Board member moves to place 'Save Act' resolution on March agenda; committee debates jurisdiction

Board member David Young moved to place a resolution supporting the “Save Act” on the Public Service Committee’s March agenda at the Feb. 19 meeting. Young summarized the resolution as aiming to require proof of citizenship to vote and said he had circulated the text by email and copied the county state's attorney.

Members discussed whether the resolution should be handled by the Public Service Committee, the Legislative Committee, or both. Several board members said legislative and lobbyist staff should be involved in decisions about supporting state or federal legislation. One board member noted an existing, similar resolution in the Energy & Environment Committee and suggested the vice chairman could help settle committee jurisdiction questions.

The vice chair and other members said it is helpful to discuss and prepare even if jurisdictional questions remain; the state's attorney's office was copied on the circulated draft and members asked for guidance from that office. The motion to add the item to next month’s agenda for discussion passed on a roll call; the chair directed the item to appear on the March agenda so members could discuss next steps.

Why it matters: A decision to formally support state or federal election-related legislation would be a political action by the county board and could require legal review and coordination with legislative staff and lobbyists.

Next steps: The resolution will be placed on the committee’s March agenda for discussion. Members asked the state's attorney and legislative staff to advise on proper committee jurisdiction and next procedural steps before any formal endorsement is considered.