The Virginia Senate voted 38-1 on Friday to approve a bill sponsored in the House by Del. Luke Torian to make it easier for defense contractors to locate in northern Virginia.

House Bill 406 authorizes local governments to establish a zone to provide incentives and regulatory flexibility to defense contractors.

Torian hailed the bill's passage as a success that would bring jobs to northern Virginia. "In Fredericksburg, Prince William, and northern Virginia, we have a lot of defense contractors," Torian said. "This bill will let those companies know that we are serious about having them remain in our community."

Three other bills Torian has co-sponsored in the House targeted at promoting job creation have been sent on to the Senate.

House Bill 216, introduced by Delegate Barbara Comstock (R-Fairfax), provides sales and use tax exemptions for certain computer equipment and enabling software for data centers meeting the level of new jobs required for eligibility.

Prince William County Neabsco District Supervisor John Jenkins praised the passage of both bills. "The success of both House Bill 216 and House Bill 406 are positive developments," Jenkins said. "Both pieces of legislation are supported by Prince William County and would give our economic development team more flexibility when attracting new businesses."

Torian also supported House Bill 841, which allows a business creating permanent, full-time positions to be eligible for both the major business facility job tax credit and the enterprise job creation grants. In addition, Torian supports a bill that originated in the Senate and has now moved to the House for approval. Senate Bill 620 establishes a corporate income tax credit for federal contractors that subcontract with small, minority-owned, veteran-owned, or women-owned businesses.

Torian said the bills will all help promote job growth in Virginia. “My legislative agenda emanates from our community," Torian said. "When all 140 Senators and Delegates go to Richmond we go with the intention of serving the people.”