A Word From AGCVA Chairman, Trip Smith

We are in the full swing of summer and the value of AGCVA remains strong. While you run the day-to-day operations of your company, AGCVA has your back.

AGCVA is engaged on behalf of members across a number of legislative and regulatory activities, even though the General Assembly is not in session. First, we are a member of a workgroup led by Secretary of Commerce, Brian Ball, on continued discussions around a bill focused on increasing small, women-, and minority-owned business engagement in public procurement. It is anticipated that a bill will be submitted during the summer special session, and AGCVA is pushing hard on it including damaging provisions like debarment for not meeting goals. Second, we are also a member of a workgroup at the Board of Contractors exploring ideas of additional licensure requirements for certain trades. AGCVA does not support additional hurdles for contractors and subcontractors currently operating safely in Virginia. Third, we are engaged and closely monitoring a DGS workgroup charged with analyzing any legislative changes to the procurement statute as well as a charge to increase minority participation in procurement. Finally, AGCVA continues to work with other trade groups through the Virginia Business Coalition to communicate and advocate around Virginia’s Permanent COVID-19 standard. We maintain a strong position that a permanent standard is not necessary to protect workers, especially with the growing rate of vaccinations in Virginia.

We thank our AGCVA staff in Richmond and the many members who serve on committees advising staff for their hard work to help protect and promote the construction industry. I look forward to seeing you all at the Summer Conference in August! Our first state in person get together in almost 18 months.