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Legislative News
Historic Preservation Legislative Priorities as of January 15, 2010
- Preserve and Protect Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits
- Positive economic stimulus package creating jobs in local communities
- Rehabilitation creates 2 to 5 times as many jobs as new construction. This is vital, as many older buildings are located in areas of high unemployment. In the 12 years since Virginia's State Rehabilitation Tax Credit program's inception, more than 1,300 projects have qualified for the credit, resulting in nearly $1.5 billion in expenditures, much of which is pumped back into local economies.
- Continue Land Conservation Efforts
- Support Governor McDonnell's goal of placing 400,000 acres under easement during his administration
- SB 341 (Sen. Hanger) Increases the tax credit percentage for the land preservation tax credit from 40 percent to 50 percent of the fair market value of the land or interest in land conveyed. The bill would be effective for land donations made on or after January 1, 2010.
- HB141 (Del. Pollard) Provides that only those nonprofit organizations that hold a conservation easement acquired pursuant to the Virginia Conservation Easement Act are ineligible to receive land preservation tax credits for donations of qualifying real property
- Ensure that public agencies have the resources to meet their stewardship obligations on buildings owned and occupied by the Commonwealth
- Fully fund Department of Historic Resources
- Department holds and oversees nearly 500 easements
- HB1213 (De. Kory) Clarifies and makes several technical and procedural changes to the authority of the Department of Historic Resources to supervise state moneys appropriated to organizations, including localities and private entities, and related to historic preservation
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- Minimize Impact of Clear Cutting
- HB675 (Del. May) minimizes adverse impact of clear cutting in right of ways for utilities.
- Streamline amending comprehensive plans
- HB 51(Del. Cole) Grants authority to a governing body to prepare an amendment to the comprehensive plan and submit such proposal to public hearing rather than request the planning commission to prepare the amendment. No longer oppose
- Ensure future of Fort Monroe
- SB315(Sen. Locke) establishes authority to oversee the preservation, conservation, protection, and maintenance of the Commonwealth's real property interests at Fort Monroe and the renewal of Fort Monroe as a vibrant and thriving community
- Focus on Tourism Opportunities
- SB525 (Sen. Norment) Dedicates the revenues from the Commonwealth's soft drink excise tax and litter tax to the Cooperative Marketing Fund administered by the Virginia Tourism Authority. The first priority for moneys in the Cooperative Marketing Fund shall be as a match for private funds to be used for the promotion, marketing, and advertising of the Commonwealth's tourist attractions and locations.
- Other Bills of Interest
- SB 614 (Sen. Houck) and HB 717 (Del. Peace) Establishes Civil War Site Preservation Fund in code rather than as it is defined now in budget language.
- HJ138 (Del. McQuinn) Expresses the General Assembly's support for the preservation of the historic site of Lumpkin's Slave Jail and slave burial ground in Richmond's Shockoe Bottom, and calls upon the Governor to encourage and promote the preservation of the historic site.
- HB1200 (Del. McQuinn) Establishes the Virginia Slave Commission in the legislative branch of state government for the purpose of addressing political, economic, educational, and societal issues, and public policies whose roots lie in the transatlantic slave trade.
What Can You Do To Help?
First, please respond to APVA Preservation Virginia's Legislative Alerts as you receive them during the course of the 2009 General Assembly. Alerts will be issued each Wednesday during the session and as needed for critical calls to action.
If you need help identifying your legislator, click on this link: http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform
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Citizen's Guide to the Virginia General Assembly
Every citizen has the ability and opportunity to impact public policy and influence the outcome of state legislation. Grassroots lobbying works well when concerned citizens work together to voice their opinions in a determined, positive manner. Together we can make a difference! We have put together a few "tips" and suggestions to assist you in your efforts.
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