Legislative Newsletter - February 1, 2019
2019 General Assembly - Week 4
General Assembly Update
This Sunday, House and Senate budgets will be presented to finance and appropriations committees. The Roanoke Regional Chamber supports the following funding priorities as lawmakers consider amendments to the 2018-20 budget.
          
·        Virginia Jobs Investment Program
·        New Economy Workforce Credential Grant Program
·        Virginia Telecommunications Initiative
·        Business Ready Sites Program
·        Fralin Biomedical Research Institute – expansion of biomedical research
·        Roanoke Regional Airport Commission – two- year initiative to expand air service
·        Jefferson College of Health Sciences merger
I-81 Update
Proposals to fund improvements to I-81 were significantly altered this week . Senator Obenshain and Delegate Landes amended their bills to remove tolling provisions while still establishing the I-81 Fund and Committee. The legislation requires the Committee to recommend funding plans and project prioritization to the General Assembly by December 15, 2019. 
 
Senator Edwards’ proposal to increase the statewide wholesale gas tax, with $200 million dedicated to I-81 improvements, was amended to direct the Department of Transportation to evaluate sustainable transportation funding streams with consideration for increased fuel efficiency and hybrid/electric vehicles. 
Mark your calendar
Save the date for the Roanoke Regional Chamber’s annual Legislative Wrap-Up on Wednesday, March 27 from 7:30 – 9:00 am . Join us for a panel discussion on how new policies will impact the business community. Click here to register.
General Assembly Bill Tracking
Economic Development

Carter
Right to work; union shops and agency shops.

  • 01/28/19 House: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

Marsden
Minimum wage; increases to $8.00 per hour effective July 1, 2019 .
  • 01/21/19 Senate: Passed by indefinitely in Commerce and Labor (9-Y 5-N)

Ruff
Remote sales & use tax collection; sufficient activity by dealers & marketplace facilitators, etc.

  • 01/30/19 Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (37-Y 3-N)

Dance
Minimum wage; increases to $8.00 per hour effective July 1, 2019.
  • 01/21/19 Senate: Rejected by Senate (19-Y 21-N)

Simon
Minimum wage; increases to $9.00 per hour effective July 1, 2019
  • 01/29/19 House: Subcommittee failed to recommend reporting (3-Y 5-N)

Peace
Virginia income tax; advances conformity of the Commonwealth's tax code with the federal tax code.


James
Virginia Investment Partnership Act; Virginia Investment Performance Grants; Virginia Economic Development Incentive Grants; reauthorization.


Carroll Foy
Paid family and medical leave program.

  • 01/30/19 House: Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)

Levine
Local alternative minimum wage.

  • 01/22/19 House: Subcommittee failed to recommend reporting (1-Y 5-N)

Bloxom
Historic rehabilitation tax credit.

  • 01/28/19 Senate: Referred to Committee on Finance

McPike
Compliance with grant requirements; new jobs requirement incl udes off-site jobs.

  • 01/29/19 House: Referred to Committee on General Laws
Workforce Development & Education

James
Virginia Community College System; certain registered apprenticeships; uniform instruction.

  • 01/30/19 House: Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)

Carroll Foy
School boards; public institutions of higher education; College and Career Access Pathways Partnerships.

  • 01/30/19 House: Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)

O'Quinn
Study; JLARC; workforce development in the Commonwealth; report.

  • 01/29/19 House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 0-N)

Rush

Dunnavant
Innovation Internship Fund and Innovative Internship Pilot Program; established, report.

  • 01/31/19 Senate: Reported from Finance with substitute (13-Y 0-N)

Filler-Corn
Experiential learning and workforce development opportunities in high-demand fields, report.

  • 01/29/19 House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (4-Y 3-N)
Transportation

Stanley
Interstate 73 Corridor Development Fund and Program.

  • 01/29/19 House: Referred to Committee on Transportation

LaRock
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); Transportation Funds. 

  • 01/28/19 House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 3-N)
Healthcare

Orrock
Certificate of public need; changes to Medical Care Facilities Certificate of Public Need Program

  • 01/11/19 House: Assigned HWI sub: Subcommittee #3

Stanley
Virginia Grocery Investment Program and Fund; created, report.
  • 01/24/19 House: Referred to Committee on Appropriations