Preliminary Agenda

Federal Policy & Program Briefing
September 30–October 1, 2007

Agenda

Day 1: Sunday, September 30

Special Focus on Energy and Climate Change
Can't attend the full conference? Register just for the Sunday sessions on energy and climate change with our special Sunday-only registration.

Planning, Climate Change, and Federal Policy:
The Land Use Connection to Global Warming and Public Policy Responses
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
How does planning influence climate change? In this session, find out about the relationship between development patterns and global warming, along with new and proposed federal and state policies that could make U.S. communities more environmentally friendly and less dependent on fossil fuels.

State and Local Policies for Energy and Climate
2:45 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
How can state and local governments plan for energy and climate change? In this session, hear new findings from APA and the Energy Environment Study Institute, find out what's working in other communities, and hear about the impact of the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Massachusetts v. EPA.

Green Buildings, Green Communities
4:15 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
How can federal policy help you promote environmentally friendly development? In this session, get policy ideas for encouraging green buildings, energy efficiency, green affordable housing, and green infrastructure, along with information about financing green development and new federal tax incentives.

Reception
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

Day 2: Monday, October 1

Economic Security: Fiscal and Domestic Policies to Promote New Prosperity
8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
How can we secure economic stability for all of America's communities? In this session, hear congressional plans for promoting prosperity, learn about fiscal barriers to economic security and the future of community redevelopment and reinvestment programs. Find out about the challenges facing first suburbs and "weak market" cities.

Property Fairness: Challenges in 2008 and Beyond
9:15 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
How can planners tackle the ongoing "property rights" challenge? In this session, get ideas for promoting positive reform and reframing the property rights debate, get an overview of eminent domain and takings bills in state legislatures and in Congress, and find out which communities will face eminent domain and takings ballot measures in 2007 and 2008.

Concurrent Sessions
10:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Looking Ahead to SAFETEA-LU Reauthorization
What will change when SAFETEA-LU is reauthorized in 2009? In this session, find out about work that is already underway on the bill, new federal rules governing planning and transit, the future of the transportation trust fund, and the likely impact of new approaches to project finance.

Federal Housing Policy
How will Congress affect your affordable housing plans? In this session, learn about plans for a new federal affordable housing trust fund, the future of HOPE VI, and issues and trends in housing policy.

Facilitated Discussion Groups
1:45 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

• Developing APA's Global Warming Policy Guide
• Successful State Advocacy for Planning
• Hazard Mitigation Policy After Katrina
• After 701 and CDBG: What's the Next Big Planning Idea for Congress?

Concurrent Sessions
3:15 p.m.–4:30 p.m.

New Legal and Legislative Fronts in the Billboard Battle
How confident are you that your sign ordinance is effective and legally defensible? In this session, find out about recent legal challenges to sign ordinances, learn how to regulate electronic billboards, hear about state legislative battles over billboards, and get the latest on attempts in Congress to gut the Highway Beautification Act.

Winning Ballot Measure Campaigns
Are you ready to take on a ballot measure campaign? In this session, learn practical ideas for coping with the growing use of initiatives and referenda on issues that affect planning, get tips on building coalitions and organizing grassroots campaigns, and find out how to use initiatives and referenda to bolster good planning.

New Directions for the Farm Bill: Opportunities for Planning
4:45 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
What will this year's new Farm Bill mean to your community? In this session, find out how the Farm Bill affects both rural and urban communities, get an insider's perspective on congressional priorities for the bill, hear about likely major changes  for conservation programs and subsidies, and learn about opportunities for planning and rural development.