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ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
- Summaries: Since 1994
Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
2024 SESSION
Chair: L. Louise Lucas
Clerk: G. Conway, Alexander Chapman
Staff: Stephen Kindermann
Date of Meeting: February 27, 2024
Time and Place: 9:30 a.m. Senate Room A, General Assembly Building
Updated to add HB1318 and HB909
Patron: Helmer
Purchase, sale, transfer, etc., of assault firearms and certain ammunition feeding devices prohibited; penalty. Creates a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person who imports, sells, manufactures, purchases, or transfers an assault firearm, as that term is defined in the bill, and prohibits a person who has been convicted of such violation from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm for a period of three years from the date of conviction. The bill provides that an assault firearm does not include any firearm that is an antique firearm, has been rendered permanently inoperable, is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action, or was manufactured before July 1, 2024. The bill also prohibits the sale of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, as that term is defined in the bill. The bill provides that any person who willfully and intentionally (i) sells an assault firearm to another person or (ii) purchases an assault firearm from another person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and that any person who imports, sells, barters, or transfers a large capacity ammunition feeding device is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill also makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person younger than 21 years of age to import, sell, manufacture, purchase, possess, transport, or transfer an assault firearm regardless of the date of manufacture of such assault firearm.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-915.5, 18.2-308.09, 18.2-308.2:1, 18.2-308.2:2, 18.2-308.2:3, 18.2-308.2:5, 18.2-308.7, and 19.2-386.28 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 18.2-287.4:1, 18.2-287.4:2, 18.2-308.1:9, and 18.2-309.1, relating to purchase, possession, sale, transfer, etc., of assault firearms and certain ammunition feeding devices prohibited; penalty.24105958D
Patron: Martinez
Plastic bag tax; distribution to towns. Provides that any town located within a county that has imposed a disposable plastic bag tax shall receive a distribution of revenues collected by the county based on the local sales tax distribution formula for appropriations to towns. The bill requires that towns use such revenues for the same purposes allowable for a county or city.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 58.1-1745 of the Code of Virginia, relating to plastic bag tax; distribution to towns.24100184D
Patron: Ware
Unemployment compensation; employer failure to respond to requests for information; claim determination; notice requirements. Provides that an employer's account shall not be relieved of charges relating to an erroneous payment if the Virginia Employment Commission determines that (i) the employer has failed to respond timely or adequately to a written request for information related to the claim and (ii) the employer has established a pattern of failing to respond timely or adequately to such requests, as described in the bill. The bill requires the Commission to provide written notice for each instance of untimely or inadequate employer response to such requests. The bill provides that upon the Commission's third determination, and for each subsequent determination, within the applicable review period that an employer failed to respond timely or adequately to such a request, the employer shall be considered to have waived all rights in connection with the claim, including participation and appeal rights. The bill requires a deputy examining a claim to provide the reasoning behind the decision, as described in the bill, and a short statement of case-specific facts material to the determination together with any notice of determination upon a claim. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Commission on Unemployment Compensation.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 60.2-528.1 and 60.2-619 of the Code of Virginia, relating to unemployment compensation; employer failure to respond to requests for information; determinations and decisions by deputy.
24106377D
Patron: Reid
Annual retail sales and use tax holiday. Establishes an annual retail sales and use tax holiday that takes place on the first full weekend in August beginning on August 1, 2025. During such weekend, state retail sales and use tax will not apply to certain (i) school supplies, (ii) clothing and footwear, (iii) qualified products designated as Energy Star or WaterSense, (iv) portable generators, or (v) hurricane preparedness equipment.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 6 of Title 58.1 a section numbered 58.1-639.1, relating to annual retail sales and use tax holiday.24100105D
Patron: Torian
Budget Bill. Amends Chapter 2 of the Acts of Assembly of 2022, Special Session I, as amended by Chapter 769 of the Acts of Assembly of 2023, as further amended by Chapter 1 of the Acts of Assembly of 2023, Special Session I,
A BILL to amend and reenact Chapter 2 of the Acts of Assembly of 2022, Special Session I, as amended by Chapter 769 of the Acts of Assembly of 2023, as further amended by Chapter 1 of the Acts of Assembly of 2023, Special Session I, which appropriates the public revenues for two years ending, respectively, on June 30, 2023, and June 30, 2024, and a BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 15.2 a chapter numbered 58.1, consisting of sections numbered 15.2-5824 through 15.2-5842.24104095D
Patron: Torian
Budget Bill. Provides for all appropriations of the Budget submitted by the Governor of Virginia in accordance with the provisions of § 2.2-1509 of the Code of Virginia, and provides a portion of revenues for the two years ending respectively on the thirtieth day of June 2025 and the thirtieth day of June 2026.
A BILL for all appropriations of the Budget submitted by the Governor of Virginia in accordance with the provisions of § 2.2-1509, Code of Virginia, and to provide a portion of the revenues for the two years ending respectively on the thirtieth day of June, 2025, and the thirtieth day of June, 2026, and a BILL to amend the first enactment of 2019 Acts of Assembly, Chapter 808; amend and reenact §§ 33.2-1524, 58.1-602, 58.1-603, 58.1-604, and 58.1-638 of the Code of Virginia, as they are currently effective and as they may become effective; and to amend and reenact §§ 58.1-320, 58.1-339.8, 58.1-439.26, 58.1-609.5, 58.1-609.11, 58.1-612, 58.1-623, 58.1-648, and 58.1-1802.1 of the Code of Virginia.24104112D
Patron: Seibold
Child labor offenses; civil penalties. Increases from $10,000 to $25,000 the civil penalty for each violation of child labor laws that results in the employment of a child who is seriously injured or dies in the course of employment. The bill also increases from $1,000 to $2,500 the civil penalty for each other violation of child labor laws and provides that such civil penalty shall not be less than $500. The bill directs the Department of Labor and Industry to convene a stakeholder work group to develop education and outreach plans to inform young workers and employers about child labor laws.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 40.1-113 of the Code of Virginia, relating to child labor offenses; civil penalties.24105120D
Patron: Watts
Special justices and independent evaluator fees; emergency custody and voluntary and involuntary civil admissions. Increases the fee that a special justice receives for presiding over emergency custody and voluntary and involuntary civil admissions from $86.25 to $120 for each commitment hearing and from $43.25 to $70 for each certification hearing. The bill also increases the fee that an independent evaluator receives if required to serve as a witness or an interpreter from $75 to $120 for each commitment hearing and from $43.25 to $70 for each certification hearing.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 37.2-804 of the Code of Virginia, relating to special justices and independent evaluator fees; emergency custody and voluntary and involuntary civil admissions.24101208D
Patron: Helmer
Department of Energy; building standards for certain local buildings. Requires the Department of Energy, upon request, to provide technical assistance to localities, subject to available budgetary resources, as localities implement mandates related to onsite renewable energy generation, energy storage, and resilience standards for construction or renovation of certain public buildings. The bill also makes several technical and clarifying changes to the existing statute, in part by defining or redefining existing terms found in the statute.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 15.2-1804.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Energy; building standards for certain local buildings.24105608D
Patron: Green
Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund; claims. Provides that in claims for an award under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund involving claims of sexual abuse of a minor, the passage of time shall not be a barrier to when the victim can file a claim. Under current law, such claim involving sexual abuse of a minor shall be filed within 10 years after the minor's eighteenth birthday.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 19.2-368.5 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund; claims.24105661D
Patron: Watts
Emissions inspections; fees; agreement for services and service charge fees. Increases from $3,500 to $5,000 the amount the emissions inspection program coordinator may be paid per year from each motor vehicle emissions inspection station for the provision and maintenance of each set of required equipment. The bill also increases the maximum charge for an emissions inspection from $28 to $30 and allows emissions inspection stations and on-road emissions inspectors to charge a credit card service charge that does not exceed three percent of the emissions inspection fee and that is not included in the maximum amount that may be charged for the emissions inspection fee.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-1177.1 and 46.2-1182 of the Code of Virginia, relating to emissions inspections; fees; agreement for services and service charge fees.24106136D
Patron: Bulova
Virginia Public Procurement Act; competitive negotiation; exceptions to contractual terms and conditions of the Request for Proposal. Removes the prohibition on a public body from requiring an offeror to state in a proposal any exception to any liability provisions contained in a Request for Proposal for information technology. The bill also requires an offeror to state any exception to any contractual terms or conditions in writing at the time of responding to such Request for Proposal, if so requested by the public body, which exception shall be considered during negotiations, but prohibits the public body from basing the scoring or evaluation on such exceptions when selecting offerors for negotiations. Current law only prohibits a public body from requiring an offeror to state in a proposal any exception to the liability provisions of the Request for Proposal. As introduced, the bill is a recommendation from the Public Body Procurement Work Group.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4302.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Public Procurement Act; competitive negotiation; exceptions to contractual terms.24103180D
Patron: Simonds
Nonjudicial sale of tax delinquent real properties; unimproved properties within urban redevelopment or revitalization zone. Allows the nonjudicial sale of tax delinquent property when such property is (i) unimproved, (ii) one-half acre or less in size, and (iii) located within a designated urban redevelopment or revitalization zone.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 58.1-3975 of the Code of Virginia, relating to nonjudicial sale of tax delinquent real properties; unimproved properties within urban redevelopment or revitalization zone.24103546D
Patron: McNamara
Income tax; rolling conformity. Provides that when Virginia does not conform on a rolling basis to federal tax laws due to any changes in a single act of Congress with an impact of more than $15 million on revenues in the year in which the amendment was enacted or any of the next four years, such nonconformity shall not be considered for purposes of calculating the nonconformity threshold for all amendments in a year with a cumulative projected impact of more than $75 million in the year in which the amendments were enacted or any of the next four years.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 58.1-301 of the Code of Virginia, relating to income tax; rolling conformity.24101430D
Patron: McQuinn
Uniform Statewide Building Code; bus shelters. Exempts plans and specifications for bus shelters that do not exceed 256 square feet that are to be constructed for transit agencies receiving state money and that will be constructed on state-owned property from the Department of General Services' review and inspection process required by the Uniform Statewide Building Code.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 36-98.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Uniform Statewide Building Code; bus shelters.24101088D
Patron: Ballard
Appointment of counsel; public defenders; caseload exception. Exempts the public defender, in counties and cities where public defender offices are established, from providing defense services for indigent clients if the public defender, with the concurrence of the executive director of the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission or his designee, determines that the public defender's current active caseload would preclude the public defender from providing adequate representation to new clients.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 19.2-159 and 19.2-163.4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to appointment of counsel; public defenders; caseload exception.24100774D
Patron: Hope
Maximum number of judges in each judicial district and circuit. Increases by one the maximum number of authorized juvenile and domestic relations district court judges in the Twentieth and Thirty-first Judicial Districts. The bill also increases by one the maximum number of authorized circuit court judges in the First, Ninth, Fifteenth, and Twenty-fifth Judicial Circuits. This bill is a recommendation of the Committee on District Courts and the Judicial Council of Virginia. This bill incorporates HB 154 and HB 717.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 16.1-69.6:1 and 17.1-507 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the maximum number of judges in each judicial district and circuit.24107130D
Patron: Thomas
Motor vehicle sales and use tax; exemptions; transfers; limited liability companies. Provides that no motor vehicle sales and use tax shall be imposed on vehicle transfers from (i) an individual, partnership, or limited liability company to a corporation or limited liability company or (ii) from a corporation or limited liability company to an individual, partnership, or limited liability company if (a) the transfer is incidental to the formation, organization, or dissolution of a corporation or limited liability company in which the individual, partnership, or limited liability company holds the majority interest in both entities and (b) the transfer to a limited liability company is not a precursor to a transfer of control of the assets of the company to avoid motor vehicle sales and use taxes.
Under current law, transfers from (1) an individual or partnership to a corporation or limited liability company or (2) from a corporation or limited liability company to an individual or partnership are exempt from the motor vehicle sales and use tax if the transfer is incidental to the formation, organization, or dissolution of a corporation or limited liability company in which the individual or partnership holds the majority interest.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 58.1-2403 of the Code of Virginia, relating to motor vehicle sales and use tax; exemptions; transfers; limited liability companies.24102679D
Patron: Simonds
Superintendent of Public Instruction; duties; fixed and actual school staffing ratios. Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to biennially calculate, compare, and report to the Board of Education and the General Assembly the differences between the fixed staffing ratios in the Standards of Quality funding formula and the actual staffing ratios in local school divisions in the Commonwealth so that such fixed staffing ratios can be regularly adjusted as needed to more closely approximate such actual staffing ratios.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-23 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Superintendent of Public Instruction; duties; fixed and actual school staffing ratios.24100395D
Patron: Reid
Institutions of higher education; tuition grants; Virginia National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program. Makes several changes to the Virginia National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program, including (i) making the provisions relating to the requirements and conditions for eligibility for and award of grants under the Program subject to regulations as prescribed by the Adjutant General, (ii) eliminating the requirement to satisfy financial obligations with the institution of higher education at the beginning of each semester, (iii) simplifying the requirements relating to academic performance and good standing, and (iv) providing that upon acceptance, grant funds shall be disbursed to the applicable institution of higher education for credit against the recipient's student account.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-610 of the Code of Virginia, relating to institutions of higher education; tuition grants; Virginia National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program.24104415D
Patron: Hernandez
Child Care Subsidy Program; categorical eligibility for certain families. Provides that any family that receives public assistance through Medicaid or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children shall be deemed to categorically satisfy income eligibility requirements to receive assistance through the Child Care Subsidy Program.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 14.1 of Title 22.1 a section numbered 22.1-289.08:2, relating to Child Care Subsidy Program; categorical eligibility for certain families.24104498D
Patron: Convirs-Fowler
Land records; recording and indexing fees. Provides that no clerk of a circuit court shall assess separate recording and indexing fees for one document that contains two or more instruments that may serve independent legal purposes, including a record of a mortgage as a financing statement, unless the person presenting such document or instruments requests that such document or instruments be recorded and indexed in more than a single instance. The bill also provides that no recordation tax shall be required of a quitclaim deed between a grantor and grantee when no consideration has passed between the parties, provided that such quitclaim deed shows on its face that no consideration has passed.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 8.9A-502, 17.1-275, and 58.1-811, as it is currently effective and as it may become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to land records; recording and indexing fees.24102630D
Patron: Runion
Retail sales and use tax; exemptions for nonprofit entities. Increases from $1 million to $1.5 million the minimum threshold for gross revenue of a nonprofit entity that allows the Department of Taxation to require such entity to provide a financial audit before receiving a federal income tax exemption.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 58.1-609.11 of the Code of Virginia, relating to retail sales and use tax; exemptions for nonprofit entities.24103578D
Patron: Garrett
Waste tire disposal by tire producers and haulers; fee; requirements. Requires a hauler, as defined in the bill, to (i) register with the Department of Environmental Quality and (ii) transfer all waste tires to a transfer station, material recovery facility, landfill with a solid waste permit as required by law, or waste tire end user. The bill expands the purpose of the Waste Tire Trust Fund to include paying the costs of implementing the waste tire disposal requirements of haulers and funding research, studies, and demonstration projects that stimulate the growth of existing and emerging markets for waste tires. The bill also increases the tire recycling fee from $0.50 to $2 beginning July 1, 2024, and directs the Waste Management Board to adopt regulations to implement the provisions of the bill.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 10.1-1414, 10.1-1418.2, 10.1-1422.3, and 58.1-641 of the Code of Virginia, relating to waste tire disposal by producers and haulers; fee; requirements.24106992D
Patron: Krizek
Charitable gaming. Amends charitable gaming law to allow, as a condition of receiving a charitable gaming permit or authorization to conduct electronic gaming, certain organizations to use a predetermined percentage of its receipts for expenses related to the rental of real property where such real property is involved in the operation of the organization and used for lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational purposes. The bill (i) prohibits the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services from promulgating electronic gaming regulations that prohibit (a) devices that display spinning, rotating, or rolling reels or animations or flashing lights; (b) devices that accept vouchers; or (c) the purchase and play of an electronic pull tab with a single press or touch of a button. The bill also requires qualified organizations and electronic gaming manufacturers to pay one-quarter of one percent of its gross receipts or adjusted gross receipts, as appropriate, to be deposited by the Department into the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-340.16, 18.2-340.19, and 18.2-340.31 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-340.31:1, relating to charitable gaming.24106735D
Patron: Krizek
Solicitation of contributions; registration of charitable organization; fees. Reduces fees for the registration of charitable organizations that intend to solicit contributions within the Commonwealth. The bill also contains technical amendments.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 57-49 of the Code of Virginia, relating to solicitation of contributions; registration of charitable organization; fees.24102305D
Patron: Krizek
Charitable Sports Raffle Act established; penalties. Establishes the Charitable Sports Raffles Act for the purpose of authorizing athletic event drawings, defined in the bill, to be conducted by affiliated nonprofit organizations that conduct such drawings in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The bill places limits on when and where an athletic event drawing may be held and requires the prize amount of any such drawing to be 50 percent of the total amount collected from the sale of the tickets. The bill requires the organization to donate a certain percentage of the remaining funds in accordance with Department regulations and imposes certain civil and criminal penalties for violations of the provisions of the bill.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 57 a chapter numbered 6, consisting of sections numbered 57-70 through 57-73, relating to Charitable Sports Raffle Act established; penalties.24100941D
Patron: Hernandez
Constitutional amendment (voter referendum); real property tax exemption; surviving spouses of soldiers who died in the line of duty. Provides for a referendum at the November 5, 2024, election to approve or reject an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia that would expand the real property tax exemption that is currently available to the surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action to be available to the surviving spouses of soldiers who died in the line of duty with a Line of Duty determination from the U.S. Department of Defense.
A BILL to provide for the submission to the voters of a proposed amendment to Section 6-A of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to real property tax exemption; surviving spouses of soldiers who died in the line of duty.24104020D
Patron: Hayes
Regulation of electronic gaming devices; penalties. Authorizes and specifies the licensing requirements for the manufacture, distribution, operation, hosting, and playing of electronic gaming devices, as defined in the bill, under the regulatory authority of the Virginia Lottery Board. The bill imposes a 30 percent tax on all gross profits from the play of such electronic gaming devices and provides for the use of such tax proceeds. The bill also imposes criminal and civil penalties for violations of the law and regulations related to electronic gaming devices.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3711, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 18.2-325, 18.2-334, 19.2-389, 37.2-314.2, 58.1-4002, 58.1-4003, 58.1-4006, 58.1-4007, 58.1-4015.1, 58.1-4048, and 58.1-4103 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 3 of Title 11 a section numbered 11-16.3, by adding a section numbered 18.2-334.7, and by adding in Title 58.1 a chapter numbered 42, containing articles numbered 1 through 5, consisting of sections numbered 58.1-4200 through 58.1-4225, relating to regulation of electronic gaming devices; penalties.24106922D
Patron: Sickles
Commonwealth Health Reinsurance Program; payment parameters. Requires the State Corporation Commission, in setting the payment parameters for the upcoming benefits year, to set such payment parameters at levels designed to achieve the premium reduction target established in the general appropriation act or, if such target is not established in the general appropriation act, the premium reduction target of the previous benefit year.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 38.2-6602 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Commonwealth Health Reinsurance Program; payment parameters.24100508D
Patron: Price
Fines, costs, forfeitures, penalties, and restitution; collection fees; assessment against incarcerated defendant; deferred payment agreement. Extends from 90 days without payment to 180 days without payment the period of delinquency necessary for an account to be included on the required monthly report of delinquent accounts made by the clerk of the circuit court and district court.
The bill also provides that for any defendant sentenced to an active term of incarceration and ordered to pay any fine, cost, forfeiture, or penalty related to the charge that such defendant is incarcerated for, or any other charge for which such defendant was sentenced on the same day, the court shall enter such defendant into a deferred payment agreement for such fines, costs, forfeitures, or penalties. The bill requires the due date for such deferred payment agreement to be set no earlier than the defendant's scheduled release from incarceration on the charge for which such defendant received the longest period of active incarceration. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2025.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 19.2-349 and 19.2-354 of the Code of Virginia, relating to fines, costs, forfeitures, penalties, and restitution; collection fees; assessment against incarcerated defendant; deferred payment agreement.24104752D
Patron: Price
Community service work in lieu of payment of fines and costs; work performed while incarcerated. Requires a court to establish a program and allow any person upon whom a fine and costs have been imposed to discharge all or part of the fine or costs by earning credits for the performance of community service work or work performed while incarcerated, defined in the bill as any work done on or after July 1, 2020, by a person confined in any penal or corrective institution of the Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions who is paid a wage that is less than the Virginia minimum wage.
The bill requires such program be available during imprisonment in a local, regional, or state correctional facility. The bill provides that a person who is performing work while incarcerated shall be credited at the same rate as the community service work rate less any wages received. Under current law, a court is required to establish a program for providing an option for community service work in lieu of payment of fines and costs but offering such option is not mandatory. The bill also requires the local, regional, or state correctional facility to provide confirmation of the hours worked and the credits earned for such work upon request of any person who has performed work while incarcerated or his representative.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 19.2-354 of the Code of Virginia, relating to community service work in lieu of payment of fines and costs; work performed while incarcerated.24104471D
Patron: Leftwich
Department of Human Resource Management; recruitment policy; direct work experience. Requires the Department of Human Resource Management to develop a statewide recruitment policy designed to provide guidance to state agencies on how to remove postsecondary degree requirements from hiring considerations and recruit qualified employees utilizing appropriate baseline requirements, the specifics of which are outlined in the bill.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-1201 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 12 of Title 2.2 a section numbered 2.2-1214, relating to Department of Human Resource Management; recruitment policy; direct work experience.24102586D
Patron: Krizek
Cannabis control; retail market; penalties. Establishes a framework for the creation of a retail marijuana market in the Commonwealth, to be administered by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (the Authority). The bill allows the Authority to begin issuing all marijuana licenses on July 1, 2025; however, the bill (i) allows certain micro business to begin operations, other than retail sales, on July 1, 2024, or the date on which the Board of Directors of the Authority (the Board) provides notice to the Division of Legislative Services (the Division) that it is prepared to provide oversight of such operations, whichever is later, and (ii) allows pharmaceutical processors, certain micro businesses, and five industrial hemp processors to fully operate, including engaging in retail sales, on January 1, 2025, or the date on which the Board provides notice to the Division that it is prepared to provide oversight of such operations and sales, whichever is later.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 4.1-600, 4.1-601, 4.1-603, 4.1-604, 4.1-606, 4.1-610, 4.1-611, 4.1-619, 4.1-621, 4.1-1105.1, and 4.1-1602 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 6 of Title 4.1 a section numbered 4.1-629, by adding in Chapter 7 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-700 through 4.1-704, by adding in Chapter 10 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1003 through 4.1-1007, by adding in Chapter 11 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1104, 4.1-1106, and 4.1-1122, by adding in Chapter 12 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1200, 4.1-1202, 4.1-1206, and 4.1-1207, by adding in Chapter 13 of Title 4.1 a section numbered 4.1-1307, by adding in Chapter 14 of Title 4.1 sections numbered 4.1-1403, 4.1-1404, and 4.1-1405, and by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 1 of Title 6.2 a section numbered 6.2-108, relating to cannabis control; retail market; penalties.24107122D
Patron: Torian
Bonds for public institutions of higher learning; emergency. Authorizes issuance of bonds in an amount up to $124,285,000 for revenue-producing capital projects at James Madison University, Virginia State University, and The College of William and Mary in Virginia. The bill contains an emergency clause.
A BILL to authorize the issuance of bonds, in an amount up to $124,285,000 plus financing costs, pursuant to Article X, Section 9 (c) of the Constitution of Virginia, for paying costs of acquiring, constructing and equipping revenue-producing capital projects at institutions of higher learning of the Commonwealth; to authorize the Treasury Board, by and with the consent of the Governor, to fix the details of such bonds, to provide for the sale of such bonds, and to issue notes to borrow money in anticipation of the issuance of the bonds; to provide for the pledge of the net revenues of such capital projects and the full faith, credit and taxing power of the Commonwealth for the payment of such bonds; to provide that the interest income on such bonds and notes shall be exempt from all taxation by the Commonwealth and any political subdivision thereof; emergency.24102811D
EMERGENCY
Patron: Delaney
Multi-jurisdiction grand jury; elder abuse crimes. Adds the following to the list of crimes that a multi-jurisdiction grand jury may investigate: (i) financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult, (ii) financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult by an agent, and (iii) abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult. This bill is a recommendation of the Virginia Criminal Justice Conference.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 19.2-215.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to multi-jurisdiction grand jury; elder abuse crimes.24102980D
Patron: Herring
Tax exempt property; energy storage systems. Clarifies the tax treatment of energy storage systems. The bill strikes language that overrides the provision requiring the amount of tax exemption for energy storage systems to be 100 percent if the taxing locality has implemented a revenue share for such systems.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 58.1-3660 of the Code of Virginia, relating to tax exempt property; energy storage systems.24102673D
Patron: Hope
Administrative Process Act; exemptions; limitations; appeals of case decisions regarding benefits sought. Provides that in appeals of case decisions regarding the grant or denial of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, general relief, auxiliary grants, or state-local hospitalization, the review shall be based upon the agency record and the court may enter intermediate relief. The bill also provides that in such appeals, unless an error of law appears, the court shall enter judgment by dismissing the review action or affirming the agency regulation or decision.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4025 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Administrative Process Act; exemptions; limitations; appeals of case decisions regarding benefits sought.24104527D
Patron: Hope
Purchase, possession, and sale of retail tobacco products; retail tobacco products and liquid nicotine tax; penalties. Prohibits Internet sales of liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor products, except to a retail dealer, and prohibits the sale of retail tobacco products from vending machines. The bill updates, for the purpose of the crime of selling or distributing tobacco products to a person younger than 21 years of age, the definition of "retail tobacco products" by including in such definition products currently defined as "nicotine vapor products" or "alternative nicotine vapor products." The bill also removes provisions prohibiting the attempt to purchase, the purchase, or the possession of tobacco products by persons younger than 21 years of age.
The bill provides that the punishment of a retail establishment that sells, gives, or furnishes a tobacco product to a person younger than 21 years of age or to a person who does not demonstrate that such person is at least 21 years of age is (i) a civil penalty of $1,000 for a first offense, (ii) a civil penalty of $5,000 for a second offense and a 30 day suspension of such establishment's distributor's license, and (iii) a civil penalty of $10,000, revocation of such license, and such distributor shall be ineligible to hold a license for a period of three years following the most recent violation. Under current law, such penalties apply only to the sale, distribution, or purchase of a bidi and do not require a suspension or revocation of the establishment's distributor's license, while violations involving all other products are punishable by a civil penalty of $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense, and $500 for a third or subsequent offense. The bill also removes the exception allowing the sale, giving, or furnishing of any tobacco product, nicotine vapor product, or alternative nicotine vapor product to active-duty military personnel who are 18 years of age or older. The bill requires the Department, in collaboration with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority and local law enforcement, to conduct a compliance check every 24 months on any retailer selling retail tobacco products and to use a person younger than 21 years of age to conduct such checks.
The bill also imposes a tax upon liquid nicotine in closed systems, as defined in the bill, at the rate of $0.066 per milliliter and upon liquid nicotine in open systems, as defined in the bill, at the rate of 20 percent of the wholesale price. The bill applies licensing requirements to manufacturers, distributors, and retail dealers of liquid nicotine and creates new safety requirements related to the advertising, marketing, and labeling of liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor products. The provisions of the bill shall not become effective unless reenacted by the 2025 Session of the General Assembly.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-246.8, 18.2-371.2, 22.1-79.5, 22.1-206, 22.1-279.6, 58.1-1021.01, 58.1-1021.02, 58.1-1021.04:1, 58.1-1021.04:5, 59.1-293.10, and 59.1-293.11 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2.1 of Chapter 10 of Title 58.1 sections numbered 58.1-1021.06 through 58.1-1021.09 and by adding in Chapter 23.2 of Title 59.1 sections numbered 59.1-293.12, 59.1-293.13, and 59.1-293.14, relating to purchase, possession, and sale of retail tobacco products; retail tobacco products and liquid nicotine tax; penalties.
24107284D
Patron: Cousins
Rate of fees; legal representation of indigent defendant. Limits the fees charged for the cost of court-appointed counsel or public defender representation to persons determined to be indigent to an amount no greater than the amount such person would have owed if such fees had been assessed on or before June 30, 2024.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 19.2-163 and 19.2-163.4:1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to rate of fees; legal representation of indigent defendant.
24107595D
Patron: Hernandez
Fines and costs; period of limitations on collection. Changes the period of limitations for the collection of court fines and costs from within 60 years from the date of the offense or delinquency giving rise to imposition of such penalty if imposed by a circuit court or within 30 years if imposed by a general district court to within 10 years from the date of the judgment whether imposed by a circuit court or general district court. The bill provides that upon the expiration of the period of limitations, the fines imposed and costs taxed are extinguished, there shall be no right to collect the debt, and the period of limitations shall not be extended.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 19.2-340, 19.2-341, and 19.2-354 of the Code of Virginia, relating to fines and costs; period of limitations on collection.24106938D
Patron: Watts
Vehicle exhaust systems; inspection and administrative fee. Prohibits passenger car exhaust systems from emitting noise in excess of 95 decibels in Planning District 8 on any highway; driveway or premises of a church, school, recreational facility, or business; any governmental property open to the public; any industrial establishment providing parking space for customers, patrons, or employees; and any highway under construction or not yet open to the public.
The bill allows, in Planning District 8, a law-enforcement officer to stop a passenger car he determines is emitting exhaust system noise in excess of such limit and issue a notice of an administrative fee of $250 to be assessed at the time of the vehicle's next registration renewal and establishes a process for inspecting such vehicle.
The bill has a contingent effective date of January 1, 2025, provided that the Department of Environmental Quality has received the necessary funding to supply the necessary equipment for such vehicle exhaust system inspections to inspection stations. The bill sunsets on July 1, 2027.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-1049.1, relating to vehicle exhaust systems; inspection and administrative fee.24105951D
Patron: Hernandez
Deferred or installment payment agreements; certain benefits. Provides that, if a defendant’s sole financial resource is a Social Security benefit or Supplemental Security Income the defendant shall be exempt from making payment on a payment agreement at least until such time that the defendant has a resource other than a Social Security benefit or Supplemental Security Income. The bill further provides that, if the defendant informs the court that their sole financial resource is a Social Security benefit or Supplemental Security Income, the case shall not be referred to collections and directs the court to include in their payment plan policies that, where the court is informed that the defendant receives a Social Security benefit or Supplemental Security Income, no payment towards fines and costs shall be taken from that exempt resource. Finally, the substitute provides that no Social Security benefit or Supplemental Security Income shall be considered an available resource in determining the length of time to pay under an installment payment agreement and the amount of the payments, if any.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 19.2-354.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to deferred or installment payment agreements; certain benefits; maximum amounts to be paid.24106272D
Patron: Shin
Department of Medical Assistance Services; Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services Medicaid Waivers; state plan amendments; program rule modifications. Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to seek federal authority through the necessary state plan amendments under Titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to modify the program rules for certain 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services Medicaid Waivers to (i) modify the 40-hour-per-week work limit to allow legally responsible individuals with more than one waiver-receiving child to receive reimbursement for 40 hours of work per week per child receiving a waiver; (ii) eliminate the requirement that, in order for a legally responsible individual to receive reimbursement for personal care services, no one else be available to provide services to the member; and (iii) modify the program rules to allow a legally responsible individual or stepparent to be the employer of record.
A BILL to direct the Department of Medical Assistance Services and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to submit state plan amendments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to seek to modify the program rules for certain 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services Medicaid Waivers.24107401D
Patron: LeVere Bolling
Unemployment insurance; benefit eligibility conditions; lockout exception to labor dispute disqualification. Amends the Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act's labor dispute disqualification to provide that a lockout by an employer shall not constitute a labor dispute and that locked-out employees who are otherwise eligible for benefits shall receive such benefits unless (i) the recognized or certified collective bargaining representative of the locked-out employees refuses to meet under reasonable conditions with the employer to discuss the issues giving rise to the lockout, (ii) there is a final adjudication under the federal National Labor Relations Act that such representative has refused to bargain in good faith with the employer, or (iii) the lockout is the direct result of such representative's violation of an existing collective bargaining agreement.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 60.2-612 of the Code of Virginia, relating to unemployment insurance; benefit eligibility conditions; lockout exception to labor dispute disqualification.24103282D
Patron: Lopez
Historic rehabilitation tax credit; maximum amount of tax credit. Increases from $5 million to $10 million the maximum amount of the historic rehabilitation tax credit, including amounts carried over from prior taxable years, that may be claimed by a taxpayer in any taxable year beginning in taxable year 2024. Beginning July 1, 2024, the aggregate amount of credits available shall not exceed $75 million per fiscal year.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 58.1-339.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to historic rehabilitation tax credit; maximum amount of tax credit.24101549D
Patron: Tran
Elections administration; duties of the Department of Elections; required election and voter participation information on the Internet. Requires the Department of Elections to provide information for voters on its website, including (i) the role of and contact information for the State Board of Elections, the Department of Elections, local electoral boards, and general registrars and (ii) information about absentee voting, polling hours, Virginia's voter identification requirements and acceptable forms of identification, the casting of ballots, and a means for voters to find their polling place. The bill requires such website to allow a voter to review his current voter registration information and voting history. The bill also requires that the Department provide a version of its website in which all parts are translated into any language that is spoken by a language minority group, including that any page linked to a translated page also be translated.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-105.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elections administration; duties of Department of Elections; required election and voter participation information on the Internet.24100784D
Patron: Wilt
Public defender offices; City of Harrisonburg and County of Rockingham. Establishes a public defender office for the City of Harrisonburg and the County of Rockingham.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 19.2-163.04 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public defender offices; City of Harrisonburg and County of Rockingham.24100864D
Patron: Willett
Liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor products; certification and directory; penalties. Requires every manufacturer of liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor products that are sold for retail sale in the Commonwealth to certify to the Attorney General that (i) the manufacturer has received a marketing authorization or similar order for the liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor product from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or (ii) (a) the liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor product was marketed in the United States as of August 8, 2016, or (b) the manufacturer submitted a premarket tobacco product application for the liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor product to the FDA on or before September 9, 2020, and such application either remains under review by the FDA or a final decision on the application has not otherwise taken effect. The bill requires a manufacturer to submit such a form for each liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor product that such manufacturer sells for retail sale in the Commonwealth. Under the bill, any manufacturer that falsely represents any of the information required by the certification requirement is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor for each false representation.
The bill requires the Attorney General to establish and maintain a directory that lists all liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor product manufacturers and liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor products for which current and accurate certification forms have been submitted. The bill requires the Attorney General to remove or exclude from such directory any such product that is not in compliance and to notify the manufacturer of such noncompliance. The bill allows a 10-business-day period for a manufacturer to establish compliance. The bill requires that any such products that are removed from the list be sold or removed from retail sale within 30 days or become subject to seizure and requires a manufacturer, wholesaler, or retail dealer to notify each purchaser of a removed product that it has been removed from the directory at the time of delivery of such product. The bill entitles such a purchaser to a refund of the purchase price and creates a cause of action to recover such refund.
The bill prohibits the sale, distribution, importation, or offer for sale of any liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor product that is not listed in the directory. The bill provides for a civil penalty of $1,000 per day for each product offered for sale in violation of the bill's provisions until the offending product is removed from the market or until the offending product is properly listed on the directory.
The bill requires any person that receives, stores, sells, handles, or transports liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor products to preserve all records relating to the purchase, sale, exchange, receipt, or transportation of all liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor products for a period of three years. The bill provides that all such records are subject to audit or inspection at any time by any duly authorized representative of the Attorney General. Any person who violates the recordkeeping provisions of the bill is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Additionally, the bill provides that the Department of Taxation, the Attorney General, any other law-enforcement agency of the Commonwealth, or any federal law-enforcement agency conducting a criminal investigation involving the trafficking of liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor products may access at any time such records. The bill requires the Department of Taxation to impose a penalty of $1,000 for each day that a person fails or refuses to allow or cooperate with an audit, inspection, or investigation of such records.
The bill authorizes the Attorney General and, with the concurrence of the Attorney General, any attorney for the Commonwealth, or the attorney for any city, county, or town to cause an action to enjoin any violation of the provisions of the bill. The circuit courts are authorized by the bill to (i) issue temporary or permanent injunctions to restrain and prevent violations of the provisions of the bill and (ii) order forfeiture on any property seized for such a violation. The bill authorizes the Attorney General to issue a civil investigative demand.
Under the bill, any retailer and wholesaler that sells or distributes any liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor product in the Commonwealth is subject to scheduled or unscheduled compliance checks carried out by the Attorney General, or an agent thereof, for enforcement purposes.
The bill requires the Attorney General to provide an annual report to the General Assembly regarding the status of the directory, manufacturers and products included in the directory, and revenues and expenditures related to and enforcement activities undertaken pursuant to the requirements of the bill.
Finally, the bill makes a violation of its provisions a prohibited practice under the Consumer Protection Act. The provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2025 Session of the General Assembly.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 59.1-200 and 59.1-293.10 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 23.2 of Title 59.1 sections numbered 59.1-293.12 through 59.1-293.19, relating to liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor products; certification and directory; penalties.24107170D
Patron: Morefield
Southwest Regional Recreation Authority; powers. Provides for the Attorney General to provide legal services in civil matters upon the request of the executive director or board of directors of the Authority. The bill also provides for the board of the Authority to adopt policies for the procurement of goods and services and requires such policies to incorporate certain provisions of the Virginia Public Procurement Act. In addition, the bill (i) makes the provisions of the Virginia Personnel Act and the policies of the Department of Human Resource Management applicable to employees of the Authority, (ii) authorizes the Director of the Department of General Services to lease vehicles and construction and forestry equipment to the Authority, and (iii) authorizes the Commissioner of Highways to lease construction or forestry vehicles to the Authority.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-507, 2.2-1176, and 15.2-6019 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 15.2-6019.1, 15.2-6020.1, and 15.2-6020.2 relating to the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority; powers.24104368D
Patron: Coyner
Office of Education Economics; administration of the Virginia Education and Workforce Longitudinal Data System; report. Renames the Virginia Longitudinal Data System as the Virginia Education and Workforce Longitudinal Data System (the System), shifts the duty to administer the System from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to the Office of Education Economics (the Office) of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, and establishes several duties for the Office relating to the administration of the System, including collaborating with the Office of Data Governance and Analytics, developing a strategic plan, overseeing compliance regarding the protection of data shared with the System, and establishing the research agenda for the System. The bill requires the Virginia Information Technologies Agency to provide technical assistance to the Office relating to the administration of the System.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2011, 2.2-2036, 2.2-2041, 2.2-2238, 23.1-203, and 46.2-209 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-2238.2, relating to the Office of Education Economics; administration of the Virginia Education and Workforce Longitudinal Data System; report.24106598D
Patron: Coyner
Department of Education and Virginia Community College System; College and Career Ready Virginia Program and Fund established. Establishes the College and Career Ready Virginia Fund and requires the Department of Education and the Virginia Community College System to establish the College and Career Ready Virginia Program whereby each school board is required to offer each qualified high school student in the local school division access at the high school to the dual enrollment courses that are sufficient to complete the Passport Program and the former Uniform Certificate of General Studies Program, renamed in the bill as the Passport Plus Program, at a public institution of higher education at no cost to such students, beginning with course registrations for the fall term of the 2025 academic year. The bill establishes several enumerated duties for the Department and the System in the administration of the College and Career Ready Virginia Program, including the establishment of a work group to make recommendations no later than November 1, 2024, on the incorporation of a career and technical education program of coursework into the College and Career Ready Virginia Program.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 22.1-1, 22.1-206.3, and 22.1-253.13:1, as they shall become effective, 23.1-100, 23.1-203, 23.1-905.1, 23.1-907, 23.1-908, 23.1-2904, and 23.1-3137 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 13 of Title 22.1 an article numbered 5.1, consisting of sections numbered 22.1-237.1 through 22.1-237.5, relating to Department of Education and Virginia Community College System; College and Career Ready Virginia Program and Fund established.24106872D
Patron: Kilgore
Heated tobacco; taxation. Redefines "cigarette" for state cigarette tax purposes to include any product containing nicotine that is intended to be burned or heated under ordinary conditions of use. Under current law, heated tobacco products are distinct from cigarettes for the purpose of taxation. The bill also subjects such cigarettes intended to be heated to an excise tax of 2.25 cents per cigarette on and after July 1, 2021. Under current law, heated tobacco products are subject to the tobacco products tax at such rate.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 58.1-1000 and 58.1-1001 of the Code of Virginia, relating to heated tobacco; taxation.24107579D
Patron: Carr
Casino gaming; eligible host city. Removes the City of Richmond as an eligible host city for casino gaming establishments in the Commonwealth.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 58.1-4107 of the Code of Virginia, relating to casino gaming; eligible host city.24101939D
Patron: Sickles
Voter registration; list maintenance; data sharing; requiring membership in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC). Requires the Commissioner of Elections to apply for, enter into, and maintain membership for the Commonwealth in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC).
A BILL to require the Commonwealth's participation in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC).24100506D
Patron: Thomas
Board for Contractors; offering or approving exams; language counterparts. Provides that any exam offered by the Board for Contractors that averaged over 50 administrations per year over the preceding four-year period shall be made available in any language that meets the threshold for having election materials printed in that language pursuant to the federal Voting Rights Act.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-1133 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Board for Contractors; offering or approving exams; language counterparts.24106885D
Patron: Hayes
Joint Commission on Technology and Science; staff; authority to appoint employ, and remove. Authorizes the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) to appoint, employ, and remove an executive director and such other persons as it deems necessary and determine their duties and fix their salaries or compensation within the amounts appropriated therefor. The bill removes the provision that directs the Division of Legislative Services to provide staff support to JCOTS.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 30-87 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Joint Commission on Technology and Science; staff; authority to appoint, employ, and remove.24103597D
Patron: Willett
Tax credit for participating landlords. Increases from $250,000 to $500,000 the maximum amount of tax credits that may be issued to participating landlords, as defined in relevant law, each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2025 and provides that, in the event that the amount of the qualified requests for tax credits for such participating landlords in the fiscal year exceeds $500,000, the Department of Housing and Community Development will prorate the tax credits among the qualified applicants. The bill also creates a pilot program that earmarks $100,000 for tax credits provided to a participating landlord renting a qualified housing unit in an eligible non-metropolitan census tract, as those terms are defined in the bill.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 58.1-439.12:04 of the Code of Virginia, relating to tax credit for participating landlords.24107063D
Patron: McClure
Employee Child Care Assistance Pilot Program. Establishes the Employee Child Care Assistance Pilot Program (the Program) to provide matching funds to in order to incentivize employers to contribute to the child care costs of their employees. The Program shall be administered by the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (the Foundation). To participate in the Program, an employer shall agree to make child care contributions to the eligible mixed-delivery provider on behalf of the employee and shall provide any other information deemed necessary by the Foundation. To the extent funds are available, the Foundation shall issue a state match directly to such eligible mixed-delivery provider or to a third-party administrator. Program funds shall be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, however the Foundation is encouraged to prioritize awards to small businesses.
A BILL to establish the Employee Child Care Assistance Pilot Program.24106356D
Patron: Shin
Abolition of juvenile fines and fees; criminal offenses. Abolishes court costs, fines, and fees assessed to a juvenile or his parent or other persons responsible for his care in circuit court and juvenile and domestic relations court related to prosecutions of criminal offenses.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 4.1-305, 16.1-266, 16.1-267, 16.1-272, 16.1-273, 16.1-275, 16.1-278.7, 16.1-278.8, 16.1-278.9, 16.1-284, 16.1-284.1, 16.1-286, 16.1-290, 16.1-290.1, 16.1-292, 16.1-293.1, 16.1-298, 16.1-309.1, 16.1-330.1, 17.1-275.5, 18.2-246.13, 18.2-371.2, 19.2-159, 19.2-163, 19.2-163.4:1, 46.2-383, 46.2-808.2, 63.2-100, and 66-14 of the Code of Virginia, relating to abolition of juvenile fines and fees; criminal offenses.24104906D
Patron: Shin
Juvenile fines, costs, and fees; traffic infractions; judicial discretion. Provides that any court costs, fines, and fees assessed to a juvenile or his parent or guardian in circuit court and juvenile and domestic relations court related to prosecutions of traffic infractions are discretionary.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 16.1-278.8, 16.1-278.10, 17.1-275.5, 19.2-159, 19.2-163, 19.2-163.4:1, and 46.2-808.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to discretionary juvenile fines, costs, and fees; traffic infractions.24106584D
Patron: Krizek
Virginia Public Procurement Act; additional public works contract requirements. Provides that public bodies shall require the contractor and its subcontractors for any capital outlay project, as defined in the bill, to complete certain safety training programs, maintain records of compliance with applicable laws, and participate in approved apprenticeship training programs. The bill provides exemptions from such requirements for reasons related to lack of availability of apprentices and high costs. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2025.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 43 of Title 2.2 a section numbered 2.2-4302.3, relating to Virginia Public Procurement Act; additional public works contract requirements.24107599D
Patron: Askew
Collective bargaining by firefighters and emergency medical services providers. Authorizes firefighters and emergency medical services providers employed by a political subdivision of the Commonwealth to engage in collective bargaining through labor organizations or other designated representatives. The bill provides for the appointment of a three-member board of arbitration regarding any dispute arising between an employer and firefighters or emergency services. Under the bill, determinations made by such board of arbitration are final on a disputed issue and are binding on the parties involved.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 40.1-55, 40.1-57.2, and 40.1-57.3 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 4 of Title 40.1 an article numbered 2.2, consisting of sections numbered 40.1-57.4 through 40.1-57.7, relating to collective bargaining by firefighters and emergency medical services providers.24105166D
Patron: Cole
Department of Medical Assistance Services; Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services Medicaid Waivers; state plan amendments; program rule modifications. Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to seek to modify the program rules for certain 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services Medicaid Waivers to eliminate the requirement that in order for a legally responsible individual to receive reimbursement for personal care services, no one else be available to provide such services to the Medicaid member. This bill incorporates HB 1282.
A BILL to direct the Department of Medical Assistance Services and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to submit state plan amendments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to seek to modify the program rules for certain 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services Medicaid Waivers.24106944D
Patron: Feggans
Virginia Public Procurement Act; Virginia resident preference. Provides preference as it relates to procurement for a bidder who is a resident of Virginia and then a bidder whose goods are produced in the United States. The bill gives the next lowest responsive and responsible bidder who is a resident of Virginia the option to match the price of the lowest responsive and responsible bidder who is a resident of another state. The bill exempts a public body from the provisions of the bill if such public body is rendered ineligible to receive federal funding due to the provisions of the bill. The provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2025 Session of the General Assembly.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4324 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Public Procurement Act; Virginia resident preference.24107206D
Patron: Ballard
Roanoke Higher Education Authority; board of trustees; powers and duties; specialized noncredit workforce training. Requires the board of trustees of the Roanoke Higher Education Authority to seek opportunities to collaborate with local comprehensive community colleges to meet specialized noncredit workforce training needs identified by industry but provides that if local comprehensive community colleges are unable to meet identified industry needs, then the board may seek to collaborate with other education providers to provide or may provide Roanoke Higher Education Center-delivered specialized noncredit workforce training independent of local comprehensive community colleges.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-3118 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Roanoke Higher Education Authority; board of trustees; powers and duties; specialized noncredit workforce training.24105198D
Patron: Gardner
Early childhood care and education; publicly funded providers. Provides that any locality wishing to participate in the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) must submit a proposal by May 15 of each year identifying a lead VPI agency responsible for developing a local plan for the delivery of preschool services to at-risk children. A local match based on the composite index of local ability to pay is required to fund such a proposal. The proposal must include the number of at-risk four-year-olds and three-year-olds to be served and eligibility criteria for participation. Upon acceptance, the Department will disburse state VPI funds to the lead VPI agency in such localities, which may be used with local matching funds to provide preschool education, health services, social services, parental involvement services, and transportation. The Department must establish academic standards for VPI programs that prepare students to successfully enter kindergarten. Full day VPI programs must operate for a minimum of five and a half instructional hours per day, while half day VPI programs operate for a minimum of three instructional hours per day. The bill requires the Department of Education to collect information from VPI and the Mixed Delivery Grant Program to compile a comprehensive report on the use of state funds, including the number of slots and funding allocated to each local program or provider and the number of slots that have been filled.
The bill codifies the Child Care Subsidy Program, which is currently established pursuant to regulations of the Board of Education, for the purpose of assisting families who meet certain eligibility criteria with the cost of child care provided by approved vendors. The bill requires the Child Care Subsidy Program to be overseen by the Department of Education and permits the Department to contract with state and local agencies to administer the Program. The bill requires the Department and Board of Education, as applicable, to establish rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards for the Program.
The bill also codifies the Mixed Delivery Grant Program, which is currently established pursuant to the general appropriation act, for the purpose of awarding grants on a competitive basis to local public entities that enter into partnerships with local private early childhood care and education entities and other community organizations, as applicable, to provide, under the direction and leadership of a lead agency identified in the grant proposal, high-quality care and education, either part time or full time, for at-risk infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children who reside in the locality. The bill requires the Mixed Delivery Grant Program to be administered by the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation in partnership with the Department of Education and, consistent with any provisions relating to the Program in the general appropriation act, requires the Foundation and the Department to establish policies, procedures, and standards for the Program.
24106243D
Patron: Anthony
Sales tax revenues; entertainment arena. Adds entertainment arena to the definition of public facility to allow a locality to collect all sales tax revenues generated by transactions at such a facility, provided that a locality owns an interest in the facility and contributes to financing its construction. The bill also allows a municipality to issue bonds to finance a public facility on or after July 1, 2024, but prior to July 1, 2027, and adds Henrico County to the list of eligible localities.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 58.1-608.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to sales tax revenue; entertainment arena.24103378D
Patron: McQuinn
Local tax; penalties and interest. Requires localities to apply voluntary payments made by a taxpayer to the tax return that accompanies such payment or according to instructions sent with such payment. The bill also states that a city's director of finance may waive a taxpayer's local tax penalties and interest when in the best interest of the locality. The bill contains an emergency clause.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 58.1-3913 and 58.1-3980 of the Code of Virginia, relating to meals tax; statute of limitations; penalties and interest.24107296D
EMERGENCY
Patron: Cousins
Apprenticeship program; film and television industry. Requires the Director of Workforce Development and Advancement to establish a program to promote apprenticeships in the film and television industry. The Director may provide financial incentives to employers who hire and retain an apprentice in the film and television industry for at least six months. In consultation with the Virginia Film Office, the Director shall establish guidelines and criteria for the Program.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-2049.1, relating to apprenticeship program; film and television industry.24106242D
Patron: Jones
Omitted taxes; installment agreements.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 58.1-3916 of the Code of Virginia, relating to omitted taxes; installment agreements.24105798D
Patron: Fowler
Active-duty status for any service member injured while in the line of duty. Provides that the Adjutant General may maintain state active-duty status for any service member injured while in the line of duty during the course of a state active-duty mission who is unable to return to civilian employment for a period of up to 90 days after the date of the service member's injury.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 44-102.1:1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to active-duty status for any service member injured while in the line of duty.24106266D
Patron: Glass
Research and development expenses tax credits. Creates a step-rate reimbursement structure for the major research and development expenses tax credit in an amount equal to (i) ten percent, up to the first $1 million, of the difference between (a) Virginia qualified research and development expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year and (b) 50 percent of the average Virginia qualified research and development expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer for the three taxable years immediately preceding the taxable year for which the credit is being determined and (ii) five percent of such difference in excess of $1 million. Beginning in taxable year 2023, the bill also (a) imposes an annual per taxpayer major research and development expenses tax credit cap of $300,000, except that such cap increases to $400,000 if the Virginia qualified research was conducted in conjunction with a public or private institution of higher education in the Commonwealth, (b) reduces from $24 million to $16 million the aggregate cap on the major research and development expenses tax credit granted for each fiscal year, and (c) increases from $7.77 million to $15.77 million the aggregate cap on the research and development expenses tax credit granted for each fiscal year beginning in taxable year 2023.
24105827D
Patron: Jones
Food and beverage tax; meals tax; discount. Allows a county, city, or town to provide a commission to a business for collecting and remitting to the locality a meals tax or a food and beverage tax regardless of whether the business is delinquent on the collection and remittance of such tax. The rate of such commission shall be set by ordinance and shall not exceed 5 percent.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 7.1 of Chapter 38 of Title 58.1 a section numbered 58.1-3835, relating to food and beverage tax; meals tax; discount.24105288D
Patron: Tran
Constitutional amendment (second reference); real property tax exemption; surviving spouses of soldiers who died in the line of duty. Expands the current tax exemption for real property available to the surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action to the surviving spouses of soldiers who died in the line of duty with a Line of Duty determination from the U.S. Department of Defense.
Proposing an amendment to Section 6-A of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to real property tax exemption; surviving spouses of soldiers who died in the line of duty.24100305D