Bill > SB66

This bill expands local sales and use tax options for counties and cities to support public school capital projects. Specifically, the bill allows all counties and cities (not just the previously limited list of eight localities) to impose an additional one percent sales and use tax for funding school infrastructure, subject to voter approval through a referendum. The tax can be used for public school capital projects, which are defined as construction and major renovation of public school buildings, including new building construction, enlarging existing buildings, restoring structural integrity, upgrading infrastructure, and site acquisition. The bill removes the previous requirement that such a tax must have a fixed expiration date, and allows revenues to be used for both current and past school capital project debt. Additionally, the bill provides that any county or city with an existing school infrastructure sales tax that wants to extend it beyond its current expiration date must hold an additional referendum prior to June 30, 2026. The tax cannot be levied on food or essential personal hygiene products, and local governments must specify in the referendum that the revenues will be used solely for public school capital projects.

Budget and Finance

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB66