2020 General Assembly - Week 2
In The News
Starting this week, I will be including some news articles in my updates that you may be interested in. As you already know, numerous proposals affecting our regional business community have been--and will continue to be--discussed during this session, and it's a good thing to stay up to date with what others are saying and with what's happening in our area.

Statewide



Regional


We are also very excited to announce that Delegate Terry Austin was recognized as a Legislator of the Year by the Virginia Economic Developers Association , as well as receiving the I-81 Champion award from the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce at their Annual Meeting last week. These awards are well deserved and and show Del. Austin's strong commitment to our business community.

In addition, the Roanoke Times published Roanoke Regional Chamber Vice President of Public Policy and VA West Legislative Liaison Terry Durkin's op-ed about our business community's concern over the discussions to repeal right to work and increase the minimum wage.

VA West Capital Reception - This Upcoming Wednesday!
If you have not yet registered for the 2020 VA West Capital Reception in Richmond (5:00pm-7:30pm, Omni Hotel), please click here to do so. Multiple regional legislators have confirmed their attendance and we hope you will take this opportunity to engage them on legislation important to you.
General Assembly Bill Tracking
Economic Development & Regional Cooperation

Del. Lee Carter
Right to work; repeals provisions of Code that refers to denial or abridgement.

  • 12/18/19 House: Committee Referral Pending

OPPOSE

Del. Mark Levine
Establishes a procedure by which a local alternative minimum wage may be imposed in any locality.

  • 01/14/20 House: Assigned L & C sub: Subcommittee #1

OPPOSE

Sen. Dick Saslaw
Minimum wage; increases to $10 per hour effective July 1, 2020.

  • 11/18/19 Senate: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

OPPOSE

Del. Terry Kilgore
Establishes the Virginia Brownfield Renewable Energy and Coal Mine Grant Fund and Program.

  • 01/14/20 House: Assigned ACNR sub: Natural Resources

SUPPORT

Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy
Paid family and medical leave program.

  • 01/16/20 House: Assigned L & C sub: Subcommittee #1

OPPOSE

Sen. Dick Saslaw
Fair share fees

  • 01/07/20 Senate: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

OPPOSE

Del. Mark Sickles
Commonwealth of Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority; created.

  • 01/16/20 House: Assigned CT & I sub: Communications

SUPPORT
Workforce Development & Education

Del. Hala Ayala
STEAM programs; establishes STEAM Education Fund

  • 01/13/20 House: Assigned Education sub: Pre-K-12
SUPPORT

Del. Terry Kilgore
DOE; experiential learning and workforce development opportunities in high-demand fields, report.

  • 01/07/20 House: Referred to Committee on Rules

SUPPORT

Sen. Bill DeSteph
Apprentice agreements; ratio of journeymen to apprentices

  • Senate: Failed to report (defeated) in General Laws and Technology (4-Y 10-N)

SUPPORT
DEFEATED

Sen. Bill DeSteph
Public institutions of higher education; State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; business advisory committee.

  • 01/08/20 Senate: Referred to Committee on Education and Health

SUPPORT
Transportation

Del. Terry Austin
Transportation bonds; I-81. Authorizes issuance of bonds in an amount up to $2 billion for revenue-producing projects in the Interstate 81 corridor.

  • 01/14/20 House: Assigned App. sub: Transportation & Public Safety

SUPPORT

Sen. Mark Obenshain
Interstate 81 Corridor; motor vehicle fuels sales tax. Limits the application of the additional motor vehicle fuels sales tax imposed under current law in all counties and cities in Planning Districts 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 to those counties or cities in Planning District 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 in which a portion of Interstate 81 is located

  • 01/07/20 Senate: Referred to Committee on Finance and Appropriations

OPPOSE

Del. Sam Rasoul
Study; Department of Rail and Public Transportation; Commonwealth Corridor passenger rail service; report

  • 01/06/20 House: Referred to Committee on Rules

SUPPORT
Healthcare

Del. Chris Hurst
Health insurance; association health plans

  • 01/16/20 House: Assigned L & C sub: Subcommittee #2

SUPPORT

Sen. Monty Mason
Group health benefit plans; bona fide associations; benefits consortium.

  • 01/15/20 Senate: Assigned C&L sub: Health Insurance

SUPPORT
SUBCOMMITTEE PASSES TO FULL COMMITTEE

Sen. John Edwards
Virginia Health Benefit Exchange

  • 01/15/20 Senate: Assigned C&L sub: Health Insurance

MONITOR
VA WEST Represents the Following Chambers:

Greater Augusta Regional, Bedford Area, Botetourt, Danville/Pittsylvania County, Harrisonburg-Rockingham, Lexington, Buena Vista, & Rockbridge County, Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, Martinsville & Henry County, Montgomery County, Roanoke Regional, Shenandoah County, Smith Mountain Lake Regional, Two Virginias, and Wytheville, Wythe, and Bland.