Senate Conformity Bill Passes House, Becomes Law

SB 230, which advances Virginia’s date of conformity with the U.S. Internal Revenue Code to Feb. 9, 2018, passed the House with amendments from Gov. Ralph Northam on Thursday night. Because Northam approved the legislation pending his amendments, the bill went into effect as soon as it passed the House.

The bill originally passed the Senate on Jan. 26, and the House on Feb. 12, but before it reached Northam’s desk, federal budget legislation was passed that included several extender provisions that affect 2017 returns. The House conformity bill, HB 154, was amended to reconcile the language with Senate bill in order to deconform with the temporary reduction in the medical deduction floor.

Northam sent the bills back to their chambers of origin with recommended amendments, and the Senate bill passed the amended version of SB 230 on Tuesday. The House adopted Northam’s recommendations to HB 154 Wednesday afternoon, and that bill is expected to pass the Senate quickly.

All versions of both bills passed through committee and both chambers with unanimous support, and the General Assembly and Northam worked quickly to come to a resolution. Thanks to all our members who communicated with their legislators about the importance of passing conformity legislation!