Making Your Voice Heard: AGCVA Advocacy at Work for You

You serve as the Chair of AGCVA's Legislative Committee.  What would you like your fellow AGCVA members to know about the legislative process and the advocacy work that AGCVA is doing on their behalf?

The Legislative Committee is made up of dedicated members providing their time and talent working with our CEO, Brandon Robinson and lobbyists from McGuire Woods.  These members provide an important perspective.  Coupled with the expertise of our lobbyists, a great deal can be accomplished regarding proposed legislation that affects our industry. As bills are introduced, our lobbyists provide a summary of each bill - members of the Legislative Committee meet weekly with the lobbyists to review and discuss the potential impacts to construction in Virginia. At times, we are queried by email when a position arises that requires immediate attention.  As a result, AGCVA forms a position - we either support, oppose or take a neutral stance on each piece of legislation. In certain instances AGCVA collaborates with other construction-related associations or even with other industries in order to have a broader reach.

How have you seen AGCVA's advocacy efforts make a difference for our members and for the industry as a whole?

AGCVA's efforts have constant and far-reaching impact.  Most recently, during the 2021 session, AGCVA worked to defeat a number of bills that would have had a negative impact on our industry. There were bills mandating contractors have apprenticeship programs, bills limiting a contractors ability to sub out work on a project, bills to require bid listing, and bills requiring certified payroll on ALL jobs. AGCVA also worked with other contractor groups on follow-up bills from last year’s legislation around wage theft and project labor agreements. Some of these efforts were successful, and others were not. Further, AGCVA supported the Governor’s G3 workforce development program - “Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give back (G3).  G3 requires the Virginia Community College System to establish a financial aid program for low and middle-income students to enroll in courses leading to an occupation in certain high-demand fields, construction being one of them. And finally, AGCVA is an active member of the Coalition for a Strong Virginia Economy, which monitors and opposes many bills which would have had a negative impact on nearly all businesses in the commonwealth, including the unsuccessful attempt to repeal Virginia’s “right-to-work” statute.

How would you recommend someone who has not been involved in advocacy efforts begin to learn more or participate themselves?

Although the General Assembly is only in session for a short period of time each year, AGCVA's advocacy efforts do not end. We meet with local legislators throughout the year to discuss our concerns about proposed legislation and other issues that are adversely affecting our businesses. If you are interested in the issues facing our industry or would like to know more about how the process works, reach out to your AGCVA District Manager.  A great way to start participating is to take part in a “local meet and greet” with your legislators.  You can also look for our “Call to Action” emails (Legislative Alerts) that are sent out during the Legislative Session and use that platform to reach out to your legislators and share your concerns about legislation that has been proposed.  If you have not done so already, please sign up for AGCVA's Voter Voice, which is another way that AGCVA communicates about legislative issues, specifically those that we most urgently need your help with.  We also welcome you to join the AGCVA Legislative Committee, adding your voice to the collective one, helping our message to be heard even more clearly.