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2024 SESSION

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Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations

Chair: L. Louise Lucas

Clerk: G. Conway, Alexander Chapman
Staff: Stephen Kindermann
Date of Meeting: February 28, 2024
Time and Place: 9:00 a.m. Senate Room A, General Assembly Building
Updated to Include More Bills

H.B. 18

Patron: Helmer

Hate crimes and discrimination; ethnic animosity; penalties. Provides that it is the policy of the Commonwealth to safeguard all individuals within the Commonwealth from unlawful discrimination in employment and in places of public accommodation because of such individual's ethnic origin and prohibits such discrimination. The bill also adds victims who are intentionally selected because of their ethnic origin to the categories of victims whose intentional selection for a hate crime involving assault, assault and battery, or trespass for the purpose of damaging another's property results in a higher criminal penalty for the offense. The bill also provides that no provider or user of an interactive computer service on the Internet shall be liable for any action voluntarily taken by it in good faith to restrict access to material that the provider or user considers to be intended to incite hatred on the basis of ethnic origin.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3900, 2.2-3902, 2.2-3904, 2.2-3905, 8.01-49.1, 18.2-57, and 18.2-121 of the Code of Virginia, relating to hate crimes and discrimination; ethnic animosity; penalties.

24106860D

H.B. 22

Patron: Jones

Manufacture, importation, sale, etc., of auto sears; prohibition; penalty. Prohibits the manufacture, importation, sale or offer to sell, possession, transfer, or transportation of an auto sear, defined in the bill as a device made of any material designed for use in converting a firearm to shoot automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. A violation is punishable as a Class 6 felony.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-308.5:2, relating to manufacture, importation, sale, etc., of auto sears; prohibition; penalty.

24105447D

H.B. 36

Patron: Willett

Abuse and neglect of children; causing or enabling child to gain possession of a firearm; penalty. Creates a Class 5 felony for any parent, guardian, or other person who is 18 years of age or older and is responsible for the care of a child under the age of 18 whose willful act or omission causes or enables that child to gain possession of a firearm (i) after having received notice of a preliminary determination, pursuant to relevant law, that such child poses a threat of violence or physical harm to self or others or (ii) when such parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the care of the child knows or reasonably should know that such child has been charged with, either by warrant or petition, convicted of, or adjudicated delinquent of a violent juvenile felony.

The bill provides that no person shall be subject to arrest or prosecution regarding knowledge of a preliminary threat determination if such person received notice that the threat assessment team concluded that the child does not indicate a threat of violence or physical harm to self or others or that any case or review opened or conducted by that threat assessment team as a result of such preliminary determination has been closed. The bill also provides that no person shall be subject to arrest or prosecution if such person has received notice that any pending charge for a violent juvenile felony has been dismissed or a nolle prosequi has been entered.

The bill provides an affirmative defense to prosecution if the parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the care of a child caused or enabled such child to gain possession of a firearm while in a dwelling because of a reasonable belief that he or such child was in imminent danger of bodily injury. Lastly, the bill provides that the new offense is eligible for the enhanced earned sentence credits.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-371.1 and 53.1-202.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to abuse and neglect of children; causing or enabling child to gain possession of a firearm; penalty.

24107583D

H.B. 45

Patron: Seibold

Earned sentence credits; incarceration prior to entry of final order of conviction. Provides that any period of incarceration in any correctional facility for which a person was held on the charge of conviction, including any period of incarceration prior to conviction, shall be used in calculating such person's earned sentence credits.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 53.1-202.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to earned sentence credits; incarceration prior to entry of final order of conviction.

24101920D

H.B. 62

Patron: Campbell

Animal Cruelty Conviction List established. Requires the Superintendent of State Police to establish no later than January 1, 2027, and to maintain the Animal Cruelty Conviction List and to make the List available to the public on the website of the Department of State Police. The bill specifies that the List include the names of persons convicted of certain felony animal cruelty offenses on or after July 1, 2024. The bill requires persons convicted of any such offense to pay a fee of $50 per conviction to fund the maintenance of the List. The bill also requires the Department to remove a person's name and information from the List 15 years after its listing if he has no additional felony conviction of any such offense.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 9 of Chapter 65 of Title 3.2 a section numbered 3.2-6573.1, relating to establishment of Animal Cruelty Conviction List.

24102944D

H.B. 71

Patron: Bulova

Combined sewer overflow outfalls; compliance with regulations; Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Extends from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026, the date by which certain combined sewer overflow (CSO) outfalls that discharge into the Chesapeake Bay Watershed must be in compliance with Virginia law, the federal Clean Water Act, and the Presumption Approach described in the EPA CSO Control Policy, unless a higher level of control is necessary to comply with a total maximum daily load.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 3 and 4 of Chapter 826 and §§ 3 and 4 of Chapter 827 of the Acts of Assembly of 2017, relating to combined sewer overflow outfalls; compliance with regulations; Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

24101008D

H.B. 73

Patron: Hope

Unlawful detainer; expungement; entering of an order without further petition or hearing. Provides that in unlawful detainer actions filed in the general district court, if the 30-day period following the dismissal of such an action or entry of a judgment in favor of the defendant has passed, or if a voluntary nonsuit is taken and the six-month period following such nonsuit has passed, the court shall, without further petition or hearing, enter an order requiring the expungement of such action, provided that no order of possession has been entered. Under current law, prior to any such order being entered, the defendant must first file a petition requesting the expungement. The bill provides retains the petition process existing under current law for unlawful detainer actions commenced prior to July 1, 2024, for which the court still has records.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 8.01-130.01 of the Code of Virginia, relating to unlawful detainer; expungement.

24105567D

H.B. 102

Patron: Reaser

Compensation of court-appointed counsel. Raises the limitation of fees that court-appointed counsel can receive for representation on various offenses in district and circuit courts.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 19.2-163 of the Code of Virginia, relating to compensation of court-appointed counsel.

24107554D

H.B. 172

Patron: Hope

Family or household member; definition; penalty. Adds to the definition of family or household members, for the purposes of definitions relating to juvenile and domestic relations district courts and multiple criminal and procedural statutes, an individual who is a legal custodian of a juvenile.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 16.1-228 of the Code of Virginia, relating to family or household member; definition; penalty.

24100843D

H.B. 173

Patron: Simon

Manufacture, import, sale, transfer, or possession of plastic firearms and unfinished frames or receivers and unserialized firearms prohibited; penalties. Creates a Class 5 felony for any person who knowingly manufactures or assembles, imports, purchases, sells, transfers, or possesses any firearm that, after removal of all parts other than a major component, as defined in the bill, is not detectable as a firearm when subjected to inspection by the types of detection devices, including X-ray machines, commonly used at airports, government buildings, schools, correctional facilities, and other locations for security screening. The bill updates language regarding the types of detection devices that are used at such locations for detecting plastic firearms. Under current law, it is unlawful to manufacture, import, sell, transfer, or possess any plastic firearm and a violation is punishable as a Class 5 felony.

The bill also creates a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable as a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense, making it unlawful for any person to knowingly import, purchase, sell, offer for sale, or transfer ownership of any completed or unfinished frame or receiver, unless the completed or unfinished frame or receiver (i) is deemed to be a firearm pursuant to federal law and (ii) is imprinted with a valid serial number. The bill creates a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable as a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense, making it unlawful for any person to knowingly possess a firearm that it not imprinted with a valid serial number, or to manufacture or assemble, cause to be manufactured or assembled, import, purchase, sell, offer for sale, or transfer ownership of any firearm that is not imprinted with a valid serial number. The portions of the bill prohibiting unfinished frames or receivers and unserialized firearms have a delayed effective date of January 1, 2025.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-308.5 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-308.5:2, relating to manufacture, import, sale, transfer, or possession of plastic firearms and unfinished frames or receivers and unserialized firearms prohibited; penalties.

24105692D

H.B. 175

Patron: Simon

Carrying assault firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty. Prohibits the carrying of certain semi-automatic center-fire rifles, pistols, and shotguns on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, or public right-of-way or in any public park or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public. Under current law, the current prohibition on carrying certain shotguns and semi-automatic center-fire rifles and pistols applies to a narrower range of firearms, only in certain localities, and only when such firearms are loaded.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-287.4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to carrying assault firearms in public areas prohibited; penalty.

24107266D

H.B. 183

Patron: Simon

Storage of firearms in a residence where a minor or person prohibited from possessing a firearm is present; penalty. Requires any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where such person knows that a minor under 18 years of age or a person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm is present to store such firearm and the ammunition for such firearm in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet that is inaccessible to such minor or prohibited person. The bill provides that a violation is a Class 4 misdemeanor. The bill exempts (i) any person in lawful possession of a firearm who carries such firearm on or about his person and (ii) the storage of antique firearms and provides that the lawful authorization of a minor to access a firearm is not a violation of the bill's provisions. The bill also requires firearm dealers to post a notice stating such firearm storage requirements and the penalty for improperly storing such firearms.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-308.7:1, relating to storage of firearms in a residence where a minor or person prohibited from possessing a firearm is present; penalty.

24104245D

H.B. 199

Patron: Krizek

Virginia Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund and Program; allocation of funds. Removes the prohibition on the allocation of funds to the Virginia Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund and Program unless federal funds are available in an amount that would cover the entire cost of such an allocation.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 45.2-1725 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund and Program; allocation of funds.

24100640D

H.B. 233

Patron: Campbell

Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority; eligible site for site development grant; minimum acreage requirement. Allows the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority to determine a site of at least 50 but less than 100 acres to be eligible to receive a site development grant from the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program Fund. The reduced acreage requirement shall apply only to sites which (i) are located in GO Virginia regions 1 or 2, (ii) are located in a locality or region in which topographic or environmental factors constrain the availability of viable sites for economic development, (iii) present a unique economic development opportunity based on infrastructure, logistics, or other distinguishable features of the site, or (iv) create an economic development opportunity not currently available in the regional inventory of economic development sites. by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-2240.2:1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority; eligible site for site development grant.

24102915D

H.B. 250

Patron: Glass

Department of Criminal Justice Services; law-enforcement officers; interrogation practices. Provides that the Department of Criminal Justice Services shall have the power and duty to establish a comprehensive framework for the custodial and noncustodial interrogation of adults and juveniles by law-enforcement officers within the Commonwealth, which shall include (i) developing policies and procedures for interrogation practices, including guidance on when the use of the following is considered lawful: (a) false promises of leniency, (b) misleading statements regarding evidence or statements of witnesses or co-conspirators, and (c) inauthentic replica documents or computer-generated audiovisual evidence; (ii) establishing and publishing a model policy for conducting such interrogations to serve as a guideline for criminal justice agencies in the Commonwealth, with the provision that criminal justice agencies may adopt additional policies beyond such model policy but shall not adopt policies that contradict such model policy; and (iii) establishing compulsory minimum training standards for basic training and recertification of law-enforcement officers on conducting such interrogations. The bill provides that the Department shall establish and publish such model policy by January 1, 2025, and that all criminal justice agencies shall adopt a policy consistent with such model policy by July 1, 2025. The bill requires any person employed as a law-enforcement officer prior to July 1, 2024, to complete the training required by the bill by July 1, 2025.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Criminal Justice Services; law-enforcement officers; interrogation practices.

24104173D

H.B. 279

Patron: Helmer

Military leaves of absence for employees of Commonwealth or political subdivisions; professional firefighters. Provides that any person who is employed by the Commonwealth or a political subdivision of the Commonwealth as a professional firefighter shall receive paid leaves of absence for up to 388 work hours that a leave of absence is required, regardless of whether such amount of work hours exceeds 21 workdays per federal fiscal year, during which such person is engaged in federally funded military duty, to include training duty, or is called forth by the Governor for military duty. Under current law, employees of the Commonwealth or a political subdivision of the Commonwealth are limited to an eight-hour, 21-workday cap, which equates to seven workdays for such employees working in 24-hour shifts. The 388-work-hour cap would provide leave for a little over 16 workdays for such employees working in 24-hour shifts.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 44-93 and 44-204 of the Code of Virginia, relating to military leaves of absence for employees of Commonwealth or political subdivisions; professional firefighters.

24104149D

H.B. 333

Patron: Jones

Virginia Council on Environmental Justice; meetings and staffing; appointment of members. Allows the members of the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice to travel throughout the Commonwealth to view and record conditions related to human health and the environment within and in close proximity to environmental justice communities. The bill prohibits the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources from delegating any requested staff support for the Council to any agency, regardless of whether such agency is an agency for which the Secretary is responsible to the Governor. The bill further directs any vacancy in the membership of the Council that is in existence on the date the bill's provisions take effect to be filled no later than August 31, 2024.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2699.10 and 2.2-2699.11 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Council on Environmental Justice; meetings and staffing; appointment of members.

24107250D

H.B. 362

Patron: McClure

Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm following an assault and battery against a person in a dating relationship with the alleged offender, penalty. Provides that any person who knowingly and intentionally purchases, possesses, or transports any firearm following a misdemeanor conviction for an offense that occurred on or after July 1, 2024, for the offense of assault and battery against a person in a dating relationship, as defined in the bill, with the alleged offender or an offense substantially similar under the laws of any other state or of the United States is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill provides that a court, after a finding of guilt has been made and prior to entering a final order of conviction, shall determine by a preponderance of the evidence whether the victim of the offense was a family or household member or an intimate or dating partner for the purposes of determining the firearms prohibition.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-308.1:8 of the Code of Virginia, relating to purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm following an assault and battery against a family or household member or an intimate or dating partner; penalty.

24106143D

H.B. 380

Patron: Cherry

Special license plates; United States Air Force. Authorizes the issuance of special license plates for active duty members with, honorably discharged veterans with six months of active duty service in, and retirees from the United States Air Force and unremarried surviving spouses of such service members. This bill incorporates HB 1489. 

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-743 of the Code of Virginia, relating to special license plates; United States Air Force.

24106252D

H.B. 454

Patron: Callsen

Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square or building owned or leased by the Commonwealth; exemptions; public institutions of higher education; penalty. Limits the exemption from the prohibition on the carrying of any firearm or explosive material within any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or agency thereof or any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties that currently applies to any property owned or operated by a public institution of higher education to instead apply to any individual within a building owned or operated by a public institution of higher education who possesses a weapon as part of such public institution of higher education's curriculum or activities or as part of any organization authorized by such public institution of higher education to conduct its programs or activities within such building, as such uses are approved through the law-enforcement or public safety unit of such institution.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-283.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square or building owned or leased by the Commonwealth; exemptions; public institutions of higher education; penalty.

24105639D

H.B. 457

Patron: Callsen

Decreasing probation period; criteria for mandatory reduction. Establishes criteria for which a defendant's supervised probation period shall be reduced, including completing qualifying educational activities, maintaining verifiable employment, and complying with or completing any state-certified or state-approved state-certified or state-approved mental health or substance abuse treatment program. The bill also provides that a court may decrease a defendant's probation period if warranted by the defendant's conduct and in the interests of justice and may do so without a hearing.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 19.2-304 of the Code of Virginia, relating to decreasing probation period; criteria for mandatory reduction.

24106826D

H.B. 466

Patron: Helmer

Concealed handgun permits; reciprocity with other states. Provides that the Superintendent of State Police, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, shall determine whether states meet the statutory qualifications for Virginia to recognize the concealed handgun permit of a person from another state. Under current law, any out-of-state permit is recognized in the Commonwealth provided that (i) the issuing authority provides the means for instantaneous verification of the validity of all such permits or licenses issued within that state, accessible 24 hours a day; (ii) the permit or license holder carries a photo identification issued by a government agency of any state or by the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. Department of State and displays the permit or license and such identification upon demand by a law-enforcement officer; and (iii) the permit or license holder has not previously had a Virginia concealed handgun permit revoked. The bill also provides that a Virginia resident who has not been issued a valid resident concealed handgun permit may not use a concealed handgun or concealed weapon permit or license issued by another state to carry a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-308.014 of the Code of Virginia, relating to concealed handgun permits; reciprocity with other states.

24104641D

H.B. 555

Patron: Hope

Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman; created. Creates, within the Office of the State Inspector General, the Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman (the Office) headed by an Ombudsman who is selected by a Corrections Oversight Committee (the Committee), also created by the bill. The bill provides that the Committee is made up of six members of the General Assembly and 11 nonlegislative citizen members who monitor the activities of the Ombudsman and the Department of Corrections (the Department). The bill provides the Office's authority to conduct inspections at least once every three years and more often when warranted and requires the Office to establish confidential telephone hotlines and online forms for concerns, complaints, and inquiries by inmates, their family members and advocates, and Department employees and contractors. In addition, the bill requires the Committee to conduct quarterly public hearings and submit an annual report to the Governor, the Attorney General, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, the House Committee on Public Safety, and the Director of the Department.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 1 of Title 53.1 an article numbered 4, consisting of sections numbered 53.1-17.2 through 53.1-17.10, relating to Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman; created.

24104705D

H.B. 596

Patron: Askew

Fisheries Innovation for Sustainable Harvest Fund established. Establishes the Fisheries Innovation for Sustainable Harvest Fund, to be administered by the Marine Resources Commission, for the purposes of supporting and promoting the economic growth and development of Virginia's seafood economy while enhancing the sustainability of Virginia's marine fisheries resources through the awarding of grants, revolving loans, or other financial tools. The bill provides that the Commercial Fishing Advisory Board shall advise the Commission on expenditures from the Fund and that royalties collected as a result of the generation or transmission of electrical or compressed air energy from offshore renewable sources and appropriated to the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium under current law shall instead be appropriated to the Fund.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 28.2-208.1 and 28.2-1208 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 28.2 a section numbered 28.2-208.3, relating to Fisheries Innovation for Sustainable Harvest Fund established.

24104728D

H.B. 611

Patron: Price

Civilian deaths in custody; report. Requires every law-enforcement agency and correctional facility to report to the Department of Criminal Justice Services certain information regarding the death of any person who is detained, under arrest or in the process of being arrested, en route to be incarcerated, incarcerated, or otherwise in the custody of such law-enforcement agency or correctional facility. The bill provides that any law-enforcement agency or correctional facility that fails to comply may, at the discretion of the Department, be declared ineligible for state grants or funds. The bill also requires the Department to analyze the submitted data to determine the means by which such information can be used to reduce the number of such deaths. Finally, the bill requires the Director of the Department to annually report the findings and recommendations resulting from the analysis and interpretation of the data to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Attorney General beginning on or before July 1, 2025, and each July 1 thereafter.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 9.1-192 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1 a section numbered 9.1-192.1, relating to civilian deaths in custody; report.

24106839D

H.B. 633

Patron: Cherry


Labor trafficking; forced labor or service; penalties. Provides that any person who knowingly provides or obtains the labor or services of a person by means of (i) force, threats of force, physical restraint, or threats of physical restraint to that person or another person; (ii) serious harm, as defined in the bill, or threats of serious harm to that person or another person; (iii) the abuse or threatened abuse of law or legal process, as defined in the bill; or (iv) any scheme, plan, or pattern intended to cause the person to believe that if that person did not perform such labor or services that person or another person would suffer serious harm or physical restraint is guilty of labor trafficking. The bill also provides that any person who knowingly benefits from participation in a venture that has engaged in labor trafficking is guilty of receiving money from labor trafficking. The bill provides that a violation of labor trafficking or receiving money from labor trafficking is punishable as a Class 4 felony; however, any adult who commits an act of labor trafficking or receiving money from labor trafficking with a person under the age of 18 is guilty of a Class 3 felony. The bill also creates a civil cause of action against individuals who engage in labor trafficking or who receive money from labor trafficking and adds labor trafficking and receiving money from labor trafficking to provisions of the Code defining racketeering and as a barrier crime from caring for children or the elderly or disabled, among other provisions listed in the bill. The bill extends the time to commence a civil action for trafficking in persons from seven years to 10 years.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 8.01-42.4, 17.1-805, 18.2-513, 19.2-10.2, 19.2-268.3, 19.2-299, and 19.2-392.02 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 an article numbered 3.1, consisting of sections numbered 18.2-361.2 and 18.2-361.3, relating to labor trafficking; forced labor or service; penalties.

24106914D

H.B. 637

Patron: Sullivan

Substantial risk orders; training program. Directs the Department of Criminal Justice Services to establish a Substantial Risk Order Training Program for the purposes of training law-enforcement agencies and other public institutions throughout the Commonwealth to use and implement the substantial risk order law. The bill states that the programming shall provide training regarding proper procedures to follow, the circumstances under which the law can be used, the benefits to public safety from proper use of the law, and the harm that may ensue from the law not being used when lawfully available. The Program shall also include efforts to educate the public on and increase awareness of the substantial risk order law.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 9.2 of Title 19.2 a section numbered 19.2-152.18, relating to substantial risk orders; training program.

24106557D

H.B. 640

Patron: Sullivan

Wrongful incarceration; compensation. Provides that any person who is convicted of a felony by a county or city circuit court of the Commonwealth and is wrongfully incarcerated for such felony shall receive, in addition to the compensation for wrongful incarceration specified under current law, not less than $30,000 for each year or fraction thereof (i) of imprisonment after being sentenced to death, or (ii) that such person was required to register with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry. The bill further requires that the amount paid to the person wrongfully incarcerated shall be in the form of a lump sum; under current law, only the initial 25 percent of an award is required to be paid in lump sum form.

The bill further removes the bar against receiving compensation if such wrongfully incarcerated person received any funds pursuant to a settlement agreement with any person or entity for compensation or damages arising out of the factual situation in connection with the conviction. The bill replaces such requirement with a provision allowing for the wrongful incarceration compensation award to be offset by any such award in a civil action or settlement.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 8.01-195.10 through 8.01-195.13 of the Code of Virginia, relating to wrongful incarceration; compensation.

24106444D

H.B. 641

Patron: Sullivan

Claims; David Wayne Kingrea; compensation for wrongful inclusion on sex offender registry. The bill grants relief in an amount to be appropriated to David Wayne Kingrea, who was wrongly convicted of indecent liberties with a minor, and as a result of such wrongful conviction, required to register on the sex offender registry.

A BILL for the relief of David Wayne Kingrea, relating to compensation for wrongful incarceration; sex offender registry.

24106445D

H.B. 675

Patron: Runion

Board of Visitors of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind; authority to establish campus police department. Permits the Board of Visitors of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind to establish a campus police department, in compliance with the provisions of law relating to campus police departments established by institutions of higher education, and to employ campus police officers therein.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 22.1-346.2 and 23.1-812 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Board of Visitors of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind; authority to establish campus police department.

24101897D

H.B. 797

Patron: Hope

Demonstrated competence for a concealed handgun permit; firearms instructors and safety programs. Requires that any course, class, or training to demonstrate competence with a handgun as required to obtain a concealed handgun permit must include a live fire shooting exercise conducted on a range, including the expenditure of a minimum of 10 rounds of ammunition, and provides that no course, class, or training that does not include such live fire shooting exercise meets the requirements to obtain a concealed handgun permit. The bill removes references to the National Rifle Association (the NRA) and the United States Concealed Carry Association from the Code that allow the organizations to certify ranges and instructors and for courses offered by them to serve as proof of demonstrated competence in firearms safety and training for the purpose of obtaining a concealed handgun permit or receiving training as a minor in the use of pneumatic guns.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-915.4, 18.2-308.02, 18.2-308.06, and 22.1-204.1 of the Code of Virginia and to repeal § 46.2-749.6 of the Code of Virginia, relating to demonstrated competence for a concealed handgun permit; firearms instructors and safety programs.

24104454D

H.B. 798

Patron: Hope

Purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm following an assault and battery or stalking violation; prohibition period; penalty. Prohibits a person who has been convicted of assault and battery, assault and battery of a family or household member, or stalking from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm. The prohibition expires five years after the date of conviction, at which point the person's firearm rights are restored, unless he receives another disqualifying conviction. A person who violates the provisions of the bill is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill also extends from three years to five years the existing prohibition period for persons convicted of assault and battery of certain family or household members.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-308.1:8 of the Code of Virginia, relating to purchase, possession, or transportation of firearm following an assault and battery or stalking violation; prohibition period; penalty.

24104514D

H.B. 799

Patron: Hope

Concealed handgun permit applications; fingerprints required by local governments. Requires an applicant for a concealed handgun permit or a renewal of such permit to submit fingerprints as part of the application. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2025.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-308.02 of the Code of Virginia, relating to concealed handgun permit applications; fingerprints required by local governments.

24104511D

H.B. 803

Patron: Rasoul

Expungement of juvenile court records. Provides that if a juvenile was adjudicated delinquent of a delinquent act that would be a felony if committed by an adult, other than murder, kidnapping, robbery, or rape, and such juvenile was 14 years of age or older at the time of the offense, the court records shall be destroyed when the juvenile has attained the age of 29. The bill provides that if a juvenile was adjudicated delinquent of murder, kidnapping, robbery, or rape and such juvenile was 14 years of age or older at the time of the offense, the court records shall be retained. Under current law, the court records shall be retained in all instances when a juvenile was found guilty of a delinquent act that would be a felony if committed by an adult. The bill directs the clerk of the juvenile and domestic relations district court to expunge all records by July 1, 2027.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 16.1-306 of the Code of Virginia, relating to expungement of juvenile court records.

24102428D

H.B. 838

Patron: Hope

Expungement of police and court records. Provides that for the purposes of expungement of police and court records the term "otherwise dismissed" means a dismissal by the court under any circumstances and in any manner, excluding an acquittal by reason of insanity or any charge that is deferred and dismissed after a finding of facts sufficient to justify a finding of guilt. The bill specifies that the term "otherwise dismissed" also includes those circumstances when an initial charge is reduced or amended to another offense, including a lesser included offense or the same offense with a lesser gradient of punishment, so that such person is not convicted of the initial charge and may file a petition requesting expungement of the police and court records relating to the initial charge. The bill also provides that if a court finds that the continued existence and possible dissemination of information relating to an arrest may cause circumstances that constitute manifest injustice, including any hindrance to obtain employment, an education, or credit, it shall enter an order requiring the expungement of the police and court records. Under current law, a court shall enter an order of expungement when information relating to an arrest causes or may cause circumstances that constitute a manifest injustice to the petitioner.

The bill also provides that when an initial charge has been reduced or amended to another offense for which reporting to the Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE) is still required pursuant to relevant law and an order of expungement is granted for the initial charge, the CCRE shall amend the original arrest but maintain the fingerprints collected from the original arrest.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 19.2-392.2, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to expungement of police and court records.

24106578D

H.B. 861

Patron: Hernandez

Weapons; possession or transportation; facility that provides mental health services or developmental services; penalty. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to knowingly possess in or transport into the building of any hospital that provides mental health services or developmental services in the Commonwealth, including an emergency department or other facility rendering emergency medical care, any (i) firearm or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile or projectile of any kind; (ii) knife, except a pocket knife having a folding metal blade of less than three inches; or (iii) other dangerous weapon, including explosives and stun weapons. The bill also provides that notice of such prohibitions shall be posted conspicuously at the public entrance of any hospital and no person shall be convicted of the offense if such notice is not posted, unless such person had actual notice of the prohibitions. The bill provides that any such firearm, knife, explosive, or weapon shall be subject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer and forfeited to the Commonwealth and specifies exceptions to the prohibition.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-283.3, relating to weapons; possession or transportation; hospital that provides mental health services or developmental services; penalty.

24106763D

H.B. 892

Patron: Bulova

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Department of Forestry; Office of Farmland Preservation transferred. Transfers from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to the Department of Forestry the Office of Farmland Preservation and its powers and duties and reporting requirements, the Virginia Farm Link Program, the Century Farm Program, and the Virginia Farmland and Forestland Preservation Fund. The bill renames the Office as the Office of Working Lands Preservation. The bill makes technical amendments to effectuate the transfer. The bill directs the Department of Environmental Quality to annually provide certain information regarding nonpoint source nutrient credits to the Department of Forestry.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-1509.4, 3.2-102, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 10.1-1105.1, 46.2-749.102, and 58.1-512 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 11 of Title 10.1 an article numbered 2.1, consisting of sections numbered 10.1-1119.2 through 10.1-1119.7; and to repeal Chapter 2 (§§ 3.2-200 through 3.2-205) of Title 3.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Department of Forestry; Office of Farmland Preservation transferred.

24104878D

H.B. 893

Patron: McClure


Standards for attorneys appointed to represent parents or guardians; child dependency cases; compensation; Virginia Parent Advocacy Commission established. Requires the Judicial Council of Virginia, in conjunction with the Virginia State Bar, beginning July 1, 2026, to adopt standards for the qualification and performance of attorneys appointed to represent a parent or guardian of a child when such child is the subject of a child dependency case, as defined in the bill. The bill also requires the Judicial Council of Virginia, beginning July 1, 2026, to maintain a list of attorneys admitted to practice law in Virginia who are qualified to be appointed to represent indigent parents involved in a child dependency case. Prior to July 1, 2026, counsel must be appointed from the list of attorneys qualified to serve as guardians ad litem. The bill provides that court appointed counsel for a parent, guardian, or other adult in a child dependency case will be compensated in an amount no greater than $330, or in a case for the termination of residual parental rights, $906.

The bill authorizes the establishment of up to two multidisciplinary law offices or programs for the purpose of representing parents in a child dependency court proceeding or in a child protective services assessment or investigation prior to such proceeding. During any calendar year that such an office or program is in effect for at least six months, the office or program must submit a report on program outcomes, expenses, recommendations, and other pertinent information to the Office of the Children's Ombudsman and the Chairmen of the House Committees for Courts of Justice and on Health and Human Services and Appropriations and the Senate Committees for Courts of Justice and on Education and Health and Finance and Appropriations by November 1.

 

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 16.1-266.1 and 16.1-267 of the Code of Virginia, relating to qualifications and performance of attorneys appointed to represent parents or guardians; child dependency cases; compensation; pilot multidisciplinary law offices.

24107294D

H.B. 906

Patron: Shin

Public utilities; municipal utilities; disconnection of service; limitations; consumer protections. Suspends electric, gas, water, and wastewater utilities subject to the regulation of the State Corporation Commission from disconnecting service to a residential customer for nonpayment of bills or fees during a state of emergency declared by the Governor and provides that such suspension lasts for 30 days after such declaration of the state of emergency. The bill suspends such electric and gas utilities from disconnecting service to a residential customer for nonpayment of bills or fees when the forecasted temperature low is at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit and suspends electric utilities from disconnecting any such customer from service when the forecasted temperature high is at or above 92 degrees Fahrenheit within the 24 hours following the scheduled disconnection. The bill further suspends electric, gas, water, and wastewater utilities from disconnecting residential customers from service on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, and the day immediately preceding a state holiday. The bill requires each such utility to notify its residential customers of such utility's disconnection for nonpayment policy and to deliver notice of nonpayment of bills or fees to such customers prior to disconnection.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 21 of Title 15.2 an article numbered 2.1, consisting of sections numbered 15.2-2121.1, 15.2-2121.2, and 15.2-2121.3, by adding in Chapter 3.2 of Title 44 a section numbered 44-146.29:4, and by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 10 of Title 56 sections numbered 56-245.1:3 and 56-245.1:4, relating to public utilities; municipal utilities; disconnection of service; limitations; report; consumer protections.

24105935D

H.B. 916

Patron: Srinivasan

Substantial Risk Order Reporting System established. Requires the Department of State Police to establish a Substantial Risk Order Reporting System for the purpose of tracking and reporting substantial risk orders by locality and to publish such reports on a monthly basis and distribute them in an electronic format to the General Assembly and the Office of the Governor. The bill provides that the Department shall remove the names and other personal identifying information from the data before the reports are published.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 19.2-387.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Substantial Risk Order Reporting System established.

24103521D

H.B. 937

Patron: LeVere Bolling

Student transportation; innovative alternatives to school buses. States that the intent of the General Assembly is that school boards encourage the implementation of innovative low-cost or no-cost alternatives to transporting students to and from school on school buses, including organizing or otherwise facilitating, encouraging, or supporting biking or walking school buses whereby groups of students ride bicycles or walk to and from school.

A BILL to express the intent of the General Assembly regarding innovative alternative school transportation options.

24106451D

H.B. 959

Patron: Lopez

Towing violations; enforcement. Authorizes localities in Planning Districts 8 and 16 to require written authorization of the owner of the property from which the vehicle is towed at the time the vehicle is being towed and regulate the monitoring practices that may be used by towing and recovery operators. Current law authorizes localities other than those in Planning Districts 8 and 16 to require written authorization of the owner of the property from which the vehicle is towed at the time the vehicle is being towed. The bill also changes the penalty for certain trespass towing offenses in Planning District 8 from $150 per violation paid to the Literary Fund to 10 times the total amount charged for such removal, towing, and storage to be paid to the victim of the unlawful towing.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-1232 and 46.2-1233.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to towing violations; enforcement.

24105910D

H.B. 1058

Patron: Hodges

Department of Wildlife Resources; singular license for waterfowl blinds in Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authorities. Requires the Department of Wildlife Resources to develop a singular license for all riparian stationary blinds issued to the Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority and the Northern Neck Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority and to develop a fee schedule for such license.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 29.1-350.1, relating to Department of Wildlife Resources; singular license for waterfowl blinds in Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authorities.

24106331D

H.B. 1075

Patron: Coyner

Board of Education; Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Virginia Program and Fund established. Establishes Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Virginia Program (the Program) for the purpose of promoting a comprehensive statewide initiative for encouraging preschool-age children to develop a love of reading and learning. One reading selection, as defined in the bill, is provided per month to each registered child from birth to age five in each participating county at no cost to the family of such child. The Program shall contribute to local programs a 50 percent match of funds, if available, required of such local programs participating in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in the Commonwealth.

A nonprofit entity dedicated to statewide early literacy advocacy will serve as the program administrator and be responsible for the development, implementation, and administration of the program, including providing an annual report to the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the House Committee on Education detailing the activities of the Program during the previous year.

This act expires on January 1, 2029.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 22.1 a chapter numbered 28, consisting of sections numbered 22.1-381, 22.1-382, and 22.1-383, relating to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Virginia Program established.

24106908D

H.B. 1084

Patron: Carr

Disabled parking placards; validity; fees. Extends from six months to 12 months the maximum duration for which the DMV may issue a temporary removable windshield placard to a person with a disability that limits or impairs his ability to walk or that creates a concern for his safety while walking. The bill also eliminates the fee for the issuance of temporary and permanent disabled parking placards and includes technical amendments.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1241 of the Code of Virginia, relating to disabled parking placards; validity; fees.

24102802D

H.B. 1112

Patron: Wyatt

Auto recyclers; database search. Clarifies the databases to be searched by the Department of Motor Vehicles upon notification by an auto recycler that he possesses a motor vehicle to be demolished but does not possess a certificate of title, salvage certificate, or nonrepairable certificate for such motor vehicle. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2025.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1608.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to auto recyclers; database search.

24101322D

H.B. 1125

Patron: Carr

Virginia Business Ready Expedited Permitting Program; established. Establishes the Virginia Business Ready Expedited Permitting Program and directs the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority to designate up to two sites and six projects for participation in the Program. Sites and projects eligible for the Program shall include only (i) sites eligible for a site development grant under the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program or (ii) projects with significant local, regional, or statewide economic impact that the governing body of the locality in which the project is located has either (a) approved following a public meeting or hearing or (b) submitted, by resolution, for consideration to be included in the Program. No more than two such sites may be designated within one locality per year. The Authority shall complete a review process within 45 days of designating a site to reduce permitting conflicts and provide relevant guidance to applicants. The bill also provides that no project shall be considered eligible to enter the Program after December 31, 2027 and requires annual reporting from the Authority. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2025, and shall expire on June 30, 2028.

 

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-2240.2:2, relating to Virginia Business Ready Expedited Permitting Program; established.

24105609D

H.B. 1174

Patron: Sickles

Assault firearms; purchase; age requirement; penalty. Provides that in order to purchase an assault firearm a person must be 21 years of age or older. The bill also expands the definition of "assault firearm" as the term applies to criminal history record information checks.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-308.2:2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to assault firearms; purchase; age requirement; penalty.

24106297D

H.B. 1187

Patron: Hodges

Manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing xylazine; penalties. Creates a Class 5 felony for any person who knowingly manufactures, sells, gives, distributes, or possesses with the intent to manufacture, sell, give, or distribute the substance xylazine, when intended for human consumption, and a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person who knowingly possesses the substance xylazine when intended for human consumption.

The bill provides that it shall not be an offense to (i) manufacture xylazine for legitimate veterinary use; (ii) distribute or sell xylazine for authorized veterinary use; (iii) possess, administer, prescribe, or dispense xylazine in good faith for use by animals within the course of legitimate veterinary practice; or (iv) possess or administer xylazine pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed veterinarian.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-251.5, relating to manufacturing, selling, giving, distributing, or possessing xylazine; penalties.

24106501D

H.B. 1195

Patron: Hayes

Purchase of firearms; waiting period; penalty. Provides that no person shall sell a firearm unless at least five days have elapsed from the time the prospective purchaser completes the written consent form to have a licensed dealer obtain criminal history record information, with exceptions enumerated in relevant law.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-308.2:2 and 18.2-308.2:5 of the Code of Virginia, relating to purchase of firearms; waiting period; penalty.

24104388D

H.B. 1224

Patron: Runion

Department of Motor Vehicles; fees. Reduces the fee for the issuance of an original, duplicate, reissue, or renewal special identification card without a photograph from $10 per year with a $20 minimum fee to $2 per year with a $10 minimum fee.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-345.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Department of Motor Vehicles; fees.

24107387D

H.B. 1244

Patron: Cole


Restorative housing and isolated confinement; restrictions on use. Prohibits the use of isolated confinement, defined in the bill, in state correctional facilities, subject to certain exceptions. The bill requires that before placing an incarcerated person in restorative housing or isolated confinement for his own protection, the facility administrator shall place an incarcerated person in a less restrictive setting, including by transferring such person to another institution or to a special-purpose housing unit for incarcerated persons who face similar threats. The bill requires that if an incarcerated person is placed in restorative housing or isolated confinement, such placement shall be reviewed every 48 hours and the facility administrator shall ensure that the incarcerated person receives a medical and mental health evaluation from certified medical and mental health professionals within one working day of placement in restorative housing or any form of isolated confinement. The bill also requires the facility administrator to notify the regional administrator in writing that an incarcerated person was placed in restorative housing or isolated confinement within 24 hours of such placement. The bill also requires that formal reviews of an incarcerated person's placement in any form of isolated confinement shall be held in such person's presence, inform him of any reason or reasons administrative officials believe isolated confinement remains necessary, and give the incarcerated person an opportunity to respond to those reasons, and a formal ruling shall be provided to the incarcerated individual within 24 hours.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 53.1-39.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to restorative housing and isolated confinement; restrictions on use.

24104675D

H.B. 1246

Patron: Willett

Law-enforcement training; individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services to establish compulsory minimum and in-service training standards for law-enforcement officers on communicating with an intellectual disability or a developmental disability, such as autism spectrum disorder, which shall include (i) an overview and behavioral recognition of autism spectrum disorder, (ii) best practices for crisis prevention and de-escalation techniques, (iii) an objective review of any relevant tools and technology available to assist in communication, and (iv) education on law-enforcement agency and community resources for the autism community on future crisis prevention. The bill requires that such training standards be established in consultation with at least one individual with autism spectrum disorder, one family member of an individual with autism spectrum disorder, one specialist who works with individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and one representative from a state or local law-enforcement agency. The bill requires the Department to establish such training standards by January 1, 2027, and requires any person employed as a law-enforcement officer prior to July 1, 2024, to complete the compulsory in-service training by July 1, 2028.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 9.1-102 of the Code of Virginia, relating to law-enforcement training; communication with individuals with an intellectual disability or a developmental disability.

24106142D

H.B. 1254

Patron: Runion

Bridges; state of good repair; allocation of funds. Designates bridges with a general condition rating, defined in the bill, of no more than five for at least one major bridge component as eligible for state of good repair funds. Currently, bridges must be structurally deficient to be eligible. The bill authorizes the use of state of good repair funds for improvements anticipated to extend the useful life of a bridge by at least 10 years. The bill applies to new project allocations made by the Commonwealth Transportation Board after June 1, 2025.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.2-369 of the Code of Virginia, relating to bridges; state of good repair; allocation of funds.

24101127D

H.B. 1268

Patron: Delaney

Eligibility for participation in community corrections alternative program; evaluation and diagnosis; referral to the Department of Corrections. Provides that a probation and parole officer may refer a defendant on probation to the Department of Corrections for evaluation and diagnosis to determine eligibility and suitability for participation in the community corrections alternative program prior to the approval of the court. Under current law, such referral may take place with the approval of the court. The bill also makes technical amendments.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 19.2-316.4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to eligibility for participation in community corrections alternative program; evaluation and diagnosis; referral to the Department of Corrections.

24102138D

H.B. 1287

Patron: McClure

Towing companies; local authority. Clarifies that the provisions of existing law authorizing localities in Planning District 8 to require towing companies that tow from the county to a storage or release location outside of the locality to obtain a permit to do so do not restrict or modify the authority of the locality to require that towing companies that tow and store or release vehicles within the county, city, or town to obtain from the locality a permit to do so.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-1232 of the Code of Virginia, relating to regulation of towing companies; local authority.

24104248D

H.B. 1405

Patron: Cousins

Prisoners; Department of Corrections-issued and jailer-issued identification. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall establish a procedure for securing a government-issued identification card, birth certificate, or Social Security card through the Department of Motor Vehicles and that the Department of Motor Vehicles shall expedite the processing of an application submitted by a prisoner for such government-issued identification card and the issuance of such identification. The bill also requires the Department of Corrections, in coordination with the State Board of Local and Regional Jails, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the State Registrar of Vital Records, to (i) review the processes involved in assisting a prisoner in applying for and obtaining a government-issued identification card, birth certificate, or Social Security card; (ii) identify any obstacles that may interfere with a prisoner obtaining such identification or documents prior to such prisoner's release or discharge; and (iii) issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than November 1, 2024.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 53.1-31.4 and 53.1-116.1:02 of the Code of Virginia, relating to prisoners; Department of Corrections-issued and jailer-issued identification.

24106848D

H.B. 1454

Patron: Lopez

Limited-duration licenses and driver privilege cards and permits; expiration. Extends the validity of limited-duration licenses, driver privilege cards and permits, and identification privilege cards, other than REAL ID credentials and commercial driver's licenses and permits, to a period of time consistent with the validity of driver's licenses, which, under current law, is a period not to exceed eight years or, for a person age 75 or older, a period not to exceed five years, and permits and special identification cards. The bill directs the Department of Motor Vehicles to implement the extended validity periods for such documents upon reissuance.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-328.1, 46.2-328.3, and 46.2-345.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to limited-duration licenses and driver privilege cards and permits; expiration.

24106576D

H.B. 1457

Patron: Carr

Virginia Investment Performance Grants. Makes changes to the process for awarding Virginia Investment Performance Grants. Under the bill, beginning July 1, 2024, (i) the aggregate amount of Grants payable to all Grant recipients in any fiscal year shall not exceed $8 million; (ii) Grants shall be payable in five equal, annual installments of up to $1 million; (iii) no Grant recipient shall receive more than $5 million across all fiscal years; and (iv) Grants shall begin in the first year after verification of capital investment and job creation requirements. The bill contains an enactment clause clarifying that no existing agreement entered into prior to the effective date of the bill shall be impacted by the bill.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-5101 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Investment Performance Grants.

24106516D

H.B. 1458

Patron: Hernandez


Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth; Office of Commonwealth Resilience; Interagency Resilience Working Group; Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund; Resilient Virginia Revolving Fund; Advisory Review Committee. Moves the position of Chief Resilience Officer (CRO) from under the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources to under the Governor and creates an Office of Commonwealth Resilience to support the CRO in his functions and duties. The bill requires the CRO to convene an Interagency Resilience Working Group to support the coordination of planning and implementation of resilience efforts, eliminates the position of Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection, and requires the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation to convene an Advisory Review Committee to assist in the distribution of loans and grants from the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund. The bill also requires the Director to convene an Advisory Review Committee to assist in the distribution of loans and grants from the Resilient Virginia Revolving Fund and adds the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources and the CRO to the list of those with whom the Virginia Resources Authority is required to consult in directing the distribution of loans or grants from the Fund. The bill requires, for the two Funds, the Department to (i) make available for public inspection at the office of the Department and on a publicly accessible website records of each application for grants and loans and the actions taken thereon and (ii) provide an opportunity for a 30-day public comment period prior to each new grant or loan offering to solicit feedback on proposed revisions to the Funds’ manuals. This bill incorporates HB 948.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-215, 10.1-104.6:1, 10.1-603.25, 10.1-603.29, and 10.1-659 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 2.2 a chapter numbered 4.2:3, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-435.13 and 2.2-435.14; and to repeal §§ 2.2-220.5 and 2.2-435.11 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth; Office of Commonwealth Resilience.

24106321D