Left in Privileges and Elections
Requires the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority (the Authority) to develop a comprehensive operational plan for the Authority, including, at a minimum, the following components: (i) a plan for coordination with all state agencies administering economic development incentive programs to ensure that such programs consistently achieve maximum effectiveness, (ii) the results of the most recent survey of all economic development partners assessing the effectiveness of the Authority's coordination with nonstate economic development organizations and the alignment of the Authority's strategic plan with economic development partners, and (iii) an evaluation of grant incentive awards programs administered by the Authority. The initial plan must be submitted by December 1, 2017, to the Authority's Board for review and approval. After approval, the CEO must report quarterly to the Board regarding the status of the implementation of the plan. In addition, the bill changes the membership requirements of the Board by removing the conditions that the Governor's appointees represent the state's congressional districts and changing the appointments of legislative appointees from membership at large to requirements for general areas of expertise. The bill changes all terms from six to four years and provides for the 12 citizen members appointed by the Governor to be re-staggered beginning in 2017. The bill also (a) provides for the Secretary of Commerce and Trade to serve as the chairman of the Authority's Board, (b) establishes the Division of Grant Administration within the Authority, (c) creates an Office of Internal Audit, and (d) provides for the Authority to staff the Governor's cabinet-level committee assisting the Secretary of Commerce and Trade in developing the state's comprehensive economic development strategy.
Left in General Laws
Requires investor-owned electric utilities, cooperative electric utilities, and investor-owned natural gas distribution utilities to meet incremental annual energy efficiency goals. Electric utilities are required to implement cost-effective energy efficiency measures to achieve the goal of two percent savings by 2032 and thereafter, with interim goals that start at 0.25 percent for 2018-2019 and increase in biennial increments of 0.25 percent until 2032. Gas utilities are required to achieve the goal of one percent savings by 2032 and thereafter, with interim goals that start at 0.125 percent for 2018-2019 and increase in biennial increments of 0.125 percent until 2032. The utilities are required to submit energy efficiency plans with the State Corporation Commission (SCC). The SCC (i) shall order changes to a plan submitted by a utility that does not demonstrate that the utility will achieve incremental annual energy efficiency goals; (ii) shall require utilities to commence compliance efforts with the incremental annual energy efficiency goals during calendar year 2018, though it may adjust the goal for 2018 if appropriate to address a partial year of implementation; (iii) may design performance incentives that reward utilities for exceeding efficiency goals; (iv) shall require utilities to report annually to the SCC on their efforts and progress in meeting the incremental annual energy efficiency goals; and (v) shall submit reports regarding compliance with the requirements of the incremental annual energy efficiency goals every five years.
Left in Appropriations
Provides that the Southwestern Virginia Training Center shall remain open until June 30, 2019, and continue to accept new admissions of individuals with intellectual disabilities for whom treatment in a training center is appropriate.
Left in Appropriations
Left in Privileges and Elections
Requires all proposed and final regulations promulgated by any regulatory board within the Department on or after July 1, 2017, to contain a sunset provision such that the regulations shall expire within five years of their effective date. The bill provides that on or before July 1, 2021, the Board for Professional and Occupational Regulation (the Board) shall review the regulations on such timetable as determined by the Board to enable it to make specific determinations outlined in the bill. The bill requires that by July 1, 2021, the Board shall submit a report of its findings, including any recommendations, to the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules (the Commission), which shall exercise the powers granted to it under the Administrative Process Act and the Commission's enabling law. Any recommendations of the Commission for the continuation, modification, suspension, or rescission of any such regulation shall be submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly by October 15, 2021.
Left in Privileges and Elections
Left in General Laws
Left in Privileges and Elections
