eNews – February 27, 2026
Budget amendments to support, Legislation updates, Small Towns Conference in May...and more!
Friday, February 27, 2026/Categories: eNews
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VML’s 2026 General Assembly resources can be found on our website here >.
In this issue:
Budget
Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
Senate Courts of Justice Committee
Senate General Laws and Technology Committee
House Appropriations Committee
House Counties, Cities and Towns Committee
House General Laws Committee
House Health and Human Services Committee
House Labor and Commerce Committee
House Privileges and Elections Committee
VML News
Opportunities
Budget
Budget amendments to SUPPORT as the House and Senate conferees prepare to meet
VML Contact: Joe Flores, jflores@vml.org
Now that the House and Senate have passed their respective budgets, the General Assembly’s final push to complete a fiscal plan for the 2026-28 biennium begins in earnest next week.
But before that begins, the staff of the money committees will finally get a breather on Saturday, likely their first day off in more than six weeks! After toiling on bills and budget amendments for more than a month, the staff and members clearly need a break. Given rising tensions in the General Assembly in the past few days, a month of R&R is advisable (but maybe not practical).
As early as Sunday, staff from the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees will begin to put the final touches on documents that line up each of the 399 amendments included in the Senate budget with each of the 450 amendments included in the House budget. The purpose of the exercise is to allow the conferees to understand where budget modifications are the same, similar, or entirely different. Then, during countless closed-door meetings over the upcoming weeks, the budget conferees will begin to bridge their fiscal divides, hopefully in time for sine die on Saturday, March 14.
It won’t be easy.
Billion-dollar budget differences don’t usually fade quietly into the night. As the conferees work to bridge the $1.2 billion dollar chasm that separates them from the finish line, VML staff thought it would be productive to highlight some of the amendments that local governments can support. Those amendments are grouped by topic below.
Use the links below to jump to each topic:
Finance
VML Contact: Joe Flores, jflores@vml.org
Legislative Workgroup on Property Tax Exemptions. VML supports language in the House budget (Item 1 #5h) that requires the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees to create a joint subcommittee to review the cost of mandatory property tax exemptions for disabled veterans and their spouses. The subcommittee is required to make recommendations to ensure the sustainability of the exemption programs, reduce the fiscal stress these exemptions are having on local governments, and preserve localities' ability to provide local services. Based on VML’s analysis of data provided by local Commissioners of the Revenue, the cost of providing these unfunded mandates continues to grow unabated and will likely exceed $400 million in 2026, hence, the need for a review by people who understand finances as well as solutions.
JLARC: Aid to Localities Report. VML supports language in the Senate budget (Item 25 #3s) if it also requires that JLARC report on the cost of unfunded mandates imposed by the Commonwealth on localities, specifically mandatory property tax exemptions. Budget language in SB30 requires JLARC to include an analysis of state spending for aid to localities, at least once every five years, as part of its annual State Spending report. As the cost of unfunded mandates imposed on local governments increases, it seems reasonable to have JLARC also report on these costs, since they have the potential to offset funding made available to local governments.
Health and Human Services
VML Contact: Janet Areson, jareson@vml.org
Children’s Services Act (CSA)
State contribution caps on major components of the Children’s Services Act (CSA). Budget amendments to undo the introduced budget’s proposals to 1) cap the state’s match to special education private school day programs if the cost of the placement increases by more than 2.5 percent from the previous year; and 2) decrease the state’s match - and thereby increase local match - for community-based services, did not make it into either the House or Senate budget. Private day programs are the most expensive component of CSA, and community-based services are the most widely used component of CSA.
While neither body adopted the amendments, some amendments were approved that indirectly address the special education issues, namely:
Target of the special education cap. The Senate adopted Item 271 #2s clarifying that the state 2.5 percent cap applies only to an individual student’s per diem tuition rate. This issue arose last year when the five percent cap was placed on this program. VML opposes the funding cap but appreciates the effort to clarify its target.
Support in public school for students with intensive needs. The House adopted Item 125 #4h under the Department of Education (VDOE) to add $10.0 million in the first year to serve additional special education students in public school settings by expanding the disability categories eligible for tuition reimbursement through the VDOE 's Support for Students with Intense Needs Application, or SISNA, with a goal to reduce the number of students referred to CSA-funded private day school programs. It also updates the name of the program and creates reporting requirements. VML and VACo got budget amendments introduced regarding SISNA and support this amendment.
Reporting additional information about costs and use of private day programs. A companion amendment in the House, Item 272 #1h, requires the Office of Children’s Services to annually report on the local and state costs for students in private day special education. Information would be broken out by school division and primary disability category; OCS would collaborate with VDOE to ensure data is comparable and aligned with the annual report for the SISNA program.
SISNA guidance and greater use. On the Senate side, an amendment was adopted – Item 118 #1s – to ensure that VDOE issues guidance on how localities can use existing authority to transition students back to public schools from private day placements and requests information on how the SISNA program funding and application process could be made more flexible and used to keep students at risk of private day placements in their public school setting. VML supports this amendment.
Behavioral Health
Study of CSB local match rates. The Senate adopted Item 299#1s to require the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to examine alternatives to the current 10 percent match requirement for community services boards, including a formula that takes into account regional funds, local fiscal situations, etc. It also includes looking at a standardized formula for dividing contributions within localities within a multi-jurisdictional CSA as well as an enforcement mechanism when required match is not met. The report/recommendations are due to the Behavioral Health Commission by Nov. 1, 2026. VML is monitoring this issue.
Marcus Alert funding for next phase. The Senate approved Item 301#3s to add $3.6 million in the first year and $7.8 million in the second year for the remaining 13 Community Services Boards (CSBs) joining the program to meet the statutory implementation date of July 1, 2028. The House approved Item 301#1h which adds $7.8 million each year for the same purpose. Marcus Alert is the statewide framework for using a behavioral health response, rather than a public safety response, to a behavioral health crisis.
Social Services - SNAP Administration and Funding
Both the House and Senate included amendments in their budgets regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and new landscape for Virginia with changes in federal law and funding for the program. Approved amendments include:
Task force on SNAP error rate. The Senate approved Item 270 #1s to require the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to establish a Task Force on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) error rate and implementation of Community Engagement requirements in the Medicaid program to ensure that the Commonwealth addresses the SNAP error rate in the most prudent manner possible and receives implementation updates for the Medicaid Community Engagement requirements.
SNAP benefits cost share. With Item 329 #2s, the Senate appropriates $135.0 million in the second year to use if needed as the state cost share once the federal government releases the FY 2026 SNAP error rate and Virginia’s error rate exceeds the six percent federal cap (the current error rate is 11.5 percent). The House, with Item 328#1h, provides $211.03 million in the second year to fund the expected state share of SNAP benefit allotments starting Oct. 1, 2027. In addition, the House approved Item 330#1h which provides an additional $22.4 million the first year and $29.9 million the second year to fully fund the cost of the increased state and local share of SNAP administrative costs as a result of federal law, bringing the total to $65.5 million the first year and $87.3 million the second year. This additional funding would support local departments of social services who receive funding through direct federal pass-throughs. The introduced budget did not address the federal pass-through costs for localities. VML supports this funding for state and the growing local costs expected from the federal pass through.
Posting of local SNAP error rates. Item 330 #2s directs Virginia Department of Social Services to publicly post every local department’s SNAP error rates. This information is currently shared with each local department; this would require public posting of the information.
Public safety
VML Contact: Janet Areson, jareson@vml.org
State assistance to local law enforcement. The introduced budget did not include any increase to the state assistance to local law enforcement (HB 599) program. Budget amendments were introduced in both the House and Senate to increase funding to this program, but neither body included increased funding in its budget. This means the program will be funded at the FY2025 level.
Education
VML Contacts: Josette Bulova, jbulova@vml.org; Michelle Gowdy, mgowdy@vml.org
One Time Flexible Funding. Item 125 #1h provides $400 million in the first year of the biennium from the general fund for a one-time flexible payment for school divisions to use with no local match required. However, to access these funds, school divisions must provide a two percent compensation each year as proposed by the caboose budget. These funds can be used for educational purposes at the discretion of the local governing body based on areas of need within the locality. Funds are distributed based on three different formulas.
Expand Special Education Add-On. Item 125 #2h provides a total of $148 million over the biennium to increase the add-on rate for special education students from 4.75% to 9.25% for Level I students and from 5.2% to 17.5% for newly created Level II students. Increasing funding for special education students is a recommendation of JLARC.
Direct Aid - Increase Special Education Add-On. Item 125 #3s provides $25 million over the biennium to increase the special education add-on rate by one percent for each level of services. This brings the total add-on from 4.75% to 5.75% for Level I students and from 5.2% to 6.25% for Level II students. Increasing funding for special education students is a recommendation of JLARC.
Direct Aid - Increase At-Risk Add-On. Item 125 #5s provides $98 million over the biennium to increase the At-Risk Add-On to a maximum percentage of 39.9 in the first year and 52.1 in the second year.
Direct Aid - Increase Teacher Salaries. Item 125 #8s provides $193 million over the biennium to increase teacher salaries by 1% each year, bringing the total teacher salary increase to 3% each year when combined with funding from the Governor’s introduced budget.
Joint Subcommittee on Elementary and Secondary Education Funding. Item 1 #6h provides $250,000 in the first year of the biennium and Item 123 #2s provides $1.25 million over the biennium to continue funding and supporting the Joint Subcommittee on Elementary and Secondary Education Funding. This subcommittee was created as a response to the 2023 JLARC report on education funding to begin implementing the JLARC recommendations.
School Construction Sales Tax. Item 4-14 #1s is a language only amendment which authorizes all cities and counties to impose a sales and use tax of up to one percent if approved by voter referendum. This version is identical to SB607 (Lucas) which was left in the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee allowing statewide authority with varying stipulations including a 20-year sunset on the authority, non-supplant language, and no debt services. This amendment allows the permissive authority for counties to share a prorated portion of the funds with towns for up to four years.
Natural Resources
VML Contact: Mitchell Smiley, msmiley@vml.org
Stormwater Local Assistance Fund. The House and Senate budget both retain $43.5 million for the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund that was included in the introduced budget. Additional SLAF funding is a VML Legislative priority and since this funding is included in both the House and Senate budgets. This funding will allow localities to receive grants from the state to address stormwater impacts in communities across the commonwealth.
Water Quality Improvement Fund. The House Budget includes an additional $188 million deposit to the Water Quality Improvement Fund for wastewater treatment plant improvements in item 368 #4h while the Senate Budget provides $200 million in the first year to support wastewater improvements at the Hampton Roads Sanitation District through WQIF. These appropriations are in addition to existing WQIF funds consisting of mandatory WQIF deposits of $248 million over the biennium.
Transportation
VML Contact: Mitchell Smily, msmiley@vml.org
WMATA Funding: Operational vs. Capital. The House budget includes $153 million in operational funding for WMATA for both years of the biennium. This budget item, Item 433 #2h, also suspends for the biennium the statutory cap on WMATA funding increases that limits any annual funding increase to no more than 3%.
The Senate Budget provides limited operational funding for WMATA with $4.3 million in the first year and $10.5 million in the second year and capital funding of $62.2 million in the first year and $128.2 million the second year of the biennium. Notably, the Senate provides the capital funding for WMATA with revenues derived from the sunset of the sales tax exemption for data centers.
Given that the House provides operational funding while the Senate budget primarily provides WMATA capital funding which is contingent upon revenue sources not included in the House Budget, WMATA funding is likely to be a key issue during budget negotiations.
Noteworthy Transportation Budget Items. The House Budget also includes other items of regional interest to localities including several studies ranging for accelerating large scale I-81 improvements in item 420 #2h, $300,000 in funding for a one year study of potential improvements to the Hampton Roads Transit System in item 433 #1h and possible sites for Transit Oriented Development around the state in item 435 #1h.
The Senate Budget also includes items of interest for localities on transportation including an additional $19 million for statewide transit capital funding in item 433 #3s funding for a one year study of how Virginia could coordinate with Maryland and the District of Columbia on ticket and vehicle registration reciprocity in item 420 #2s a feasibility study of levying taxes on private and commercial parking lots in Northern Virginia in item 420 #1s as well as a study to consolidate local bus service in Northern Virginia in item 433 #2s and a one year statewide study led by the Department of Rail and Public Transportation and the Department of Housing and Community Development to identify transit oriented development opportunities around existing transit and rail stations in item 435 #1s.
Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
Updates on public employee collective bargaining, local government lobbying, and real property conveyances bills
HB1263 (Tran) Collective bargaining by public employees; individual home care providers; Virginia Home Care Authority established; Public Employee Relations Board established; exclusive bargaining representatives. Requires all local governments to recognize unions for collective bargaining. Continues the existing law that prohibits public employees from striking. HB1263 will be heard by the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee. VML opposes the bill as it will cost local governments hundreds of millions of dollars.
SB50 (Rouse) Lobbying; registration; local governments; penalty. Expands the definition of lobbying to include influencing or attempting to influence local government. The Senate approved it, the bill will be heard by a subcommittee of House General Laws next week. VML strongly opposes the bill and is asking members to contact your delegates. See the Action Alert from February 23 for more detail.
SB334 (Roem) Conveyances of interests in real property; public hearing required. This bill requires that a public hearing be held whenever a locality is planning to sell land or convey a permanent easement or right-of-way for 1) major transmission lines over 69 kilovolts, 2) data center utilities and power lines serving the center over 69 kilovolts, and 3) power lines over 69 kilovolts for any commercial or industrial facility. The bill prescribes that the advertising and hearing be done in accordance with the rules for land use actions (two ads). The House Counties, Cities and Towns Committee passed the bill; it has been referred to the House Finance Committee.
VML Contact: Mark Flynn, markkflynn@gmail.com
Senate Courts of Justice Committee
Law enforcement duty to render aid bill remains in committee; Firearm Give-Back Program passes both chambers
HB273 (Helmer) Law-enforcement officers; duty to render aid upon danger to life or limb; civil immunity. Provides that a law-enforcement officer, while engaged in the performance of his duties, has a duty to render aid to any person that he observes suffering from a serious bodily injury or life-threatening condition as circumstances objectively permit. The bill provides immunity for such officers from civil liability for any acts or omissions that are not due to gross negligence or willful misconduct resulting from the rendering of such aid. The bill has yet to be heard by the Senate Courts of Justice Committee.
HB702 (Cole) Virginia Firearm Give-Back Program and Fund established. This bill requires all city and county law enforcement agencies to adopt a gun buy-back program, with exceptions for weapons that are evidence in a criminal prosecution. The bill has passed both chambers.
VML Contact: Mark Flynn, markkflynn@gmail.com
Senate General Laws and Technology Committee
Bill requiring all public bodies to use .gov domains continued to 2027
HB707 (Hayes) State government; transaction of public business; prohibited website domains would require all public bodies, as defined in the bill, to change all website domains and email addresses to .gov.
This bill was continued to 2027 and has been sent to JCOTS in the interim to be studied by a working group. VML has been asked to be on the working group and therefore will be reaching out to members on this issue over the summer.
VML Contacts: Josette Bulova, jbulova@vml.org; Michelle Gowdy, mgowdy@vml.org
Studies from Senate General Laws and Technology
HB159 (Simon) Va. Freedom of Information Act; proceedings for enforcement, petition for mandamus or injunction. States that a service of process or a summons for a hearing shall not be required when a petition for mandamus or injunction to enforce rights granted under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act has been filed. There was substantial discussion about this concept and ultimately the bill will be sent to the Freedom of Information Act Council to be studied over the summer.
HB735 (Leftwich) Agritourism purposes; Bd. of HCD to review regulations for temporary tents. This bill was turned into a study over the summer to consider amending regulations dealing with temporary tents used for agritourism purposes and the length of time they can be used. The study shall be completed by the Board of Housing and Community Development.
VML Contact: Michelle Gowdy, mgowdy@vml.org
House Appropriations Committee
AED devices at local government sporting events and facilities bill reported from committee
SB87 (Stanley) Local Government sporting events and sporting facilities; automated external defibrillators. Localities shall ensure that operational automated external defibrillators (AED) are readily available at sporting facilities during the hours of operation and events. There shall be a plan for the placement, care and use of AEDs at these places and events. There are minimum requirements outlined in the bill based on the size of the facility. This legislation is effective July 1, 2028.
VML Contact: Michelle Gowdy, mgowdy@vml.org
House Counties, Cities and Towns Committee
Housing and zoning bills reported from committee
SB328 (Perry) Housing for local employees; grants for homeownership and workforce housing alternatives. Would eliminate the maximum amount a locality may provide to employees of the locality for homeownership grants to purchase primary residences.
SB454 (VanValkenburg) Zoning; by-right multifamily residential development. A BIG THANK YOU to all who wrote and opposed this terrible bill – please continue to pressure all Senators to vote NO on the Floor next week. This bill guts local zoning and makes multi-family and mixed use development by right in 50% of all land contained in commercial or business zoning classifications. For more information and talking points, see the Action Alert from February 26.
SB531 (Srinivasan) Zoning; development and use of accessory dwelling units, delayed effective date. This bill requires localities to allow accessory dwelling units by right in single-family residential zoning districts. It goes further to prevent localities from imposing any requirements that are not listed in this legislation.
VML Contact: Michelle Gowdy, mgowdy@vml.org
Vested rights for certain rezoning situations bill assigned to committee
SB504 (Deeds) Vested rights; rulings or orders of the local circuit court. This bill redefines vested rights in certain situations by adding a rule that a court order concerning the rezoning of more than 25 parcels would affect the rights of a landowner, the landowner’s rights remain vested, so long as it is pursuing a project in a manner that otherwise establishes that the owner’s rights are vested. SB504 has been assigned to the House Counties, Cities and Towns Committee. HB1122, a similar vested rights bill was carried over in that committee.
VML Contact: Mark Flynn, markkflynn@gmail.com
House General Laws Committee
COIA/FOIA bills report from committee
SB530 (Srinivasan) Conflict of Interests Act, State/Local Gov’t.’ electronic discl. by local govt officers and employees. Requires all local officers and employees who file a statement of disclosure with the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council to file electronically.
SB699 (Ebbin) Virginia Freedom of Information Act; public bodies to post meeting agendas Requires public body’s to post the proposed agenda on the public body’s official website and that no final action may be taken on items added to the agenda after the meeting commences. There is an exception for time-sensitive items.
VML Contact: Michelle Gowdy, mgowdy@vml.org
House Health and Human Services Committee
Committee reports waterworks water receivership bill
The House Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee reported SB683 (Reeves) which would allow the Commissioner of Health to petition a circuit court in which any public or private waterworks is located for the appointment of a receiver for such waterworks. Currently, receivership can only be sought for private waterworks.
The bill was introduced at the request of the Virginia Department of Health, whose representative said in subcommittee that this would be used cases of abandonment or substantial non-compliance. A similar house bill (HB1190 – Scott, P.A.) was left in the committee early in the session. VML is monitoring the bill.
VML Contact: Janet Areson, jareson@vml.org
House Labor and Commerce Committee
Costly collective bargaining bill and prevailing wage for public works contracts being considered by committee
SB378 (Surovell) Collective bargaining by public employees; individual home care providers; Virginia Home Care Authority established; Public Employee Relations Board established; exclusive bargaining representatives. Repeals the existing prohibition on collective bargaining by public employees. The bill creates the Public Employee Relations Board, which shall determine appropriate bargaining units and provide for certification and decertification elections for exclusive bargaining representatives of state employees and local government employees. The bill requires public employers and employee organizations that are exclusive bargaining representatives to meet at reasonable times to negotiate in good faith with respect to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. The fiscal impact is shown to reach hundreds of millions of dollars. The bill is now before the House Labor and Commerce Committee, likely to be heard next week. VML opposes the bill as a costly impact on many localities.
SB518 (Rouse) Prevailing wage rate for public works contracts; localities. The bill requires that all contractors providing services to localities must pay the prevailing wage for employees, if the work is supported in whole or part by state funds. HB569, a very similar bill, was amended to remove localities from the requirement. VML supports the HB569 approach. However, anticipating that approach will not succeed, local government representatives are working to limit the bill to contracts where more than 25% of funding is from the Commonwealth.
VML Contact: Mark Flynn, markkflynn@gmail.com
House Privileges and Elections Committee
Early voting locations bill passes full committee
SB438 (Bagby) Absentee voting in person; available the second and third Sunday before all elections. Requires early voting to occur on the second and third Sundays prior to the election. As amended in committee, early voting locations must be open for five hours on those two Sundays. This bill passed the full committee 14 to 7.
VML Contacts: Josette Bulova, jbulova@vml.org; Michelle Gowdy, mgowdy@vml.org
VML News
Small Towns Conference: Pre-Conference “Local Workshop” and reception added for May 13
The Small Towns Conference provides an overview of topics related to local government management specifically geared towards small town issues. This conference invites elected officials, including council members and mayors, town managers, and leadership staff to learn, network, and share resources and ideas.
This year the Small Towns Conference will be held May 14-15 at the Chincoteague Center.
Lodging options, registration, and more information about the 2026 Small Town’s Conference is available on VML’s website here.
Pre-Conference Offering – May 13
We know that Chincoteague is a bit of a drive for many of our members, so for those arriving early there will be a special afternoon of programming on May 13 beginning at 1:00pm followed by a reception that evening. Please join us if you are able!
Local Workshop: Tools & Materials for Building Communities
What are the tools and materials used for building and revitalizing communities? How can you make informed decisions that positively affect the growth of your community? This interactive workshop will provide a better understanding of the many components of community building, such as zoning & land use, transportation, historic preservation, placemaking & open space planning, and economic development.
VML Contact: Rob Bullington, rbullington@vml.org
“If I Were Mayor” essay contest open to 7th and 8th graders
Deadline to submit entries is March 23
The Virginia Municipal League (VML) invites all eligible Virginia 7th and 8th Graders to join its “If I were Mayor” essay contest.
Regional winners selected from around the state will each receive a $150 gift card and a plaque. One statewide winner chosen from the regional winners will receive a $250 gift card and a plaque. The runner-up from the region that receives the statewide award will become that region’s winner.
Winning essays will be featured in the May/June issue of VML’s magazine Virginia Town & City.
Learn more about the contest and how to submit entries here >.
VML Contact: Manuel Timbreza, mtimbreza@vml.org
Opportunities
NeighborWorks Ground-Up Emerging Developers Training in Richmond: March 30 - April 3
Virginia Housing is proud to partner with NeighborWorks America to host the NeighborWorks Ground-Up Emerging Developers Training in Richmond from Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3.
This multi-day professional development experience is designed to support aspiring affordable housing developers across the Commonwealth. The training will feature industry experts who will give emerging developers the tools, strategies and technical knowledge needed to deliver successful, sustainable affordable housing projects.
Topics include strategic thinking, building a development team and progressing from initial concept to final blueprint.
Registration is required to attend, and capacity is limited!
Register and View Trainings here >.
Virginia Housing Contact: Housingeducation@virginiahousing.com
Registration now open: Salute to Service honors Virginia Veterans at Virginia War Memorial, March 21
When: Saturday, March 21, 2026 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virginia War Memorial (621 South Belvidere Street | Richmond, VA 23220)
Registration is now open for all Virginia Veterans and those who support them for the inaugural “Salute to Service Reunion Celebration” a day-long program of remembrance, honor, and reconnection.
Highlights of the event include the premiere of Decisive Victory: Operation Desert Storm, a new documentary produced in partnership with Blue Ridge PBS, a wreath-laying ceremony honoring the seven Virginians killed in action in this conflict, unit rally points, musical performances by the West Point Alumni Glee Club, and a panel discussion offering firsthand perspectives on the Operation Desert Storm conflict and its lasting legacy.
Panelists include:
- James Henry Binford “Binnie” Peay III, General, USA (Ret.)
- John P. Jumper, General, USAF (Ret).
- Barry R. McCaffrey, General, USA (Ret.)
- Robert B. Flowers, Lieutenant General, USA (Ret.)
- Michelle Rose, Major General, USA (Ret.)
- Moderated by Michael S. Bell, Colonel, USA (Ret.), Executive Director of the Institute for the Study of War and Democracy at the National WWII Museum.
The 2026 gathering marks the first veteran reunion of its kind hosted at the Virginia War Memorial and launches the Salute to Service Reunion series, a multi-year program with future reunions planned for Vietnam War veterans in 2027, Global War on Terrorism veterans in 2028, and Cold War–Fall of the Berlin Wall veterans in 2029.
The event is free to attend for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm Veterans and a guest. Additional guests and supporters are $25 to attend. Advance registration is required as space is limited.
MORE INFO AND REGISTRATION HERE >
All program fees support the Salute to Service Reunion Celebration.
Contact: info@vawarmemorial.org
Complete the 2025 Local Residential Construction Fees Survey
The link to the 2025 Local Residential Construction Fees Survey is live and available here: 2025 Local Residential Construction Fees Survey.
Section 15.2-2209.3 of the Code of Virginia requires localities with populations greater than 3,500 to provide information on fees for processing, reviewing, and permitting of applications for residential land development and construction activities, including fees connected to individual residential developments for the 2025 calendar year (January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025).
The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Commission on Local Government (CLG) are asking the chief administrative officers or designee in each affected county, city, and town to provide essential information about the fee collection policies in the locality. The 2025 survey remains largely unchanged from the 2024 survey. Definitions and additional points of clarification have been added to assist with the completion of the survey. Submitted survey responses will be made available to the public on the DHCD website. The deadline for completing the survey is March 1, 2026.
Please contact DHCD as soon as possible if your locality anticipates difficulties with complying with the March 1 deadline.
DHCD Contact: Joseph Dennie, joseph.dennie@dhcd.virginia.gov
Deadline to apply for National Civic League’s Virginia 2026 All-America City Award is next week
To help accommodate the many competing priorities communities are navigating, the National Civic League (NCL) has extended the application deadline for the 2026 All-America City Award to March 5, 2026. This additional time is intended to give communities more flexibility to refine their applications and fully tell their civic story.
Open Office Hours
To further support applicants, the program is hosting three informal open office hours to answer questions about the application process. These sessions are designed to be flexible; participants are welcome to join for a few minutes or stay for the full hour and may attend one or all sessions.
Office Hours Schedule:
- February 13 at 1:00 PM ET
- February 20 at 1:00 PM ET
Register here: AAC Open Office Hours
If none of these times work for you, applicants are encouraged to email Rebecca Trout to schedule a one-on-one conversation.
These opportunities are intended to help communities feel confident, prepared, and supported as they complete their applications.
About the All-America City Award:
The theme for 2026 is “America at 250: Strengthening Civic Health and Building Trust.” NCL is seeking communities that are bringing our founding ideals to life by ensuring that people have the power and opportunity to shape their collective future.
Apply here >.
VML Executive Director Michelle Gowdy, who was recently appointed to the NCL board, encourages all VML member localities to apply to join the 21 communities from Virginia that have previously won the All-America City Award!
You can view the full list of past recipients here.
NCL Contact: Rebecca Trout, rebeccat@ncl.org