Authority: Title 44, Chapters 3.2 through 3.5, §§ 44-146.17, 44-146.18(c), 44-146.22, 44-146.28(a) Code of Virginia.

A. Subject to authorization by the Governor, the Department of Emergency Management may employ persons to assist in response and recovery operations for emergencies or disasters declared either by the President of the United States or by the Governor of Virginia. Such employees shall be compensated solely with funds authorized by the Governor or the federal government for the emergency, disaster, or other specific event for which their employment was authorized. The Director, Department of Planning and Budget, is authorized to increase the agency's position level based on the number of positions approved by the Governor.

B. The Secretary of Finance, consistent with any Executive Order signed by the Governor, may provide the department anticipation loans in such amounts as may be needed to appropriately reimburse localities and state agencies for costs associated with Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) mission assignments. Such loans shall be based on the reimbursements anticipated under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) and, notwithstanding the provisions of § 4-3.02 b of this act, may be extended for a period longer than twelve months.

C.1. Localities receiving reimbursements from the department for Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) mission costs shall reimburse the Department of Emergency Management for any overpayments within sixty (60) days of written notification of such overpayment.

2. Overpayment amounts shall be based on the difference between the amount reimbursed to the locality by the Department of Emergency Management and the amount reimbursed to the Department of Emergency Management by the state requesting emergency aid under the Compact.

3. If the locality does not reimburse the Department of Emergency Management the overpaid amount within sixty (60) days of being notified, the Comptroller is authorized to withhold from any funds to be transferred to the locality the amount overpaid to the locality and transfer such withheld funds to the Department of Emergency Management.

D. Consistent with any Executive Order signed by the Governor, the Secretary of Finance or his designee may provide the department anticipation loans in such amounts as may be needed to appropriately reimburse the department for disaster related costs. Such loans shall be based on the federal reimbursements anticipated in accordance with the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and, notwithstanding the provisions of § 4-3.02 b of this act, may be extended for a period longer than twelve months, if necessary.

E. Out of this appropriation, $10,821,506  the first year and $21,074,301 the second year from the general fund is provided for coordinating response and recovery efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding shall be used for but is not limited to the pandemic response purposes listed below:

1. $11,624,471 the second year is provided for the purchase, storage, and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) to fulfill requests received through the Virginia Emergency Support Team and the Unified Command;

2. $569,833 the first year and $569,833 the second year is provided for continuing operations of the Joint Information Center including coordinating disaster communications in a COVID-19 environment and broadcasting official press conferences;

3. $8,050,173 the first year and $6,678,497 the second year is provided for continuing operations of the Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC) including costs related to staff augmentation, various consultant services, and supporting virtual operation of the VEOC; and

4. $2,201,500 the first year and $2,201,500 the second year is provided for contracts that support the Health Equity Work Group as it develops COVID-19 response and recovery plans focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.

5. The department, with appropriate documentation, may move the funds listed in subparagraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4 above to any other purpose listed above or for other COVID-19 pandemic response efforts.

6. The department shall maintain sufficient records and documentation to report the specific use of these funds. No later than August 15, 2021, the department shall report the use of these funds in FY 2021 along with an estimate of the proposed use of the funding appropriated in FY 2022 and any additional funds that may be required to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic to the Governor, the Chairperson of the House Appropriations Committee, the Chairperson of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, and the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget.