MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
Effectively Advocating During Legislative Session
ICYMI - Click here for a brief overview on how you can make a difference in the 2021 Legislative Session.
A LOOK BACK
The Week in Review
We have now reached crossover - the point in session where surviving House Bills must be passed out of the House to make their way to the Senate, and vice versa. Although session was slated to end late next week, Governor Northam has signaled that he will call for a 15 to 16 day special session immediately upon adjournment on February 11th. That means that session will most likely continue to run until February 26th or 27th.

Success at Crossover
We are pleased to report that a proposal to impose a costly (and mandatory) paid family leave program was defeated in the House this week. HB 2016 would have mandated employers to provide up to 12 weeks of paid family leave per employee per year. Your public policy team submitted public testimony in opposition to this bill and worked in concert with other Chambers to represent the view of business owners.

While the bills to impose a 12 week paid family medical leave program have since been defeated, a bill which mandates all businesses with 25 of more employees provide 40 hours of paid sick leave per year (HB 2137) is still active. We believe that businesses should have the flexibility to provide leave programs that work best for their business model and employees, and therefore have concerns with this proposal.

HB 2015, which would have mandated employers owning businesses in sectors deemed as "essential" pay their employees 1.5x their hourly rate or salary during public health emergencies, was also defeated this week. The Chamber voiced concerns with a bill that sought to increase employers' payroll costs by 50% when there is no guarantee of increased revenue/assistance to cover the payroll, and fortunately the House Committee on Appropriations agreed with those concerns.


Right to Work Still Intact
This week was not without its share of drama, with Delegate Lee Carter attempting a rare maneuver to bring his Right to Work Repeal bill, HB 1755, straight to the floor of the House for a vote without first going through the committee vetting process. Although this attempt failed (as did the potential for this bill to pass this session), it highlights concerns of the business community about efforts to erode a policy that has proved vital to business attraction and retention. We thank legislators who voted to "Pass By Indefinitely" the motion from Del. Carter, therefore effectively killing the bill.


Tax Conformity – a complicated issue
We are keeping an eye on SB 1146 and its House companion bill, HB 1935. These bills are annual legislation that seek to conform Virginia's tax code with the IRS. The issue this year is how the state will treat CARES ACT/PPP funds as it relates to tax deductibility. Congress has said that PPP funds used according to federal guidelines will be able to be deducted from federal income taxes. However, if this wholesale deduction were extended to Virginia taxes, an estimated $900 million dollar hole would be opened in the state budget. Legislators are currently working on compromise language that would create a tax deductibility "cap", so PPP funds up to a certain dollar amount may be tax deductible while anything over the cap would not be. The Chamber is fighting to ensure that cap remains as high as possible to afford as many businesses as possible tax relief during this economic downturn.
A LOOK AHEAD
What's on Tap for Next Week?
Next week we will see successful House Bills being considered in the Senate, and vice versa. The public policy team will continue to support legislation that will expand broadband access to those unserved, the "G3" program, and workforce/economic development priority legislation. In addition, we will continue to oppose burdensome one-size fits all mandates on business owners and we'll continue to monitor tax conformity legislation closely.
BILL TRACKING
By clicking on a bill number contained within our bill tracker, you will be taken directly to the web page where you will find all information on the legislation, including where it resides in the legislative process. Chamber action--where applicable--is indicated in italics under the bill title in the tracker.

We continue to keep an eye on legislation that works its way through the process, even for bills that may not be on this list. Please contact Terry at tdurkin@roanokechamber.org if you wish to advocate for bills listed in our tracker or if you have any questions. 
SESSION QUICK LINKS
THE LATEST
In the News
Statewide

  • BREAKING: State opens COVID-19 vaccinations for Virginians 65 and older [Full Story]
 
  • House budget panel backs sick leave proposal, but kills hazard pay bill [Full Story]

  • As Senate seeks tax compromise, businesses say 'not right' for state to take what Congress gave [Full Story]

  • Va. House leaders block delegate’s effort to force vote on right-to-work repeal[Full Story]

 
Regional
 
  • Rural broadband availability comes into sharper relief with pandemic[Full Story]

  • New e-commerce tax creates windfall for Roanoke County[Full Story]

  • I-81 Widening Meeting Set for Feb. 9[Full Story]
STAY CONNECTED:
 
Terry Durkin
Vice President of Public Policy
 Roanoke Regional Chamber 
540.682.2111