Category: Uncategorized

HB 84 Mineral mining and exploration; public notification.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 45.2 a chapter numbered 13.1, consisting of sections numbered 45.2-1305 and 45.2-1306, relating to mineral mining and exploration; public notification.

24101898D

Summary as introduced:
Mineral mining and exploration; public notification. Requires an explorer conducting any mineral exploration activities, as those terms are defined in the bill, prior to the start of such activities, to (i) publish a notice in a newspaper having a general circulation in the locality where the exploration activity will occur at least once a week for two successive weeks, (ii) notify the governing body of such locality at least 15 days in advance of such activity, and (iii) notify all individual residences and properties within 500 yards of the property lines where the exploration activity will take place at least 15 days in advance of such activity. The bill requires such notices to include certain information related to the exploration activity.

HB 132 Virginia Minority Business Commission; established, report, sunset clause.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 30 a chapter numbered 67, consisting of sections numbered 30-430 through 30-437, relating to Virginia Minority Business Commission; report; sunset.

24101746D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Minority Business Commission; report; sunset. Establishes the 13-member Virginia Minority Business Commission in the legislative branch of government for the purpose of promoting the growth and competitiveness of Virginia minority-owned businesses. The bill provides that the Commission sunsets on July 1, 2026.

HB 164 Procurement; preference for local products and firms by localities.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4328 of the Code of Virginia, relating to preference for local products and firms by localities.

24100264D

Summary as introduced:
Procurement; preference for local products and firms by localities. Allows localities to give a procurement preference to a higher bid that includes local products and firms so long as the bid price is not more than 10 percent greater than the bid price of the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

HB 216 Impounding structures, certain; variances to general permit requirements.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 10.1-605.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Conservation and Recreation; variances to general permit requirements for certain impounding structures; hazard potential classifications study; report.

24100333D

Summary as introduced:
Department of Conservation and Recreation; variances to general permit requirements for certain impounding structures; hazard potential classifications study; report. Requires the Soil and Water Conservation Boardto develop a process by which an owner may submit a request only to the Department of Conservation and Recreation for a temporary or permanent variance to the general permit requirements for certain impounding structures for its review and consideration. The bill directs the Department to study issues relating to hazard potential classifications for impounding structures in the Commonwealth and report its findings to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources by December 1, 2024. The bill also directs the Department to advise the Governor and the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources of any variances to the general permit requirements granted by the Department.

HB 220 Water facilities; staffing; of licensed operators.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 32.1-172.1 and by adding in Article 4 of Chapter 3.1 of Title 62.1 a section numbered 62.1-44.19:3.5, relating to water facilities; staffing; licensed operators.

24102899D

Summary as introduced:
Water facilities; staffing; licensed operators. Requires sewage treatment works, classified waterworks, and classified water treatment facilities to employ a licensed operator. The bill establishes protocol for an unexpected vacancy of the licensed operator position. The bill also permits remote monitoring of the facility by the licensed operator upon a demonstration of adequate monitoring technology.

HB 242 Virginia Public Procurement Act; competitive negotiation, exceptions to contractual terms.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4302.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Public Procurement Act; competitive negotiation; exceptions to contractual terms.

24103180D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Public Procurement Act; competitive negotiation; exceptions to contractual terms and conditions of the Request for Proposal. Removes the prohibition on a public body from requiring an offeror to state in a proposal any exception to any liability provisions contained in a Request for Proposal for information technology. The bill also requires an offeror to state any exception to any contractual terms or conditions in writing at the beginning of negotiations, which exception shall be considered during negotiations, but prohibits the public body from basing the scoring or evaluation on such exceptions when selecting offerors for negotiations. Current law only prohibits a public body from requiring an offeror to state in a proposal any exception to the liability provisions of the Request for Proposal. This bill is a recommendation from the Public Body Procurement Work Group.

HB 264 Legal notices and publications; online-only news publications, requirements.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 8.01-324 of the Code of Virginia, relating to legal notices and publications; online-only news publications; requirements.

24104158D

Summary as introduced:
Legal notices and publications; online-only news publications; requirements. Provides that, where any ordinance, resolution, notice, or advertisement is required by law to be published in a newspaper, such ordinance, resolution, notice, or advertisement instead may be published in an online-only news publication subject to certain requirements specified in the bill. The bill sets out a process by which an online-only news publication shall petition the circuit court of the appropriate jurisdiction to publish such ordinances, resolutions, notices, or advertisements and authorizes the court to grant such online-only news publication the authority to publish such ordinances, resolutions, notices, or advertisements for a period of one year. The bill also describes the process by which an online-only news publication may continue renewing such authority to publish each successive year.

HB 285 Uniform Statewide Building Code; exempts plans and specifications for bus shelters.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 36-98.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Uniform Statewide Building Code; bus shelters.

24101088D

Summary as introduced:
Uniform Statewide Building Code; bus shelters. Exempts plans and specifications for bus shelters that do not exceed 256 square feet that are to be constructed for transit agencies receiving state money and that will be constructed on state-owned property from the Department of General Services’ review process required by the Uniform Statewide Building Code. The bill authorizes the local building official of the locality in which the state-owned property is located to conduct the review process within 60 days of the applicant’s initial submission of the plans and specifications for such bus shelter.

HB 311 Virginia Public Procurement Act; submissions of bids or proposals on electronic procurement system.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4303 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Public Procurement Act; submissions of bids or proposals on the Commonwealth’s electronic procurement system.

24103579D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Public Procurement Act; submissions of bids or proposals on the Commonwealth’s electronic procurement system. Mandates that all public bodies provide an option to submit bids or proposals for procurement contracts through the Commonwealth’s statewide electronic procurement system, known as eVA. Current law only imposes such requirement on state public bodies.

HB 322 Cosmetology Compact; established.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 54.1-700.1, relating to Cosmetology Compact.

24101346D

Summary as introduced:
Cosmetology Compact. Establishes the Cosmetology Compact upon the enactment of substantially similar legislation in the seventh Member State, defined in the bill. The bill creates a multistate license in furtherance of the objectives of providing opportunities for the uninterrupted practice of cosmetology between Member States and supporting the relocation of military members and their spouses by enabling such continuation of practice.

HB 323 Interstate Massage Compact; authorizes Virginia to become a signatory to Compact.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 30 of Title 54.1 an article numbered 8, consisting of a section numbered 54.1-3044, relating to Interstate Massage Compact.

24101348D

Summary as introduced:
Interstate Massage Compact. Authorizes Virginia to become a signatory to the Interstate Massage Compact. The Compact allows massage therapists who (i) possess an active, unencumbered license in the compact member state in which they reside; (ii) have completed at least 625 hours of massage therapy education; (iii) have passed the national licensing examination; and (iv) have no disqualifying criminal history to be granted a multistate license that authorizes them to practice in all compact member states. The Compact takes effect when it is enacted by a seventh member state.

HB 324 PA Licensure Compact; authorizes Virginia to become a signatory to Compact.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 54.1-2953.1, relating to PA Licensure Compact.

24101349D

Summary as introduced:
PA Licensure Compact. Authorizes Virginia to become a signatory to the PA Licensure Compact. The Compact permits eligible physician assistants to practice in Compact-participating states, provided that they are licensed in at least one participating state. The Compact has been passed in three states and takes effect when it is enacted by a seventh participating state or upon the effective date of the bill, whichever is later.

HB 326 Social Work Licensure Compact; authorizes Virginia to become a signatory to Compact.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 37 of Title 54.1 an article numbered 3, consisting of a section numbered 54.1-3709.4, relating to Social Work Licensure Compact.

24101350D

Summary as introduced:
Social Work Licensure Compact. Authorizes Virginia to become a signatory to the Social Work Licensure Compact. The Compact allows social workers who have or are eligible for an active, unencumbered license in the compact member state where they reside to apply for a multistate license. After verifying eligibility, the social worker is granted a multistate license that authorizes practice in all other compact member states. The Compact takes effect when it is enacted by a seventh member state.

HB 328 Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact; enters the Commonwealth into Compact.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 22.1 a chapter numbered 28, consisting of a section numbered 22.1-381, relating to Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact.

24101351D

Summary as introduced:
Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. Enters the Commonwealth into the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, the purpose of which is to facilitate the mobility of teachers across the member states, with the goal of supporting teachers through a new pathway to licensure. The Compact is presently in effect, as it has reached the enactment threshold of 10 state members.

HB 334 Boiler and pressure vessel operators; certification by localities.

A BILL to repeal § 15.2-910 of the Code of Virginia, relating to certification of boiler and pressure vessel operators by localities.

24102778D

Summary as introduced:
Certification of boiler and pressure vessel operators by localities. Repeals an existing statute that allows localities by ordinance to require certification of boiler and pressure vessel operators.

HB 341 Virginia Public Procurement Act; consideration of employment of older Virginia residents.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-4302.2 and 2.2-4324 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Public Procurement Act; consideration of employment of older Virginia residents.

24103083D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Public Procurement Act; consideration of employment of older Virginia residents. Allows public bodies to include as a factor that will be used in evaluating a Request for Proposal the proposer’s participation in programs that employ Virginia residents age 55 or older. The bill also provides that in the case of a tie bid between two or more bidders-both of which are eligible for a preference as a bidder for goods produced in Virginia or goods, services, or construction provided by Virginia persons, firms, or corporations-an additional preference shall be given to any bidder that participates in such programs.

HB 374 Virginia Minority Business Commission; established, report, sunset clause.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 30 a chapter numbered 67, consisting of sections numbered 30-430 through 30-437, relating to Virginia Minority Business Commission; report; sunset.

24101660D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Minority Business Commission; report; sunset. Establishes the 13-member Virginia Minority Business Commission in the legislative branch of government for the purpose of promoting the growth and competitiveness of Virginia minority-owned businesses. The bill provides that the Commission sunsets on July 1, 2026.

HB 471 Uniform Statewide Building Code; multifamily residential housing construction projects.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 36-99.10:2, relating to Uniform Statewide Building Code; multifamily residential housing construction projects; electric vehicle charging infrastructure standards.

24101775D

Summary as introduced:
Uniform Statewide Building Code; multifamily residential housing construction projects; electric vehicle charging infrastructure standards. Requires the Board of Housing and Community Development to promulgate regulations for electric vehicle charging infrastructure standards for multifamily residential housing construction projects consisting of more than 25 residential dwelling units. The standards shall require a developer of such multifamily residential housing construction projects to ensure that at least 25 percent of the available parking spaces are electric vehicle charging ready during the design and construction process. Landlords, condominium unit owners’ associations, and property owners’ associations shall be authorized to negotiate with electric vehicle charging providers with respect to the installation and maintenance of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and any related revenue sharing. The bill also requires the Board to promulgate such regulations by January 1, 2025, and provides that such regulations shall only apply to any new multifamily residential housing construction projects approved by a locality after January 1, 2025.

HB 567 Electric vehicle charging stations; requirement for certain developments.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2295.3, relating to electric vehicle charging stations.

24103505D

Summary as introduced:
Requirement for electric vehicle charging stations for certain developments. Provides that any locality may by ordinance require electric vehicle charging stations as part of subdivision or site plan approval for a development containing commercial, industrial, or multifamily residential uses with a density of seven residential dwelling units per acre or greater. The bill contains a delayed effective date of July 1, 2025.

HB 716 Small Business and Supplier Diversity, Department of; disparity study.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-1605, 2.2-1610, and 2.2-4310 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; disparity study.

24102659D

Summary as introduced:
Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; disparity study. Requires the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity to conduct a disparity study every five years, the next due no later than January 1, 2026. The study shall evaluate the need for enhancement and remedial measures to address the disparity between the availability and the utilization of women-owned and minority-owned businesses.

HB 722 Regulatory Budget Program; established, report.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-1501.2, relating to Department of Planning and Budget; Regulatory Budget Program established; report.

24102479D

Summary as introduced:
Department of Planning and Budget; Regulatory Budget Program established; report. Directs the Department of Planning and Budget to establish a Regulatory Budget Program under which each executive branch agency subject to the Administrative Process Act shall reduce overall regulatory requirements by 30 percent by January 1, 2027. The bill requires the Department to report to the Speaker of the House of Delegates and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules on the status of the Program no later than October 1 of each year, beginning October 1, 2025. Finally, the bill provides that the Department, in consultation with the Office of the Governor, shall issue guidance for agencies regarding the Program and how an agency can comply with the requirements of the Program. The bill has an expiration date of January 1, 2027.

HB 747 Artificial Intelligence Developer Act; established, civil penalty.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 59.1 a chapter numbered 57, consisting of sections numbered 59.1-603 through 59.1-608, relating to Artificial Intelligence Developer Act established; civil penalty.

24105096D

Summary as introduced:
Artificial Intelligence Developer Act established; civil penalty. Creates operating standards for developers and deployers, as those terms are defined in the bill, relating to artificial intelligence, including (i) avoiding certain risks, (ii) protecting against discrimination, (iii) providing disclosures, and (iv) conducting impact assessments and provides that the Office of the Attorney General shall enforce the provisions of the bill. The provisions of the bill related to operating standards for deployers have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2026.

HB 950 Energy efficiency standards; more stringent energy efficiency requirements.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 5 of Chapter 9 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-987, relating to energy efficiency standards; more stringent energy efficiency requirements.

24101871D

Summary as introduced:
Energy efficiency standards; more stringent energy efficiency requirements. Allows a locality by ordinance to create and require stretch codes, as defined in the bill, as energy efficiency standards that are in addition to or more stringent than those in the Uniform Statewide Building Code, and use them as an alternative means of compliance with a locality’s building requirements. The bill requires periodic review of the codes and allows the locality to make amendments.

HB 990 Employer seeking wage or salary history of prospective employees; prohibited.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 40.1 a section numbered 40.1-28.7:11, relating to prohibiting employer seeking wage or salary history of prospective employees; wage or salary range transparency; cause of action; civil penalty.

24102975D

Summary as introduced:
Prohibiting employer seeking wage or salary history of prospective employees; wage or salary range transparency; cause of action; civil penalty. Prohibits a prospective employer from (i) seeking the wage or salary history of a prospective employee; (ii) relying on the wage or salary history of a prospective employee in determining the wages or salary the prospective employee is to be paid upon hire; (iii) relying on the wage or salary history of a prospective employee in considering the prospective employee for employment; (iv) refusing to interview, hire, employ, or promote a prospective employee or otherwise retaliating against a prospective employee for not providing wage or salary history; and (v) failing or refusing to disclose in each public and internal posting for each job, promotion, transfer, or other employment opportunity the wage, salary, or wage or salary range. The bill establishes a cause of action for an aggrieved prospective employee or employee and provides that an employer that violates such prohibitions is liable to the aggrieved prospective employee or employee for statutory damages between $1,000 and $10,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater, reasonable attorney fees and costs, and any other legal and equitable relief as may be appropriate. The bill also provides for civil penalties for violations not to exceed $1,000 for a first violation, $2,000 for a second violation, and $4,000 for a third or subsequent violation.

HB 1000 Environmental Justice Task Force; establishes, report.

A BILL to establish the Environmental Justice Task Force; report.

24103615D

Summary as introduced:
Environmental Justice Task Force; report. Establishes the Environmental Justice Task Force for the purpose of furthering environmental justice in the Commonwealth, consisting of the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Secretary of Transportation, or their designees. The bill requires the Task Force to advise the Governor and state agencies of the Commonwealth on environmental justice issues, particularly as such issues relate to minority and low-income communities. The bill directs the Task Force to report its findings and conclusions to the Governor and General Assembly by November 1, 2024, regarding its activities.

HB 1022 Law-enforcement officers, certain; universal licensure.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 9.1-116.01, relating to universal licensure for certain law-enforcement officers.

24103536D

Summary as introduced:
Universal licensure for certain law-enforcement officers. Provides that any sworn federal, state, or local law-enforcement officer with at least three years of experience whose training qualifications meet or exceed current training standards established by the Board of Criminal Justice Services and who has not had a break in service of more than three years, and is leaving the transferring agency in good standing, shall be eligible for employment within the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions.

HB 1028 Affordable housing; assisted living facilities.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2305.2, relating to affordable housing; assisted living facilities.

24104815D

Summary as introduced:
Affordable housing; assisted living facilities. Allows localities that have adopted an affordable housing program to require that affordable rental units be included for any proposed licensed assisted living facility that is the subject of an application for a special exception or special use permit. Such ordinance shall apply to applications approved on or after January 1, 2025.

HB 1052 Local government; alternative and conventional onsite sewage systems.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-164 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Health; local government; alternative and conventional onsite sewage systems.

24104477D

Summary as introduced:
Department of Health; local government; alternative and conventional onsite sewage systems. Requires the Board of Health to establish a procedure for the Department of Health to prepare and submit a quarterly report to each local government that provides an accurate record of private properties categorized by the presence of an alternative or conventional onsite sewage system within each such local government.

HB 1092 Uniform Statewide Building Code; amending Code, local building officials.

A BILL to direct the Board of Housing and Community Development to amend the Uniform Statewide Building Code to prohibit lifetime appointments of local building officials.

24103911D

Summary as introduced:
Board of Housing and Community Development; Uniform Statewide Building Code; local building officials. Requires the Board of Housing and Community Development to amend the Uniform Statewide Building Code and corresponding regulations to remove any authority for local building departments to appoint local building officials for permanent terms. The bill requires the Board to require local building departments to appoint such officials for a term not to exceed 10 years and to only reappoint such officials after holding a performance evaluation.

HB 1113 Virginia Public Procurement Act; job order contracting, limitations.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4303.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Public Procurement Act; job order contracting; limitations.

24103032D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Public Procurement Act; job order contracting; limitations. Increases from $6 million to $15 million the maximum threshold above which the sum of all jobs performed in a one-year job order contract term shall not exceed. The bill also increases the maximum threshold amount for any individual job order from $500,000 to $1.5 million. Finally, the bill increases from two to four the number of additional one-year terms for which job order contracts may be renewable and the bill shall only apply to contracts entered into on or after the bill’s effective date.

HB 1116 Virginia Public Procurement Act; methods of procurement, certain construction projects.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4303 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Public Procurement Act; methods of procurement; certain construction projects.

24102657D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Public Procurement Act; methods of procurement; certain construction projects. Allows a public body to establish purchase procedures, if adopted in writing, not requiring competitive sealed bids or competitive negotiation for single or term contracts for non-transportation-related construction projects if the aggregate or the sum of all phases is not expected to exceed $400,000. Current law places the limit at $200,000.

HB 1273 Virginia Public Procurement Act; competitive sealed bidding;required criteria in invitations to bid.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4302.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Public Procurement Act; competitive sealed bidding; required criteria in invitations to bid.

24105085D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Public Procurement Act; competitive sealed bidding; required criteria in invitations to bid. Requires all public bodies to include in any Invitation to Bid criteria that will be used in determining whether a bidder who is not prequalified by the Virginia Department of Transportation is a responsible bidder. Current law authorizes, but does not require, localities to include such criteria in Invitations to Bid.

HB 1425 Uniform Statewide Building Code; Virginia Passenger Rail Authority exemption.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 36-98.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Uniform Statewide Building Code; Virginia Passenger Rail Authority exemption.

24104432D

Summary as introduced:
Uniform Statewide Building Code; Virginia Passenger Rail Authority exemption. Exempts railway tunnels and bridges owned by the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority from the Uniform Statewide Building Code and the Statewide Fire Prevention Code Act. The bill requires the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to report annually to the State Fire Marshal on the maintenance and operability of installed fire protection and detection systems in its railway tunnels and bridges.

HB 1440 Virginia Public Procurement Act; public works contracts; project labor agreements.

A BILL to repeal § 2.2-4321.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Public Procurement Act; public works projects; project labor agreements.

24105135D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Public Procurement Act; public works contracts; project labor agreements. Removes the statutory authority for any public body, including any state or local government, when engaged in procuring products or services or letting contracts for construction, manufacture, maintenance, or operation of public works, to require bidders to enter into or adhere to project labor agreements on the public works projects.

HJ 24 Dillon Rule; joint subcommittee to study.

Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the Dillon Rule. Report.

24104795D

Summary as introduced:
Study; joint subcommittee; Dillon Rule; report. Creates a 13-member joint subcommittee for a one-year study of the Dillon Rule and its impact on Virginia’s localities.

SB 157 Legal notices and publications; online-only news publications, requirements.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 8.01-324 of the Code of Virginia, relating to legal notices and publications; online-only news publications; requirements.

24104298D

Summary as introduced:
Legal notices and publications; online-only news publications; requirements. Provides that, where any ordinance, resolution, notice, or advertisement is required by law to be published in a newspaper, such ordinance, resolution, notice, or advertisement instead may be published in an online-only news publication subject to certain requirements specified in the bill. The bill sets out a process by which an online-only news publication shall petition the circuit court of the appropriate jurisdiction to publish such ordinances, resolutions, notices, or advertisements and authorizes the court to grant such online-only news publication the authority to publish such ordinances, resolutions, notices, or advertisements for a period of one year. The bill also describes the process by which an online-only news publication may continue renewing such authority to publish each successive year.

SB 200 Legal notices; locality to advertise on their website.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-107.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to advertisement of legal notices; website.

24102261D

Summary as introduced:
Advertisement of legal notices; website. Allows a locality to advertise legal notices on the locality’s website instead of, or in addition to, publishing such notices in a newspaper having general circulation in the locality.

SB 207 Law-enforcement officers, certain; universal licensure.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 9.1-116.01, relating to universal licensure for certain law-enforcement officers.

24103540D

Summary as introduced:
Universal licensure for certain law-enforcement officers. Provides that any sworn federal, state, or local law-enforcement officer with at least three years of experience whose training qualifications meet or exceed current training standards established by the Board of Criminal Justice Services and who has not had a break in service of more than three years, and is leaving the transferring agency in good standing, shall be eligible for employment within the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions.

SB 242 Virginia Public Procurement Act; competitive negotiation, exceptions to contractual terms.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4302.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Public Procurement Act; competitive negotiation; exceptions to contractual terms.

24102230D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Public Procurement Act; competitive negotiation; exceptions to contractual terms and conditions of the Request for Proposal. Removes the prohibition on a public body from requiring an offeror to state in a proposal any exception to any liability provisions contained in a Request for Proposal for information technology. The bill also requires an offeror to state any exception to any contractual terms or conditions in writing at the beginning of negotiations, which exception shall be considered during negotiations, but prohibits the public body from basing the scoring or evaluation on such exceptions when selecting offerors for negotiations. Current law only prohibits a public body from requiring an offeror to state in a proposal any exception to the liability provisions of the Request for Proposal. This bill is a recommendation from the Public Body Procurement Work Group.

SB 554 Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; waterworks and wastewater works operators.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2301 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; waterworks and wastewater works operators; reciprocal licensing.

24104600D

Summary as introduced:
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; waterworks and wastewater works operators; reciprocal licensing. Requires the Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals, upon application, to recognize current and valid licenses or certificates issued by a neighboring state, defined in the bill, as fulfillment of qualifications for licensure as a waterworks and wastewater works operator in the Commonwealth if there are no pending investigations or complaints, no disqualifying criminal records, and no discipline imposed by another state.

SB 621 Commission on Artificial Intelligence; report; sunset.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 25 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 14, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2565 through 2.2-2570, relating to Commission on Artificial Intelligence; report; sunset.

24105043D

Summary as introduced:
Commission on Artificial Intelligence; report; sunset. Creates the Commission on Artificial Intelligence to advise the Governor on issues related to artificial intelligence and make advisory recommendations based on its findings. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2027.

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Battaglia, AIA at pbattaglia@aiava.org

AIA Virginia is watching bills placed in this category. Often, we are watching bills because they are of interest and we want to remain informed. When this is the case, it is often another organization taking the lead due to its specific expertise and political relationships. If amendments are introduced that make a bill in this category detrimental to our profession, then it is moved to the SUPPORT or OPPOSE list and we engage. There are some bills that AIA Virginia does not take a position on. An example of this would be bills that define “small business”. Because of the composition of our membership, we would not want to take action that would hurt any of our members.

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Battaglia, AIA at pbattaglia@aiava.org

HB 151 Energy, Department of; building standards for certain local buildings.

 A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-1804.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Energy; building standards for certain local buildings.

24105608D

Summary as introduced:
Department of Energy; building standards for certain local buildings. Requires the Department of Energy to provide technical assistance to localities, subject to available budgetary resources, as localities implement mandates related to energy and resilience standards for construction or renovation of certain public buildings. The bill also requires the Department to conduct an annual survey of localities to obtain information on related activities and to identify the needs of localities with respect to technical assistance and training. The bill also makes several technical and clarifying changes to the existing statute, in part by defining or redefining existing terms found in the statute.

HB 248 Autonomous agent; regulations for an applicant requesting licensure of an agent.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-829.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; powers and duties of regulatory boards; autonomous agents.

24100683D

Summary as introduced:
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; autonomous agent. Authorizes regulatory boards to promulgate regulations for an applicant requesting licensure of an autonomous agent that is owned or operated by such applicant. Autonomous agent is defined in the bill as software or hardware that operates independently, without real-time human intervention, and is capable of performing tasks that, when executed by a human, would require licensure by a regulatory board.

HB 259 Dam Safety, Flood Prevention, and Protection Assistance Fund; percentage of funds available.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 10.1-603.19 and 10.1-606.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Dam Safety, Flood Prevention, and Protection Assistance Fund; percentage of funds available; owner match requirements.

24104622D

Summary as introduced:

Dam Safety, Flood Prevention, and Protection Assistance Fund; percentage of funds available; owner match requirements. Reduces from 50 percent to 30 percent the project match required of applicants to receive funds from the Dam Safety, Flood Prevention, and Protection Assistance Fund for grants (i) to a local government that owns a dam, (ii) to a local government for a dam located within the locality, or (iii) to a private entity that owns a dam for the design, repair, and safety modifications of such a dam if it is identified in a safety report. The bill provides that grants made from the Fund to a local government or private entity for the determination of the hazard classification for impounding structures, dam break analysis, the mapping and digitization of dam break inundation zones, incremental damage analysis, and other engineering requirements shall require no more than a 10 percent match by the applicant except that such applicant shall be required to provide a minimum of $5,000 of the cost of the project, if funded, and such match provided by such applicant may be used to pay the application fees for the necessary impounding structure operation and maintenance certificate. The bill removes the 50 percent limit on matching grants that owners of impounding structures may be eligible for from the Fund and other sources of funding available to the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation to assist in the development of dam break inundation zone maps and for conducting incremental damage assessments in accordance with the Virginia Impounding Structure Regulations. The bill also removes the limitation that the total amount of expenditures for grants in any fiscal year are not to exceed 50 percent of the total noninterest or income deposits made to the Fund during the previous fiscal year together with the total amount collected in interest or income from the investment of moneys in the Fund from the previous year as determined at the beginning of the fiscal year.

HB 350 Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, etc., Bd. for; quorum and signature requirements.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 54.1-403 and 54.1-405 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects; quorum and signature requirements.

24102125D

Summary as introduced:
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects; quorum and signature requirements. Reduces from nine to six the number of members of the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects (the Board) constituting a quorum. The bill lowers the quorum requirement of two engineers, two architects, and two land surveyors to one engineer, one architect, and one land surveyor. Finally, the bill removes the requirement that licenses issued by the Board be signed by at least four members of the Board.

HB 378 Developer performance guarantees; clarifies existing provisions related to periodic partial release.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-2245 of the Code of Virginia, relating to release of developer performance guarantees.

24103315D

Summary as introduced:
Release of developer performance guarantees. Clarifies that existing provisions related to the periodic partial and final release of developer performance guarantees also applies to performance guarantees for erosion and sediment control measures, stormwater management facilities, and fill and borrow areas.

HB 381 Virginia Public Procurement Act; participation by veteran-owned small businesses.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-4310, 2.2-4310.2, and 2.2-4310.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Public Procurement Act; participation by veteran-owned small businesses.

24103118D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Public Procurement Act; participation by veteran-owned small businesses. Requires all public bodies to include in their goals for participation by small businesses a minimum of five percent participation by veteran-owned businesses and service disabled veteran-owned businesses. Current law only requires a goal of three percent participation by service disabled veteran-owned businesses and does not impose such goal upon local public bodies. The bill also requires the Department of General Services to update the eVA portal to include a category for veteran-owned and service disabled veteran-owned small businesses that is conspicuous to the general public to easily display and search set-aside opportunities for such businesses.

HB 656 Regulated land-disturbing activities; submission and approval of erosion and sediment control plan.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 62.1-44.15:55, as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to regulated land-disturbing activities; submission and approval of erosion and sediment control plan.

24102265D

Summary as introduced:
Regulated land-disturbing activities; submission and approval of erosion and sediment control plan. Prohibits a person from engaging in any land-disturbing activity until, where Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permit coverage is required, the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Program (VESCP) authority has obtained evidence of such permit coverage from the Department of Environmental Quality’s online reporting system prior to issuing its land-disturbance approval. Current law requires the VESCP authority to obtain such evidence of VPDES permit coverage prior to approving an erosion and sediment control plan.

HB 889 Retail Sales and Use tax; levies tax on following services: admissions, charges for recreation, etc.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 58.1-602, 58.1-603, as it is currently effective and as it may become effective, 58.1-603.1, as it is currently effective and as it may become effective, 58.1-603.2, 58.1-604.01, as it is currently effective and as it may become effective, 58.1-605.1, 58.1-606.1, 58.1-609.5, 58.1-609.11, 58.1-611.1, 58.1-612, 58.1-623, 58.1-638, 58.1-647, and 58.1-648, relating to sales and use tax on services.

24104556D

Summary as introduced:

Sales and use tax on services. Levies the retail sales and use tax on the following services: admissions; charges for recreation, fitness, or sports facilities; nonmedical personal services or counseling; dry cleaning and laundry services; companion animal care; residential home repair or maintenance, landscaping, or cleaning services when paid for directly by a resident or homeowner; vehicle and engine repair; repairs or alterations to tangible personal property; storage of tangible personal property; delivery or shipping services; travel, event, and aesthetic planning services; and communications services that are not subject to the communications sales and use tax and are not digital personal property.

The bill also imposes the retail sales and use tax on digital personal property, defined in the bill as a digital product delivered electronically that the purchaser owns or has the ability to continually access without having to pay an additional subscription or usage fee to the seller after paying the initial purchase price.

Revenues generated by the taxes levied on services and digital personal property shall be allocated in the same manner as other sales and use taxes; however, revenues from the state portion of the sales and use tax that would be allocated to the general fund shall instead be allocated to school divisions as follows: (i) 60 percent shall be distributed to localities on the basis of school-age population and (ii) 40 percent shall be distributed to localities on the basis of the high-need student population in the locality. The bill clarifies that a high-need student population includes students who are (a) automatically certified for free school meals because of participation in social services programs, (b) participants in a program of special education, or (c) English language learners.

The bill provides certain exemptions to the sales and use tax on services, including health care services that must be performed by a person licensed or certified by the Department of Health Professions, veterinary services, professional services, Internet access services, and services provided by a person who does not receive more than $2,500 per year in gross receipts for performance of such services. The bill exempts services purchased by a nonprofit organization and services purchased by a homeowners’ association or by a landlord for the benefit of his tenant. The bill also repeals the service exemptions currently provided for the sale of custom programs and modification of prewritten programs.

The bill imposes the communications sales and use tax on prepaid calling services and on digital subscription services, defined in the bill as services for which the user pays in order to access and use software, reading materials, or other digital data or applications for a defined period of time, which products the user does not own or have permanent access to outside of such period of time.

HB 968 Virginia Green Infrastructure Bank; created, report.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 17 of Title 45.2 an article numbered 10, consisting of sections numbered 45.2-1735 through 45.2-1741, relating to Virginia Green Infrastructure Bank; created.

24101531D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Green Infrastructure Bank; created. Creates the Virginia Green Infrastructure Bank, an authority to promote and catalyze investment in qualified projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, assist climate-impacted communities, and promote environmental justice. The bill requires the Bank to be governed by a board of directors with the authority to hire a president and create a nonstock corporation to carry out the powers and duties of the bank.

HB 1101 Virginia Public Procurement Act; adds to definition of professional services.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4301 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Public Procurement Act; professional services; definition.

24103119D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Public Procurement Act; professional services; definition. Adds to the definition of “professional services,” for use throughout the Virginia Public Procurement Act, services of an investment and financial advisor procured by the Department of the Treasury.

HB 1182 Professional wetland delineator; certification requirements.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2206.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists; professional wetland delineator certification requirements.

24102123D

Summary as introduced:
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists; professional wetland delineator certification requirements. Removes the requirement that an applicant for certification as a professional wetland delineator provide the Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists three written references from wetland professionals. The bill also replaces the requirement that an applicant with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field have successfully completed a course of instruction, in state and federal wetland delineation methods and four years of relevant experience to be certified with two years of such experience. Finally, for applicants seeking certification through experience, the bill reduces to three years the required experience that the applicant must have in wetland delineation, in wetland science research, or as a teacher of wetlands curriculum in an accredited institution of higher education in order to be certified.

HB 1371 Virginia Public Procurement Act; local arbitration agreements.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 43 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 7, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-4377.1 through 2.2-4377.5, relating to the Virginia Public Procurement Act; local arbitration agreements.

24104101D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Public Procurement Act; local arbitration agreements. Allows a participating locality, for any procurement solicitation or contract exceeding $10,000 for goods and services, to require the bidder or offeror to disclose certain information regarding pre-dispute arbitration clauses, defined in the bill, in employment, civil rights, and certain consumer disputes, and provides that a locality may consider the policies and practices related to arbitration of each bidder and offeror. The bill also provides that a participating locality shall require the bidder or offeror to provide written or electronic submissions to allow the locality to ascertain (i) whether the bidder or offeror requires persons with whom it is in a work relationship or prospective work relationship to sign or otherwise enter into a contract containing a pre-dispute arbitration clause that would cover an employment or civil rights dispute and (ii) whether the bidder or offeror requires consumers to sign or otherwise enter into a contract containing a pre-dispute arbitration clause as a condition of downloading mobile applications or using websites to pay a school district for goods, services, or fees. The bill authorizes a participating locality to cancel, terminate, or suspend, in whole or in part, the contract of any contractor that has violated a provision of the bill and to declare the contractor ineligible for further contracts with such locality for up to five years.

HB 1395 Historic preservation; filing of a historic designation application.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-2306 of the Code of Virginia, relating to historic preservation.

24104538D

Summary as introduced:
Historic preservation. Provides that the filing of a historic designation application shall stay a locality from issuing any permit to raze or demolish a proposed historic landmark, building, or structure until 30 days after the rendering of the final decision of the governing body of the locality. The bill also specifies that the affected property owner, the applicant, or any resident of the locality who provided public input on the locality’s historic district plan may appeal to the circuit court for review of any final decision of the governing body pursuant to such application.

HB 1404 Small Business Procurement Enhancement Program, etc.; established, report.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-1604, 2.2-1605, 2.2-4303, 2.2-4310, 2.2-4310.3, and 23.1-1017 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 16.1 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 4, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-1618 through 2.2-1623, relating to the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; Small Business Procurement Enhancement Program, and Women-owned and Minority-owned Business Procurement Enhancement Program established; report.

24105093D

Summary as introduced:

Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; Small Business Procurement Enhancement Program and Women-owned and Minority-owned Business Procurement Enhancement Program established; report. Establishes the Small Business Procurement Enhancement Program with a statewide goal of 42 percent of certified small business utilization in all discretionary spending by state agencies and covered institutions in procurement orders, prime contracts, and subcontracts, as well as a target goal of 50 percent subcontracting to certified small businesses in instances where the prime contractor is not a small business for all new capital outlay construction solicitations that are issued. In addition, the bill provides for a small business set-aside for state agency and covered institution purchases of goods, services, and construction, requiring that purchases up to $100,000 be set aside for award to certified small businesses and that purchases up to $10,000 be set aside for award to microbusinesses.

The bill also establishes the Women-owned and Minority-owned Business Procurement Enhancement Program with a statewide goal of 23.1 percent of certified women-owned and minority-owned business utilization in all discretionary spending by state agencies and covered institutions in procurement orders, prime contracts, and subcontracts. The bill creates the Division of Procurement Enhancement within the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity for purposes of collaborating with the Department of General Services, the Virginia Information Technologies Agency, the Department of Transportation, and covered institutions to further the Commonwealth’s efforts to meet the goals established under the Small Business Procurement Enhancement Program and the Women-owned and Minority-owned Business Procurement Enhancement Program, as well as implementing initiatives to enhance the development of small businesses, microbusinesses, women-owned businesses, and minority-owned businesses in the Commonwealth.

Finally, the bill amends the Virginia Public Procurement Act to permit public bodies to establish purchase procedures, if adopted in writing, not requiring competitive sealed bids or competitive negotiation for single or term contracts for the purchase or lease of goods, or for the purchase of services, insurance, or construction, if the aggregate or the sum of all phases is not expected to exceed $125,000. Under current law, such purchase procedures may only be established for (i) goods and services other than professional services and non-transportation-related construction, if the aggregate or the sum of all phases is not expected to exceed $200,000; (ii) transportation-related construction, if the aggregate or sum of all phases is not expected to exceed $25,000; and (iii) professional services, provided that the aggregate or the sum of all phases is not expected to exceed $80,000. The bill has a general delayed effective date of January 1, 2025, and delayed effective dates of July 1, 2025, for covered institutions, and July 1, 2026, for certain university hospitals and medical centers. The provisions of the bill creating the Women-owned and Minority-owned Business Procurement Enhancement Program sunset on July 1, 2031.

HB 1428 Regulatory boards; application review timelines.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 2 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-206, relating to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; application review timelines.

24104273D

Summary as introduced:
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; application review timelines. Requires each regulatory board within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation to adopt a timeline of each stage that a completed application for licensure, certification, or registration will undergo as it is reviewed by such board. The bill also requires that such regulatory board approve any completed application within 30 days of its receipt unless such board has reasonable certainty that such application includes grounds for denial.

HB 1431 Alternative onsite sewage systems; approval of treatment units.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 32.1-164.10, relating to alternative onsite sewage systems; approval of treatment units.

24104059D

Summary as introduced:
Alternative onsite sewage systems; approval of treatment units. Requires the Department of Health to approve treatment units for alternative onsite sewage systems if they meet certain NSF/ANSI standards or certain testing requirements.

HB 1449 Virginia Coastal Resilience Collaborative; changes references relating to coastal resilience policy

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 10.1-659, 10.1-660, and 62.1-223.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Coastal Resilience Collaborative at The College of William and Mary in Virginia.

24105114D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Coastal Resilience Collaborative at The College of William and Mary in Virginia. Changes references relating to coastal resilience policy from the Coastal Policy Center at William and Mary School of Law to the Virginia Coastal Resilience Collaborative at The College of William and Mary in Virginia to reflect the dissolution of the Coastal Policy Center. The bill also adds the Collaborative to the list of entities with whom the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources may seek input and consultation in setting coastal resilience policies.

HB 1456 Solar-ready roofs for certain gov’t bldgs.; net-zero energy consumption bldg. design for schools.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-1183 and 15.2-1804.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to solar-ready roofs for certain government buildings; net-zero energy consumption building design for schools.

24104682D

Summary as introduced:
Solar-ready roofs for certain government buildings; net-zero energy consumption building design for schools. Requires any executive branch agency or institution and any locality entering the design phase for the construction of a new building greater than 5,000 gross square feet in size, or the renovation of a building where the cost of the renovation exceeds 50 percent of the value of the building, to ensure that such building includes a solar-ready, cool, or energy-efficient roof, defined in the bill. The bill also requires new public school buildings and facilities and improvements and renovations to existing public school buildings and facilities where the cost of the renovation exceeds 50 percent of the value of the building to, after notice is given to the governing body, be designed and constructed to meet net-zero energy consumption standards. The provisions of this bill only apply to projects entering the design phase on or after January 1, 2025.

HB 1472 Water certificates or permits; compliance with water quality standards.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 62.1-44.15, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to water certificates or permits; compliance with water quality standards.

24101575D

Summary as introduced:
Water certificates or permits; compliance with water quality standards. Requires the State Water Control Board to ensure all activities allowed under any water certificate or permit are in compliance with the water quality standards promulgated by the Board.

HB 1484 Virginia Public Safety Communications Infrastructure Fund and Program; established.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 9.1 a chapter numbered 16, consisting of a section numbered 9.1-1600, relating to Virginia Public Safety Communications Infrastructure Fund and Program; established.

24104802D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Public Safety Communications Infrastructure Fund and Program; established. Establishes the Virginia Public Safety Communications Infrastructure Fund and Program, to be administered by the Department of Emergency Management and financially managed by the Virginia Resources Authority, for the purpose of making loans and awarding grants to local governments to assist with improvement projects relating to public safety radio and communications infrastructure.

HB 1520 Virginia Institute of Marine Science; review the cumulative surface water intake effects.

A BILL to direct the Virginia Institute of Marine Science to review the cumulative surface water intake effects on aquatic fauna in the Chesapeake Bay; report.

24105824D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Institute of Marine Science; review the cumulative surface water intake effects on aquatic fauna in the Chesapeake Bay; report. Directs the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) to review the feasibility of studying cumulative impacts of surface water intakes on aquatic fauna and water quality in Virginia’s rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. VIMS is required to report whether the study may be conducted and, if so, report the total amount of funding necessary to conduct the study to the Governor by October 1, 2024.

SB 79 Solar-ready roofs for certain gov’t bldgs.; net-zero energy consumption bldg. design for schools.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-1183 and 15.2-1804.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to solar-ready roofs for certain government buildings; net-zero energy consumption building design for schools.

24103593D

Summary as introduced:
Solar-ready roofs for certain government buildings; net-zero energy consumption building design for schools. Requires any executive branch agency or institution and any locality entering the design phase for the construction of a new building greater than 5,000 gross square feet in size, or the renovation of a building where the cost of the renovation exceeds 50 percent of the value of the building, to ensure that such building includes a solar-ready, cool, or energy-efficient roof, defined in the bill. The bill also requires new public school buildings and facilities and improvements and renovations to existing public school buildings and facilities where the cost of the renovation exceeds 50 percent of the value of the building to, after notice is given to the governing body, be designed and constructed to meet net-zero energy consumption standards. The provisions of this bill only apply to projects entering the design phase on or after January 1, 2025.

SB 184 Geology; expands definition of geological mapping.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2200 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; practice of geology; definitions.

24104718D

Summary as introduced:
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; practice of geology; definitions. Expands the definition of the practice of geology to include the performance of any professional service or work wherein the principles and methods of geology are applied, including (i) investigating, evaluating, and consulting; (ii) geological mapping; (iii) describing the natural processes that act upon the earth’s materials; (iv) predicting the probable occurrence of natural processes; and (v) inspecting, planning, and performing and supervising geological work in order to enhance and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and the environment. The bill contains technical amendments.

SB 245 Energy, Department of; building standards for certain local buildings.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-1804.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Energy; building standards for certain local buildings.

24104845D

Summary as introduced:
Department of Energy; building standards for certain local buildings. Requires the Department of Energy to provide technical assistance to localities, subject to available budgetary resources, as localities implement mandates related to energy and resilience standards for construction or renovation of certain public buildings. The bill also requires the Department to conduct an annual survey of localities to obtain information on related activities and to identify the needs of localities with respect to technical assistance and training. The bill also makes several technical and clarifying changes to the existing statute, in part by defining or redefining existing terms found in the statute.

SB 260 Virginia Public Procurement Act; preference for products made or manufactured in Virginia and U.S.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4324 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Public Procurement Act; preference for products made or manufactured in Virginia and the U.S.; recyclable content; report.

24102218D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Public Procurement Act; preference for products made or manufactured in Virginia and the U.S.; recyclable content; report. Provides preference for a bidder who is a resident of Virginia over a bidder who is a resident of any other state in determining the award for any contract for goods, services, or construction under the Virginia Public Procurement Act. When a bidder is a resident of Virginia and the lowest responsive and responsible bidder is a resident of another state, the Virginia resident shall be given the option to match the price of the nonresident bidder. The bill directs the Secretary of Commerce and Trade to convene a stakeholder work group to recommend revisions to the recyclable materials tax credit and report on the work group’s recommendations by November 1, 2024.

SB 304 Zoning; development and use of accessory dwelling units.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2292.2, relating to zoning; development and use of accessory dwelling units.

24100831D

Summary as introduced:
Zoning; development and use of accessory dwelling units. Requires a locality to include in its zoning ordinances for residential zoning districts accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, as defined in the bill, as a permitted accessory use. The bill requires a person to seek a permit for an ADU from the locality, requires the locality to issue such permit if the person meets certain requirements enumerated in the bill, and restricts the fee for such permit to $100 or less. The bill prohibits the locality from requiring (i) dedicated parking for the ADU; (ii) lot sizes or setbacks for the ADU greater than that of the primary dwelling; (iii) consanguinity or affinity between the occupants of the ADU and the primary dwelling; (iv) owner occupancy of the ADU or the primary dwelling; and (v) redundant water, sewer, or septic capacity for the ADU. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2025.

SB 365 Regulated land-disturbing activities; submission and approval of erosion and sediment control plan.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 62.1-44.15:55, as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to regulated land-disturbing activities; submission and approval of erosion and sediment control plan.

24102266D

Summary as introduced:
Regulated land-disturbing activities; submission and approval of erosion and sediment control plan. Prohibits a person from engaging in any land-disturbing activity until, where Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permit coverage is required, the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Program (VESCP) authority has obtained evidence of such permit coverage from the Department of Environmental Quality’s online reporting system prior to issuing its land-disturbance approval. Current law requires the VESCP authority to obtain such evidence of VPDES permit coverage prior to approving an erosion and sediment control plan.

SB 554 Waterworks and wastewater works operators; reciprocal licensing.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2301 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; waterworks and wastewater works operators; reciprocal licensing.

24104600D

Summary as introduced:
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; waterworks and wastewater works operators; reciprocal licensing. Requires the Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals, upon application, to recognize current and valid licenses or certificates issued by a neighboring state, defined in the bill, as fulfillment of qualifications for licensure as a waterworks and wastewater works operator in the Commonwealth if there are no pending investigations or complaints, no disqualifying criminal records, and no discipline imposed by another state.

SB 584 General Services Board; established.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 1-508, 1-509, 2.2-106, 2.2-1100, 2.2-1101, 2.2-1102, 2.2-1106, 2.2-1108, 2.2-1115, 2.2-1119, 2.2-1124, 2.2-1125, 2.2-1131.1, 2.2-1133, 2.2-1136, 2.2-1138, 2.2-1139, 2.2-1141 through 2.2-1144, 2.2-1146, 2.2-1147, 2.2-1150.2, 2.2-1150.3, 2.2-1151, 2.2-1153, 2.2-1155, 2.2-1156, 2.2-1157, 2.2-1162, 2.2-1163, 2.2-1164, 2.2-1168, 2.2-1172 through 2.2-1180, 2.2-1183, 2.2-1516, 2.2-1517, 2.2-1519, 2.2-4303, 2.2-4311.2, 10.1-112, 27-5.5, 30-194, 30-280, 30-385, 36-99.3, and 36-139.1 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 24 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 31, consisting of a section numbered § 2.2-2499.9, relating to Department of General Services; General Services Board established; Chief Administrator.

24102562D

Summary as introduced:
Department of General Services; General Services Board established; Chief Administrator. Establishes the General Services Board to oversee the Department of General Services and, among other duties, to appoint a Chief Administrator for the Department. The Board shall consist of nine members: one nonlegislative citizen member appointed by the Governor, two nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, two nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates, one department or agency head appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules serving ex officio, one department or agency head appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates serving ex officio, and two department or agency heads appointed by the Governor serving ex officio. Under current law, the Department is headed by the Director who is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Governor.

SB 647 Virginia Public Procurement Act; apprenticeship programs, competitive sealed bidding.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4302.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Public Procurement Act; competitive sealed bidding; required criteria in invitations to bid.

24105084D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Public Procurement Act; competitive sealed bidding; required criteria in invitations to bid. Requires all public bodies to include in any Invitation to Bid criteria that will be used in determining whether a bidder who is not prequalified by the Virginia Department of Transportation is a responsible bidder. Current law authorizes, but does not require, localities to include such criteria in Invitations to Bid.

SB 673 State Water Control Board; prioritization of drinking water.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 3.1 of Title 62.1 a section numbered 62.1-44.6:2, relating to Department of Environmental Quality; State Water Control Board; prioritization of drinking water.

24101597D

Summary as introduced:
Department of Environmental Quality; State Water Control Board; prioritization of drinking water. Directs the Department of Environmental Quality and the State Water Control Board to prioritize the preservation of drinking water in all permitting and regulatory processes related to groundwater and surface water resources.

SB 698 Dam Safety, Flood Prevention, and Protection Assistance Fund; percentage of funds available.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 10.1-603.19 and 10.1-606.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Dam Safety, Flood Prevention, and Protection Assistance Fund; percentage of funds available; owner match requirements.

24103054D

Summary as introduced:

Dam Safety, Flood Prevention, and Protection Assistance Fund; percentage of funds available; owner match requirements. Reduces from 50 percent to 30 percent the project match required of applicants to receive funds from the Dam Safety, Flood Prevention, and Protection Assistance Fund for grants (i) to a local government that owns a dam, (ii) to a local government for a dam located within the locality, or (iii) to a private entity that owns a dam for the design, repair, and safety modifications of such a dam if it is identified in a safety report. The bill provides that grants made from the Fund to a local government or private entity for the determination of the hazard classification for impounding structures, dam break analysis, the mapping and digitization of dam break inundation zones, incremental damage analysis, and other engineering requirements shall require no more than a 10 percent match by the applicant except that such applicant shall be required to provide a minimum of $5,000 of the cost of the project, if funded, and such match provided by such applicant may be used to pay the application fees for the necessary impounding structure operation and maintenance certificate. The bill removes the 50 percent limit on matching grants that owners of impounding structures may be eligible for from the Fund and other sources of funding available to the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation to assist in the development of dam break inundation zone maps and for conducting incremental damage assessments in accordance with the Virginia Impounding Structure Regulations. The bill also removes the limitation that the total amount of expenditures for grants in any fiscal year are not to exceed 50 percent of the total noninterest or income deposits made to the Fund during the previous fiscal year together with the total amount collected in interest or income from the investment of moneys in the Fund from the previous year as determined at the beginning of the fiscal year.

SB 729 Virginia Climate Innovation Authority; established; created, report.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 22 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 13, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2378 through 2.2-2390, relating to Virginia Climate Innovation Authority; established; report.

24104393D

Summary as introduced:
Virginia Climate Innovation Authority; established; report. Creates the Virginia Climate Innovation Authority to finance clean energy projects, greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects, and other qualified projects through the strategic deployment of public funds in the form of grants, loans, credit enhancements, and other financing mechanisms. The Authority is governed by a 12-member Board, consisting of one member of the House of Delegates, one member of the Senate, five nonlegislative citizen members to be appointed by the Governor, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, the Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Labor, and the Director of the Department of Energy. The bill contains provisions for (i) the appointment of a president and the hiring of staff, (ii) the powers and duties of the Authority, (iii) lending practices, (iv) a strategic plan, (v) an investment strategy, (vi) public outreach requirements, (vii) audits, (viii) exemptions from taxes and from personnel and procurement procedures, and (ix) reporting requirements.

Counts: HB: 22 SB: 12

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