General Assembly Update
This year's General Assembly session has now ended. Legislators will reconvene in a few weeks (though that schedule might change) for a session to consider bills the Governor amends or vetos. Most of the Virginia REALTOR® bills passed through both Chambers with unanimous votes and are waiting for the Governor's consideration.
On March 10th, Virginia REALTORS® emailed all REALTOR® members a
Call for Action regarding our Association Health Plan bills. This email was sent by
Kemper Funkhouser, Virginia REALTOR®'s 2020 President. The Call for Action is asking you to
act quickly, and respectfully request Governor Northam to sign
Senate Bill 235 and
House Bill 795 into law. These two key identical bills proposed by Virginia REALTORS® could allow Virginia REALTORS®, as a qualifying trade association, to seek affordable health insurance plans through providers in Virginia. These bills passed the General Assembly with overwhelmingly bi-partisan support.
Virginia REALTORS® needs your support by responding to the Call for Action. If you have not done so yet, please take time to respond either through the email that was sent or by simply
clicking here.
Please remember - this is just the first step in a very complicated process to get an Association Health Plan in Virginia. If these bills are signed by the Governor and become law on July 1st, it does not mean we will have an Association Health Plan available on July 1st. These bills will allow Virginia REALTORS® to request that the State Corporation Commission seek a waiver to current federal law and, if approved, to then work with insurance providers in an effort to develop a menu of affordable health insurance plans. This is just one step toward our goal. Stay tuned for updates.
Thank you for taking the time to respond
quickly to this important issue.
Vote Early By Absentee Ballot
Several localities, including Salem, Vinton, Rocky Mount and Boones Mill will be holding elections on Tuesday, May 5th. The Virginia Department of Elections is encouraging voters to use absentee ballots in the upcoming May elections to protect their health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The deadline to vote absentee by mail is
April 28th.
State law requires voters to provide a reason for voting absentee, but the Department of Elections has extended that to every voter because of the pandemic. Voters can simply choose reason "2A - My disability or illness" on their absentee ballots. This designation
does not require additional supplemental documentation.
To apply for an absentee ballot or to register to vote, visit
elections.virginia.gov. If you live in a locality that is holding an election, please vote by absentee ballot.
Vote!
This year's Census can be completed over phone, through the mail and - for the first time ever - online.