Update on HB 268 & 1173

General Assembly:

“The Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday approved HB 268, the companion to SB 51, which has passed the House and Senate and is on its way to the governor for signing. These are the bills which expand various agritourism activities and additional value-added sale, preparation and processing opportunities. The Committee also endorsed the House version of the omnibus stormwater management bill (HB 1173). The bill is identical to the Senate version, SB 423, which passed the House unanimously. Both bills contain an emergency clause, meaning they take effect upon approval by the governor. Recall that the bills allow non-MS4 localities to opt out of establishing and running a local stormwater management program and to have DEQ manage it.”

~ David Blount, TJPDC Legislative Liaison

Agriculture and Natural Resources Legislation

General Assembly:

“Concerning stormwater, the House provides $38 million from the Virginia Public Building Authority (VPBA) for the stormwater grant program contingent upon the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) providing a grant to improve statewide digital orthography files (state mapping). The Senate shifts the $20.0 million in VPBA bond funding from the second to the first year and amends language to more clearly focus local stormwater grants on implementation of local best management practice capital projects.

          

The Senate also includes just over $31.4 million for agriculture best practices and $2 million for maintenance for SWCD district dams. It includes language requiring local governments imposing a stormwater utility fee to provide an annual report to DEQ on the programs being funding by the fee and the nutrient and sediment reductions expected to be accomplished by the programs. The Senate also directs a review of stormwater management program fee structure.

The Senate provides $2 million for the Dam Safety Program to address repairs needed for certain flood control dams maintained by Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The House reduces dam funding by over $1 million.

A House budget amendment provides $300,000 each year to support the eradication of hydrilla on Lake Anne, Lake Gaston and Smith Mountain Lake.”

~ David Blount, TJPDC Legislative Liaison

Agriculture Committee and Stormwater Legislation

General Assembly:

“This past week, the House approved HB 1173 on a 93 to one vote. The Senate Agriculture Committee followed suit on Thursday afternoon by unanimously reporting a nearly identical measure, SB 423, which awaits approval on the Senate floor. The bills, among other things, allow non-MS4 localities to opt out of having to establish a local stormwater program and have the Department of Environmental Quality establish and implement a program.”

~Writes David Blount, TJPDC Legislative Liaison