Legislative and Policy Program
The program goal is to advance ethically and technically sound planning as part of the decision-making process.
OBJECTIVE & STRATEGY
- To improve the legislation and regulations under which planning operates in Virginia
- Continue to organize the legislative processes and procedures of the Chapter
o Include members of each Section in the Legislative Committee
o Develop specific operating policies and procedures - Develop Chapter positions and comments on proposed APA planning policies
- Identify, monitor and participate in legislative study commissions
- Send letter offering technical assistance on planning issues to the legislators prior to the General Assembly
- Develop Chapter positions on legislation
o Legislative Committee evaluates bills and develops consensus position
o Position statement is reviewed by Chapter Board's Executive Committee
o If appropriate, coordinate positions with other planning related organizations to achieve unified response
o Send Chapter positions on specific legislation to targeted legislators. - Coordinate testimony and inform APA Virginia members of bills affecting planning in Virginia.
- Enhance annual Legislative day as a tool for promoting better planning legislation in Virginia.
For information about the APA Virginia Legislative & Policy Program, contact Vice President of Legislation & Policy.
Publications
APA Virginia Legislative Program Final Report 2023 General Assembly
APA Virginia 2023 Legislative Agenda
APA Virginia 2022 Legislative Agenda
2021 Update to Planner’s Toolkit
On behalf of the Chapter’s Legislative & Policy Committee we are pleased to release the 2021 update to the “Managing Growth and Development in Virginia: A Review of Tools Available to Localities,” better known as the “Planner’s Toolkit.” The 2021 update incorporates changes to the Code of Virginia adopted in 2020 and 2021, revises key sections of text to address changes to the various land-use tools available to practicing planners, and provides more best practice examples to showcase how localities across the Commonwealth are implementing these policies at the local level. One notable addition to the 2021 version addresses those “elective” (i.e. optional) elements to incorporate with local comprehensive plan such as community health.
While not currently mandated by the Code of Virginia, the Virginia Chapter supports efforts by local jurisdictions to incorporate community health initiatives, beyond local provision of recreational amenities, into comprehensive plans to support health, safety, and welfare of all residents in a community. The Planner’s Toolkit is typically updated annually.
Also - Mark your calendars! The 2022 General Assembly session starts January 12, 2022. Interested in the work of the Legislative & Policy Committee? Contact VP for Legislative & Policy Affairs to join our mailing list and get updates about the 2022 session.
Download the updated Planners Toolkit Here
Managing Growth and Development in Virginia: A Review of the Tools Available to Localities (November 2019)
Now in its 14th release, this document, more commonly referred to by APA Virginia Chapter members as “The Tool Kit,” has proved to be a valuable resource for those seeking to understand current enabling legislation as it pertains to land use planning in Virginia. This version of the Tool Kit updates the previous edition, following the same outline.
2019 Preliminary Legislative Report
Managing Growth and Development in Virginia: A Review of the Tools Available to Localities (November 2018)
Now in its 13th release, this document, more commonly referred to by APA Virginia Chapter members as “The Tool Kit,” has proved to be a valuable resource for those seeking to understand current enabling legislation as it pertains to land use planning in Virginia. This version of the Tool Kit updates the previous edition, following the same outline.
Managing Growth and Development in Virginia: A Review of the Tools Available to Localities (November 2017)
Now in its 12th release, this document, "Managing Growth and Development in Virginia: A Review of the Tools Available to Localities" (more commonly referred to as "The Tool Kit," has proved to be a valuable resource for those seeking to understand current enabling legislation as it pertains to land use planning in Virginia.
This preliminary report on key bills in the State of Virginia was produced by the APA Virginia Chapter in March 2017. The report summarizes bills on energy efficiency, environment and water resources, ethics reform, building codes, housing, elections and redistricting, land use and growth management, transportation funding, and other issues.
The following report lists key bills passed by the 2016 General Assembly. This replaces the preliminary report that was published in March 2016 and reflects the efforts of the reconvened session on April 20, 2016. Joint Resolutions do not go to the Governor and are approved once signed by Speaker of the House and President of the Senate. Unless otherwise listed all legislation takes effect July 1, 2016.
2015 Key Bills Document — Final