Two helpful studies moving forward
HB 2183 (Yost) directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to convene a workgroup to develop processes for streamlining Medicaid enrollment for eligible jail inmates. This work will build upon current efforts to obtain Medicaid coverage for inpatient services for eligible inmates, which has the potential to save localities significant dollars in medical costs, as […]
Capitol Contact ALERT – Contact your Delegate NOW to Oppose Check Register Bill
SB 795 (Sturtevant) is an unfunded mandate that requires every locality and every school division to post on its website a register of all transactions. This includes vendor name, date of payment, amount and description of the type of expense. Information that is exempt from disclosure under FOIA may be excluded from posting as well […]
Virginia Local Government Investment Webinars
The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) encourages you and your colleagues to watch an informative, two-part investment series hosted by Multi-Bank Securities, Inc. (MBS). These free, 30-minute webinars were created specifically as a resource for Virginia public funds officers of all experience levels and are built around applicable Virginia statutes. The Program Part I. Public Funds Investment Policy […]
Visit Northampton County and the Eastern Shore Wildlife Refuge
Located at the tip of the Delmarva Peninsula, this area is one of the most important avian migration funnels in North America. Each fall, like colorful clockwork, the refuge is the scene of a spectacular drama as millions of songbirds and monarch butterflies and thousands of raptors converge on their voyage south. Favorable weather patterns […]
Financial Facts
GASB has issued guidance for state and local governments to address asset retirement obligations related to tangible capital assets. Statement No. 83, Certain Asset Retirement Obligations, sets guidelines for determining the timing and pattern of recognition for liabilities and corresponding deferred outflow of resources related to asset retirement obligations. This guidance would enhance comparability of […]
Chairpersons’ Institute educates another class of Chairs and Vice Chairs
The 2017 Virginia County Board Chairpersons’ Institute was a success! There were 19 attendees from 14 counties who met for a day-and-a-half of instruction on a variety of topics tailored to the needs of county board chairs and vice chairs. Moderated by Dr. Mike Chandler, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech speakers included board supervisors, county administrators […]
Money Committees Release Budgets
On February 5, the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees met to present their respective budget proposals. The House Appropriations Committee and Senate Finance Committee released the full text of their budget amendments on February 7, and the full House and Senate will vote on their respective budgets on February 9. Traditionally, the next steps […]
Amended ‘Stormwater’ Bill unanimously passes House
VACo supported HB 1774 (Hodges), which passed the House on a 97-0 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, a work group will be convened by the Commonwealth Center for Recurrent Flooding Resiliency. Also included are representatives from the […]
Bill eliminating local vehicle license fees rejected
On February 2, HB 2447 (R. Marshall) was rejected by a House Transportation Subcommittee following the failure of any member to make a motion either in support or opposition to the bill. The measure would have eliminated local authority to impose local license fees for motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers. According to an assessment by […]
Senate passes agritourism ‘home rental’ bill
By a 31-9 vote, the Senate passed SB 1491 (Stuart), a bill that 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 further reduces local land use regulatory authority. Under legislation passed by the General Assembly […]
Fracking ‘trade secret’ bills moving through House but rejected by Senate … so far
By a tie vote of 8-8, SB 1291 (Chafin) and SB 1292 (Chafin) were defeated in the Senate Finance Committee on February 2. These are related bills that establish “trade secret” status for chemicals used in the process of hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.” Both bills were rejected after contentious debate following testimony by Secretary of […]
Capitol Contact ALERT – Contact your Delegate NOW to oppose Broadband Services bill
The House of Delegates is scheduled to take a final vote tomorrow on a bill that, if passed, could halt efforts by localities to deploy broadband to serve schools, businesses, and residential areas. HB 2108 (Byron) was amended twice in committee before narrowly passing on a vote of 11 to 9 late last week. While […]
VACo Weekly Legislative Wrap – February 6
For the week of February 6
Governor Terry McAuliffe addresses more than 250 attendees at County Government Day
Governor Terry McAuliffe addressed more than 250 county elected officials and staff during VACo’s County Government Day. He encouraged leaders to “get into the game” when it comes to education. The Governor told the capacity crowd that there are 36,000 cyber jobs open today with an average starting salary of $88,000. The Governor said this […]
VACo Weekly Legislative Wrap – January 30
For the week of January 30
Bill to Curb Local Authority for the Provision of Broadband Services to be Heard on February 2
Legislation to impose significant hurdles and costly limitations for a locality to bring broadband to unserved areas was put off for a week at the request of the patron. HB 2108 (Byron) was rescheduled for a vote in House Commerce and Labor Committee on Thursday afternoon, February 2, in House Room D in the General […]