eNews – March 13, 2026
General Assembly likely to go into overtime, Small Towns Conference in May, Bills being considered by the governor...and more!
Friday, March 13, 2026/Categories: eNews
This edition of eNews is sponsored by Airbnb whose hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way. Learn more >
VML’s 2026 General Assembly resources can be found on our website here >.
- 2026 General Assembly recap coming next week! -
In this issue:
Action Alert
Budget
Natural Resources
Senate Courts of Justice Committee
VML News
Opportunities
Action Alerts
REMINDER: Please send a letter to Governor Spanberger to VETO the collective bargaining bills
With some version of HB1263 (Tran) / SB378 (Surovell) almost certainly headed to the Governor’s desk, it is imperative to make local voices heard. The fiscal impact of these bills on localities is shown to reach nearly a billion dollars! VML opposes the legislation as a costly impact on many localities and a curtailment of local authority over employment decisions.
VML has created a letter you can adapt to suit your needs. Please consider sending the letter to Governor Spanberger (abigail.spanberger@governor.virginia.gov) as soon as possible.
View/Download the letter here >.
When you send the letter, please CC the following individuals:
Legislation summary:
HB1263 (Tran) / SB378 (Surovell) 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. Both HB1263 and SB378 continue the existing law that prohibits public employees from striking. The bills create 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 bills also require 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 nearly a billion dollars.
The House passed HB1263 which is now being considered by the Senate. SB378 and HB1263 will need to be worked out between the two houses of the General Assembly.
VML Contact: Mark Flynn, markkflynn@gmail.com
Budget
General Assembly likely to go into overtime to complete the 2026-28 biennial budget
Many of you will remember that just a few years ago, additional revenues in the monthly revenue report allowed the General Assembly to complete its work on the biennial budget and move along to other business.
The 2026 February Revenue Report contained no such revenue surprises. That’s too bad, because as the House and Senate consider how to bridge their bottom-line budget differences, a little more cash would have come in handy.
That said, the report showed that general fund revenues through February continued to exceed the forecast. Year-to-date revenues are up 2.5 percent or $487.0 million, slightly less than reported in January.
Noting that February is not a significant month for revenues, Secretary of Finance, Mark Sickles reports that tax withholding from wages and income were down by 1.5 percent in February but consistent with the forecast. That’s concerning and is a measure that will need to be watched closely in the months ahead, especially as economic signals continue to send off conflicting messages, not the least of which are the worsening conditions in the Middle East and its impact on gas prices and inflation.
Absent additional general fund revenues and any meaningful communication between House and Senate budget leaders, it is obvious that the 2026-28 biennial budget will not be ready on time. The question is whether that delay is a few days…or much longer.
The differences between the House and Senate budgets are bridgeable. But once the resources are nailed down, difficult decisions about how to fund each chamber’s priorities will need to be discussed and reconciled. Further, nettlesome budget language will need to be debated and decided upon.
In other words, it all takes time. But, as Aesop’s fable about the Crow and the Pitcher taught us, where’s there’s a will, there’s a way! It just may happen one pebble at a time.
VML Contact: Joe Flores, jflores@vml.org
Natural Resources
Bills that have passed both houses and are being considered by the governor
SB138 (McPike) / HB938 (Clark) Water treatment industrial PFAS reporting. Require industrial users of a publicly owned water treatment works to test for the presence of Per fluoroalkyl and Poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS/PFOA) and report the results to the water treatment works with continued reporting required if the presence of PFAS/PFOA exceeds thresholds specified in the bill.
SB197 (Williams Graves) Interest deferment for Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund loans. Defers the accrual of interest on loans received through the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund until completion of the project or study.
SB386 (Stuart) / HB1443 (Lopez) PFAS standards for biosolids. Establish limits on sewage sludge for land application and testing standards and protocols for Per fluoroalkyl and Poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS/PFOA). Establish quarterly testing of sewage sludge for land application for PFAS/PFAO using EPA testing methods and provide results of testing to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and limit the land application of any biosolids that exceed limits established in the bills. If certain levels of PFAS/PFOA are exceeded landowners are required to be notified prior to the land application of any biosolids.
HB1072 (Laufer) Local authority to test biosolids for PFAS/PFOA. Establishes local authority to test and monitor land applied biosolids to ensure compliance with all relevant water quality and permitting requirements.
HB521 (Hernandez) Wetlands preservation. Requires the Virgina Marine Resources Commission as part of their efforts to protect wetlands ensure that no net loss of wetlands acreage and function is achieved to be accomplished by compensatory requirements for permits for development authorized by the Commission. The bill also directs a stakeholder work group to determine how best these goals can be achieved with a report due July 1, 2027.
VML Contact: Mitchell Smiley, msmiley@vml.org
Senate Courts of Justice Committee
Sent to the governor: Vested rights for zoning bill; Law-enforcement duty to render aid bill
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.
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.
VML Contact: Mark Flynn, markkflynn@gmail.com
VML News
Small Towns Conference and “Local Workshop” coming to Chincoteague May 13-15
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
Virginia Municipal Clerks Association Annual Conference: April 15-17
The Town of Blacksburg and members of the Virginia Municipal Clerks Association (VMCA) Region IV are pleased to host the 49th Annual Conference of the Virginia Municipal Clerks Association, to be held April 15–17, 2026, at The Inn at Virginia Tech.
The preliminary agenda is available here >.
Registration and additional information, including a link to reserve rooms, are available on the VMCA website here >.
VMCA Contact: Lorranie Spaulding, lspaulding@blacksburg.gov
Free webinar March 25: Continuing education for law enforcement and public safety professionals
Join VML Community Business Member organization* American Military University (AMU) for Education in Action: An AMU Alum Spotlight, a live webinar for law enforcement officers and public safety professionals.
*AMU is part of the American Public University system.
During this session, AMU alumnus Henry J. Giammarco, Jr., Chief of Police for the Yeadon, Pennsylvania Police Department, will share his career journey and how his AMU education helped him reach his goals in public safety.
- Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
- Time: 2:00 PM EST
- Registration: Register here >
What you’ll learn:
- How AMU's flexible online format fits into the life of a working public safety professional
- Ways to save on career-relevant education
- How education can support your career goals
Promotional flyer available here >.
Save your spot today to hear one professional’s experience firsthand.
AMU Contact: Matt Hoffman, mhoffman@apus.edu
Main Street Now 2026: Discounted rate for civic leaders
Civic leaders can attend the 2026 Main Street Now Conference in Tulsa, OK (April 13-15) for as little as $200. The civic leader rate also includes tailored content, special sessions, and invaluable network-building opportunities.
This is a professional development opportunity for civic leaders looking to boost their impact and role in the success of their local Main Street:
- Connect with hundreds of elected officials and government administrators from across the county
- Explore proven strategies and innovative solutions to address pressing issues in communities of all sizes — choose from 100+ sessions, including a curated civic leaders education track
- Learn strategies for building durable Main Streets through civic leader support at this year's Civic Leaders Forum, featuring a dynamic panel discussion with local Oklahoma officials:
- Heather Turner, Deputy CEO, Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Executive Director, CORE
- Representative Mark Lawson, Majority Leader, Oklahoma House of Representatives
- Canaan J. Duncan, Deputy Secretary of State, Cherokee Nation
- Anthony Archie, Councilor, District 2, Tulsa City Council
- Kelsey Wagner, Mayor, Ponca City
SIGN UP HERE >
DETAILS:
- When: April 13-15, 2026
- Where: Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Civic Leader Rate: $200 online (open through April 6), $299 on-site
- Who Qualifies: Elected officials and senior government staff, including mayors, county executives, city councilmembers, elected municipal leaders, staff at the director level and above in Main Street-related departments (i.e., economic development, planning, historic preservation, etc.).
Have questions? FAQs available here >
Main Street Contact: info@mainstreet.org. Kindly allow up to 72 hours for a response.
Virginia Coastal Resilience Collaborative: Free workshop in Williamsburg April 21
The Virginia Coastal Resilience Collaborative is hosting a free workshop on Tuesday, April 21 for a workshop discussing NOAA’s updates to geodetic vertical datums and tidal datums.
Vertical datums are the baseline standards from which we derive land elevation and marine-based measurements like mean low water, mean high water, and mean sea level. NOAA and the National Geodetic Survey are in the process of updating vertical and tidal datums. Several of these derived measurements are addressed in state a local government codes and ordinances.
This workshop will focus on a project funded by NOAA through the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, where references to tidal datums, vertical datums, and their derived measurements were catalogued and assessed for potential impacts from pending updates.
Topics will include background on datums and their use in state and local codes in Virginia; how the VCRC, VIMS, and CBNERR-VA approached this research and catalogued references; the results of an analysis of these changes on Virginia state and local laws; and discussion on possible ways to address these impacts.
The workshop will be held from 9:30am to 1:00pm at William & Mary’s School of Education at 301 Monticello Ave, Williamsburg, VA 23185. Registration is free and lunch will be provided. Following various presentations on aspects of the project and preliminary conclusions, ample time for discussion is built in to garner feedback on next steps and address questions. We encourage you to share this event with your networks, particularly state and local government officials and employees, and planning district commissions who will see the most impact from these updates.
REGISTRATION: You can use this link to register for the workshop.
FLYER: A PDF promotional flyer is available here >.
AGENDA: A PDF of the workshop agenda is available here and on the VCRC website.
Virginia Coastal Resilience Collaborative Contact: Thomas Ruppert, tkruppert@wm.edu
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