While the budget will garner much time and attention, other issues also will be on the table for discussion. Localities will be especially interested in proposals being put forward to delay the much-discussed stormwater management regulations. HB 155 delays until July 1, 2012 the implementation of the regulations, while SB 245 provides for a delay until July 1, 2011. SB 395 would delay the regulations until EPA approval of a Virginia TMDL implementation plan.
When it met early in the week, the Joint Subcommittee Studying Development and Land Use Tools declined to endorse any changes to the present Urban Development Area statute. However, several bills on the topic have surfaced, including HB 1071 and SB 420, which would set densities in UDAs that vary depending on the population of the locality. HJ 135 and SJ 89 would continue the work of the panel for another year. Numerous other bills that affect local land use and planning also have been submitted.
There also are proposals that would restrict the already limited authority localities have to regulate firearms. These include HB 236, which would repeal local authority to prohibit hunting within one-half mile of a subdivision; and HB 475, which would allow concealed weapons in school buildings when it is not being used for school functions.
| HB 51 |
Allows a local governing body to prepare and submit a local comprehensive plan amendment without going through the local planning commission process. |
| HB 57 |
Eliminates the BPOL tax. Also, HB 110 allows localities to decide whether to impose the BPOL tax on a business's gross receipts or its Virginia taxable income. |
| HB 115 |
Establishes a set of requirements for the protection of sewer system laterals and private sewer laterals. |
| HB 132 |
Limits alternative on-site sewage systems in wetlands and impaired waters. Also, HB 332 allows homeowners with small system to do their own AOSS testing, while SB 448 allows any locality to prohibit the use of such alternative systems. |
| HB 246 |
Provides that no less than 10% of local government investment pool assets be invested in Virginia financial institutions (also SB 484). |
| HB 336 |
Broadens a locality's ability to use cash proffers for capital projects other than those for which the cash was originally proffered. |
| HB 374 |
Stipulates that cash proffers be collected at the time of certificate of occupancy. |
| HB 385 |
Directs the governor to suspend a mandate for a period not to exceed two years upon proper application by a locality. |
| HB 401 |
Gives localities alternatives to publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality for legal ads and other notices of proposed action (also HB 586). |
| HB 508 |
Requires the state to develop procedures for notifying health sensitive individuals of sewage sludge application. |
| HB 552 |
Includes the right to replace failed septic systems under vested rights protection. |
| HB 553 |
Restricts local authority to regulate temporary signs (also SB 64). |
| HB 582 |
Restricts local authority to regulate certain eating and lodging establishments on farms (also SB 347). |
| HB 583 |
Limits local authority to regulate farm businesses and related activities (also SB 348). |
| HB 619 |
Allows localities to assess higher civil penalties for beginning land-disturbing activities without an approved plan. |
| HB 680 |
Increases from $1 to $2 the fee on every deed in jurisdictions in which open-space easements are held by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. |
| HB 718 |
Directs the governor and General Assembly to develop and implement a plan to reduce the number of children in foster care by 25% within 10 years. |
| HB 777 |
Requires a locality that has adopted land use value assessment and taxation on three classifications to adopt it on all four classifications of land. |
| HB 843 |
Requires medical emergency response plans and automated external defibrillators in local government buildings open to the public. |
| SB 35 |
Authorizes all localities to regulate distribution of handbills, solicitation of contributions, and sale of merchandise on highways within their boundaries (approved by Senate Transportation Committee). |
| SB 121 |
Provides that notice of the public hearing a locality must hold prior to increasing the real property tax when the local property assessment results in a tax increase shall be given at least 14 days before the date of the hearing (currently 30 days). |
| SB 222 |
Exempts localities from fees charged for VDOT review of comprehensive plan amendments, rezoning applications |
