Legislation

Senator Herring’s 2012 Legislative Agenda Coming Soon...

Senator Herring's 2011 Legislative Agenda 

Click here to view a list of all bills Senator Herring sponsored during the 2011 Session.

Economic Development and Job Creation


SB 1326- Research & Development Tax Credit.  Bill Summary:  Allows income tax credits for individuals and businesses for qualified research and development expenses for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2012, but before January 1, 2017. The tax credit amounts are (i) 15% of the Virginia qualified research and development expenses, or (ii) 20% of the Virginia qualified research and development expenses, if the research was conducted in conjunction with a Virginia public college and university. Click here to view text of the bill.

Notes:  This legislation is the top priority of the Northern Virginia Technology Council and the Virginia Biotechnology Association.  This legislation was also included among Governor Bob McDonnell's "Opportunity at Work" legislative proposals. Virginia is currently one of only 12 states that do not offer an R&D tax credit as part of its job creation strategy.

In The News:

Budget Initiatives: Senator Herring will also offer a budget amendment to allocate $5 million to the Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF).  The CRCF was created through legislation authored by Senator Herring in 2009, and is designed to better focus the moneys available under the program to key areas of research and development in the Commonwealth.  The CRCF emphasizes the importance of commercializing research and development through matching-fund programs, leveraging private and federal funds, and providing a loan program for the construction of facilities utilized in commercializing qualified research.

Transportation


SB 1329- Highway "revenue sharing" construction funds.  Bill Summary: Removes the $1 million cap for individual allocations and changes first priority for allocation to congestion relief. The bill also changes the maximum and minimum appropriations from $50 million and $15 million to $250 million and $50 million.  Click here to view text of the bill.

Notes:  This legislation is included in Governor McDonnell's transportation package.

SB 1335- Telework Tax Credit.  Bill Summary:  Provides a tax credit to employers for expenses incurred in allowing employees to telework pursuant to a signed telework agreement for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2012, but before January 1, 2014. An employer would be eligible for a credit of up to $1,200 per teleworking employee, depending on the number of days per month an employee will telework. The total credit amount any one employer may take for 2012 and 2013 is $50,000. The aggregate amount of tax credits that will be issued is capped at $1 million annually for taxable years 2012 and 2013.  Click here to view text of the bill. 

Notes:  This legislation is included in Governor McDonnell's transportation package.

Government Transparency and Accountability


SB 1338- Virginia Responsible Budgeting and Spending Control Act.  Bill Summary:  Provides for the Governor's financial plan to be submitted to the General Assembly before the first day of each legislative session and for the plan to prospectively cover periods of six and 10 years. Under current law the plan is required to be submitted in even-numbered years and to cover a prospective period of six years. The bill also provides for the plan to include projections for total state indebtedness, projected future expenditures for debt service over time, and other relevant measures of debt. The plan must be updated within 60 days of the adoption of the state budget. The bill further provides for the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to include a six-year projection of expenditures in programs identified as the largest and fastest growing programs in the Commission's annual report on state spending.  Click here to view text of the bill.

Criminalize Synthetic Marijuana


SB 745 creates penalties for possession, sale, gift, distribution or possession with intent to sell, give or distribute synthetic marijuana.  Bill Summary: Creates a new category for "synthetic marijuana" as a series of controlled substances listed in Schedule 1 of the Drug Control Act.  Notwithstanding the provisions regarding punishment for possession and distribution of controlled substances listed in Schedule 1, punishment for possession and distribution of synthetic marijuana is largely in accord with the provisions for actual marijuana.  Click here to view text of the bill.

In The News:

Resources:


Click here to view a list of all bills Senator Herring sponsored during the 2011 Session. 


See past legislation that Senator Herring has sponsored: