Virginia Advocacy on Other Topics

Examples of the Chamber’s advocacy in Virginia include:
​The Virginia Supreme Court ruled in Berry vs. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors that Fairfax County’s zoning ordinance was void due to its adoption occurring at an online public hearing. The Court specifically ruled that any action that Fairfax County took at virtual public hearings that was beyond the essential business of government was not adhering to the Open Meetings laws that existed in the Commonwealth before July 2021. The Chamber is extremely concerned that any legislation actions that took place at municipal and county virtual public hearings before July 2021 concerning zoning, permitting or the approval of development projects now faces legal uncertainty. Arlington and other Chambers, along with some business organizations, submitted a letter to Governor Youngkin urging that the General Assembly and himself must act to contain the consequences of this rules. We specifically are asking for legal language, in the budget amendments or through separate legislation, that either overturns the Court decision or contains the effects of the ruling to the specific ordinance in Fairfax County. The Arlington Chamber signed onto a letter with other Chambers and businesses organizations in support of the proposed Springfield, Virginia site of the new FBI headquarters. The Springfield location, one of three still in consideration, is uniquely situated among the region’s transit networks and the region’s higher education institutions. Northern Virginia is a national leader in industries such as cybersecurity, information technology and national security, ensuring a strong workforce pipeline for the Bureau. A Springfield headquarters would be beneficial to the Northern Virginia region as a whole.  The Arlington Chamber urges the House of Delegates General Laws Subcommittee to recommend House Bill 1730, which would permit bars and restaurants with liquor licenses to hire front-of-house staff who in the past were convicted of a felony. As the Commonwealth deals with a major workforce shortage, this legislation is a step forward in helping restaurants find workers, while also broadening the scope of employment for individuals who have been convicted but have paid their debt to society. The Arlington Chamber urges the House of Delegates General Laws Subcommittee to recommend House Bill 2050, permitting local public bodies to convene virtually as often as the body agrees upon, repealing existing limits on the number of virtual public meetings allowed per year. One of the Chamber’s Policy Positions for 2023 is extending the authority of local governments regarding regulations for virtual meetings and quorums. This legislation is a step in the right direction.  The Chamber sent a letter to GO Virginia Region 7 supporting the University of Virginia’s proposal to GO Virginia for a grant supporting the Cloud Computing Certificate program that UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies has developed in partnership with AWS. The Chamber supports enhancing partnerships for cyber, computer science, and technology education at public and private universities across the Commonwealth.  The Chamber wrote to the Virginia’s Health and Safety Codes Board in support of their proposed finding that there is no longer a continued need for the Permanent Standard for Infectious Disease Prevention of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19. These workplace standards conflict with current CDC guidance and have created confusion for businesses who simply want to follow the rules and keep their employees and customers safe. ​​The Chamber encouraged the Commonwealth of Virginia to clarify its requirements around masks and distancing in the workplace. The Chamber further encouraged the Commonwealth to update or repeal DOLI’s Permanent Standard for COVID-19 Workplace Safety to bring the requirements on fully vaccinated workers in line with current CDC guidance. Since the announcement of Executive Order 79, the Permanent Standard’s requirements on businesses and employees now vary greatly from requirements on the customers they are serving and the general public with no underlying rationale for that difference. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce supports incentive-driven approaches to tree canopy preservation, but is wary of mandates to the same effect. 
  • Chamber Supports Takeaway Beverage Service January 26, 2021 
Support for HB 1879 January 26, 2021
Support for SB 1299 February 11, 2021 
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce urges your support for continuing for another year the sale of mixed beverages for takeaway service. 
  • Chamber Supports Allowing of Outdoor Refreshment Areas January 26, 2021
​​Support for HB 1738, HB 2051, and HB 2266 January 26, 2021
Support for HB 1471 February 11, 2021
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce supports  allowing the creation of local outdoor refreshment areas. The Arlington Chamber supports simplifying the multitude of ABC laws for the benefit of the community.  The Arlington Chamber of Commerce supports HB 2136. Allowing mobile retailers will serve to simplify the process for securing special events licenses.
  • Chamber Supports COVID-19 Vaccine Administration January 26, 2021
Support for HB 2328 and HB 2333 January 26, 2021
Support for HB 1445 January 28, 2021
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce supports making provisions for the widespread administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. 
  • Chamber Supports Bills to Create a Housing Tax Credit January 22, 2021
Support for HB 2050 January 22, 2021
Support for SB 1197 February 17, 2021 
​The Arlington Chamber of Commerce supports bills to create a Virginia Housing Opportunity Tax Credit.  The Arlington Chamber of Commerce is opposed to HB 1889 extending indefinitely the temporary requirements, such as payment plans, that extend the eviction timeline during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  • Chamber Supports Advanced Plastic Recycling January 20, 2021
Support for HB 2173 January 20, 2021
Support for SB 1164 February 17, 2021 
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce the bills to promote advanced plastics recycling. The goal of this bill is to reduce waste by adding technologies that complement traditional recycling. 
  • Chamber Supports the Management Agreement Between the Commonwealth and GMU January 20, 2021
Support for HB 1986 January 20, 2021
Support for SB 1204 February 10, 2021
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce supports SB 1204, the management agreement between the Commonwealth and George Mason University granting the university Tier 3 status. 
  • Chamber Supports Establishing G3 Program January 20, 2021
​Support for HB 2204 January 20, 2021
Support for SB 1405 February 10, 2021
The Chamber supported the establishment of the G3 program. G3 program is an important tool for helping Virginians pursue an education in the Commonwealth’s community college system. The Chamber opposed HB 1934 requiring local government approval for the installation or replacement of gas distribution pipelines in residential subdivisions.  The Chamber opposed HB 1902 relating to the prohibition of expanded polystyrene food service containers. Many food vendors who use polystyrene are small, and polystyrene often is the lowest-cost container for them. The Chamber encouraged the Safety and Health Codes Board to not enact the Revised Proposed Permanent Standard for Infectious Disease Prevention of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19 as there remain many concerns that this standard will not minimize disruption and cost in meeting the regulation's health and safety goals.  The Chamber continues to believe that businesses should have flexibility to apply practices that work best for achieving health and safety in their circumstances. The shifting regulatory landscape continues to be a challenge for our businesses’ recovery, especially for our small businesses.  The Chamber sent a letter to the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry suggesting that the Emergency Temporary Standard for COVID-19 Prevention falls short of the goal of consistent workplace health protection protocols and therefore should not be adopted as permanent. Making this standard permanent and potentially adding provisions could place a significant burden on businesses that continue to struggle with the economic consequences of this pandemic.  The Chamber sent a letter to the GO Northern Virginia Grant Review Board supporting Fairfax County Public Schools and Arlington Public Schools' grant proposal to GO Virginia for the proposed TechInnovation and Equity in Computing Hub (TECH) Project. The Chamber supports initiatives and programs to align training and educational programs with projected workforce needs, particularly in the STEM field.  The Chamber joined with other chambers of commerce from across Northern Virginia to call for the General Assembly to restore Governor Northam’s proposed eligibility cap for the “G3” community college financial aid program. An amendment to reduce the maximum household income for participants statewide could prevent an estimated 8,000 potential NOVA students from benefiting from the program due to our region’s high cost of living. The G3 program is a key initiative to support Virginia’s talent pipeline and to help Virginians attain the skills and training for jobs that serve the community. ​The Chamber sent a letter to the President & CEO of the Northern Virginia Chamber to express concern about how changing its name from the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce to the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce might cause confusion for many throughout the region, including members of the Arlington business community. The Chamber announced its support for Virginia HB 2308, legislation that would enable the County Board to hire an internal auditor that would report directly to the Board.