Orange County board endorses Rappahannock‑Rapidan regional legislative program for 2026

The Orange County Board of Supervisors endorsed the Rappahannock‑Rapidan Planning District’s regional legislative program for the 2026 General Assembly session by consensus at its first regular meeting of the year.

County Administrator Lehi DePaul presented the program, noting member localities contract with Eldon James and Associates for legislative support and that town and county administrators and managers had approved the package. Supervisor Capel moved to adopt and endorse the program; other members supported the motion and the board adopted the endorsement without a roll call vote.

During discussion Supervisor Capel highlighted a key element he had reviewed in the legislative package: preserving local control of land‑use decisions. The chair and other members said the program is sensitive to regional priorities and will help the county’s interests during the General Assembly session.

The endorsement is procedural and authorizes county officials to align with the regional legislative positions prepared by the planning district and its consultant. Specific lobbying items or bills were not discussed line‑by‑line during the meeting record; staff will follow up through the planning district’s established process for General Assembly advocacy.