Compromise wetland and stream mitigation bank credits bill passes House
A compromise bill dealing with wetland and stream mitigation bank credits has passed the House of Delegates and will now be taken up in the Senate. HB 1983 (Bulova) is the result of a series virtual workgroup meetings that featured developers, environmental organizations, and local governments. The bill proposes that when a water protection permit […]
Bill placing 60-day limit on Planning Commission review fails
A bill, which would have mandated that any application for a rezoning, special use permit or special exception must be acted upon by a local planning commission within 60 days of official submission, was passed-by-indefinitely in the Senate Local Government Committee on January 25. SB 1249 (Stuart) also included problematic language that would have been […]
Troubling environmental permit fee bill amended in Committee
Concerning and potentially very expensive legislation dealing with environmental permit fees has been favorably amended in Committee. As introduced, SB 1210 (Petersen) directed the Virginia Waste Management Board to adopt regulations to collect from any person operating certain facilities permitted for the disposal, storage, or treatment of nonhazardous solid waste such annual fees as are […]
Path forward found for broadband mapping bill
On February 1, the House Communications, Technology, and Innovation Committee considered HB 2214 (O’Quinn), which would require the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in coordination with the Commonwealth Broadband Chief Advisor to develop and maintain a map of statewide broadband availability, showing locations served and unserved by providers of fixed or mobile […]
Body-worn cameras system fund passes Senate unanimously
A bill, which seeks to create a non-reverting fund to assist law enforcement with the deployment of body-worn cameras, has passed the Senate and will now be referred to the House. SB 1119 (Reeves) creates the “Body-Worn Camera System Fund,” which will provide funding to state and local law enforcement to assist with the costs […]
Study of auxiliary grants moves forward
SJ 293 (Spruill) requests the Joint Commission on Health Care to examine issues surrounding the financing of long-term care for individuals of limited means. The study resolution requests the Commission to review data regarding the use of the Auxiliary Grant, as well as to investigate broader use of Medicaid to support assisted living costs, with […]
Expansion of uses for local stormwater fund passes Senate, heads to House
A bill, which expands the eligible uses for a local stormwater management fund, has found favor in the Senate, passing the full chamber unanimously. SB 1309 (Ebbin) authorizes grants from a local Stormwater Management Fund to be used for measures that are part of a comprehensive flood mitigation and protection plan adopted by the locality, […]
‘Jake Brake’ bill comes to a stop
On February 2, the House Transportation Committee considered legislation that would have authorized counties, cities, and towns to regulate the use of “Jake Brakes,” also known as compression release engine brakes when motor vehicles are operated within their boundaries and adjacent to residence districts. Compression release engine brakes are an engine braking system installed on […]
Problematic landfill bills to be heard in Senate Committee
Three problematic land use bills pertaining to landfills have been referred to the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee and will be heard early next week. SB 1186 (Hashmi) preempts local authority, prohibiting the construction of any new municipal solid waste landfill within three miles of any designated historic district, building, structure, object, or […]
Slight tweaks to Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF) introduced in the Senate
SB 1404 (Lewis) proposes a slight expansion of project eligibility for Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF) projects. Specifically, the bill authorizes SLAF awarded for projects related to Chesapeake Bay total maximum daily load (TMDL) requirements to consider total phosphorus reductions or total nitrogen reductions. Additionally, SB 1404 authorizes grants awarded for eligible projects in localities […]
Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program and Fund finds success in each chamber
Legislation that will improve food distribution infrastructure while assisting Virginia farmers and local and regional food banks has steadily found success in both chambers of the General Assembly so far this session. HB 2203 (Madame Speaker) and SB 1188 (Hashmi) establish the Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program and Fund (VFAP). The VFAP will provide funding […]
Capitol Contact ALERT – Oppose SB 1440: Erosion of Governmental Immunity for Law Enforcement
SB 1440 (Surovell), which erodes governmental immunity for law enforcement, will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, February 1, at 8 a.m. VACo Members – please contact legislators on the Senate Judiciary Committee now to oppose SB 1440. SB 1440 creates a civil cause of action for the unlawful use of force […]
Workers’ compensation presumption legislation for EMS personnel amended, COVID-19 presumption bills advance
As previously reported, several pieces of legislation that propose changes to the Virginia’s Workers’ Compensation Act with potentially significant impact to local governments have been filed. On January 25, the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee reviewed bills that would expand the list of illnesses considered conditions currently presumed to be an occupational disease when developed […]
Oppose HB 2045 and SB 1440 – Erosion of Qualified and Sovereign Immunity for Law Enforcement
HB 2045 (Bourne) creates a state civil cause of action for depravation of any person’s constitutional rights, privileges, or immunities by a law enforcement officer, including failure to intervene. The bill creates liability for the law enforcement officer and any public or private employer that employs or contracts with the law enforcement officer. This proposed […]
Legislation regarding behavioral health assessments in jails amended
In 2019, the General Assembly required the Board of Corrections (now the State Board of Local and Regional Jails) to establish minimum standards for behavioral health care in local and regional jails. A stakeholder group met during summer 2019 and recommended a set of standards to the Board, which made some revisions to the workgroup’s […]
Helpful public notice bill reports to full House
Helpful legislation introduced by Delegate Margaret Ransone that streamlines public notice procedures for localities has passed its first legislative hurdle and has been reported to the full House for consideration. HB 2114 (Ransone) provides that in an instance in which a locality has submitted a timely notice of public hearing to a newspaper published or […]