WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HJ 19

Virginia's manufacturing sector; JLARC to update its 2016 study of the impact of regulations.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dan Helmer

HJ 19 requires JLARC to update its 2016 study on how Virginia state regulations affect manufacturing competitiveness and burden.

Left in Rules
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HJ 19

Legislative bill overview

HJ 19 directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to conduct an updated study on how state regulations impact Virginia's manufacturing sector, building on a previous 2016 analysis. The bill seeks current data on regulatory burden and competitiveness in manufacturing rather than relying on decade-old findings.

Why is this important

Manufacturing remains economically significant to Virginia, and regulatory environment directly affects business competitiveness, job retention, and investment decisions. An updated assessment could inform policymakers about whether regulations enacted or modified since 2016 have had unintended consequences on the sector, potentially guiding future regulatory reform.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and resource allocation: JLARC studies require staff resources and funding; some may question prioritizing this study over other legislative research needs
  • Partisan framing: Manufacturing regulation studies can become proxies for broader deregulation debates; business groups may push for deregulation conclusions while labor/environmental advocates worry about weakening protections
  • Study scope uncertainty: The bill doesn't specify which regulations to examine, leaving potential for disagreement about whether the study should focus narrowly on manufacturing-specific rules or broader environmental, labor, and safety regulations affecting the sector

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.