VACo opposes bill overriding local authority to extend land use approvals to July 1, 2023
During the 2020 Special Session I, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the legislature passed a measure to extend to July 1, 2022, any local land use approvals, including rezonings and special use permits, which were valid as of July 1, 2020. HB 272 (Marshall) and SB 501 (Lewis) would further extend expired local approvals […]
Mandatory Collective Bargaining Bill Struck
On January 17, by a unanimous vote of 15-0 and a request of the patron, the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee voted to strike SB 264 (Hashmi). This bill would have imposed mandatory collective bargaining for local governments if a minority of their employees petitioned to form a bargaining unit, among other provisions. SB 264 […]
VACo supports legislation that would assist local governments with absentee voting costs
HB 76 (Ware) directs the General Assembly to reimburse each county and city annually for the cost of conducting absentee voting, as established in a reimbursement plan that would be required to be included in the Appropriation Act. VACo supports this legislation, which has been referred to the House Privileges and Elections Committee. In recent […]
Bill granting flexibility on extending comprehensive plan review passes in committee
SB 35 (Favola) allows a local planning commission to extend the 60-day period during which it makes a recommendation to the governing body on a comprehensive plan amendment (as part of a land use application) if an applicant agrees to such extension. The measure also grants this same flexibility for the 60-day period during which […]
Public School Building Entry Point Screening Bill Tabled
On January 18, by a unanimous vote of 8-0, the House Education Committee’s K-12 Subcommittee voted to table HB 12 (Anderson). This bill would have required each local school board to limit entry points into school buildings to the lowest feasible numbers, required each individual entering said buildings to be screened with a handheld metal […]
Governor Youngkin Outlines Priorities in Address to Legislature
Governor Youngkin made his first address to a joint assembly of the legislature on the afternoon of Monday, January 17, citing his desire to work collaboratively on “kitchen table concerns” such as public education, public safety, and economic growth. In addition to the series of executive orders and directives the Governor signed on Saturday after […]
Broadband Advisory Council Meeting – VATI Grant Administration Process
On Friday, January 21, the Broadband Advisory Council will meet to review the recent Virginia Telecommunication Initiative grant cycle, receive updates on the new statewide broadband availability map, and learn more about the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) grant administration process between DHCD and local governments. The Department of Housing and Community Development’s Office of Broadband has […]
2022 General Assembly Convenes
The 2022 General Assembly convened on January 12, with both chambers meeting in person for the first time since spring 2020. The day was marked by beginnings and endings, as the House elected a new Speaker, Delegate C. Todd Gilbert of Shenandoah County, and welcomed 18 newly-elected members, concluding the day by hosting Governor Northam’s […]
VACo supports increasing eligibility for local use of state broadband funds
HB 249 (Davis) expands the eligibility criteria for counties applying for Virginia Telecommunications Initiative grant (VATI) funds. Specifically, the bill directs the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to align the eligibility criteria with the same found in the U.S. Treasury’s Final Rule regarding the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. VACo […]
Governor-Elect Glenn Youngkin’s Cabinet
Chief of Staff – Jeff Goettman Secretary of the Commonwealth – Kay Cole James Secretary of Administration – Margaret “Lyn” McDermid Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry – Matt Lohr Secretary of Commerce and Trade – Caren Merrick Secretary of Education – Aimee Rogstad Guidera Secretary of Finance – Stephen Emery Cummings Secretary of Health and […]
Key Dates for the 2022 General Assembly
As part of its organizational work on the first day of the 2022 session, the General Assembly adopted a procedural resolution on January 12 that sets out important dates and deadlines for the 2022 legislative session. Key dates for the 2022 Session January 12: General Assembly convened at noon. Bills that were “prefiled” were due […]
Treasury Releases Final Rule for Fiscal Recovery Fund Implementation
The U.S. Department of Treasury released the Final Rule for implementation of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund on January 6. The Final Rule, which may be found at this link, makes several significant changes to the Interim Final Rule in response to public comment on the rule that Treasury received in summer […]
Career of beloved County Administrator Ronnie Roark celebrated
On Tuesday, December 21, current and retired County Administrators from Southside gathered to celebrate the career of longtime Nottoway County Administrator Ronald “Ronnie” Roark. Mr. Roark served as Nottoway County Administrator from November 1, 1974, until his retirement on April 1, 2021. Twelve current or former administrators representing the counties of Charlotte, Buckingham, Nottoway, Lunenburg […]
2022 GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONVENES JANUARY 12 – Look for Capitol Contact on Tuesdays and Thursdays
The 2022 General Assembly session will begin next week as legislators will deliberate on many issues of critical importance to local government, including the state budget, broadband, education funding, economic development, public safety, taxes and other policy matters. VACo will continually provide updates during the session through Capitol Contact. VACo Members – To ensure that […]
Treasury Releases Final Rule for Use of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
On January 6, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the Final Rule for the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund program, which was enacted as part of the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021. The Final Rule text is available at this link. An overview document is available at this link. VACo is reviewing […]
Virginia creates statewide program for localities to spur capital investments in commercial buildings for energy improvements – January 12 workshop for interested counties
In December of 2021 the Virginia Department of Energy (Virginia Energy) announced the selection of the Virginia PACE Authority (VPA) to design and administer a statewide program for participating localities known as Commercial Property Assessed Energy (C-PACE). C-PACE is a voluntary program where loans are provided by private lenders to building owners wishing to improve […]