VRA POLICY COMMITTEE The Policy Committee of the Virginia Recycling Association will monitor any recycling legislation and disperse information to VRA members and interested citizens. CHALLENGE: “Provide an update on what is being done to expand laws at Virginia’s General Assembly to benefit and enhance recycling, and to identify recycling as a growth sector.” Policy & Legislation Session1

Policy & Legislation Session3

2015 Session Virginia General Assembly Policy & Legislation Session4

Success! SB Recyclable materials tax credit. Changes the recyclable materials tax credit by (i) extending the expiration date of the credit by five years to January 1, 2020, (ii) increasing the credit allowed from 10 to 20 percent of the purchase price of qualifying machinery and equipment, (iii) prohibiting denial of the credit based solely on another person's use of tangible personal property produced by the credit applicant from recyclable materials, (iv) clarifying that no credit will be allowed for machinery and equipment that does not manufacture, process, compound, or produce items of tangible personal property from recyclable materials, and (v) establishing an annual cap of $2 million in recyclable materials tax credits that may be issued by the Department of Taxation. The provisions of the bill are effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, This bill is identical to HB 1554.HB Policy & Legislation Session5

2016 Session Virginia General Assembly Policy & Legislation Session6

Joel Andrus, Government Relations Director, Kemper Consulting Group, Norfolk, VA Policy & Legislation Session7 Since November 2004, Joel has represented clients before the Virginia General Assembly, legislative and executive branch agencies and boards and commissions. Mr. Andrus’ practice includes public education, environmental issues, energy and healthcare, including helping Kemper Consulting’s healthcare clients prepare applications and navigate Virginia’s Certificate of Public Need process. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Andrus worked with the City of Suffolk Economic Development Department, where he mainly focused on new business development and retention in the downtown area. While with the City of Suffolk, he developed and implemented marking strategies for attracting new businesses, helped local businesses understand and take advantage the Virginia Enterprise Zone, as well as acted as a liaison between downtown businesses and historic preservation societies. Mr. Andrus graduated with distinction from the Virginia Military Institute. As an undergraduate, Mr. Andrus served as president of the Philosophy Club and the Timmons-Gentry Music Society, as well as Managing Editor of the VMI yearbook, The Bomb. In addition, he is also a member of the Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society. Currently, Mr. Andrus is active in the VMI Alumni Association, where he serves on the Board of Directors, as well as the Hampton Roads New Cadet Recruiting Chairman. Mr. Andrus also serves on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Recycling Association, and volunteers as a Sunday school teacher at his local church. Mr. Andrus is also a 2010 graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia.

No to Synthetic Plastic Microbeads? Policy & Legislation Session8

Local Regulation of Plastic Bags? Policy & Legislation Session9