Agenda 03-05-2026; 6-b - Orange County’s Proposed 2026 Priority Legislative Issues

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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)