Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Today begins Virginia's annual sales tax holiday.  New this year, the existing sales tax holidays for back-to-school supplies, hurricane and emergency preparedness, and Energy Star and WaterSense products have been combined into a single event.  The new combined holiday runs from Friday, August 7th through Sunday, August 9th.  

During the holiday, shoppers won't be charged sales tax on a variety of items.  The following is an overview:

• Most school/office supplies, such as pens, loose-leaf paper, scissors, binders, backpacks and construction paper, will be tax-exempt as long as each item costs $20 or less.
• Clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per article or pair will be tax-exempt.
• Items that may be needed to prepare for an emergency, priced at $60 or less each, will be exempt from sales tax; examples include batteries, flashlights, bottled water, tarps, duct tape, fire extinguishers, cell-phone chargers, smoke detectors, buckets, rope and first aid kits.
• Gas-powered chainsaws that cost $350 or less each, and chainsaw accessories that cost $60 or less each, will be exempt.
• Portable generators will be exempt if they cost $1,000 or less each.
• Energy Star-labeled dishwashers, washing machines, air conditioners, ceiling fans, light bulbs, dehumidifiers and refrigerators will be exempt if they sell for $2,500 or less each.
• WaterSense-labeled sink faucets, faucet accessories, aerators, shower heads, toilets and landscape irrigation controllers priced at $2,500 or less each will be sales tax-exempt.

More information can be found by visiting the Virginia Department of Taxation website.

Commission and Study Committee Meetings

Although the regular session of the General Assembly typically wraps up in late February or early March, the work of the House and Senate continues throughout the year in the form of standing commissions and study committees.  These commissions and committees are important since their work often results in recommendations to introduce (or not to introduce) legislation for the next General Assembly session.  

I am fortunate to have been appointed to several commissions, including the Housing Commission, Joint Commission on Health Care, Chesapeake Bay Commission, and State Water Commission.  As an example of the type of work we do in the interim, our June 27th Joint Commission on Health Care meeting included discussions on cancer projections in Virginia, whether to allow minors to receive inpatient mental health services without parental consent, and youth suicide prevention.  It also included an update on Virginia's Acute Psychiatric Bed Registry. 

Virginia's Division of Legislative Services publishes a monthly Virginia Legislative Record that provides an overview of the activities and deliberations of commissions and study committees.  There is a wealth of information.  Please let me know if you have ideas or thoughts about a topic that is being discussed.

It is an honor to represent you in the Virginia House of Delegates.