Chairwoman Rodriguez,

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Final Permanent Standard (FPS). The Virginia Bankers Association (VBA) serves as the organized voice for Virginia’s $615 billion banking industry and its 42 thousand employees. We appreciate the efforts of the Safety and Health Codes Board on this important issue. With the expiration of the Governor’s pandemic-related Executive Orders, the end of the state of emergency, and the proliferation of COVID-19 vaccines, the VBA supports the repeal of the FPS. Alternatively, if the Board decides that the FPS should remain in place, the VBA supports the proposed amendments as well as the Governor’s substitute language for 16VAC25-220-10(E).

Please free free to contact me if you have any questions at 804-819-4701 or bwhitehurst@vabankers.org.

  Sincerely,

  Bruce T. Whitehurst

  President & CEO