Committee approves amendment to narrow TIF-related redevelopment bill to Planning District 23

Delegate Hayes described House Bill 7 87 and presented line amendments that narrow the bill to apply only within Planning District 23 and to localities with populations between 250,000 and 350,000, and to require affected property be within a tax increment financing (TIF) district.

The clerk summarized the posted amendments, explaining the changes: the population range was revised to between 250,000 and 350,000 and a requirement was added that covered property be in a TIF district. David Westcott, appearing for the City of Chesapeake, thanked the delegate and said the amendment and the bill would "really help us," and he credited the Virginia Home Builders for assistance in refining the legislation. Other supporting witnesses said the bill would allow rural preservation while enabling denser development where appropriate.

The committee adopted the amendments by voice vote and then voted 22-0 to report the amended bill out of committee.

The reported measure, as amended, narrows the bill’s scope to specified localities and requires TIF designation for covered property; the committee did not receive opposition testimony during the hearing.