Virginia 2024 Regular Session Status: In Committee

HB 897 — Small Business and Supplier Diversity, Department of; guidance to small businesses.

Last action — Continued to 2025 with substitute in Rules

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House of Delegates
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; guidance to small businesses; identification of enforcement actions; work group; report. Requires the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity to develop and provide guidance to businesses with newly approved permits and established businesses regarding responsibilities and requirements for maintaining such business that includes information identifying any regularly occurring required report to a state agency and any associated fees, penalties, or waivers.The bill requires each state agency to annually report any enforcement action taken by the agency against a small business in the previous calendar year that specifies each infraction and the enforcement action taken by the agency. The bill requires the Department to post de-identified aggregated data by state agency and infraction type from such reports on its website.The bill requires the Department to convene a work group to identify and recommend means to provide relief to small businesses regarding regularly occurring required reports to state agencies. The work group is required to identify each such report and consider (i) if such report can be required less frequently or eliminated; (ii) if the required information has not changed since the previous report, allowing the small business to satisfy the reporting requirement by indicating that there has been no change; (iii) establishing a waiver or lowering the threshold to qualify for an existing waiver; (iv) reducing or eliminating any penalty for noncompliance; and (v) any other means to reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses. The Department is required to report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by November 1, 2024.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

157 added · 163 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to Bill HB 897 focused on refining the language related to the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity. It replaced the original requirement for a work group to identify enforcement actions with clearer definitions and provisions related to a "Business Permitting Center" that centralizes the permitting process for small businesses. This change simplifies regulations, making it easier for small businesses to understand and navigate the permitting requirements, which could help foster growth and efficiency in the small business sector.

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SESSION INTRODUCED 24104751D I HOUSE BILL NO.
SESSION HOUSE SUBSTITUTE 24106392D AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by the House Committee on Rules on February 1, 2024) (Patron Prior to Substitute––Delegate Kent) A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-1617 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity;
897 Offered January 10, 2024 N Prefiled January 9, 2024 T A BBusiness and Supplier Diversity;
identification of enforcementRactions;
work group.
work group;
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
report.
–––––––––– O Patrons––Kent and Green D –––––––––– Referred to Committee on Rules U –––––––––– C Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
E A.
A.
D "Business Permitting Center" or "Center" means the business registration and permitting center established by this section and located in and under the administrative control of the Department.
"Business Permitting Center" or "Center" means the business registration and permitting center established by this section and located in and under the administrative control of the Department.
"Comprehensive application" means a document incorporating pertinent data from existing applications for permits covered under this section.
"Comprehensive application" means a document incorporating pertinent data from existing H applications for permits covered under this section.
"Comprehensive permit" means the single document designed for public display issued by the Business Permitting Center that certifies state agency permit approval and that incorporates the end"Comprehensive permitting program" or "Program" means the mechanism by which comprehensive permits are issued and renewed, permit and regulatory information is disseminated, and account data is exchanged by state agencies.
O Business Permitting Center that certifies state agency permit approval and that incorporates the endorsements for individual permits included in the comprehensive permitting program.
9 "Permit" means the whole or part of any state agency permit, license, certificate, approval,7 registration, charter, or any form or permission required by law, to engage in activity associated with or involving the establishment of a small business in the Commonwealth.
U "Comprehensive permitting program" or "Program" means the mechanism by which comprehensive permits are issued and renewed, permit and regulatory information is disseminated, and account Sata is exchanged by state agencies.
"Permit information packet" means a collection of information about permitting requirements and application procedures custom assembled for each request.
"Permit" means the whole or part of any state agency permit, license, certificate, approval,E involving the establishment of a small business in the Commonwealth.
small business or professional activities associated with establishing a small business.tablishing a "Regulatory agency" means any state agency, board, commission, or division that regulates one or more professions, occupations, industries, businesses, or activities.
engage in activity associated with or "Permit information packet" means a collection of information about permitting requirements and application procedures custom assembled for each request.
"Renewal application" means a document used to collect pertinent data for renewal of permits 35 covered under this section.
S "Regulatory" means all permitting and other governmental or statutory requirements establishing a small business or professional activities associated with establishing a small business.
36 "Small business" means an independently owned and operated business that, together with affiliates, 37 has 250 or fewer employees or average annual gross receipts of $10 million or less averaged over the 38 previous three years.
U "Regulatory agency" means any state agency, board, commission, or division that regulates onB or mor"Renewal application" means a document used to collect pertinent data for renewal of permits covered under this section.
was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.
S "Small business" means an independently owned and operated business that, together with affiliates, has 250 or fewer employees or average annual gross receipts of $10 million or less averaged oveI the 35 previous three years.
or air service and who B.
36 "Veteran" means an individual who has served in the active military, naval, or air service aTd who 38 wasB.
The Program is established to serve as a single access point to aid entrepreneurs in filling out the various permit applications associated with establishing a small business in Virginia.
The 39 Program is established to serve as a single access point to aid entrepreneurs in filling out the various 40 permit applications associated with establishing a small business in Virginia.
The Program in no way supersedes or supplants any regulatory authority granted to any state agency with permits covered by this section.
The Program in no way supersedes or supplants any regulatory authority granted to any state agency with permits coverEd by this section.
a.
H a.
Allow the business owner to choose a business type and to provide common information, such as name, address, and telephone number, on the front page, eliminating the need to repeatedly provide common information on each permit application;
Allow the business owner to choose a business type and to provide common information, suc8 as name, address, and telephone number, on the front page, eliminating the need to repeatedly prov7de comb.
b.
Allow the business owner to preview and answer questions related to the operation of the H business;
Allow the business owner to preview and answer questions related to the operation of the busc.
1 c.
Provide business owners with a customized to-do agency checklist, which checklist shall provide HB897 2 of 3 the permit applications pertinent to each business type and provide the rules, regulations, and general laws applicable to each business type as well as local licensing information;
Provide business owners with a customized to-do agency checklist, which checklist shall provide the permit applications pertinent to each business type and provide the rules, regulations, and general laws applicable to each business type as well as local licensing information;
e.
HB897H1 2 of 3 e.
The applicant shall be responsible for contesting any decision regarding conditions imposed or permits denied through the normal process established by statute or by the State Corporation Commission or the regulatory agency of 3 with the authority for approving the issuance of the permit.
The applicant shall be responsible for contesting any decision regarding conditions imposed or permits denied through the normal process established by statute or by the State Corporation Commission or the regulatory agency with the authority for approving the issuance of the permit.
Regulatory agencies shall be provided information from the comprehensive application for Iheir perL.
Regulatory agencies shall be provided information from the comprehensive application for their permitting and regulatory functions.
The Department shall be responsible for directing the applicant to make all payments for N applicable fees established by the regulatory agency directly to the proper agency.
L.
The Department shall be responsible for directing the applicant to make all payments for of 3 applicable fees established by the regulatory agency directly to the proper agency.
There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Comprehensive Permitting Fund, hereafter referred to as "the Fund." The Fund shall be establishRd on the books of the Comptroller.
There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Comprehensive Permitting Fund, hereafter referred to as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller.
The Fund shall consist of all moneys collected from the handling Oee established by the Department pursuant to subsection G and such other funds as may be appropriated by to it.
The Fund shall consist of all moneys collected from the handling fee the General Assembly.
Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be creditedy to it.
Moneys in the Fund shall be used sUlely to administer the Program.
Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely to administer the Program.
Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director of the Department.
Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Department.n warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director of the N.
E N.
Unless otherwise directed by the regulatory agency, the Department shall not issue or renew a comprehensive permit to any person under any of the following circumstances:
Unless otherwise directed by the regulatory agency, the Department shall not issue or renew a com1.
1.
The person does not have a valid tax registration, if required;tances:
The person does not have a valid tax registration, if required;
D 2.
registered limited liability partnership that (i) is delinquent in the payment of fees or penalties collected by the State Corporation Commission pursuant to the business entity statutes it administers, (ii) does not exist, or (iii) is not authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth pursuant to one of the business entity statutes administered by the State Corporation Commission;
The person is a corporation, limited liability company, business trust, limited partnership, or registered limited liability partnership that (i) is delinquent in the payment of fees or penalties collected by the State Corporation Commission pursuant to the business entity statutes it administers, (ii) does not exist, or (iii) is not authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth pursuant to one of the business entity statutes administered by the State Corporation Commission;
B O.
S O.
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The Department shall develop and provide guidance to businesses with newly approved permi9s and established businesses regarding responsibilities and requirements for maintaining such business.
The Department shall develop and provide guidance to businesses with newly approved permits and established businesses regarding responsibilities and requirements for maintaining such busEness.
(ii) workers' compensation insurance requirements, and;
(ii) Labor and Industry and the U.S.
(iii) postings required by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry and the U.S.
and (iv) information identifying any regularly guidance provided for in this subsection may be provided electronically.alties, or waivers.
and (iv) information identifying any regularlynt of occurring required report to a state agency and any associated fees, penalties, or waivers.
Any P.
AnyS guidance provided for in this subsection may be provided electronically.
Each state agency shall annually by November 30 report to the Department any enforcement action taken by such agency against a small business in the previous calendar year.
P.
Such report shall specify each infraction and the enforcement action taken by the agency.
The Department may adopt regulations in accordance with § 2.2-1606 as may be necessary toU 2.
The Department shall post de-identified aggregated data by state agency and infraction type from such reports on its website.
That the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (the Department) shall convene a work group to develop a repository of one-stop information to provide guidance to those seekingS to operate, or who currently operate, as a small business in Virginia.
Q.
The repository shall include, but not be limited to, information on permits to be sought, taxes to be paid, reports to be T include representatives from relevant state agencies, including the Virginia Employmentall I Commission, Department of Taxation, Department of Labor and Industry, Virginia Workers' T Compensation Commission, State Corporation Commission, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations Regulation, Department of Health Professions, and Virginia InformationU Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Chapter of the National Federation of Independente VirginiT Businesses.
The Department may adopt regulations in accordance with § 2.2-1606 as may be necessary to 2.
The Department shall utilize the information received from the work group for any E further review, if deemed necessary.
That the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (the Department) shall convene a work group to identify and recommend means to provide relief to small businesses regarding regularly occurring required reports to state agencies.
The information shall be posted on the Department's website in an easily accessible location by December 31, 2024.
The work group shall identify each such report and consider (i) if such report can be required less frequently or eliminated;
H H 1
(ii) if the required information has not changed since the previous report, allowing the small business to satisfy the reporting requirement by indicating that there has been no change;
(iii) establishing a penalty for noncompliance;
and (v) any other means to reduce the regulatory burden on smallating any businesses.
The work group shall include representatives from relevant state agencies, including the Virginia Employment Commission, Department of Taxation, Department of Labor, Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission, and State Corporation Commission, and representatives of the small business community, including the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses.
The Department shall report its implement such recommendations, to the General Assembly by November 1, 2024.y changes to
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Action History

  1. Continued to 2025 with substitute in Rules

  2. Committee substitute posted to LIS only 24106392D-H1

  3. Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2025 with substitute

  4. House subcommittee amendments and substitutes offered

  5. Assigned Rules sub: Studies Subcommittee

  6. Referred to Committee on Rules

  7. Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24104751D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 146 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (146)

146 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 897 do?
Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; guidance to small businesses; identification of enforcement actions; work group; report. Requires the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity to develop and provide guidance to businesses with newly approved permits and established businesses regarding responsibilities and requirements for maintaining such business that includes information identifying any regularly occurring required report to a state agency and any associated fees, penalties, or waivers.The bill requires each state agency to annually report any enforcement action taken by the agency against a small business in the previous calendar year that specifies each infraction and the enforcement action taken by the agency. The bill requires the Department to post de-identified aggregated data by state agency and infraction type from such reports on its website.The bill requires the Department to convene a work group to identify and recommend means to provide relief to small businesses regarding regularly occurring required reports to state agencies. The work group is required to identify each such report and consider (i) if such report can be required less frequently or eliminated; (ii) if the required information has not changed since the previous report, allowing the small business to satisfy the reporting requirement by indicating that there has been no change; (iii) establishing a waiver or lowering the threshold to qualify for an existing waiver; (iv) reducing or eliminating any penalty for noncompliance; and (v) any other means to reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses. The Department is required to report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by November 1, 2024.
Who sponsors HB 897?
HB 897 is sponsored by Green, W. Chad and Hillary Pugh Kent.
What is the current status of HB 897?
This bill died with 2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 897?
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