The Virginia General Assembly continues its 2020 Special Session. This is the 8th special session in the last 10 years. Our part-time legislature is looking more full-time every year. This time the rationale for the special session was to balance the budget and deal with COVID-19 public health issues. Both bodies have now introduced 430 bills, no one has communicated when the session will end, and there still is no agreement on a budget.

We have put together a list of legislative highlights. On balance, the Virginia Senate continues to be the backstop against a rapid slide into failed public policies of the Northeast and West Coast. Just today, the Senate Finance Committee voted 14-1 to pass by indefinitely HB5116, which would have created a 2-week mandatory paid time off workplace rule for all part-time and full-time employees, in addition to the FFCRA. However, even the Senate failed to stop additional price gouging regulations on manufacturers, or ensuring transparency in public procurement when it involves PPE purchased by the Executive Branch during a pandemic. Of course, the biggest disappointments were not extending civil immunity to employers from COVID-19 suits and failing to require transparency and accountability of the Executive Branch when adopting emergency regulations. These issues will be back in the 2021 legislative session.

Speaking of regulation, the VMA has three major regulatory challenges ahead. We have submitted a notice of appeal to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative regulations promulgated by the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board based upon our concerns about process, fairness, and transparency violations. We have also joined a coalition that will file a suit against the state for process, fairness, and transparency violations involving the VA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) and Governor's Executive Orders referenced therein. Finally, the VMA's Safety Subcommittee and the Coalition for a Strong Virginia Economy will be coordinating comments on the Virginia Safety & Health Codes Board's proposed adoption of the ETS as a permanent regulation. Those comments are due September 25. Please let Kimberly Noonan, VMA Member Services Director, know if you would like to participate in the review process. We will also cover these issues at next week's Virginia Environmental Health & Safety Conference.

Virginia's government affairs landscape has changed significantly. The VMA is adapting and preparing for a "new normal" that is not just driven by COVID-19. We have championed the values of process, fairness, and transparency throughout our 98 year history. We pair these values with our commitment to the economic competitiveness of the manufacturing sector and its suppliers. Together, this is the central driving force behind our government affairs program no matter how popular. It is time to rally the manufacturing sector around these values and commitments. Please help us reach every company in your supply-chain over the next few months by sharing this link.

Our industrial waste and parts cleaning discount program with Heritage Crystal Clean is one of our longest standing business services.

Not only can members receive significant discounts on all your environmental needs including part cleaning, drum waste disposal, absorbent, aqueous filtration, used oil collection, and vacuum services, Crystal Clean also offer members a new COVID-19 Sanitation Program.

If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to Ian Ginger at iginger@vamanufacturers.

As an extension of VMAConnections: a Service Provider Sourcing Center, the VMA features and celebrates up to three Associate Members who support and supply services to Virginia manufacturers. Give these great Associates a click or two or three!

For a chance to see your company spotlighted here or to share resources, contact Kaitlyn Crow.

The Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board adopted §16VAC25-220, Emergency Temporary Standard: Infectious Disease Prevention: SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19 for businesses on July 15, 2020. This emergency standard came into effect on July 27, 2020 and is set to expire within six months or upon expiration of the Governor’s State of Emergency or the enactment of a permanent standard. Virginia is the first state in the country to pass such a standard, and it affects all businesses in Virginia. Employers must complete their infectious disease preparedness and response plan, and train their employees by September 25, 2020.

The VMA & MSI created the VA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard Certification Program to allow your business to remain in compliance under these new Emergency Standards. Register below:

Join golfers from Virginia & Western Michigan as they tee up this month to support Women in Manufacturing! The steps to participate are simple:

Lorraine Amebury Holder, STIHL

Nancy Cameron, BWXT

Erika Militch, AdvanSix

Lara Richerson, Siemens Energy

Theresha "Nikki" Taylor, PM USA

Jennifer Brady, NNS

Rebekah Mills, Lockheed Martin

Since 2012, The Manufacturing Institute has honored more than 1,000 women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in science, technology, engineering, and production (STEP) careers. The nomination period for the 2021 STEP Awards is open! Visit themanufacturinginstitute.org/nominate and submit a nomination by October 2...but your job isn't done after you submit online. The VMA recognizes all STEP Head and Emerging Leader nominees at their annual WiM-Virginia Recognition Luncheon. Send the name and email of your nominee to Kimberly Noonan so we can recognize them at this year's event on November 17. Help us celebrate women in Virginia and their contributions to the manufacturing industry.

Attend Summit virtually and don't worry about social distancing and travel expenses! Use the code "WIMVA10" for 10% off at registration.

Join 450+ manufacturing professionals at the 10th annual WiM Summit, an important educational and networking event for women in manufacturing. Learn more about the event online, and register by September 23.

We are going virtual! The Virginia Environmental Health & Safety (VEHS) Conference is the VMA’s premiere event of the year where Virginia industry environmental leaders, regulators, legislators and allies join together for sharing information, best practices and technology. Program highlights, a list of speakers and session dates/times are available on our VEHS event webpage. Can't attend one of the sessions because of a scheduling conflict? No worries - all sessions will be recorded and made available to registered attendees immediately after the session ends. This event is just another way that the VMA is supporting our members, bringing you programming "where you are" and making professional development a priority. Register today and join us for this 4-day virtual event!

SteelDay is Everywhere this year and we're celebrating with a variety of virtual events! Click here to check out our national events and click here to find a regional event near you!

Host an event! Registration for MFG Day is now open. You can also search for an event in your area to build connections and learn more about your fellow manufacturers.

Trade agreements help open markets and expand opportunities for American workers and businesses. Your company can enter and compete more easily in the global marketplace. The United States currently has free trade agreements (FTAs) in effect with 17 countries. Do you understand the Rules of Origin for your product(s) under USMCA and the other FTAs?

Don’t make the mistake of just guessing.  We will focus on FTAs with product specific Rules of Origin, like USMCA. Gain a solid understanding of how Rules of Origin operate and improve your documentation process. You will leave this webinar with a level of increased confidence and a toolkit of online resources.

Trade Builds Virginia is working to highlight the importance of trade to Virginia by bringing together state business and community leaders across industries to build an enduring network of trade leaders.

Join Trade Builds Virginia below and contact Brett Vassey to learn how to tell your story!

This year's Keynote Speaker is Jodi Keller, Executive Vice President, United Scrap Metal, Inc.