Legislative Newsletter - February 15, 2019
2019 General Assembly - Week 6
Budget Update
The House and Senate passed their respective budgets last week and are now in the process of resolving differences through a conference committee. The House has assigned Delegates Jones, S.C., Landes, Peace, Knight, Garrett, Torian, and Sickles to the conference committee. Senate conferees include Senators Norment, Hanger, Saslaw, Howell, Newman, Ruff, and Wagner. As funding decisions are considered, the Roanoke Regional Chamber supports important programs and services, such as the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative, and the Business Ready Sites Program, that strengthen our business climate and invest in additional opportunities for growth. 
 
Tax Legislation Signed into Law
After months of debate on how to respond to changes in federal tax law, the General Assembly and the Governor approved bi-partisan tax conformity legislation with the following key provisions. Click here for additional information
 
  • Provides a tax refund in October 2019, $110 for individuals and $220 for couples
  • Increases the standard deduction by 50% to $4,500 for an individual and $9,000 for a couple
  • Maintains current state law on State and Local Taxes
  • Includes subtraction modification for Global Intangible Low-taxed Income (GILTI)
  • Includes deduction for 20% of net interest expenses
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.

  • 02/05/19 House: Left in 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.


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

Simon
Minimum wage; increases to $9.00 per hour effective July 1, 2019
  • 02/05/19 House: Left in Commerce and Labor

Norment
Virginia income tax; conformity of the Commonwealth's taxation system with the Internal Revenue Code. 

  • 02/15/19 Approved by Governor

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

  • 02/12/19 Governor: Governor's Action Deadline Midnight, February 19, 2019

Carroll Foy
Paid family and medical leave program.

  • 02/05/19 House: Left in Commerce and Labor

Levine
Local alternative minimum wage.

  • 02/05/19 House: Left in Commerce and Labor

Bloxom
Historic rehabilitation tax credit.

  • 02/12/19 Governor: Governor's Action Deadline Midnight, February 19, 2019

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

  • 02/14/19 House: Reported from General Laws (22-Y 0-N)
Workforce Development & Education

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

  • 02/14/19 Senate: Rereferred to Finance

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

  • 02/14/19 Senate: Rereferred to Finance

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

  • 02/05/19 House: Left in Rules

Rush
Tech Talent Investment Program.  

  • 02/15/19 Senate: Passed Senate with substitute (39-Y 0-N)

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

  • 02/13/19 House: VOTE: BLOCK VOTE PASSAGE (98-Y 0-N)

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

  • 02/05/19 House: Left in Rules
Transportation

Stanley
Interstate 73 Corridor Development Fund and Program.

  • 02/13/19 House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (8-Y 0-N)

LaRock
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); Transportation Funds. 

  • 02/01/19 House: Failed to report (defeated) in Privileges and Elections (11-Y 11-N)

Landes
Interstate 81; Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Fund.

  • 02/13/19: Referred to Conference Committee
Healthcare

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

  • 02/05/19 House: Tabled in Health, Welfare and Institutions by voice vote

Stanley
Virginia Grocery Investment Program and Fund; created, report.

  • 02/13/19 House: Subcommittee recommends passing by indefinitely (5-Y 3-N)