VACo opposed HB 1347 (Heretick), which would severely limit local authority to regulate communications towers. The bill limits fees localities may charge in the permitting process, as well as rents locality may charge for leasing public facilities. HB 1347 mandates the use of public rights of way and limits the ability of localities to require environmental reviews, and other common regulatory requirements, during the permitting process. VACo actively opposed this legislation as both unnecessary and as an overreaching limit to local land use authority. This bill was carried over to 2017 by the House Commerce and Labor Committee with a commitment to study the issue after the session.
VACo Contact: Phyllis Errico, CAE