House Bill 805 which is sponsored by Delegate Sam Rasoul cleared the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee this morning on a vote of 11-7. This legislation authorizes all counties and cities to impose an additional local sales and use tax at a rate not to exceed one percent with the revenue used only for capital projects for the construction or renovation of schools if such levy is approved in a voter referendum. Under current law, only Charlotte, Gloucester, Halifax, Henry, Mecklenburg, Northampton, Patrick, and Pittsylvania Counties and the City of Danville are authorized to impose such a tax.
The Senate companion, Senate Bill 14, sponsored by Senator Jeremy McPike will be heard this afternoon in the House Finance Committee which will meet 15 minutes after adjournment of the full House. The school construction 1% bill has been a priority for VSBA in past sessions. We will continue to update as this legislation is heard in the House committee.
