Sen. Frank Ruff

Rebuilt vehicles; issuance of title. Allowsa title to be issued for a rebuilt vehicle without an inspectionby the Department of Motor Vehicles if (i) the rebuilder has been licensed as an auto recycler, salvage pool, or vehicle removal operatorin good standing for at least 10 years, (ii) the rebuilt vehicleis at least 10 years old but is not an antique motor vehicle, and(iii) the resale value of the rebuilt vehicle is less than $10,000.

Additional transient occupancy tax in Prince George County. Authorizes Prince George County to impose an additional transient occupancy tax at a rate of up to two percent, for a total maximum rate of seven percent. The revenue from the additional tax shall be used solely for tourism purposes.

Persons permitted to work in mines; age requirements. Removes the provision prohibiting persons under 18 years of age from working around any mine and requires the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy to conform its regulations to federal law with respect to such age requirements. The bill does not affect the existing provision prohibiting persons under 18 years of age from working in any mine.

Advanced Production Grant Program and Fund. Creates the Advanced Production Grant Program and Fund to make grant payments to an eligible business transportation manufacturer and producer that engages in the production of business trucks and that makes a capital investment of at least $58 million at a facility in Pittsylvania County and creates at least 703 new full-time jobs at the facility. The eligible company would be eligible for an aggregate of $7 million in grants paid out over a five-year period if it meets such performance parameters and complies with the terms of a memorandum of understanding agreed upon by the qualified company, the Commonwealth, and the Virginia Economic Development Authority. This bill is identical to HB 1733.

Industrial hemp extract; approval as food or ingredient; regulations; fund; emergency. Provides that an industrial hemp extract, as defined in the bill, is a food and is subject to applicable laws and regulations. The bill establishes (i) requirements for the production of an industrial hemp extract or a food containing an extract and (ii) conditions under which a manufacturer of such extract or food shall be considered an approved source. The bill authorizes the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services to adopt regulations establishing contaminant tolerances, labeling requirements, and batch testing requirements, and it provides that moneys collected under the chapter shall be deposited in the Virginia Industrial Hemp Fund, created by the bill. The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry to report by November 1, 2020, a plan for the long-term sustainability of funding for the industrial hemp program. The bill contains an emergency clause and is contingent on funding in a general appropriation act.

Corporal Ryan C. McGhee Memorial Bridge. Designatesthe bridge on Guinea Station Road over Interstate 95 in SpotsylvaniaCounty the Corporal Ryan C. McGhee Memorial Bridge.

Specialty dockets; veterans docket. Providesthat any veterans docket authorized and established as a local specialtydocket in accordance with the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginiashall be deemed a "Veterans Treatment Court Program," as that termis used under federal law or by any other entity, for the purposesof applying for, qualifying for, or receiving any federal grants,other federal money, or money from any other entity designated toassist or fund such state programs. The bill contains an emergencyclause.

Charter; Town of Blackstone; advisory referendums. Authorizes the Town of Blackstone to hold advisory referendums regarding the use by the Town of Blackstone of town funds to construct, repair, remodel, or improve (i) the Harris Memorial Armory or (ii) a community center. This bill is identical to HB 1565.

Line of Duty Act; eligible dependents. Provides that children born or adopted after the death or disability of an employee covered by the Line of Duty Act are eligible for health insurance coverage if their birth or adoption occurred after the time of the employee's death or disability, but prior to July 1, 2017. Under current law, such children are not eligible unless they were adopted pursuant to a preadoptive agreement entered into prior to the death or disability. This bill is identical to HB 51.

Additional sales and use tax in Mecklenburg County; appropriations to incorporated towns for educational purposes. Authorizes Mecklenburg County to impose an additional local sales and use tax at a rate not to exceed one percent, as determined by the governing body, if initiated by a resolution of the local governing body and approved by the voters at a referendum. The bill requires the governing body to specify in the enacting ordinance the time period, not to exceed 20 years, for which the tax would be imposed. Revenue from the tax shall be used solely for capital projects for new construction or major renovation of schools in the locality enacting the tax. The bill removes the limit on the amount that Mecklenburg County may appropriate to an incorporated town that has not complied with the provisions of its charter relating to the elections of local officials. Under current law, such amount is limited to the amount the town would have received from local sales and use tax for educational purposes if such election had been held.Under current law, only Halifax County has the authority to impose such taxes and make such appropriations. The bill contains technical amendments.