One-stop small business permitting program; work group to determine methods to modernize.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not specify how the work group will be funded or what changes may result from their recommendations.

Modernizing Small Business Permitting Program

This bill directs the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity to form a work group that will find ways to improve Virginia's one-stop small business permitting program.

What This Bill Does

• Directs the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity to convene a work group.
• Includes representatives from state agencies and small business groups in the work group.
• Asks the work group to consider characteristics of one-stop programs from other states.
• Requires the work group to consider the needs of Virginia residents and small businesses.
• Aims to streamline the existing website into a single-portal system for all state-level business registration, tax, and licensing requirements.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity
• State agencies involved in business regulation
• Small business owners and communities

Terms To Know

one-stop permitting program

A system that allows businesses to complete all necessary registration, tax, and licensing requirements through a single process or website.

work group

A team of people brought together to solve a specific problem or task.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how the work group will be funded.
• It is unclear what changes, if any, will come from the work group's recommendations after November 1, 2026.
• The exact timeline for implementing any new system after November 1, 2026, is not provided.

Official Summary Text

Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; work group; one-stop small business permitting program.
Directs the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity to convene a work group to determine methods of modernizing the existing one-stop small business permitting program.

Current Bill Text

A BILL to direct the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity to convene a work group to determine methods of modernizing the existing one-stop small business permitting program.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.
§ 1.
That the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity shall
convene a work group to
determine methods of modernizing the existing one-stop small business permitting program established pursuant to §
2.2-1617
of the Code of Virginia. The work group shall include representatives from relevant state agencies, including the Virginia Employment Commission, Department of Taxation, Department of Labor and Industry, Virginia Workers' Comp
ensation Commission, State Corporation Commission, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Department of Health Professions, and Virginia Information Technologies Agency, and representatives of the small business community, including the Virginia Chamber of Commer
ce and the Virginia Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses. The work group shall consider
characteristics of
one-stop programs from other states, the needs of the
residents and small business communit
ies
of the Commonwealth, and other
requirements as deemed nec
essary
, including how to
streamline
the existing website i
nto a fully integrated, single-portal system that consolidates all state-level business registration, tax, and licensing requirements into one
website without the need to go to multiple websites
. The work group shall report its findings to the
Governor and the Chairs of the House Committee on General Laws and the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology by November 1, 2026.