Laserfiche WebLink
EXHIBIT A <br />Approved 2026 State Legislative/Budget and Public Policies Initiatives <br />State Legislative Requests: <br />1. Issue: Request legislation adding Portsmouth to Virginia Code Section 15.2-2286, <br />specifically regarding special use permit exceptions or use permits automatically <br />expiring upon a change of ownership of the property, a change in possession, a <br />change in the operation or management of a facility, or the passage of a specific <br />period. <br />Rationale: Portsmouth is requesting to be added to the Norfolk/Hampton language <br />in the Code of Virginia. This should be relatively straightforward for the city to seek <br />inclusion. The precedent was set years ago when Hampton was added. <br />2. Issue: Request legislation allowing retired law enforcement officers to execute <br />Temporary Detention Orders (TDOs) and Emergency Custody Orders (ECOs). <br />Rationale: Use of retired law enforcement officers to execute Temporary <br />Detention Orders (TDOs), legislative assistance to improve processes surrounding <br />Temporary Detention Orders (TDOs) and Emergency Custody Orders (ECOs). <br />Specifically, increased resources for alternative transportation services are <br />essential to ensure the humane and efficient processing of individuals subject to <br />these orders, thereby bolstering public safety and operational efficiency. <br />3. Issue: Request legislation creating a Class 2 Misdemeanor for leaving firearms in an <br />unlocked vehicle. <br />Rationale: Firearms are left unattended and unsecured in parked vehicles with an <br />alarming frequency. From January 1, 2025, through August 28, 2025, our Police <br />Department has reported 58 firearms stolen from unlocked cars within our city. <br />This statistic underscores a troubling trend that has significant implications for <br />community safety. <br />Unsecured firearms in vehicles are vulnerable to theft, and once stolen, these <br />weapons often find their way into the hands of individuals involved in violent crimes <br />or illegal activities. The consequences can be devastating, increasing the risk of <br />firearm -related injuries, homicides, and other forms of violence that threaten the <br />peace and well-being of our residents. <br />Leaving firearms unattended in unlocked vehicles not only endangers the <br />immediate vicinity but also contributes to the broader crime landscape. The ease of <br />access facilitates the proliferation of illegal guns, fostering an environment where <br />violence can escalate rapidly and unpredictably. <br />