Landes economic development legislation signed by governor

Del. R. Steven Landes, R-Weyers Cave, Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, today announced Governor McAuliffe’s approval of House Bill 514, Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund; Wild Fish and Shellfish, and House Bill 515, Higher Educational Institutions; Institutional 6-Year Plan, Economic Development, Report.

Both bills have an effective date of July 1, 2016.

“The economy remains a top priority for me and all Virginians. I am pleased that Governor McAuliffe approved these two bills that will help our economy grow,” Landes said. “These bills will help create jobs, as well as spur and track economic development here in the Commonwealth,” noted Landes.

House Bill 514 will allow waterman and fishermen in those businesses to apply and qualify for the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund. House Bill 515 will require each institution of higher education to annually report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and to the State Council of Higher Education on the institution’s contributions and efforts related to economic development. This new report will be included as part of the intuition’s six-year plan.

Landes represents the 25^th House District, which includes parts of Albemarle, Augusta, and Rockingham Counties. Landes is currently serving his eleventh term in the Virginia House of Delegates.