Having now passed the House and Senate, a helpful bill proposing expansions of project eligibility for Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF) projects is ready to be sent to Governor Ralph Northam for signing.
As previously reported in Capitol Contact, SB 1404 (Lewis) proposes two changes to SLAF. First, the bill authorizes SLAF awards for projects related to Chesapeake Bay total maximum daily load (TMDL) requirements to consider total phosphorus reductions or total nitrogen reductions. Second, the bill authorizes grants awarded for eligible projects in localities with high or above average fiscal stress (as reported by the Commission on Local Government) to account for more than 50 percent of the costs of a project. This cost-share change emulates what is already done with the Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF).
SB 1404 found broad support in both chambers of the General Assembly, passing the House and Senate unanimously. VACo supports SB 1404 and is eager for the Governor to sign this helpful legislation.
VACo Contact: Chris McDonald, Esq.