 and refraining from further transfers or diversions of funds to other infrastructure programs
or other non-infrastructure accounts.
- Explore expanding state funding opportunities to assist with maintenance and operations of local infrastructure.
- Blake decision response
- Support additional investments to help cities with costs resulting from the Blake decision that changed how possession of controlled substances is handled by the criminal justice system. This includes funding to help offset the costs
of processing criminal conviction vacations, repaying legal financial obligations, and supporting diversion programs and municipal court impacts.
- Support more state investment in alternative response teams, treatment facilities for adults and juveniles, treatment in jails, and funding for social workers, treatment providers, and system navigators to help direct people to treatment.
- Support clarification regarding the crime of possession of a controlled substance so individuals, law enforcement, and treatment providers can respond appropriately. Revise the current system of two referrals prior to criminal charges so that
it can be more effectively administered across the state.
- Public safety vehicular pursuits
- Support clarification of the ability to conduct vehicular pursuits using a reasonable suspicion standard in order to address concerns about impacts to public safety and allow for effective and safe pursuit of suspects when there is an immediate
threat to public safety. Cities continue to support safety standards and training for officers who engage in vehicular pursuits.
- Housing affordability, availability, & accessibility
- Support a proactive approach to create new tools, incentives, and revenues that cities can use to help increase housing supply and address affordability. Cities need resources to encourage development of housing at all income levels and particularly
state funding to support housing for the lowest income levels.
- Behavioral health
- Support creating greater access to behavioral health services including substance abuse treatment and dual diagnosis treatment facilities.
- Support continued state funding to help communities establish alternative response programs like co-responder programs, diversion programs, and others that provide options beyond law enforcement for responding to situations that involve individuals
suffering from behavioral health issues.
In addition, the committee recommended a host of topics as significant issues. Significant issues are a step below priority, but still important to cities around the state.
Some of the significant issues include:
- Revise the 1% property tax cap
- Additional transportation funding
- Public safety funding
- REET authority and flexibility
- Updates to the Public Records Act to address extraordinary litigation
- Revisions to GMA planning and permitting regulations
The committee’s recommendations will be forwarded to the full AWC Board of Directors for consideration and action at their upcoming meeting on September 23. Once the Board takes action, AWC’s staff will then release informational fact sheets
on the priority issues and share more information about potential legislation.
On behalf of the Government Relations team, I want to thank all the members of the committee for their time, dedication, and thoughtful work creating these recommendations. I also want to thank everyone who provided input and suggestions as the committee
went through their deliberations.
As cities begin to develop their own legislative agendas for 2023, we encourage you to include these items identified by AWC as priorities and significant issues. If you need a refresher on developing an agenda, check out the information on our webpage.
What’s on tap for cities? Find out at Cities on Tap!
Beginning on September 29, and running through early November, AWC will host its annual Cities on Tap meetings around the state. These fun and informative sessions are an opportunity to learn more about what is going on at AWC as well as what is in store
for the 2023 legislative session. They are also a great opportunity to network with your fellow city officials. We are thrilled to offer these sessions in-person again this year alongside one online option for those who aren’t able to make it
in-person. Find out when and where we are hosting Cities on Tap and register now.