Merchants' capital tax; separate classification; retailers. Provides that the merchants' capital of any retailer reported as inventory that is located in a structure that contains at least 200,000 square feet, with at least 200,000 square feet used solely to store such inventory, shall, along with certain wholesalers, be considered a separate classification and may be taxed at a lower rate than other classifications of merchants' capital. Under current law, only merchants' capital of wholesalers meeting a similar threshold of 100,000 square feet constitutes a separate class of property.
Septic system inspectors; requirements to performa septic system inspection. Authorizes any individual who holdsa valid alternative onsite sewage system operator, alternative onsitesewage system installer, or onsite soil evaluator license pursuantto Chapter 23 (Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators) of Title54.1 to perform a septic system inspection in connection with anyreal estate transaction, including refinancings.
Official emblems and designations; state opry.Designates The Virginia Opry as the official opry of the Commonwealth.
Health insurance program for local governmentemployees; transit companies. Adds employees of a transit companyto the definition of "employees of local governments" for the purposesof the Commonwealth's health insurance program for local governmentemployees. The bill defines "transit company" as a public servicecorporation wholly owned by a locality, or combination of localities,that provides public transportation services.
Alcoholic beverage control; residency requirementfor licensure. Eliminates the provision that allows the Boardof Directors of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority to refuseto grant a retail license to any person who has not resided in theCommonwealth for at least one year immediately preceding applicationtherefor.
Medical assistants; administration of fluoride varnish. Allows an authorized agent of a doctor of medicine, osteopathic medicine, or dentistry to possess and administer topical fluoride varnish pursuant to an oral or written order or a standing protocol issued by a doctor of medicine, osteopathic medicine, or dentistry. This bill is identical to HB 299.
Epinephrine permitted in certain public places. Allows public places to make epinephrine available for administration. The bill allows employees of such public places who are authorized by a prescriber and trained in the administration of epinephrine to possess and administer epinephrine to a person present in such public place believed in good faith to be having an anaphylactic reaction. The bill also provides that an employee of such public place who is authorized by a prescriber and trained in the administration of epinephrine and who administers or assists in the administration of epinephrine to a person present in the public place believed in good faith to be having an anaphylactic reaction, or is the prescriber of the epinephrine, shall not be liable for any civil damages for ordinary negligence in acts or omissions resulting from the rendering of such treatment. The bill directs the Department of Health, in conjunction with the Department of Health Professions, to develop policies and guidelines for the recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis in public places. Such policies and guidelines shall be provided to the Commissioner of Health no later than July 1, 2021.
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; public assistance and operation of the Virginia Horse Center Foundation. Directs the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to investigate and negotiate involvement of the Commonwealth in the whole or partial operation or management of the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, including the addition of state-appointed members to the Board of Directors of the Foundation. The bill prohibits expenditure of state funds for the purchase, transfer, or lease of real property related to the investigation unless specifically appropriated for that purpose or approved by the General Assembly.
Department of Housing and Community Development and the Virginia Housing Development Authority; stakeholder advisory group; Virginia housing opportunity tax credit program. Directs the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Virginia Housing Development Authority to convene a stakeholder advisory group to develop draft legislation establishing a Virginia housing opportunity tax credit program for the purpose of providing incentives for the utilization of private equity in the development and construction of affordable housing in the Commonwealth and regulations for implementing such program. The stakeholder advisory group shall also conduct financial modeling to determine the fiscal impact to the Commonwealth of various levels of funding for a Virginia housing opportunity tax credit. The stakeholder advisory group shall determine the most effective and efficient way to administer the program in conjunction with the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program. The stakeholder advisory group shall report its recommendations to the Governor, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, the Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, and the commissioners of the Virginia Housing Development Authority by September 1, 2020.
Door locking mechanisms and other safety devices.Provides that the Department of Housing and Community Developmentshall convene stakeholders representing entities that enforce theUniform Statewide Building Code and the Virginia Statewide Fire PreventionCode, other law-enforcement organizations, and representatives oflocal governments throughout the Commonwealth to develop proposalsfor changes to the USBC and SFPC for submission to the Board of Housingand Community Development. Such proposals shall have the goal of assistingin the provision of safety and security measures for the Commonwealth'spublic buildings for active-shooter or hostile threats while maintainingcompliance with basic accessibility requirements under the federalAmericans with Disabilities Act. This bill is identical to HB 670.
Workers' compensation; repetitive motion injuries.Provides that a physical injury, including the condition of carpaltunnel syndrome, that results from repetitive motion shall be treatedas an injury by accident for purposes of the Virginia Workers' CompensationAct. The bill also removes a provision that declares carpal tunnelsyndrome to be an ordinary disease of life.
Elections; political campaign advertisements; print media requirements. Changes the requirement that print media disclosures be displayed in a minimum font size of seven point to a requirement that such disclosures be displayed in a font size proportionate to the size of the advertisement. The bill tasks the State Board of Elections with creating standards for meeting the requirement that disclosure statements be displayed in a conspicuous manner in a size proportionate to the size of the advertisement and requires such standards to be promulgated no later than July 1, 2021, with enforcement delayed until January 1, 2024. The provisions of the bill affecting regulants also have a delayed effective date of January 1, 2024. Print media advertisements paid for or distributed prior to July 1, 2024, will not be subject to the State Board of Elections regulations promulgated pursuant to the bill.
