Increase state health insurance fund appropriation

Increases the appropriation for the State Health Insurance Program. The program's appropriation has been increased administratively to support the costs of health care claims of state employees.

Adjust appropriation for local health benefit services

Increases appropriation for The Local Choice Program. The appropriation increase is based on the continued growth in membership, including the addition of Caroline County Schools and Amelia County Schools.

DHRM to List 100 Most Prescribed Prescription Drugs and Cost

This amendment directs the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) to compile a list of the 100 most prescribed drugs and make this list accessible to plan members prior to the annual open enrollment period to assist in plan selection.

Replace mission critical licensing software system

Provides nongeneral fund appropriation to cover costs associated with updating online licensing software. A companion amendment provides funding for this purpose in FY 2017.

Add appropriation to cover increases in personal service cost

Provides nongeneral appropriation to cover the cost of the 2 percent salary increase, along with increases in retirement cost and health care benefits.

Adjust funding to agencies to reflect actual Line of Duty Act invoices

Adjusts funding provided to state agencies to reflect the actual premium charged for the Line of Duty Act Program.

Adjust the general fund cost of workers' compensation premiums

Captures the net general fund savings of workers' compensation premiums. The general fund costs of workers' compensation premiums funded in Chapter 665, 2015 Acts of Assembly are based on the premiums initially funded in Chapter 3, 2014 Special Session 1. The premiums have since been updated to include a new actuarial valuation based on an additional year of payroll and claims and the closure of the Southside Virginia Training Center.

Provide funding for reimbursement of presidential primary expenses

Provides general fund support to reimburse the Department of Elections and localities for presidential primary expenses. Section 24.2-545 (F), Code of Virginia, requires the costs of the presidential primary to be paid by the Commonwealth.

Provide lump sum repayment to the Virginia Retirement System

This amendment provides $172.7 million from the general fund to expedite the repayment to the VRS of the 2010-12 biennium deferred retirement contributions for the four state employee plans.

Address Funding Shortfall at IEIA

This amendment provides $800,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2016 for the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Investment Authority (IEIA). The IEIA is currently projecting a revenue shortfall that would require the authority to lay off 20 percent of their staff. The newly appointed CEO has requested these funds to get through the current fiscal year and to allow him and the Board time to thoroughly review the authority's operations and business model.

Central Maintenance Reserve

Provides additional funding to make major repairs to historical and commerative facilities.

Central Capital - Maintenance Reserve

Fund anticipated expenditure and caseload growth

Provides funds for anticipated caseload and expenditure growth for services provided through the Children's Services Act. Growth is assumed at a two year average from FY 2015 to FY 2016. Expenditures in special education day placements were a primary driver in expenditure growth last year.

Increase appropriation for Involuntary Mental Commitment

Increases general fund appropriation to cover the costs related to the involuntary commitment of indigent persons for mental health evaluation and care.

Provide funding to support per diem payments to local and regional jails.

Provides funding to support per diem payments to localities and regional jails.

Collections by Local Treasurers

This amendment restores language approved by the 2015 General Assembly and modifies the language to permit treasurers currently collecting on a contingency fee basis to continue to do so. An identical amendment is included in House Bill/Senate Bill 30 in Item 73.

Increase appropriation for the Virginia Industries for the Blind

Provides the Virginia Industries for the Blind (VIB) with additional nongeneral fund appropriation to cover anticipated expenditures associated increased revenue from expanded business opportunities. This is a technical amendment that will limit the need for administrative budget actions.

Adjust aid to locality distribution to reflect forecast update

Aligns the appropriation for distributions to localities in accordance with the November 2015 Post Governor's Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates forecast. This amendment increases the appropriation for distribution of rolling stock taxes and decreases the appropriation for distributions of Tennessee Valley Authority payments in lieu of taxes.

Enhance avian influenza response capacity

Provides general fund appropriation to enhance avian influenza detection and response capabilities. Specifically, the funding will support immediate preparation needs, such as animal disease emergency planning, development of supply reserves, and procuring equipment.

Acquire software upgrades for inventory receiving system

Provides nongeneral fund appropriation to purchase software upgrades for the agency's inventory receiving system to allow personnel locate and move products in the warehouse.

Acquire video teleconferencing system

Provides nongeneral fund appropriation for the acquisition of a new video conferencing system to provide statewide coverage for administrative hearing proceedings.

Eliminate Inclusion of Acquired Brain Injury Stakeholders in Quarterly Meetings on Waiver Redesign

This amendment strikes language contained in Chapter 665, 2015 Virginia Acts of Assembly related to Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services quarterly meetings with stakeholders on training center closures and Intellectual and Developmental Disability waiver redesign. Language is eliminated including stakeholders with acquired brain injuries regardless of age. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) determined that including services for individuals with acquired brain injury, regardless of age, as part of the waiver redesign was not consistent with CMS regulations.

Add Funds for Victims of Sterilization

This amendment adds $400,000 from the general fund for compensation for victims of sterilization pursuant to the Virginia Eugenical Sterilization Act who were living as of February 1, 2015. Language is added to allow any funds that remain unspent at the end of the fiscal year to be carried over into the subsequent fiscal year for purposes of compensation of these individuals.

Provide funding to support increases in offender medical costs

Increases funding for the provision of medical services to inmates. The funding provided is based on the projected cost of the Department of Corrections providing medical services at all institutions with its own staff and contracting for part-time physicians or for offsite medical costs. The increase is based on the estimated cost of for the agency to be competitive in medical services labor market, as well as on the projected increases in the costs for inpatient and outpatient care, pharmaceutical drugs, and other medical services. Factored into the funding is a decrease of $400,000 and five positions provided in the 2015 Session to help the agency make the transition from using comprehensive medical services contracts in many facilities to using its own personnel. The agency has selected to use comprehensive contracts and thus does not need the positions and the funding associated with them.

Eliminate inmate telephone commissions and administrative charges

Eliminates from the general fund revenue estimate the revenue from charges on inmate telephone calls and provides the agency funding to pay the costs of security equipment associated with the inmate telephone system, thereby lowering the rate that inmates and their families have to pay for phone calls, effective December 1, 2015. The lower rates could result in more frequent contact with family members, which is important in helping inmates adjust to prison and is a factor in reducing recidivism.

Begin assembling staff to open Culpeper Correctional Center for Women

Provides funding to begin hiring and training a core group of staff in anticipation of opening the Culpeper Correctional Center for Women in January 2017. Expanding the female bed capacity of the agency will help relieve the back-up of state responsible female inmates in local jails.

Delay Culpeper Opening

This amendment reduces by $307,296 in fiscal year 2016 the general fund appropriation for the Department of Corrections. These funds were included to hire staff in order to prepare for the opening of the Culpeper Women's Correctional Center on January 1, 2017. A companion amendment to House Bill 30 delays the opening of this facility until July 1, 2017.

Increase amount provided for salary increase

Increases the amount provided from central appropriations for the two percent salary increase for state-supported local employees that became effective September 1, 2015.

Acquire new public safety data management system

Provides general fund and nongeneral fund appropriation for a new database management system for fire incident reporting and agency training initiatives. The new system replaces an obsolete database tracking program.

Fund increased maintenance and utilities costs at expanded Western Laboratory

Provides funding for increased maintenance and utilities costs at the recently expanded Western Laboratory.

Align Virginia Strategic Sourcing Initiative appropriation with projected expenditures

Aligns appropriation with projected expenditures for the Virginia Strategic Sourcing Initiative.

Increase education and expand access for women’s reproductive health

Increases federal support for the education and expanded access to women's reproductive health. The goal of this intervention is to remove barriers such as financial and limited availability of Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) in order to increase access to and utilization of highly effective methods of contraception. This program will be supported with TANF funding.

Eliminate TANF for LARC Pilot Program

This amendment eliminates $22,455 the second year in Temporary Assistance to Needy Families block grant funds and language and one position to develop a pilot program in the Virginia Department of Health to expand access to long-acting reversible contraceptives.

Provide additional funding for the Montpelier Foundation

Provides additional funding to meet the terms of the grant for support to the Montpelier Foundation.

Transfer one full-time equivalent position from Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA)

Reflects the transfer of one position from VITA. The transfer was approved in a decision brief signed in 2015 which authorized VITA to become a client agency of the Shared Services Center. The position was transferred administratively in 2015.

Planning for Juvenile Facilities

This amendment clarifies proposed language authorizing the transformation of Virginia's state juvenile correctional centers and the reallocation of the resulting savings into alternative placements for juvenile offenders. This amendment also requires a report by June 30, 2016. A companion amendment to Item 415 in House Bill/Senate Bill 30 adjusts the corresponding language in that item and provides for the appropriate reporting requirements in fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year 2018.

Adjust Medicaid funding for Piedmont and Catawba Geriatric Hospitals

Increases the appropriation for Piedmont and Catawba Geriatric Hospitals to reflect the reversal of a prior budget amendment that assumed decreased Medicaid reimbursements due to the facilities being reclassified as intermediate care nursing homes. It has been determined that the facilities cannot meet the criteria for nursing home certification. A companion package included in the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services removes the direct appropriation that was also provided.

Transfer funds to support Hancock Geriatric Facility

Moves unused Medicaid match from the state facility program at the Department of Medical Assistance Services to the direct general fund appropriation at the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for the operation of Hancock Geriatric Facility. The facility lost Medicaid certification in FY 2016, and the decision to operate the facility as a general fund only facility requires the transfer of unused match to continue the operation of 80 beds in the facility. This amendment is a sum zero transfer between the two agencies.

Fund Medicaid utilization and inflation

Provides funding for the cost of Medicaid as estimated in the latest forecast of expenditures. The estimated increase is primarily driven by a higher enrollment of low-income parents than originally anticipated.

Fund medical services for involuntary mental commitments

Increases FY 2016 funding for the cost of hospital and physician services for persons subject to an involuntary mental commitment. The most recent forecast of expenditures projects higher costs than last year's estimates.

Correct prior action related to Third Party Liability (TPL) savings

Moves general fund savings, associated with adding staff to the Third Party Liability (TPL) recovery unit, to the correct program. The 2015 budget provided the recovery unit with additional positions and assumed that TPL recoveries would increase, thereby creating a general fund savings. This technical adjustment properly accounts for the FY 2016 savings with no net general fund impact.

Fund federally mandated 1095B notification mailing

Provides funding to support mailings and information referral activities as federally required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) beginning January 1, 2016. The agency must print and mail proof of coverage (form 1095B) information to approximately 670,000 heads of households to enable those clients to complete their 2015 taxes. In addition, the agency is required to provide contact information to handle recipient questions. This package provides for the initial FY 2016 cost of this activity; a separate package supports the ongoing operational requirements.

Fund medical assistance services for low-income children utilization and inflation

Adjusts FY 2016 funding for the Commonwealth's Medicaid Children's Health Insurance Program to reflect the latest expenditure forecast. This program applies to children between the ages of 6 through 19 with family income from 100 to 133 percent of the federal poverty level. The savings are largely attributable to a reduction in the state match for the Children's Health Insurance Program grant.

Fund Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) utilization and inflation

Adjusts FY 2016 funding for the FAMIS program to reflect the latest forecast of expenditures. The savings is primarily a result of lower than expected managed care costs and a reduction in the state match requirement for the Children's Health Insurance Program grant.

Rebase training center budgets to reflect anticipated closures

Adjusts the budget for state training center reimbursements to account for the on-going facility closure costs and savings resulting from compliance with the Department of Justice settlement agreement. This package reflects the estimated impact of closing Northern Virginia Training Center in March 2016, and Southwestern Virginia Training Center by the end of FY 2018. There is a companion amendment included in the DBHDS training center Item to account for costs not reimbursable through Medicaid.

Cover cost of enrollment broker contract

Funds the estimated increase in the agency's enrollment broker contract. This package provides the department with funding to cover the higher current year cost of the new enrollment broker contract that will become effective January 1, 2016.

Temporary Authorization for Property Carriers

This amendment authorizes DMV to issue temporary operating authority for businesses engaged in the transportation of personal property.

Appropriate nongeneral funds for agency savings strategies

Provides appropriation for the nongeneral fund increases needed to offset the general fund decreases as a result of the Department’s savings strategies. The requisite nongeneral fund appropriation for those strategies that supplanted general funds with federal funds was not provided in central appropriations adjustments.

Adjust Division of Child Support Enforcement nongeneral fund appropriation

Moves appropriation between funds to align the program budget with anticipated expenditures. This action nets to zero.

Appropriate nongeneral fund match to general fund central appropriation distribution

Provides appropriation to cover the nongeneral fund cost of increasing employee benefits. Agencies were provided the general fund share of centrally budgeted items, such as the recent salary increase, health insurance premiums, employee retirement. This technical adjustment ensures that sufficient nongeneral fund appropriation is available to fund that portion of these expenses.

Fund the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits forecast

Updates appropriation to properly account for the anticipated cost of providing mandated TANF benefits. Benefits include cash assistance payments, employment services and child care. The amendment also provides for a three percent caseload reserve.

Appropriate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program employment and training pilot grant award

Appropriates new federal grant funds awarded to the Department of Social Services (DSS) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The goal of this federally funded program is to increase the number of SNAP work registrants who obtain unsubsidized employment, increase the earned income of work registrants, and reduce the reliance of work registrants on public assistance.

Adjust base budget to reflect current operations

Moves appropriation between service areas to align the program budget with anticipated expenditures. The department recently reorganized its program support division to facilitate changes in business operations related to the implementation of the eligibility systems modernization project. This has resulted in the need to adjust agency appropriations between service areas in the budget. This action nets to zero.

Fund required eligibility system operating costs

Provides funding to meet projected VITA and other information systems costs resulting from the transition of the Virginia Case Management System (VaCMS) from development to full operational status. This request includes funding for eight positions scheduled to be removed in FY 2018.

Adjust childcare and licensing appropriations to reflect operations

Moves appropriation between service areas to align the program budget with anticipated expenditures. The department received an appropriation in FY 2016 to implement legislation pertaining to the operation and oversight of family day homes and child day centers. This has resulted in the need to adjust agency appropriations between service areas in the budget. This action nets to zero.

Fund the child welfare forecast

Adds funding for cover the cost of providing foster care and adoption subsidy payments. Based on recent expenditure trends and the impact of child welfare policy changes, this amendment adjusts appropriation to cover the necessary costs of providing payments to foster care and adoptive families. The addendum also moves funding between service areas to ensure that amount dedicated for adoption subsidies is reflected correctly.

Fully fund Division of Child Support Enforcement salary increase

Provides additional general fund to cover 24 percent of the salary and compression increases that would otherwise be funded by Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) retained collections. There are insufficient TANF retained collections to cover the portion of the salary increase for DCSE staff funded by retained collections. Additional general fund is needed to cover the TANF retained collections share of the salary and compression increases for DCSE employees, including to fund Attorney General salary realignments.

Appropriate funds for federally required background checks

Appropriates additional nongeneral funds to cover the costs of providing fingerprint background checks to childcare providers not identified in § 63.2-1721.1, Code of Virginia. The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 (CCDBG) mandates that states receiving block grant funds require national fingerprint background checks for all child care providers who are licensed, regulated, registered under state law or who receive CCDBG funds. Fingerprint check requirements in the Code address the federal fingerprint check mandate for licensed child day centers and licensed family day homes only. All costs will be funded by fee revenue generated from background checks. Fees for background checks will be adjusted as needed to recover costs.

Revert Auxiliary Grant Balances

This amendment adds language capturing unspent funding of $1.0 million from the general fund in the Auxiliary Grant program within the Department of Social Services.

Technical-Reflect TANF Spending and Balance

This technical amendment makes changes to the service areas for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program to accurately reflect the amount provided for TANF income benefits and TANF child care subsidies and at-risk child care subsidies in the introduced budget. In addition, language is modified to accurately reflect the balance in the TANF program at the end of fiscal year 2016.

Pilot Project - Temporary Placement of Children Crisis

This amendment directs the Department of Social Services to establish a pilot program in Planning District 11 (Counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Campbell Counties and the City of Lynchburg) for the temporary placements of children in families in crisis. The pilot will allow the Department of Social Services to examine the use of a power of attorney to delegate parental authority. Virginia statute already allows for limited use of a power of attorney for kinship care cases. However, many other states go further and follow the Uniform Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Act which allows a parent to delegate to another person, for a period (usually between six months and one year), any power regarding care, custody, or property of their child. The pilot program will take a similar approach. The Department is required to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and report to the Governor and Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees and the Commission on Youth.

Revert Unemployed Parent Program Balances

This amendment adds language capturing unspent funding of $500,000 from the general fund in the Unemployed Parents Cash Assistance program within the Department of Social Services. Caseloads have steadily declined, leaving unspent general fund amounts in the program.

Amend appropriation to conform with Board approved budget

Amends program appropriation amounts to conform to the final program amounts in the 2016 agency budget, as approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board in June 2015.

Change eligibility for V3 Veterans Employment Grant

Revises language relating to eligibility for the Virginia Values Veterans program.

Incentives to Hire Veterans

This amendment removes the requirement which was proposed in the budget as introduced that veterans hired under the incentive grant program must have been unemployed for at least one year in order for the employer to qualify for the incentive grant of $1,000 for each veteran hired. A companion amendment to Item 470 in House Bill / Senate Bill 30 makes the corresponding change in Fiscal Years 2017 and 2018.

Capture unclaimed appropriation from National Board Certified Teacher bonuses

Reduces appropriation for National Board Certified Teacher bonuses based on the actual number of eligible teachers.

Update sales tax revenues for public education

Updates funding provided to local school divisions based on the latest sales tax projections provided by the Department of Taxation.

Capture unclaimed appropriation from compensation supplements

Reduces appropriation remaining from localities not providing compensation supplements to instructional and support staff.

Capture savings from revised student enrollment projections

Updates Standards of Quality costs using the latest fall membership counts, which are lower than projected for 2016.

Update costs of incentive, categorical, and lottery programs

Updates funding for the incentive, categorical, and lottery programs for changes in fall membership, participation rates, and test scores. These programs are designed to address specific educational needs or targeted student populations. Funding for these programs is primarily formula-driven and subject to annual changes.

Update costs of the Standards of Quality (SOQ)

Adjusts funding to reflect actual enrollment in Remedial Summer School and English as a Second Language programs.

Update Lottery proceeds for public education

Adjusts funding to reflect an increase of $7.3 million in the estimate of Lottery proceeds for 2016.

Norton City Census Population Technical Correction

This amendment provides $123,000 from the general fund to Norton City Public School Division to address a technical adjustment relative to the school-aged population estimate reported by the Weldon Cooper Center that was inadvertently overlooked.

Direct Aid - Revised Sales Tax Forecast

This amendment updates net Direct Aid funding based on the revised sales tax estimates from the Department of Taxation's Midsession 2016 Forecast.

Technical Update for VPSA Educational Technology Grants

This technical amendment updates the language for the Virginia Public School Authority (VPSA) Educational Technology total for the revised Spring 2016 issuance of debt based on actual participation.

Technical Update for Special Education Regional Tuition, Foster Care, Remedial Summer School, & Academic Year Governor's School

This amendment captures a net savings of $1.3 million in FY 2016 from the general fund from revising the student participation totals for several programs. The Special Education - Regional Tuition costs decreased by $1.8 million, the cost for Foster Care increased by $290,808, Remedial Summer School increased by $200,272, and the A. Linwood Holton Governor's School increased by $61,017.

Increase in Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund revenue appropriation

This amendment reflects an increase in the nongeneral fund license plate revenues dedicated to the Chesapeake Bay restoration.

Funding for Site Development for Regional Economic Development Project

This amendment provides $1.0 million from the general fund for the Commonwealth Opportunity Fund. In addition, language allows the Governor to provide an additional $1.5 million from the Commonwealth Opportunity Fund to assist Botetourt County with site improvements related to the location of a major automotive supplier manufacturer in the Roanoke Valley Region, should the Governor deem it necessary and appropriate.

Increase appropriation for Involuntary Mental Commitment

Increases general fund appropriation to cover the costs for mental health evaluation and care related to the involuntary commitment of indigent persons.

Address increasing caseload in the Early Intervention - Part C program

Provides funds for anticipated caseload growth in the Early Intervention Part - C program. The average growth over the last four years was 4.9 percent. The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires that the state must identify and enroll all eligible children. These funds are supplemented by federal and local funds.

Appropriate Funds from Behavioral Health Trust Fund

This amendment appropriates $750,000 the second year from proceeds from sale of land at state training centers that have been deposited in the Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Trust Fund for one-time capital and transition costs associated with the development of community living options for individuals with intellectual disability who are transitioning from Southwestern Virginia Training Center. The community living options must be located in Virginia within 100 miles of Southwestern Virginia Training Center.

Allow Funding for Prince William ARC to be used for Transportation

This amendment expands the use of one-time funding, added in the 2015 Session, to assist The ARC of Prince William with the transition of residents from Northern Virginia Training Center to the community. The $250,000 was provided to assist with housing and clinical needs. Based on the experience with the intensive needs of the individuals, the higher need for this funding is for specialized vans to transport the individuals. The date of the reporting requirement is also updated.

Transfer of Judicial Vacancy Savings

This amendment provides for the transfer to the general fund of estimated unexpended balances from judicial agencies totaling $400,000 as of June 30, 2016.

Increase appropriation for Involuntary Mental Commitment

Increases general fund appropriation to cover the costs for mental health evaluation and care related to the involuntary commitment of indigent persons.

Legislative Balances

This amendment provides for the transfer to the general fund of estimated unexpended balances from legislative agencies totaling $1,425,264 as of June 30, 2016.

Provide additional funding for Tangier Island Seawall Project

Adjusts the agency's budget to reflect the Commonwealth's share of the Tangier Island Seawall project. The adjustment is based on estimates provided by the Army Corps of Engineers. The Commonwealth's share is $29,000 in the current year.

Capture unused funds at Catawba and Piedmont

Reverses an amendment included in Chapter 665, 2015 Acts of Assembly, that provided general fund dollars to Catawba Hospital and Piedmont Geriatric Facility for the purpose of reclassifying as intermediate care nursing homes, which would have reduced Medicaid reimbursement to those facilities. It has been determined that the facilities cannot meet the criteria for nursing home certification, and the amendment must be reversed to reduce their direct general fund appropriation. A companion amendment is included in the facility program at the Department of Medical Assistance Services to increase the amount of funds available for Medicaid reimbursement of the facilities.

Address revenue shortfall at Hancock Geriatric Treatment Center

Backfills the loss of federal revenues as a result of decertification from the Medicaid program of the facility. These funds will allow the facility to continue to operate 80 geriatric beds, with 20 certified as Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital beds for acute admissions.

Transfer funds to support Hancock Geriatric Treatment Center

Transfers unused Medicaid match from the state facility program at the Department of Medical Assistance Services to the direct general fund appropriation at the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for the operation of Hancock Geriatric Facility. The facility lost Medicaid certification in FY 2016, and the decision to operate the facility as a general fund only facility requires the transfer of unused match to continue the operation of 80 beds in the facility. This amendment is a sum zero transfer between the two agencies.

Support recommendations from Governor's Commission on Military Installations and Defense Activities

Provides funding to support the recommendations of the Governor's Commission on Military Installations and Defense Activities. The recommendations were developed in support of four goals: build collaboration among entities to protect federal facilities and areas for growth in the Commonwealth; promote business, technology, transportation, education, and economic development efforts to support, attract, and retain existing military installations and defense activities in the Commonwealth; support the Commonwealth’s role in research and development related to or arising out of military missions, contracting, and defense activities; and expand collaborative activities related to strategic economic interests including aerospace, cyber-security, modeling and simulation, energy, and unmanned systems.

Technical Language Correction

This amendment clarifies language concerning the disposition of property which was acquired pursuant to the Commonwealth's and localities' efforts to reduce encroachment on certain military bases.

Continue functions of the Federal Health Benefit Exchange

Reduces general fund support and eliminates vacant positions. The commission received $1.2 million general fund support to operate the Federal Health Benefit Exchange authorized in Chapter 670 of the Acts of Assembly of 2013. Language in the Appropriation Act also requires the commission to reimburse the general fund with funds received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which will be exhausted in 2016. The remaining general fund appropriation will support the agency's current employees who review insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act.

Capture debt management savings

Captures projected debt service savings.

Increase appropriation to support Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program

Funds the program's operating expenses. The program, authorized in Chapters 311 and 227 of the Acts of Assembly of 2015, establishes federally tax-advantaged savings accounts to fund qualified disability expenses.

Replace funds that were transferred to fiscal year 2015 to cover deficit in that year

Replaces funds that were transferred to fiscal year 2015 to address unanticipated costs in that year. Funds are needed in the current year to continue baseline operations and avoid layoffs.

Additional Positions for the Council

This amendment increases the maximum employment level of the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council by two full-time equivalent positions in the second year.

Correct central fund distribution for employee health insurance rates

A technical adjustment to correct the health insurance premiums previously charged to Virginia Tech.

Transfer one full-time equivalent position to Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM)

Reflects the transfer of one full-time equivalent to DHRM. The transfer was approved in a decision brief signed in 2015 which authorized VITA to become a client agency of DHRM's Shared Services Center. The position was transferred administratively in 2015.

Provide appropriation for the modernization project

Provides nongeneral fund appropriation for the final phase of the project. The project will transition the agency’s legacy system to the new myVRS Navigator benefit management system, and will be completed in 2018.

Provide funding for administration of the Volunteer Firefighters and Rescue Squad Workers' Service Award Fund

Provides appropriation to reimburse the agency for expenditures incurred from administering the Volunteer Firefighters’ and Rescue Squad Workers’ Service Award Program.

Manufacturing Skills Training Program

This amendment provides $100,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2016 to implement a manufacturing skills training program at the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center to prepare workers to excel at top sectors needed in today's workforce development. These sectors include logistics, healthcare, information technology, and advanced manufacturing and energy. Eligible individuals in this curriculum will be able to obtain the Manufacturing Specialist and/or the Manufacturing Technician 1 credential. The funds will support (i) a manufacturing camp in Summer 2016 for 25 participants, (ii) laboratory machines, (ii) laboratory materials, and (iv) one additional staff person.