NASORLO Annual
Conference
Alex Whitaker, NGA Office of Federal Relations
September 22, 2014
NGA Office of Federal Relations
Serving Governors and their Staff
 5 Standing Committees within OFR
 Legislative Analysis
 Representation in Washington
Policy Development
 Guided by consensus based principles
Bi-Partisan Committee Leadership
Annual and Winter Meetings
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NR Committee
Governor Edmund G. Brown, California, Chair
Governor Matt Mead, Wyoming, Vice Chair
Governor Sean Parnell, Alaska
Governor Dan Malloy, Connecticut
Governor Susana Martinez, New Mexico
Governor Jack Dalrymple, North Dakota
Governor John Kitzhaber, Oregon
Governor Tom Corbett, Pennsylvania
Governor Jay Inslee, Washington
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Natural Resources Committee
NR-03: Natural Resources
3.1 Preamble
• The nation’s governors are concerned about the growing challenges
facing both state and federal agencies in managing and protecting our
natural resources. As the United States’ diverse population rapidly
expands, governors nationwide are addressing the issue of how best
to use America’s land while preserving community character and
protecting environmental health.
Effective Winter Meeting 2013 - Winter Meeting 2015
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Natural Resources Committee
NR-03: Natural Resources
3.3 Land and Water Conservation Fund
• The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) allows federal and
state governments to obtain and develop outdoor recreation areas
and facilities. Current statutory language requires the federal program
to receive a “minimum” of forty percent of LWCF annual
appropriations. The law is silent on the amount of funds the state-side
of the program should receive.
Effective Winter Meeting 2013 - Winter Meeting 2015
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NR Committee Action
Recent Successes
 Water Resources Reform and Development Act
(WRRDA)
 Home Heating Act
Tracking
 EPA Regulations
 Land and Water Conservation Fund
 Oil-by-Rail Developments
 WRRDA and Farm Bill Implementation
 Oil and Gas Exports and State Implications
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NR Priorities for Congress
• Disagreements over energy policy and
environmental priorities make consensus on
natural resources and energy legislation difficult
• Even on areas that generally receive bipartisan
support, passage is not guaranteed
– Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Bill
• Other energy and natural resources issues are
often considered on an individual basis
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Moving Forward
• A comprehensive tax extenders package that
addresses energy provisions may be considered
during a lame duck session
• LWCF reauthorization
• EPA regulations will remain a key issue
• OFR will continue to provide legislative analysis
and serve as a resource for states in
understanding Congressional and regulatory
activity
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Questions?
Alex Whitaker
Legislative Director, Natural Resources Committee
NGA Office of Federal Relations
awhitaker@nga.org
(202) 624-3623
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