CHAPTER 595
An Act to direct the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs and the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, in conjunction with the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, to examine the waiving of fees associated with permits necessary to establish a small business for veteran-owned small businesses.
[S 572]
Approved April 11, 2022
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. § 1. The Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs and the Secretary of Commerce and Trade (the Secretaries), in conjunction with the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, shall examine the waiving of fees associated with permits necessary to establish a small business for veteran-owned small businesses. The Secretaries shall identify the necessary permits and determine the total costs of associated fees for a start-up by type of business and by regulatory agency and shall determine the feasibility of waiving any such fees for veteran-owned small businesses. In conducting their examination, the Secretaries may also identify and make recommendations regarding removing other regulatory barriers for veteran-owned small businesses. The Secretaries shall report their findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the House Committees on Appropriations and Labor and Commerce and the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and Commerce and Labor by December 1, 2022.
For the purposes of this act:
"Permit" means the whole or part of any state agency permit, license, certificate, approval, registration, charter, or any form or permission required by law to engage in activity associated with or involving the establishment of a small business in the Commonwealth.
"Regulatory" means all permitting and other governmental or statutory requirements establishing a small business or professional activities associated with establishing a small business.
"Regulatory agency" means any state agency, board, commission, or division that regulates one or more professions, occupations, industries, businesses, or activities.
"Small business" means an independently owned and operated business that, together with affiliates, has 250 or fewer employees or average annual gross receipts of $10 million or less averaged over the previous three years.
"Veteran" means an individual who has served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.