2013 Fall Forum Presentations

9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Transportation Pre-Con

Point A to Point B: Serving Constituents through Transportation Access and Performance

This pre-conference explored Americans’ changing travel patterns and how states can serve constituents’ wants and needs by improving transportation access and performance.

• Session 1: Introduction - Jack Lettiere, Former Commissioner, NJ Department of Transportation "Our Transportation Future".
  • NCSL Discussion Slides - Demographics and Travel Trends
• Session 2: Safety and Convenience for All Users, in All Modes - Barbara McCann,Founder, National Complete Streets Coalition "Safety and Convenience for All Users, in All Modes"
  • NCSL Discussion Slides - Safety and Convenience for All Users, in All Modes
• Session 3: Keeping Transportation Affordable - Yingling Fan, Assistant Professor, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota - "How Affordable is Transportation?"
  • NCSL Discussion Slides - Keeping Transportation Affordable
• Session 4: Transportation Choices for Vulnerable Populations - Katherine Freund, President, ITN America  "Blue Water for Senior Transportation:Removing Policy Barriers to Private Resources"
  • NCSL Discussion Slides - Transportation Choices for Vulnerable Populations
• Session 5: Public Engagement in Transportation Decision-making - Teri Newell, Region 3 Director, Utah Department of Transportation "Moutain View Corridor Project Overview"

Read the NCSL Blog Post on the Transportation Pre-Conference

Contact Douglas Shinkle (303-856-1482) or Jaime Rall (303-856-1417) for more information

Energy Supply Task Force

Contact Kristy Hartman (303-856-1509) for more information.

Click Here For Energy Task Force Presentations

Agriculture Task Force Meeting

Contact Ben Husch (202-624-7779) or Scott Hendrick (303-856-1409) for more information

The Agriculture Task Force discussed the 2013 Farm Bill, heard a federal update from representatives of the USDA, EPA and Department of Interior, and learned about state laws prohibiting undercover recordings at farms and other agricultural operations.

Presiding

Representative Sue Wallis, Wyoming, Co-Chair, Agriculture Task Force

Energy Supply Task Force

(Continued from Tuesday)

Contact Kristy Hartman (303-856-1509) for more information.

Behind the Scenes Tour of Reagan National Airport
Sponsored by Airports Council International - North America

Read all about this exclusive tour on our blog!

Metals Theft in the States: Enforcement Hurdles and Solutions

Sponsored by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries

Joint with the NCSL Law and Criminal Justice Committee

In recent years many states have seen the emergence of copper and metal theft, particularly affecting the electrical industry since copper wires are high-value targets. Join us for an engaging discussion on how states are currently dealing with the problem of copper theft and thefts of other valuable scrap materials, what updates can be made to state laws regarding metal theft, how law enforcement is tackling the issue in tight budget times and conflicting priorities, and how the electrical industry is responding.

Moderator:

Representative Curtis Oda, Utah, Vice-Chair, NCSL Law and Criminal Justice Committee

Panelists:

Representative Roger Goodman, Washington

Doug Alexander, Security Investigator, KCP&L "Impact of Copper/Metals Theft"

Bret Robinson, Alter Trading Corporation

Sgt. Matthew Beebe, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Florida

The Future of Climate Action Regulations

In September, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released proposed regulations on greenhouse gas emissions from new power plants. Regulations on the emissions from existing power plants are expected by June 2014. Join the NRI Committee as we take a look at the forthcoming EPA emissions regulations on power plants and how they will affect the states.

Moderator:

Representative Jim Gooch, Kentucky, Co-Chair, NCSL Natural Resources & Infrastructure Committee

Panelists:

Janet McCabe, Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, EPA

John Novak, Executive Director, Environmental Issues, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)

Commissioner Douglas Scott, Chairman, Illinois Commerce Commission

NRI Committee Business Meeting

Presiding

Representative Jim Gooch, Kentucky, Co-Chair, NCSL Natural Resources & Infrastructure Committee

The NRI Committee approved one new Policy Resolution ("Electronic Toll Collection Interoperability Requirements Policy") and amendments to both the National Energy Policy Directive and the Energy Security Policy Directive.

For more information contact Ben Husch (202-624-7779) or Melanie Condon (202-624-3597)

The Buzz on Electronic Waste

According to recent studies, Americans now own approximately 24 electronic products per household. Products that will not last forever. About half the states currently have laws on disposing of and recycling electronics and many other states are considering such laws. Join us as we hear about the latest industry and state efforts on electronic waste.

Moderator

Representative Paul Torkelson, Minnesota, NCSL Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee Member

Panelists

Barnes Johnson, Director of the Office of Resource Conservation & Recovery, EPA

Jeff Kuypers, Environmental Program Manager, Hewlett-Packard: "IT Manufacturer Perspective on Hardware Take-back Law"

MAP-21 Reauthorization: A Primer

Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), the legislation that funds surface transportation infrastructure, is set to expire in 2014. As lawmakers begin to reauthorize MAP-21, what can be done to help local and state governments fund and implement necessary transportation projects? Hear from a number of experts on how MAP-21 is working within the states and what can be improved for the next iteration of the funding bill.

Panelists

Jonathan Adkins, Deputy Executive Director, Governors Highway Safety Association - "MAP-21: Overview of the Driver Behavioral Provisions"

Janet Oakley, Director of Policy and Government Relations, American Association of State Transportation Officials (AASHTO) - "Surface Transportation Funding: States Are Leading the Charge"

Art Guzzetti, Director of Policy and Advocacy, American Public Transportation Association (APTA) - "MAP-21 Policy Themes and Perspectives"

State-Tribal Relations: Managing Our Natural Resources

A mix of private, federal, state and tribal lands can present challenges and opportunities for natural resources management and decision-making. Learn how state governments can play a role, better understand tribal cultures and work with their neighbors on forestry, watershed and energy management and development for shared environmental, economic and community benefit.

Moderator

Representative Seneca Scott, Oklahoma, NCSL Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee Member

Panelists

Arthur “Butch” Blazer, Deputy Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Dr. Linda Stumpff, The Evergreen College

Pilar Thomas, U.S. Department of Energy

Natural Gas Breakfast

Sponsored By: American Gas Association and America's Natural Gas Alliance

Explore the new environmental studies on natural gas emissions and safety.

Moderator

Representative Linda Harper-Brown, Texas

Panelists

Drew Nelson, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) - "Scientific Efforts to Better Quantify Natural Gas Methane Leakage"

Erica Bowman, Vice President of Research and Policy, America’s Natural Gas Alliance

Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Issues and Opportunities

Joint with the NCSL Law and Criminal Justice Committee

States are considering and enacting legislation on unmanned aircraft systems, or “drones.” Hear about the expectations of FAA state test sites getting under way, and how law enforcement and industry applications appropriately address search, seizure and privacy issues.

Moderator
Assemblymember William Horne, Nevada

Panelists

Delegate John L. Bohanan, Maryland

Mario Mairena, Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)

Michael O'Shea, U.S. Department of Justice/Office of Justice Programs

Carlos Siso, Federal Aviation Administration

Katherine Stern, The Constitution Project

James H. Williams, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office, Aviation Safety Organization, Federal Aviation Administration

Richard Williams, NCSL

Pollution Limits and Water Quality in Our States

A conversation with state and federal officials examining the impact of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)—pollution level standards— on the nation’s waters.

Moderator

Representative Jim Gooch, Kentucky, Co-Chair, NCSL Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee

Panelists

Jon Mueller, Vice President for Litigation, Chesapeake Bay Foundation: "The Chesapeake Bay TMDL"