House Passes ARPA Spending Plan

By a vote of 71-25, the Virginia House of Delegates passed a spending plan allocating (HB 7001) roughly $3.5 billion dollars in funds received by the state from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). Included in this budget bill is $250 million dollars for qualified ventilation projects in public schools:

Education - Ventilation

1) $250,000,000 to Direct Aid to Public Education (197) for qualifying ventilation improvement projects in local public schools. Funds shall be allocated to local school divisions based on fiscal year 2022 projected March 31 average daily membership with a minimum allocation of $200,000 per division. Funds shall be paid to school divisions on a reimbursement basis. Localities shall provide a match for these funds from any available fund sources equal to 100 percent of the grant amount. A school division may elect to accept a grant amount less than its formula allocation. Before receiving any funds, local school divisions must provide a description for each of the projects to be completed with these funds, including estimated costs and date of completion, and certify to the Department of Education no later than November 15, 2021, that these funds will be used to improve ventilation systems in public facilities in accordance with guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for the American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. Following certification from a school division that it will not participate in the grant program or elects to accept an amount less than its formula allocation, the Department of Education is authorized to reallocate any program balances based on actual demand. No later than December 15, 2021, the Department of Education shall compile the school division certifications and submit a report to the Chairs of the Senate Finance and Appropriations and House Appropriations Committees, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Finance, and the Director, Department of Planning and Budget.

In addition to the ventilation funds, HB 7001 makes a clarification regarding The Virginia Overtime Wage Act which went into effect July 1. The Virginia Overtime Wage Act was presented as a change which would allow workers to pursue overtime claims against their employers in state court instead of federal court. 

The provisions of the Virginia Overtime Wage Act became problematic to some school divisions when in a frequently asked questions page on its website, the state Department of Labor and Industry posted its interpretation of the law, stating that employers cannot provide compensatory time instead of pay. Under language found in HB 7001, public agencies can use compensatory time in lieu of of wages for overtime pay;

That for the purposes of the Virginia Overtime Wage Act §40.1-29.2 the terms “Wages” and “Pay” shall also mean overtime compensatory time in lieu of wages for overtime pay by public agencies as provided by the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. §207(o). Employees covered under 29 U.S.C. §213(b)(10)(A) shall be exempt from the overtime requirements set out in Code of Virginia §40.1-29.2.

House Bill 7001 will now move to the Senate. Senators are considering 142 budget amendments to SB 7001, which at the time of filing, was identical to the House legislation.

The VSBA Government Relations Team will continue to provide updates on the actions of the Senate regarding SB 7001 as they develop. The Senate is in recess until 6:30 p.m.

House Hears Budget Amendments, Substitute to HB 7001

Members of the Virginia House of Delegates heard proposed amendments to HB 7001, as well as substitute legislation offered by Delegate Todd Gilbert (R- Shenandoah). House Democrats rejected each amendment and the substitute legislation along party lines moving HB 7001 onto its third reading which will likely take place Wednesday. HB 7001 is the identical House legislation to SB 7001 that allocates monies to Virginia from the American Recovery Plan Act of 2021.

The first action taken was on the substitute legislation. By a vote of 53-43, the substitute bill was Passed by Indefinitely by the House. Two additional floor amendments offered by Delegate Glenn Davis (R- Virginia Beach) and Delegate Jason Miyares (R-Virginia Beach) were also Passed by Indefinitely by the Chamber. 

The House will convene Wednesday at noon to take a final vote on HB 7001.

Senate Passes Budget Bill By for the Day

The Senate of Virginia convened Tuesday afternoon to consider SB 7001, which would allocate roughly $3.5 billion dollars in funds Virginia received through the passage of the federal American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2021 (ARPA). After several amendments were filed by Senators by the 5pm deadline on Monday, lawmakers decided to Pass By for the Day SB 7001 to allow time for reading of proposed amendments.

The Senate is slated to take up the legislation when it convenes Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m. The VSBA Government Relations Team will continue to provide updates from the Capitol Building in Richmond as the legislator works through the bill making process.

Senate, House Budget Bills Report to Floor

The House Appropriations Committee and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee met this afternoon to consider budget legislation that would allocate roughly $3.5 billion dollars in funds received through passage of the American Recovery Plan Act of 2021 in March. Lawmakers considered identical bills sponsored in each chamber (HB 7001, SB 7001) and reported the legislation to the floor by votes of 17-2 and 14-2 respectively. The legislation will be considered on each floor with a likely passage later this week after three readings in each chamber.

General Assembly Returns to Richmond

Virginia General Assembly members will meet in Richmond for a short special session to elect judges and adjust the state budget  by appropriating billions of dollars in federal coronavirus relief money the Commonwealth received from the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 in March. The legislature will convene at noon Monday at the Capitol.

Please check back for more updates from the Special Session in Richmond and watch the VSBA Social Media pages for immediate news. As always, contact VSBA Government Relations Specialist, JT Kessler, at jason@vsba.org if you have any questions.

Emergency Connectivity Fund Program Initial Application Filing Window Opens

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened the initial filing window for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, a $7.17 Billion program that will help schools and libraries provide the tools and services their communities need for remote learning during the COVID-19 emergency period.  https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund

From June 29, 2021 to August 13, 2021 eligible schools and libraries can apply for financial support to purchase connected devices like laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connectivity to serve the unmet needs for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons during the COVID-19 emergency period.  During this application filing window, eligible schools and libraries, in addition to consortia of schools and libraries, can submit requests for funding to purchase eligible equipment and services between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022.  Schools, libraries, and consortia of schools and libraries that are eligible for support from the Commission's E-Rate program are eligible for Emergency Connectivity Fund support. 

 

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will serve as the program's administrator with FCC oversight. Congress authorized funding for the Emergency Connectivity Fund as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. In compliance with the Act and after receiving input from a wide variety of stakeholders, on May 10, 2021, the FCC adopted a Report and Order, establishing the rules and policies for the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. 

 

You can view an FCC Fact Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions on the program by visiting: https://www.fcc.gov//sites/default/files/ecf_factsheet.pdf and https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund-faqs.

 

More information about the program is available at emergencyconnectivityfund.org, including information about how to apply.  You can sign up to receive programs updates and information about future training sessions. Help with program questions is also available by calling 800-234-9781 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.  

U.S. Department of Education Maintenance of Equity Guidance- American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

The U.S. Department of Education has released Maintenance of Equity Guidance for the American Rescue Plan ESSER funding. This includes information about the difference between maintenance of equity and maintenance of effort, how maintenance of equity applies to SEAs and to districts, how high-need LEAs are defined, and more. Details are below.

ARP ESSER Maintenance of Equity FAQs: https://oese.ed.gov/files/2021/06/21-0099-MOEq-FAQs.-final.docx

 

ARP ESSER State Plan Application Technical Assistance web page: https://oese.ed.gov/offices/american-rescue-plan/american-rescue-plan-elementary-and-secondary-school-emergency-relief/resources/

 

Press Release (announcing actions to advance equity in education): https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/department-education-announces-actions-advance-equity-education