Panel adopts bill clarifying local governments' eligibility for state internship grants

The appropriations subcommittee unanimously reported House Bill 882 on a 7-0 vote after the bill's patron told the committee the measure clarifies that local governments may participate in the Commonwealth's Innovative Internship Fund and Program.

Delegate Sullivan, the bill's patron, said the program — which provides institutional grants and employer matching grants — is currently split between CHEV and VEDP and has created “ambiguity” about whether local governments could participate. "What 8 82 does ... is it clarifies that local governments are eligible to participate in all parts of the Innovative Internship Funding Program," he said.

Committee members adopted a friendly line amendment to insert consultation language after the Virginia Economic Development Partnership on line 36; the patron accepted the amendment. The clerk then opened the roll and the committee reported the bill as amended, 7-0.

Staff told members they will prepare conforming budget language where the change affects budget documents rather than code.

The bill had limited debate during the subcommittee meeting and committee members moved and seconded the amendment and final report without recorded opposition.

The committee recorded no fiscal impact discussion at the hearing; members and staff noted they had worked with relevant agencies and that CHEV indicated support for the intent of the bill.