Tax court study expanded
HJ 687 (Keam), as introduced, requested the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Virginia Supreme Court to study options for a special tax court system in Virginia. The patron is interested in determining whether some specialization in tax matters among the judiciary might make the appeals process easier for the taxpayer. In the Senate […]
FOIA penalty bill amended in conference committee
SB 1554 (Surovell) allows a court to add an additional penalty when a public record cannot be produced because it was altered or destroyed in order to avoid FOIA provisions. As amended in conference and passed by both chambers the bill also provides that if an improper closed session was held, and the local government […]
VACo County Pulse Podcast | 2019 General Assembly Edition | Part 5
Welcome to the County Pulse. In this episode, VACo Lobbyists Joe Lerch and Katie Boyle talk about the final days of the 2019 General Assembly Session – the conference process, what’s next for the state budget, and some bills of interest to counties. Listen to the Podcast. VACo Contact: Joe Lerch, AICP
New Tool for Local Stormwater Management Heads to Governor’s Desk
Legislation giving localities a new tool for stormwater management has successfully finished its trek through the General Assembly and now will head to the Governor’s desk. HB 1614 (Cole) and SB 1248 (Reeves) give localities more flexibility in addressing stormwater management needs through the creation of a Local Stormwater Management Fund. The Fund shall be […]
Elections bills roundup
In addition to measures to authorize early voting and reform the redistricting process, the General Assembly considered a variety of other measures dealing with elections administration this session. An overview of some of the bills of interest to local governments is provided below. Removal of general registrars HB 2034 (McGuire) proposes to change the procedure […]
Troubling procurement bills dead for the year
Troubling procurement-related legislation is effectively dead for the year after each failed to advance out of the House Appropriations Committee. HB 1667 (Kilgore) and SB 1369 (Norment) attempted to amend the Virginia Public Procurement Act to significantly limit the timeframe during which a public body could bring an action on a construction contract or against […]
School Safety Committee and Workgroup recommended bills status
Prior to the beginning of session, the House Select Committee on School Safety and Governor Northam’s Workgroup on Student Safety reviewed the state of student safety in Virginia’s schools and made their respective recommendations here and here. Multiple pieces of legislation were filed in line with these recommendations. The following is a list of some […]
Bill adding flexibility to local TDR programs passes
Under existing law any locality may adopt a transfer of development rights (TDRs) ordinance. The employment of TDRs is a zoning technique used to protect farmland and other natural and cultural resources by redirecting development that would otherwise occur on these resource lands to areas planned to accommodate growth and development. HB 2139 (Thomas) incorporates […]
Early childhood education legislation fails to graduate
As previously reported, one area of focus for Governor Northam’s Children’s Cabinet is early childhood development and school readiness. Two bills this session sought to make changes aimed at streamlining Early Childhood services, but have been left in committee. HB 2458 (Landes) directs the Virginia Board of Education to establish and administer a statewide unified […]
Helpful water quality funding bill heads to Governor’s desk
Legislation that will be helpful to counties seeking to more effectively and efficiently achieve their water quality goals has now passed both chambers of the General Assembly and will be sent to the Governor for signing. HB 1822 (Bulova) authorizes the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to authorize Water Quality Improvement Fund […]
Update on health and human resources legislation
The General Assembly considered some significant policy changes in the health and human services arena this session, including major changes to the foster care system and efforts to enhance care in local and regional jails. Below is an update on human services-related bills of interest to local governments. Foster care Changes to the state’s foster […]
Minimum wage bills outcomes
Several bills this session sought to make changes to the minimum wage in Virginia. Currently, Virginia’s minimum wage matches the federal rate of $7.25 per hour as established by the Wages and Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA). Certain exceptions to the federal rate include tipped employees, full-time students, and other certain employees. Bills this session […]
In Memory of JOHN D. JENKINS | July 21, 1939 – February 6, 2019
Neabsco District Supervisor John D. Jenkins passed away on February 6, 2019. Jenkins served on the Board of County Supervisors for more than 36 years, making him the longest-serving member of the board. “Prince William County mourns the loss of one of its best,” said Chairman of the Board of County Supervisors Corey Stewart. “For […]
R. Morgan Quicke
Richmond County Administrator Q1. In addition to your Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management, you have an undergraduate degree in Public and Urban Affairs from Virginia Tech. Did you know early on that you wanted to pursue a career in public administration? What sparked your interest in the field? Morgan Quicke: I knew from an […]
Visit Fairfax County and Great Falls Park
Explore one of the nation’s first canals, see the Great Falls of the Potomac, enjoy a hike along Mather Gorge’s dramatic clifftops, and explore the museum exhibits and park film in the visitor center. You can do all of these things and more at Great Falls Park. These pages have information that will help you […]
2019 Virginia County Board Chairs and Vice Chairs
COUNTY CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN Accomack County Donald L. Hart, Jr. C. Reneta Major Albemarle County Ned L. Gallaway Rick Randolph Alleghany County Steve Bennett Cletus Nicely Amelia County Thomas R. Gleason Ralph A. Whitaker, Jr. Amherst County L. J. “Jimmy” Ayers Kenneth Campbell Appomattox County Samuel E. Carter Chad E. Millner Arlington County Christian Dorsey […]