Authority: Title 2.2, Chapter 2, Article 3; § 2.2-201, Code of Virginia.
A. It is the intent of the General Assembly that state programs providing financial, technical, or training assistance to local governments for economic development projects or directly to businesses seeking to relocate or expand operations in Virginia should not be used to help a company relocate or expand its operations in one or more Virginia communities when the same company is simultaneously closing facilities in other Virginia communities. It is the responsibility of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade to enforce this policy and to inform the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees in writing of the justification to override this policy for any exception.
B. The Secretary shall develop and implement, as a component of the comprehensive economic development policy requirements as established in § 2.2-205, Code of Virginia, a strategic workforce development plan for the Commonwealth.
C. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, the authority and responsibilities of the Secretary of Technology referenced in § 2.2-205, § 2.2-2221, § 2.2-2221.1, § 2.2-2233.1, § 2.2-2240.1, § 2.2-2485, § 2.2-2698, § 2.2-2699.1, § 2.2-2738, § 15.2-2425, § 23.1-2911.1, § 23.1-3102, § 23.1-3132, § 58.1-322.02, and § 58.1-402, Code of Virginia, shall be executed by the Secretary of Commerce and Trade. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, the authority and responsibilities of the Secretary of Technology referenced in § 2.2-225, Code of Virginia, shall be divided between the Secretary of Administration and the Secretary of Commerce and Trade as determined by the Governor.
D.1. The Chief Workforce Development Advisor and Secretary of Commerce and Trade are hereby directed to study the development, implementation and costs of a statewide paid family and medical leave program for all employers including the Commonwealth of Virginia. In conducting this study, the designated executive branch officials shall: (i) research other states that have fully implemented paid family and medical leave; (ii) quantify economic impact on businesses and workers if a paid family and medical leave was implemented; (iii) develop an operating plan which includes designated agency or entity, staffing needs, technology requirements, implementation timeline and business practices; (iv) identify resources needed to implement a statewide program; and (v) research start up loans for paid leave programs in other states and loan payback. Such study shall be reported to the Governor and the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees on or before September 30, 2020.
2. In completing the study required in paragraph D.1. of this item, the Chief Workforce Development Advisor and Secretary of Commerce and Trade shall convene a workgroup of industry stakeholders. Such stakeholders may include, but not be limited to, representatives from small business owners, chambers of commerce, the insurance industry, labor, and health care.
E.1. The Commonwealth's Chief Workforce Advisor to the Governor shall convene a workgroup to review the Commonwealth's state public works payment process to contractor employees to identify whether misclassification of workers is a prevalent problem. If the findings reveal such misclassification, the workgroup shall identify and make process improvement recommendations to correct any identified issues.
2. The workgroup shall consist of the Commonwealth's Chief Workforce Advisor to the Governor, Secretary of Finance, Secretary of Administration, and Secretary of Commerce and Trade, or their designees, staff from the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees, representatives from Virginia public colleges and universities and state agencies, two representatives from labor organizations that can bring forth to the workgroup documented situations where such misclassification has occurred on Commonwealth public work projects, two representatives from the general contractor business community with experience in providing construction services to the Commonwealth, and representatives from the Department of General Services, Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, Department of Labor and Industry, and Department of Taxation. The membership of this workgroup shall not exceed 20 individuals.
3. The Chief Workforce Advisor shall report initial findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the House Appropriations Committee and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee no later than December 15, 2020. A final report to the Chairs of the House Appropriations Committee and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee will be submitted no later than April 15, 2021.