When the Virginia General Assembly convenes for its 2010 session, the Hanover County Board of Supervisors will be sending its agenda with the local delegation.

On Sept. 23, the supervisors – Chairman John E. Gordon Jr., South Anna District; Vice Chairman G. Ed Via III, Ashland District; Deborah B. Coats, Mechanicsville District; Charles D. McGhee, Henry District; Robert R. Setliff, Chickahominy District; Aubrey M. Stanley, Beaverdam District; and Elton J. Wade Sr., Cold Harbor District – will meet at 8 a.m. with Sen. Ryan T. McDougle, R-4; Del. Christopher K. Peace, R-97; and Robert Barnette and John Cox, the Democratic and Republican candidate for the 55th District House seat.

Marilyn J. Blake, assistant county administrator, addressed the board last Wednesday, representing the Legislative Committee, which recommended three different sections: Policy Statements, Support Statements, and Action Statements.

As for Policy Statements, she told the board they were “the same as you’ve had the last several years.” They are:

— Supporting the protection of its authority regarding local budget decisions and opposing any shifting of funding responsibility from the state to localities for existing mandated programs.

— Supporting the przotection of current local authorities including but not limited to eminent domain, revenue authority and land use authority.

— Supporting environmental regulations and programs that are based on sound science, can be implemented in a cost effective manner and in a reasonable time period, and resulting in meaningful and demonstrable improvements to the environment.

— Supporting equitable reallocation of revenue and service responsibilities between the state and local government to provide for ongoing stability in taxation and the delivery of government services.

Under Support Statements, Blake said there is the possibility the issue of relaxing the Dillon Rule (state’s authority over local governments) might arise, and, while the county “may not want to be the lead, but support someone taking the lead.”

Support Statements are:

— That the General Assembly relax the Dillon Rule by enacting legislation giving counties greater local autonomy, particularly concerning land use regulation and local revenue measures.

— Legislation that would provide counties with the same local taxing authority as cities in order that counties can reduce dependence on real estate taxes.

— Continuing the ban on placement of signs within Virginia Department of Transportation rights-of-way.

— Legislation granting localities general authority to prescribe civil penalties for violations of local ordinances.

Action statements, Blake said, are “items that we would actually ask our legislators to patron a bill on.” They are:

— Request legislation granting localities authority to prescribe civil penalties for violations of local noise ordinances.

— Request that the General Assembly amend Code 1-210 to include a provision clarifying that when any act of the General Assembly requires action to be taken on or before a certain deadline, such time period is extended to the next business day when the specified deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.

— Request that the General Assembly amend Virginia Code 46.2-1222.1 to authorize Hanover County to regulate the parking of boats, trailers, recreational vehicles and commercial vehicles on secondary roads.

— Request that the General Assembly amend Code 15.2-2403 to allow general authority to governing bodies a method for not billing owners of vacant lots in service districts and method for reduced rates pro rata as tax relief.

— Review amendments, if any, to the Virginia Stormwater Management Program Permit regulations adopted by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and determine if deferral of implementation is warranted.

Talks will continue on Oct. 14 when the supervisors will consider a revised proposed legislative agenda during its regular meeting. The legislative agenda, scheduled for adoption on Oct. 28, will accompany the supervisors to The Homestead for the Virginia Association of Counties’ 75th Annual Conference, which will be held Nov. 8-10.