Legislative Priorities: Causes We’re Championing
In addition to the work CCI performs to ensure that bills do not result in unfunded mandates for counties and are properly resourced for successful implementation, our organization also proactively initiates member-approved legislation that addresses inefficiencies, launches new programs and tools, and revises existing law to more accurately reflect on-the-ground implementation realities. CCI members approve, on average, six to eight issues each year — more than any other association.
2026 Legislative Priorities Process
As outlined in the CCI bylaws (Article XI, Section 5), CCI is beginning its annual process to solicit proposals to be “developed and adopted as priorities for the legislative agenda of the organization.”
The legislative agenda “includes all legislative issues for which CCI staff seeks legislative bill sponsors and is primarily responsible for securing their passage and enactment” (CCI Bylaws, Article V, Section 7).
Any proposal should identify and describe the problem the proponent county is seeking to solve and include an initial proposed solution. To be a CCI agenda item, a legislative solution must be sought. Realizing the current political climate and the problems facing counties, the solutions identified in your proposal may be iterated throughout the process. Proposals that ultimately are selected to become a Legislative Priority will require CCI staff to immediately begin the process of securing sponsors and securing passage for the 2026 Legislative Session. However, proposals may also be identified as “long term” priorities. In that case, CCI staff will conduct the necessary due diligence for a future legislative solution.
The full memorandum outlining this process is available below.
Learn About Process to Change Policy Statement
CCI’s Policy Statement is developed through a membership-driven process, with proposed changes reviewed annually by the Legislative Committee before the legislative session. Amendments require 65% approval. Nine steering committees, aligned with CCI’s focus areas, meet regularly during the session to adopt positions on specific legislation, using the Policy Statement as a guiding framework.
Proposed Issues Discussion
Friday, July 25, 2025, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Virtual
Details will be published two weeks prior to the meeting.
Steering Committee Meeting
Friday, September 19, 2025, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | CCI Office & Virtual
Details will be published two weeks prior to the meeting.
Legislative Committee & Membership Meeting
Friday, October 3, 2025, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | CCI Office & Virtual
Details will be published two weeks prior to the meeting. For additional context, please read the summary below:
The CCI Legislative Committee will meet on Friday, October 3 at 9 a.m. to adopt the proposals that will become CCI legislative priorities in the upcoming session. This meeting is immediately followed by a membership meeting in which the full membership affirms the work of the Legislative Committee.
For this Legislative Committee meeting, the CCI Bylaws require that each county appoint one commissioner representative to serve and cast that county’s vote; counties are also able to appoint an alternate. Unlike Steering Committee proxies, the voting member for the Legislative Committee must be a county commissioner and cannot be an employee of the county. Only discussion will occur, no votes will be taken. However, proponents will have an opportunity to conduct a straw poll to gauge the interest of their colleagues.