Roanoke invites residents to shape 2027 legislative priorities

Roanoke residents have a direct public-hearing window to weigh in before the city finalizes its next state legislative agenda.

The City of Roanoke says the hearing is set for 7 p.m. Monday, July 20, 2026, in the City Council Chamber on the fourth floor of the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Ave. SW. The city posted the notice Tuesday, July 14.

The Legislative Committee is chaired by Vice Mayor Terry McGuire and includes City Council members and Roanoke City School Board representatives. The committee prepares a list of legislative priorities each year for the Virginia General Assembly, which can affect city authority, education policy, funding requests and statewide rules that reach local residents.

• What to know: Residents can sign up online before the meeting or use the sign-up sheet available before the hearing begins.
• Who is affected: Neighborhood groups, parents, students, businesses, nonprofits and residents who want Roanoke's state-policy requests to reflect local needs.
• Why it matters: Legislative agendas can guide what city leaders ask Richmond to change, fund or protect during the next General Assembly session.

People who plan to speak should review the city's sign-up instructions and arrive early enough to complete any in-person registration before the hearing begins.

Source: Reporting based on the City of Roanoke's July 14, 2026 Roanoke Updates item, Weigh in on Legislative Priorities for Roanoke, checked July 14, 2026.