Now that we are in the final weeks of session, bills that have passed both the House and the Senate are beginning to make their way to the Governor for his consideration. Bills that share similarities (but are not exactly alike) are starting to be assigned to conference committees. These committees consist of several legislators in each body and work to iron out differences in these similar bills. The resulting compromise is called a conference report, and is then voted on by both legislative bodies before being sent to the Governor.
Bills of concern that we have been tracking and have publicly advocated against, including raising the Commonwealth's minimum wage, compelling local governments to engage in collective bargaining agreements, and creating a compulsory paid medical leave program will soon be assigned to conference committees. Your public policy team will be lobbying these conferees on behalf of our region's business community, and we will send you information on how to do so yourself as conference committees begin to take shape.
Also of note, the patron of
Senate Bill 868
heard the business and legal community loud and clear this week. By agreeing to amendments that would reinsert a punitive damages cap as well as a "gatekeeper" requirement so that most frivolous wrongful termination lawsuits would stay out of state courts, this bill was placed in a more favorable posture for business owners. It has passed the House and the Senate and is now before Governor Northam for consideration.
Below, you will find our bill tracker with additional legislation we have our eye on and where they currently stand in the legislative process. We will continue to stand strong for our regional business community by meeting with legislators and testifying before House and Senate committee meetings on bills that would impact our local economy. Please contact Terry Durkin, Legislative Liaison at tdurkin@roanokechamber.org should you wish to become involved in our advocacy efforts or would like more information on legislation before the General Assembly.
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General Assembly Bill Tracking
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Economic Development & Regional Cooperation
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Right to work; repeals provisions of Code that refers to denial or abridgement.
- 02/11/20 House: Left in Appropriations
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Establishes a procedure by which a local alternative minimum wage may be imposed in any locality.
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Minimum wage; increases to $10 per hour effective July 1, 2020.
- 02/25/20 House: Referred to Committee on Appropriations
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Minimum wage, increases to $10 per hour effective July 1, 2020 (as amended)
- 02/27/20 House: Conferees appointed by House
- 02/27/20 House: Delegates: Ward, Krizek, Fariss
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OPPOSE
CONFEREES APPOINTED BY HOUSE
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Establishes the Virginia Brownfield Renewable Energy and Coal Mine Grant Fund and Program.
- 02/11/20 House: Left in Appropriations
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Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy
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Paid family and medical leave program.
- 02/11/20 House: Left in Appropriations
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Fair share fees
- 02/09/20 Senate: Passed by indefinitely in Commerce and Labor (12-Y 3-N)
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Commonwealth of Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority; created.
- 02/27/20 Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
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Workforce Development & Education
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STEAM programs; establishes STEAM Education Fund
- 01/29/20 House: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (6-Y 1-N)
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DOE; experiential learning and workforce development opportunities in high-demand fields, report.
- 02/03/20 House: Subcommittee recommends striking from docket (6-Y 0-N)
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Apprentice agreements; ratio of journeymen to apprentices
- Senate: Failed to report (defeated) in General Laws and Technology (4-Y 10-N)
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Public institutions of higher education; State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; business advisory committee.
- 01/30/20 Senate: Continued to 2021 in Education and Health (15-Y 0-N)
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SUPPORT
NO FURTHER ACTION THIS SESSION
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Transportation bonds; I-81. Authorizes issuance of bonds in an amount up to $2 billion for revenue-producing projects in the Interstate 81 corridor.
- 02/05/20 House: Incorporated by Appropriations (HB1414-Filler-Corn) by voice vote
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SUPPORT
INCLUDED IN SPEAKERS TRANSPORTATION BILL
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Interstate 81 Corridor; motor vehicle fuels sales tax. Limits the application of the additional motor vehicle fuels sales tax imposed under current law in all counties and cities in Planning Districts 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 to those counties or cities in Planning District 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 in which a portion of Interstate 81 is located
- 02/04/20 Senate: Passed by indefinitely in Finance and Appropriations (11-Y 3-N 1-A)
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Study; Department of Rail and Public Transportation; Commonwealth Corridor passenger rail service; report
- 02/11/20 House: Left in Appropriations
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Virginia Tourism Authority; Governor's New Airline Service Incentive Fund
- 02/26/20 House: VOTE: Passage (86-Y 12-N)
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SUPPORT
PASSED SENATE AND HOUSE
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Health insurance; association health plans
- 02/27/20 House: Delegates: Hurst, Guzman, Kilgore
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SUPPORT
CONFEREES APPOINTED BY HOUSE
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Group health benefit plans; bona fide associations; benefits consortium.
- 02/27/20 House: Read second time
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Virginia Health Benefit Exchange
- 01/27/20 Senate: Incorporated by Commerce and Labor (SB732-McClellan) (14-Y 0-N)
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VA WEST Represents the Following Chambers:
Greater Augusta Regional, Bedford Area, Botetourt, Danville/Pittsylvania County, Harrisonburg-Rockingham, Lexington, Buena Vista, & Rockbridge County, Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, Martinsville & Henry County, Montgomery County, Roanoke Regional, Shenandoah County, Smith Mountain Lake Regional, Two Virginias, and Wytheville, Wythe, and Bland.
STAY CONNECTED:
Terry Durkin
Legislative Liaison
VA West
TDurkin@RoanokeChamber.org
540.682.2111
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