2 minute read
Partnerships in Forestry - VA
VIRGINIA
Virginia Loggers Association
WINDS OF CHANGE
Ron Jenkins, Executive Director, Virginia Loggers Association
Virginia citizens are likely to see significant changes beginning January 2022. Republican Party candidates won the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General’s of ices. Youngkin’s transition team is not releasing information about his cabinet and agency heads’ choices or specific policies.
Virginia Loggers Association encourages Governor-Elect Youngkin to recognize biomass as a viable renewable resource option for energy policy, which now has a limited life based on the recently passed Virginia Clean Economy Act.
Most VLA members encourage more markets here in Virginia. VLA will also seek an active economic development plan in Virginia’s forest products industry from the administration. The USFS forest inventory now shows forest growth is exceeding removals.
One area of particular concern for the logging & hauling businesses and insurance companies is the low motorist liability threshold for medical and property damage. Virginia requires motorists to have insurance or register an uninsured vehicle for a significant fee. Virginia law now sets minimum bodily and property liability limits of 25/50/20 for uninsured and underinsured motorists.
This means the total liability for medical injuries to all injured persons may not exceed $50,000, with a $25000 limit for one individua land a maximum of$20,000 property damage. Everyone in our business knows extremely well that the $20,000 property limit is too low to cover most commercial truck repairs.
Business owners are optimistic the Youngkin administration will seek positive changes as Virginia’s 74th Governor. VLA will be active in the Virginia General Assembly from January – March 2022. Please get in touch with Ron Jenkins at 804-677-4290 or info@valoggers.org.
We invite you to join VLA’s family for their annual meeting August 11-14, 2022, at the Williamsburg Lodge!
Virginia State Capitol building, Richmond, Virginia
