Alex Whitaker, NGA Office of Federal Relations

September 22, 2014

NASORLO Annual Conference

NGA Office of Federal Relations Serving Governors and their Staff

5 Standing Committees within OFR Legislative Analysis Representation in Washington

Policy Development

Guided by consensus based principlesBi-Partisan Committee Leadership Annual and Winter Meetings

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NR Committee Governor Edmund G. Brown, California, Chair Governor Matt Mead, Wyoming, Vice Chair

Governor Sean Parnell, AlaskaGovernor Dan Malloy, Connecticut Governor Susana Martinez, New Mexico Governor Jack Dalrymple, North DakotaGovernor John Kitzhaber, Oregon Governor Tom Corbett, Pennsylvania

Governor Jay Inslee, Washington

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Natural Resources Committee

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NR-03: Natural Resources

3.1 Preamble

•The nation’s governors are concerned about the growing challenges facing both state and federal agencies in managing and protecting our natural resources. As the United States’ diverse population rapidly expands, governors nationwide are addressing the issue of how best to use America’s land while preserving community character and protecting environmental health.

Effective Winter Meeting 2013 - Winter Meeting 2015

Natural Resources Committee

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NR-03: Natural Resources

3.3 Land and Water Conservation Fund

•The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) allows federal and state governments to obtain and develop outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Current statutory language requires the federal program to receive a “minimum” of forty percent of LWCF annual appropriations. The law is silent on the amount of funds the state-side of the program should receive.

Effective Winter Meeting 2013 - Winter Meeting 2015

NR Committee Action

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Recent Successes Water Resources Reform and Development Act

(WRRDA)Home Heating Act

TrackingEPA Regulations Land and Water Conservation FundOil-by-Rail DevelopmentsWRRDA and Farm Bill Implementation Oil and Gas Exports and State Implications

NR Priorities for Congress

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• Disagreements over energy policy and environmental priorities make consensus on natural resources and energy legislation difficult

• Even on areas that generally receive bipartisan support, passage is not guaranteed– Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Bill

• Other energy and natural resources issues are often considered on an individual basis

Moving Forward

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• A comprehensive tax extenders package that addresses energy provisions may be considered during a lame duck session

• LWCF reauthorization • EPA regulations will remain a key issue• OFR will continue to provide legislative analysis

and serve as a resource for states in understanding Congressional and regulatory activity

Questions?

Alex Whitaker Legislative Director, Natural Resources Committee

NGA Office of Federal Relations awhitaker@nga.org

(202) 624-3623

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