Update on Constitutional Amendments
Numerous Constitutional amendments were introduced this year, but only a few remain under consideration. In order to be incorporated into the Constitution, an amendment must pass this session and next session in identical form and then be approved by referendum (traditionally at the next November general election). The following measures remain under consideration: HJ 562 […]
The latest on education bills
As mentioned at County Government Day, the constitutional amendments that would have allowed the Board of Education to approve charter schools failed to advance this year. However, two bills on the same topic remain in play. As amended, HB 2342 (Landes) and SB 1283 (Obenshain) would allow the Board of Education to establish regional charter […]
Amended ‘stormwater’ bill supported by VACo clears Senate Committee
After unanimously passing in the House, HB 1774 (Hodges) was reported by the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee on a 12-0 vote. As amended, HB 1774 authorizes a cooperative study facilitated by the Virginia Coastal Policy Center at William and Mary Law School. Under the bill, the Commonwealth Center for Recurrent Flooding Resiliency will convene […]
All ‘fracking trade secret’ bills defeated
HB 1679 (Robinson) was stricken from the docket of Thursday’s meeting of the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee. This was the last surviving bill that would have provided “trade secret” status for certain chemicals used in the process of hydraulic fracturing. The other three defeated bills were HB 1678 (Robinson), SB 1291 (Chafin) […]
An update on immigration bills
Several bills were introduced dealing with local governmental enforcement of federal immigration laws and policies but only one appears to be still alive. HB 1468 (Marshall, R.G.) deals with compliance by the Department of Corrections, local sheriffs and regional jail superintendents with requests from the Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to hold prisoners pending ICE taking […]
Three Fracking Trade Secrets Bills Defeated – One to Go
On February 13, HB 1678 (Robinson) was rejected on an 8-6 vote by the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee. VACo opposed the bill, which would have established procedures for the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy to approve “trade secret” status for certain chemicals used in the process of hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.” Earlier […]
Agritourism Home Rental Bill Dies in Subcommittee
On February 13, SB 1491 (Stuart) was tabled on a voice vote in the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee’s Agriculture Subcommittee. This bill would have expanded the definition of “agritourism activity” by including the rental of a single-family residence for a period of at least one week. VACo spoke against the measure as […]
Capitol Contact ALERT – Contact your Delegate NOW to Support Short-Term Rental Bill
Support SB 1578 (Norment), which affirms local government authority over short-term rentals and requires compliance with local lodging and zoning ordinances. The bill passed the Senate last week and will be before the House General Laws Committee on Thursday afternoon. In 2016, VACo opposed Airbnb backed legislation that would have preempted local zoning authority and […]
VACo Legislative Interview – Senator Barbara Favola
Senator Barbara Favola sits down with VACo to discuss the 2017 General Assembly Session, education, equal taxing authority and her work on Virginia’s Commission on Youth. Click here to watch video
Revised wireless bill applies only to antennas; local authority for approving cell towers preserved
Upon completion of lengthy negotiations with the wireless industry, VACo has agreed to support a substitute to SB 1282 (McDougle) that was approved Thursday afternoon in the House Commerce and Labor Committee. As originally drafted, the bill would have gutted local land use authority for the siting of new wireless support structures (towers, poles) and […]
Bill to preserve local authority over short-term rentals passes Senate
SB 1578 (Norment), a bill to affirm and clarify the role local governments play in making sure short-term rentals are in compliance with local lodging and zoning ordinances, passed the Senate this week and will be before the House General Laws Committee’s Subcommittee #1 next Tuesday. In 2016, the company Airbnb backed an unsuccessful proposal […]
Broadband bill passes the House; patron agrees to strike language harmful to local authorities
With a pledge from the patron to remove language that would effectively halt public-private partnerships to deploy broadband to unserved and underserved areas, HB 2108 (Byron) passed the House and will be voted on in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee Monday afternoon. It is anticipated that Delegate Kathy Byron will request to strike language to […]
House ‘fracking trade secret’ bills to be heard next week in Senate committees
HB 1678 (Robinson) is scheduled to be considered by the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee when it meets 45 minutes after adjournment of the Senate on February 13. This measure is one of two bills opposed by VACo that establish “trade secret” status for chemicals used in the process of hydraulic fracturing process. The […]
Agritourism ‘home rental’ bill to be heard by subcommittee on Monday
SB 1491 (Stuart) is scheduled to be heard by the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee’s Agriculture Subcommittee at 4:30 p.m. on February 13. SB 1491 expands the definition of “agritourism activity” by including the rental of a single-family residence for a period of at least one week. VACo opposes this measure because it […]
Update on election legislation of interest
HB 1733 (Anderson), which would have provided for a process by which local elected officials could be recalled from office, was left in House Privileges and Elections Committee. Currently, removal from office is a judicial proceeding that is initiated by voter petition; the bill would have provided for recall elections, to be triggered by a […]
Budget amendments propose major changes to Children’s Services Act
As discussed at County Government Day, language in both chambers’ budgets proposes changes to funding for private educational day placements for children with disabilities receiving services through the Children’s Services Act (CSA). Language in the House budget would require that the Office of Children’s Services (OCS), the Department of Education (VDOE), the Department of Social […]