 Legislative Update
BUDGET LANGUAGE AMENDMENT (Senator Chichester; Delegate Dickinson) INITIATION OF DEPUTY TREASURER CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 1999 budget language directed the Compensation Board to study and propose a comprehensive career development program for both principal officers and deputy treasurers. The principal officers program was funded and implemented at the 2000 session. The deputies program would provide compensation incentives for advanced professional training and development, verified through objective testing and certification programs, and exceptional performance. The proposed program is similar to those implemented over the past several years in sheriffs offices (the Master Deputy program) and Commonwealths attorneys offices (the Career Prosecutor program). Eligibility for deputy treasurers requires: Achievement of "certified governmental deputy Treasurer" status through the demanding continuing education program administered for the Treasurers Association by the Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia. Certification requires extensive class attendance and satisfactory performance on objective tests. A minimum of three years service as a deputy. Achievement of above average performance reviews. The absence of a "below average" ranking on any performance objective. The amendment would provide the language necessary to commence the programs implementation. No funding is required in the present biennium; the program, if funded in the next biennium, will commence in FY03.
BUDGET AMENDMENT (Item 66, Governors Budget) POSITIONS TO ADDRESS "POSITION GAP" IN TREASURERS OFFICES
The Governors Budget as introduced provides 50 new positions in treasurers offices, providing a significant reduction of the present shortfall of 99 positions in these offices. The shortfall in the worst-hit offices is as much as 91%, with jurisdictions needing as many as seven positions. Treasurers request your strong support for maintaining these positions in the legislative budget.
BUDGET AMENDMENT (Senator Trumbo; Delegate Dickinson) CONVERSION OF "FULL-TIME PART-TIME" POSITIONS Treasurers seek approval of a modest ($18,812) budget amendment for conversion of 39 existing hourly wage positions (in which the incumbents work full-time, but receive no benefits) to permanent positions with benefits. There is no increase in staffing; the only cost is the provision of the state share of retirement benefits for these, presently benefit-less employees.
LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES HOUSE BILLS 1999 & 2124 (Delegates Parrish, Johnson and Kilgore) OMNIBUS LOCAL REVENUE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS As in prior years, this bill makes technical changes to local
revenue statutes recommended by county and city treasurers. The
bill specifically: Provides explicit authority for delivering tax bills by electronic means such as facsimile transmission and E-mail upon the taxpayers request. Transmission would have the same effect as mailing by first-class mail (the only delivery means provided for under the letter of present law) on the date of transmission. Clarifies existing law which was thought to be quite clear, but was misinterpreted by a Bankruptcy Court in a recent decision resulting in a substantial loss of tax revenue -- that the lien for taxes dues attaches to property that has been specifically assessed.
For more information regarding the Treasurers Associations legislative agenda, please contact TAV Legislative Counsel Alan D. Albert at 697-1368 or by E-mail at alan.albert@troutmansanders.com
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