SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2014 SESSION

14100910D
HOUSE BILL NO. 237
Offered January 8, 2014
Prefiled December 28, 2013
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 10.1 of Title 33.1 a section numbered 33.1-391.5:1, relating to the Telework Grant Program.
----------
Patrons-- Ramadan and Anderson
----------
Referred to Committee on Transportation
----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 10.1 of Title 33.1 a section numbered 33.1-391.5:1 as follows:

§ 33.1-391.5:1. Telework Grant Program established.

A. As used in this section, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Department" means the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

"Telework" means the performance of normal and regular work functions by an employee on a workday at a location different from the place where work functions are normally performed and that is within or closer to the employee's residence. The term "telework" shall not include performance of work functions for a home-based business or by an individual who is self-employed. The term "telework" shall also not include extensions of the workday or work performed on a weekend or holiday.

B. From such funds as may be appropriated by the General Assembly, there is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Telework Grant Fund, hereafter referred to as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of grants to qualified individuals who telework. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director.

C. An individual shall be eligible to apply to the Department for a $250 grant if the individual teleworks at least 20 hours a week during at least 45 weeks of the immediately preceding calendar year. The application shall include a certification from the individual's employer to the Department, on such a form or in such a manner as specified by the Department, that the individual teleworked at least 20 hours a week during at least 45 weeks for such employer in the taxable year for which the individual is applying for credit under this section.

D. Grants shall be issued in the order that each completed application is received. In the event that the amount of eligible grants requested in a fiscal year exceeds the funds available in the Fund, such grants shall be paid in the next fiscal year in which funds are available.

E. The Department shall develop guidelines concerning the administration of the grant program.