State Legislative update 2012 OFMA Annual Conference FLOOD RESILIANCE: The New Face of Floodplain Management September 19, 2012 Tulsa, OK

2012 Legislative Reception OFMA again held a successful legislative reception. Attendance by legislators and staff was high. Materials related to constituent assistance with floodplain management issues were distributed.

A Note About Legislative Education As a not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, OFMA is limited in its ability to expend funds and efforts on lobbying efforts. While federal regulations do permit some types of lobbying by nonprofits, OFMA generally focuses its efforts on unregulated activities, particularly Legislative Education. Going forward, OFMA must continue to forge relationships with legislators and legislative staff by providing assistance with constituent service needs. This is the cornerstone of the Map Change Assistance Program. OFMA’s annual Legislative Reception provides a focal point for our Legislative Education efforts.

2012 Legislative Activity At the beginning of the session, OFMA began monitoring 10 bills that could have impacts on floodplain management. Only one of these bills moved forward. This bill, HB 2836, was authorized by Rep. Scott Martin (R-Norman) at the request of the State Homebuilders Association. HB 2836 initially sought to effectively prohibit nearly all stormwater management regulations on private property outside the SFHA by deeming those regulatory actions a taking. The bill’s author and its backers worked with OFMA to draft alternative language that, while more palatable to our members, was still not good public policy. OFMA engaged the assistance of additional stakeholders, including ACCO, OML, INCOG, ACOG and supportive legislators. Following numerous attempts to remove the OFMA compromise language and pass the original bill, the OFMA-led coalition was able to defeat the bill and keep it from being reported out of conference.

2013 Legislative Priorities Continue to protect local control. Local floodplain managers and local communities know best how to manage their flood hazard risk. “Play Defense” as needed. Continue work to identify funding sources for Master Drainage Plans, including seeking some sort of special appropriation. Investigate feasibility of legislative action designed to explicitly allow counties to implement stormwater utilities. Work with stakeholders to draft revisions to Floodplain Management Act, even if this may not be the time or the place. Support the continuation and expansion of the CTP program. Provide support to our partners at OWRB and other state agencies as appropriate.

Questions? Tom Leatherbee, MCP, AINS, CCEA, CFM OFMA Legislative Chair Director of Community Services City of Del City 3701 SE 15th Street Del City, OK 73115 (405) 671-2803 tleatherbee@cityofdelcity.org