Author: Gage Harter

School Construction Financing Bills Pass Senate

On January 29, the full Senate passed SB 14 (McPike) on a bipartisan vote of 27-13. As previously reported, this bill would permit any county or city to impose an additional local sales and use tax of up to 1 percent, if initiated by a resolution of the local governing body and approved by voters […]

FOIA Bills Update

VACo opposed SB 324 (Roem), which is an unfunded mandate bill and would allow every citizen of the Commonwealth, and representative of newspapers and magazines with circulation in the Commonwealth, and media in or into the Commonwealth, to make four free two-hour FOIA requests per 31 consecutive days.  Then after the 8 free hours per […]

Public Notice and Transparency Bills of Interest

VACo opposes HB 710 (Webert) and SB 549 (Russet Perry), which provide that any travel expense of a local official, as defined in the bill, to be paid from public funds, that is anticipated to exceed $2,500 shall be subject to approval in advance by a vote of the local governing body in an open […]

VACo Opposes Legislation Mandating Localities to Approve Utility-Scale Solar and Battery Storage Facilities

SB 697 (Van Valkenburg) requires localities to permit utility-scale solar and energy storage facilities as a “special exception” per 15.2-2288.8 of Virginia Code and to develop an ordinance that establishes “reasonable criteria and requirements” for the siting of utility-scale solar and battery storage projects. Additionally, the legislation states that such reasonable criteria and requirements “…shall […]

Mandatory Collective Bargaining Bills Resurface

HB 1001 (Tran) / SB 374 (Boysko), in their current form, would undermine the existing local option local governments have to engage in collective bargaining agreements with their employees and require local governments to engage in collective bargaining should their employees so choose. Furthermore, in their current form, the legislation would supersede existing local government […]

Mandatory Testing of PFAS for all Municipal Water Systems Bills Introduced

HB 1085 (Rasoul) and SB 243 (McPike) would require municipal wastewater and drinking water plants to monitor PFAS (also known as “forever chemicals”) levels in effluent, influent, and biosolids at least quarterly and report all such data on an applicable discharge monitoring report required by federal regulations. The bill would also require the Department of […]

Finance Legislation Roundup

Several bills of interest to local government have been submitted and considered in the House Finance and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees. HB 639 (Sullivan) was requested by Arlington County and is intended to clear up confusion caused by legislation from 2023.  The 2023 legislation required localities with annual or biennial assessments, or that conduct […]

VACo Supports Multiple Electric Vehicle Charging Bills

As previously reported, VACo supports HB 107 (Sullivan) as this bill would create the Electric Vehicle Rural Infrastructure Program and Fund.  The Program and Fund would make available up to $25 million each fiscal year and assist developers by offsetting up to 70 percent of the non-utility cost of electric vehicle charging stations.  According to […]

School Construction Financing Bills Headed to the Senate Floor

On January 23, the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee reported SB 14 (McPike) on a bipartisan vote of 10-4. As previously reported, SB 14 would permit any county or city to impose an additional local sales and use tax of up to 1 percent, if initiated by a resolution of the local governing body and […]

Problematic Legislation Would Hamper Local Tax Collections

Two bills have been introduced that would require significant changes to the local tax collection process.  Although the bills are generally understood to have been initiated as a result of issues with meals tax collections in one locality, the bills apply statewide, and several of the bills’ provisions apply to all local taxes. HB 1483 […]

VACo Opposes Legislation to Make ADUs a By-Right Use

SB 304 (Salim) and HB 900 (Srinivasan) mandate all localities permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as an accessory use in residential zoning districts. The legislation also prohibits a locality from requiring (1) dedicated parking for the ADU; and (2) Lot sizes or setbacks for the ADU greater than that of the primary dwelling. Additionally, the […]

Water and Wastewater Facility Compliance and Modernization Bill Passes Subcommittee

HB 220 (Orrock) would establish a new protocol for an unexpected vacancy of the licensed operator position for water treatment facilities and wastewater treatment facilities. The bill also permits remote monitoring of the facility by the licensed operator upon a demonstration of adequate monitoring technology. Specifically, the bill provides regulatory framework for the facility to […]

Unpaved Road Improvement Bill Amended in VACo’s Favor

SB 644 (Perry) would clarify that the upgrading of unpaved secondary roads includes improvements other than paving.  The bill states that the improvements that could be made to unpaved secondary roads include improving materials, drainage upgrades, enhancing the highway profile, as well as other improvements that would increase safety, reduce maintenance costs, or enhance the […]