Press Release Contact
Kaitlyn Crow
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Release Date
March 15, 2020
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VMA Applauds the Signing of PPE Sales Tax Exemption
RICHMOND, VA – Earlier this week, Governor Ralph Northam signed into law SB1403 and HB2185, establishing a Retail Sales Tax exemption for personal protective equipment. This legislation will help every Virginia business reduce its expenses and protect its workforce. The Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) recognizes and applauds Delegate Kathy Bryon (R-HD22) and Senator Todd Pillion (R-SD40) for their leadership as Chief Patrons of these bills.
The VMA also recognizes the support of House Appropriations Committee Chairman Luke Torian (D-HD52), Speaker of the House Eiliene Filler-Corn (D-HD41), Senate Finance Chair Janet Howell (D-SD32), and Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw (D-SD35).
“This legislation was a top priority for all Virginia businesses, and I was proud to carry this bill and very pleased we were able to convince legislators on both sides of the aisle to support it,” said Delegate Kathy Byron. “Our businesses have struggled during the pandemic, both to stay open and to meet the extraordinary new regulatory requirements imposed upon them by the state to remain open. This legislation provides them relief from being taxed on the purchases they are required to make to remain open.”
The bills provide a sales tax exemption for the following personal protective equipment used to comply with Virginia’s permanent COVID-19 regulation ( 16VAC25-220):
- Disinfecting products approved for use against SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19;
- Coveralls, full body suits, gowns, and vests;
- Engineering controls such as substitution, isolation, ventilation, and equipment modification to reduce exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 disease-related workplace hazards and job tasks; engineering controls also include UVC sanitation equipment, indoor air quality equipment such as ionization, HEPA filtration, and physical barriers;
- Face coverings, face shields, and filtering facepiece respirators;
- Gloves;
- Hand sanitizer;
- Hand-washing facilities;
- HVAC, testing, and physical modifications to comply with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standards 62.1 and 62.2 (ASHRAE 2019a, 2019b);
- Medical and nonmedical masks;
- Physical barriers and electronic sensors or systems designed to maintain or monitor physical distancing of employees from other employees, other persons, and the general public, including acrylic sneeze guards, permanent or temporary walls, electronic employee monitors, and proximity sensors in employee badges;
- Respiratory protection equipment;
- Safety glasses;
- Signs related to COVID-19;
- Temperature-checking devices and monitors; and
- Testing and related equipment related to COVID-19.
“This measure is a small but important way the state can alleviate the burden on businesses who have been working to keep customers and employees safe while trying to survive the impacts of this pandemic and comply with a myriad of new government mandates,” said Senator Pillion in a letter to the Virginia Tax Commissioner.
The VMA has petitioned the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Taxation to expedite the publication of an Exemption Certificate within the next 30 days. The Exemption Certificate will be posted here.
“The VMA greatly appreciates Delegate Byron and Senator Pillion’s leadership and recognizes the bipartisanship it took to get this bill through the General Assembly as emergency legislation and signed by Governor Northam,” said Brett A. Vassey, VMA President and CEO. “The timing of the signing by Governor Northam is particularly helpful because the new 16VAC25-220 employee training mandate deadline, which includes PPE training, is March 26,” said Brett Vassey, VMA President & CEO.
About Virginia Manufacturers Association
The Virginia Manufacturers Association develops and advocates for constructive public policies and supports a broad array of business services and programs to help ensure that Virginia manufacturing companies can be productive, profitable and competitive in Virginia. Virginia's 6,000+ manufacturers employ over 230,000 individuals, contribute $34 billion to the gross state product, and account for over 80% of the state's exports to the global economy. For more about the VMA, please visit www.vamanufacturers.com.
Click here for a PDF of this news release.
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