SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2022 SESSION

  • print version
Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology

Chair: George L. Barker

Staff: Rebecca Schultz
Date of Meeting: February 23, 2022
Time and Place: 30 mins after Senate / SR 3 / Public register Zoom via GA website
http://virginia-senate.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3

H.B. 19

Patron: Fowler

Virginia Public Procurement Act; public institutions of higher education; disclosure required by certain offerors; civil penalty. Requires every offeror who is awarded a contract by a public institution of higher education for any construction project that has a total cost of $5 million or more to disclose any contributions the offeror has made within the previous five-year period totaling $25,000 or more to the public institution of higher education or any private foundation that exists solely to support the public institution of higher education. The bill provides that no protest of an award shall lie for a claim that the selected offeror was awarded a contract solely based on such offeror's contribution to the public institution of higher education. The bill imposes a $500 civil penalty on any offeror that knowingly fails to submit the required disclosure. The provisions of the bill relating to such disclosure of gifts made by an offeror to a public institution of higher education or any private foundation that exists solely to support the public institution of higher education shall expire on June 30, 2027.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-1017 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-4376.2, relating to the Virginia Public Procurement Act; public institutions of higher education; disclosure required by certain offerors; civil penalty.

22106373D

H.B. 58

Patron: Davis

Local government; prohibits certain practices that would require contractors to provide benefits. Prohibits local governing bodies from establishing provisions related to procurement of goods, professional services, or construction that would require a wage floor or any other employee benefit or compensation above what is otherwise required by state or federal law to be provided by a contractor to one or more of the contractor's employees as part of a contract with the locality. The bill provides that the prohibition shall not affect contracts between a locality and another party that were executed prior to January 1, 2023, or the renewal or future rebids of services thereof. The bill provides that localities shall not be prohibited from entering into contracts for economic development incentives in which the company receiving the incentives is required to maintain a certain stated wage level for its employees.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4321.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to prevailing wage rate; localities.

22104664D

H.B. 99

Patron: Head

Continuing education; funeral service licensees, funeral directors, and embalmers. Provides that approved continuing education courses for funeral service licensees, funeral directors, and embalmers shall include either one hour of compliance with laws and regulations governing the profession or one hour of preneed funeral arrangements per year, provided that at least one hour of continuing education regarding preneed funeral arrangements is completed every three years. Current law requires at least one hour of compliance with laws and regulations governing the profession and at least one hour of preneed funeral arrangements per year. The bill also contains technical changes.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2816.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to continuing education requirements for funeral service licensees, funeral directors, and embalmers.

22100665D

H.B. 150

Patron: March

Virginia Freedom of Information Act; posting of minutes; local public bodies. Requires, with certain exceptions outlined in the bill, any local public body subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act to post meeting minutes on its official public government website, if any, within seven working days of final approval of the minutes. The bill provides that if a local public body does not own or maintain an official public government website, it shall make copies of all meeting minutes available no later than seven working days after the conclusion of a meeting at a prominent public location in which meeting notices are regularly posted, at the office of the clerk of the public body, or, in the case of a public body that has no clerk, at the office of the chief administrator.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-3707.2, relating to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; posting of minutes; local public bodies.

22101402D

H.B. 214

Patron: Robinson

Redevelopment and housing authorities; naming convention. Provides that a locality that establishes a redevelopment and housing authority may name such authority an appropriate name and title. Current law requires the authority to be known as the "___________ (insert name of locality) Redevelopment and Housing Authority." The bill contains technical amendments.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 36-4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to redevelopment and housing authorities; naming convention.

22101585D

H.B. 239

Patron: Adams, D.M.

Housing and Supportive Services Interagency Leadership Team initiative; housing and services for adults 65 years of age or older. Directs the Department for Housing and Community Development to expand the existing Housing and Supportive Services Interagency Leadership Team (ILT) initiative to include adults 65 years of age or older as a target subpopulation and seek input from appropriate stakeholders to facilitate the development of strategies for increasing the supply of permanent supportive housing for adults 65 years of age or older.

A BILL to expand the existing Housing and Supportive Services Interagency Leadership Team initiative to include adults 65 years of age or older as a target subpopulation.

22103858D

H.B. 281

Patron: Coyner


Real property; duty to disclose ownership interest and lis pendens. Provides that a real estate licensee has an affirmative duty, upon having substantive discussions about specific real property, to disclose in writing to the purchaser, seller, lessor, or lessee if he, any member of his family, his firm, any member of his firm, or any entity in which he has an ownership interest has or will have an ownership interest to the other parties to the transaction. The bill requires that an owner of residential dwelling unit who has actual knowledge of a lis pendens filed against the dwelling unit to provide to a prospective purchaser a written disclosure of such fact to the purchaser on a form provided by the Real Estate Board on its website.

  A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 54.1-2138.2 and 55.1-706.1, relating to real property; duty to disclose ownership interest and lis pendens.

22105033D

H.B. 282

Patron: Coyner

Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; effect of criminal convictions on licensure; data to be included in biennial report. Provides for consideration of certain factors to be made by any regulatory board prior to denying an application for licensure, certification, or registration where such denial was made in whole or in part upon the existence of the applicant's criminal record. The bill requires, beginning July 1, 2025, the Board of Bar Examiners, the Department of Health Professions, and the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation to include certain data related to the criminal history of applicants to each agency's boards in its biennial report. The bill contains technical amendments.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 54.1-114 and 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; effect of criminal convictions on licensure; data to be included in biennial report.

22106504D

H.B. 284

Patron: Coyner

Real Estate Appraiser Board; continuing education to include fair housing courses. Provides that any regulation of the Real Estate Appraiser Board setting out continuing education requirements for real estate appraiser licensees as a prerequisite of license renewal shall include at least two hours of fair housing if the Board requires continuing education for the renewal of such licenses.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2014 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Real Estate Appraiser Board; continuing education to include fair housing.

22104242D

H.B. 307

Patron: Freitas

Virginia Freedom of Information Act; estimated charges. Provides that a public body subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act shall make all reasonable efforts to supply records requested by a citizen at the lowest possible cost. The bill also requires a public body, prior to conducting a search for records, to notify the requester in writing of the public body's right to make reasonable charges not to exceed its actual cost incurred in accessing, duplicating, supplying, or searching for requested records and inquire of the requester whether he would like to request a cost estimate in advance of the supplying of the requested records.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3704 and 2.2-3704.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; estimated charges.

22105571D

H.B. 400

Patron: Willett

Assessment of real property; affordable housing. Includes the Rental Assistance Demonstration program in the list of federal laws whose restrictions shall be considered in determining the fair market value of real estate that is operated as affordable rental housing.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 58.1-3295 of the Code of Virginia, relating to assessment of real property; affordable housing.

22101584D

H.B. 474

Patron: Brewer

Board for Contractors; certification of automatic fire sprinkler inspectors; exempts building officials and fire officials. Exempts building officials enforcing the Uniform Statewide Building Code and fire officials enforcing the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code Act from the certification requirements applicable to automatic fire sprinkler inspectors.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-1147 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Board for Contractors; certification of automatic fire sprinkler inspectors; exemptions.

22102050D

H.B. 507

Patron: Austin


Intercollegiate athletics; student-athletes; compensation and representation for name, image, or likeness. Establishes several parameters for the compensation and representation of a student-athlete related to the use of such student's name, image, or likeness. The bill prohibits any private institution of higher education, associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education, or baccalaureate public institution of higher education or any agent thereof; athletic association; athletic conference; or other organization with authority over intercollegiate athletics from (i) providing a prospective student-athlete or a student-athlete with compensation for the use of his name, image, or likeness; (ii) prohibiting or preventing a student-athlete from earning such compensation, except in certain circumstances enumerated in the bill; (iii) prohibiting or preventing a student-athlete from obtaining professional representation by a registered athlete agent or legal representation by a licensed attorney in connection with issues related to name, image, or likeness; (iv) declaring a student-athlete ineligible for intercollegiate athletic competition because he earns such compensation or obtains such representation; or (v) reducing, canceling, revoking, or not renewing an athletic scholarship because a student-athlete earns such compensation or obtains such representation. The bill establishes several other conditions and limitations relating to pre-agreement disclosures, the use of the institution's property, and the effect on employment status in connection with a student-athlete's use of his name, image, or likeness. The bill also amends the definition of "athlete agent" in relevant law to permit such agents to represent a student-athlete in connection with issues related to name, image, or likeness, including negotiating, securing, obtaining, arranging, and managing name, image, or likeness opportunities.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-526 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 23.1-408.1, relating to intercollegiate athletics; student-athletes; compensation and representation for name, image, or likeness.

22104070D

H.B. 586

Patron: VanValkenburg

Virginia Fair Housing Law; use of assistance animal in a dwelling; penalties. Makes it a Class 4 misdemeanor, with respect to the Virginia Fair Housing Law, for a person to knowingly and willfully misrepresent himself as needing an assistance animal. The bill also prohibits any person from providing supporting documentation in an attempt to verify the existence of a disability or disability-related need for a person seeking a reasonable accommodation in a dwelling if he does not have a therapeutic relationship with the person requesting the reasonable accommodation and provides that a violation of this provision constitutes a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. Lastly, the bill allows for a request for a reasonable accommodation to be denied if supporting documentation of the disability or disability-related need is deemed unreliable.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 36-96.1:1, 36-96.3:1, and 59.1-200 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Fair Housing Law; use of assistance animal in a dwelling; penalties.

22105939D

H.B. 677

Patron: Hope

Posting of notices; electronic posting. Requires any notice, summons, order, or other official document of any type that is required to be posted on or at the front door of a courthouse or on a public bulletin board at the courthouse to also be posted on the public government website of the locality served by the court or on the website of the circuit court clerk. Under current law, the website posting is sufficient when such official document is required to be posted at the courthouse. This bill is a recommendation of the Boyd-Graves Conference.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 1-211.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to posting of notices; electronic posting.

22101576D

H.B. 702

Patron: Keam

Residential Property Disclosure Act; required disclosures for buyer to beware; buyer to exercise necessary due diligence; lot coverage. Provides that the owner of residential real property must include in the residential property disclosure statement provided to a potential purchaser of such residential real property a statement that the owner makes no representations with respect to current lot lines or the ability to expand, improve, or add any structures on the property, and that advises the potential purchaser to exercise necessary due diligence, including obtaining a property survey and contacting the locality to determine zoning ordinances or lot coverage, height, or setback requirements on the property.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 55.1-703 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Residential Property Disclosure Act; required disclosures for buyer to beware; buyer to exercise necessary due diligence; lot coverage.

22105931D

H.B. 714

Patron: Hayes

Consumer Data Protection Act; enforcement; Consumer Privacy Fund. Authorizes the Attorney General to pursue actual damages to consumers to the extent they exist if a controller or processor of the personal data of Virginians continues to violate the Consumer Data Protection Act following a 30-day cure period offered by the Attorney General or breaches an express written statement provided to the Attorney General. Political organizations and certain 501(c)(4) organizations are classified as nonprofit organizations and thus exempt from the Act. The bill specifies that the Attorney General may deem whether a cure under the provisions of the Act is possible for consumers. In addition, the bill abolishes the Consumer Privacy Fund and all civil penalties, expenses, and attorney fees collected from enforcement of the Act shall be deposited into the Regulatory, Consumer Advocacy, Litigation, and Enforcement Revolving Trust Fund.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 59.1-575 and 59.1-584, as they shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia and to repeal § 59.1-585 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Consumer Data Protection Act; enforcement; Consumer Privacy Fund.

22105707D

H.B. 718

Patron: Filler-Corn

Virginia Board of Workforce Development; apprenticeship programs. Directs the Virginia Board of Workforce Development to collaborate with the Department of Labor and Industry, the Department of Education, and the Secretaries of Commerce and Trade, Education, and Labor to review the performance of current apprenticeship programs in meeting high-demand industry needs. The Board shall submit recommendations based on this review to the Governor and General Assembly by December 1, 2022.

A BILL to direct the Board of Workforce Development to prepare recommendations for creating a primary office for apprenticeship programs.

22106462D

H.B. 727

Patron: Ward

Historical African American cemeteries; disbursement of funds; qualified organization. Expands the definition of a qualified organization that may receive funds for maintenance of a historical African American cemetery to include any locality whose purpose for applying for funding from the Department of Historic Resources is to maintain a neglected historical African American cemetery, or a portion thereof, that is located within its jurisdictional bounds. The bill also creates an exemption by allowing localities that are eligible for funding for the maintenance and care of historical African American cemeteries to apply to the Director of the Department for a grant to perform extraordinary maintenance, renovation, repair, or reconstruction on any such cemeteries and graves without first having received initial funding for the maintenance and care of those cemeteries and graves. Current law requires a qualified organization to apply for any such grant only after it has received initial funding for the maintenance and care of a historical African American cemetery.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 10.1-2211.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to historical African American cemeteries; disbursement of funds; qualified organization.

22102360D

H.B. 734

Patron: Bell

Virginia Freedom of Information Act; disclosure of certain criminal records. Provides that (i) criminal investigative files relating to a criminal investigation or proceeding that is not ongoing are excluded from the mandatory dislosure provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, but may be disclosed by the custodian of such records to certain individuals except as otherwise provided in the bill, and (ii) no criminal investigative file or portion thereof shall be disclosed to any requester except (a) the victim; (b) members of the victim's immediate family, if the victim is deceased; (c) the victim's parent or guardian, if the victim is a minor and the parent or guardian is not a person of interest or a suspect in the criminal investigation or proceeding; or (d) an attorney representing a petitioner in a petition for a writ of actual innocence, unless the public body has notified any such individual of the request for such information. Upon notification of a request, such persons may file a petition in an appropriate court for an injunction to prevent disclosure of the records. The bill requires the court to consider certain information in making its determination and provides that a public body shall be prohibited from disclosing criminal investigative files if the court awards an injunction.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-3706.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; disclosure of certain criminal records.

22106405D

H.B. 753

Patron: Adams, L.R.

Human rights; religious organizations; promotion of religious principles. Provides that nothing in the Virginia Human Rights Act prohibits a religious corporation, association, or society, or any nonprofit institution or organization operated, supervised, or controlled by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association, or society, from taking any action to promote the religious principles for which it is established or maintained. The bill adds preschools to the list of educational institutions that are exempt from discriminatory hiring practices with respect to the hiring and employment of employees of a particular religion when such institutions are owned, supported, controlled, or managed by a particular religion or religious corporation, association, or society. The bill clarifies that the term "religion" includes all aspects of religious observance and practice as well as belief for the purposes of the exemption from discrimination in employment of individuals employed to perform work associated with the activities of a particular religion by a religious corporation, association, educational institution, or society.

 A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3902 and 2.2-3905 of the Code of Virginia, relating to human rights; religious organizations; promotion of religious principles.

22106518D

H.B. 763

Patron: Krizek

Charitable gaming; electronic gaming in social quarters; penalty; civil penalty. Provides that electronic gaming, defined in the bill as charitable gaming conducted primarily by use of an electronic device, is restricted to social organizations and is limited to such organizations' social quarters. The bill provides that all receipts attributable to electronic gaming shall be reported to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and shall be subject to application, audit, and administration fees. The bill eliminates exceptions in current law for veterans and fraternal organizations. Without the exceptions, such organizations shall be subject to two prohibitions that, under current law, apply to all other organizations: (i) they are prohibited from offering bingo, instant bingo, pull tabs, or seal cards outside of their home locality and (ii) they are prohibited from offering such games at a Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control-licensed location unless they hold the license. Finally, the bill imposes on any person or organization conducting charitable gaming without a permit, a civil penalty of not less than $25,000 and not more than $50,000 per incident, and an additional criminal penalty of a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person who conducts or participates in electronic gaming without being permitted to do so.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-340.16, 18.2-340.19, 18.2-340.20, 18.2-340.23, 18.2-340.26:1, 18.2-340.27, 18.2-340.28, 18.2-340.28:1, and 18.2-340.30 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 18.2-340.26:3 and 18.2-340.36:1, relating to charitable gaming; penalty; civil penalty.

22105618D

H.B. 802

Patron: Price

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; enforcement by localities. Provides that if a condition exists in a rental dwelling unit that constitutes a material noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or with any provision of law that, if not promptly corrected, constitutes a fire hazard or serious threat to the life, health, or safety of tenants or occupants of the premises, a locality may bring an action to enforce the landlord's duty to maintain the rental dwelling in a fit and habitable condition, provided that (i) the property where the violations occurred is within the jurisdictional boundaries of the locality; (ii) the locality has notified the landlord who owns the property directly or through the managing agent of the nature of the violations and the landlord has not remedied the violations within a reasonable time after receiving such notice to the satisfaction of the locality; and (iii) such enforcement action may include seeking an injunction, damages, or both.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 55.1-1259 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; enforcement by localities.

22105909D

H.B. 814

Patron: Torian

Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; agency procurement enhancement plans. Directs the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity to annually review and provide feedback on state agencies' plans to enhance procurement from small, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-1604, 2.2-1605, and 2.2-4310 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; agency procurement enhancement plans.

22102877D

H.B. 815

Patron: Torian

Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; mentorship program. Directs the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) to administer a mentorship pilot program under which established businesses, or industry sector experts, act as mentors to start-up women-owned or minority-owned businesses.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-1605 and 2.2-1610 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-1605.1, relating to the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; mentorship program.

22102887D

H.B. 820

Patron: Torian

Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; disparity study. Requires the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity to conduct a disparity study every five years, next due no later than January 1, 2026.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-1605, 2.2-1610, and 2.2-4310 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; disparity study.

22102934D

H.B. 964

Patron: Subramanyam

Virginia Public Procurement Act; methods of procurement; submitting bids electronically. Provides that all state public bodies accepting bids or proposals for contracts pursuant to the Virginia Public Procurement Act shall provide an option to submit bids or proposals through the Commonwealth's electronic procurement system, known as eVA. In the bill, local public bodies are encouraged to use eVA to offer an electronic submission option. The bill contains a delayed effective date of July 1, 2023.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4303 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Public Procurement Act; methods of procurement; submitting bids electronically.

22104263D

H.B. 970

Patron: O'Quinn

Public agencies; privacy of personal information; penalty. Provides that public agencies shall not request personal information, defined in the bill, from (i) any individual or any entity organized under § 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) any bidder, offeror, or contractor of an agency. The bill prohibits such public agencies from disclosing personal information without the express, written permission of every individual who is identifiable from the potential release of such personal information, including individuals identifiable as members, supporters, or volunteers of, or donors to, the agency. The bill exempts the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006 from the requirements that public agencies protect personal information and refrain from requesting personal information.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3705.1 and 2.2-3808 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public agencies; privacy of personal information; penalty.

22105492D

H.B. 1063

Patron: Shin

Public accommodations, employment, and housing; prohibited discrimination on the basis of religion; includes outward religious expression. Clarifies that "religion" as it relates to freedom of expression includes any outward expression of religious faith in contexts where discrimination on the basis of religion is prohibited.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2901.1, 2.2-3004, 2.2-3901, 15.2-853, 15.2-965, 15.2-1500.1, 15.2-1604, 22.1-295.2, 22.1-306, 36-96.1:1, and 55.1-1310 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public accommodations, employment, and housing; prohibited discrimination on the basis of religion; includes outward religious expression.

22102796D

H.B. 1065

Patron: Krizek

Department of Housing and Community Development; manufactured home parks; sample documents. Directs the Department of Housing and Community Development to convene a work group consisting of representatives from the Virginia Housing Development Authority, manufactured home park owners and residents, attorneys with relevant expertise, and other relevant stakeholders for the purposes of developing a sample manufactured home lot rental agreement and sample manufactured home park notices regarding an intent to sell.

A BILL to direct the Department of Housing and Community Development to convene a work group for the purpose of developing sample documents related to manufactured home lot rental agreements and park notices.

22105982D

H.B. 1091

Patron: Wilt

Virginia Public Procurement Act; project labor agreements. Requires every public body, prior to requiring bidders, offerors, contractors, subcontractors, or operators on public works contracts to enter into, become or remain signatories to, or adhere to project labor agreements, to make a written determination that such project labor agreements (i) meet certain criteria that serve to advance the public's interests, (ii) contain certain procedures and guarantees related to resolving disputes and preventing strikes, lockouts, or other related concerted actions, (iii) permit the selection of the lowest responsive and responsible bidder without regard to labor organization affiliation, and (iv) bind all contractors and subcontracts to the terms of the project labor agreement.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4321.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Public Procurement Act; project labor agreements.

22106289D

H.B. 1102

Patron: Ransone

Gubernatorial appointments to boards; membership and terms. Revises the length of terms for persons appointed to several commodity and commodity-related boards within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and further standardizes the term dates so all terms begin on July 1 and end on June 30. The bill amends the membership of the Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors, standardizes the term dates for appointments to the Board of Visitors of Mount Vernon, and clarifies that certain members of the A.L. Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership Board of Trustees may name a designee to serve on the Board. The bill corrects the staggering of terms for the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 3.2-1701, 3.2-1801, 3.2-2101, 3.2-2603, 3.2-2701, 23.1-3102, and 54.1-500.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to gubernatorial appointments to boards; membership and terms.

22102302D

H.B. 1265

Patron: Subramanyam

Department of Housing and Community Development; broadband affordability plan; report. Directs the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop a plan, to be known as the Commonwealth Digital Affordability and Cost Effectiveness Plan, to access federal funding under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill requires that the Plan include (i) an overview of options for affordable broadband connectivity in the Commonwealth; (ii) recommendations on how best to leverage federal grants addressing broadband affordability; (iii) best practices for establishing a broadband affordability program, taking into account existing federal funds and programs; and (iv) recommendations for public outreach, with consideration of the report submitted by the Department of Social Services as required in Item 359 L of Chapter 552 of the Acts of Assembly of 2021, Special Session I. The bill requires the Department to report the Plan to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2022.

A BILL to direct the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop a plan to address broadband affordability and equity.

22106314D

H.B. 1269

Patron: Head

Preneed funeral contracts; emergency. Removes the requirement that if a life insurance or annuity contract is used to fund a preneed funeral contract, the life insurance or annuity contract must provide either that the face value thereof shall be adjusted annually by a factor equal to the annualized Consumer Price Index as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor, or a benefit payable at death under such contract that will equal or exceed the sum of all premiums paid for such contract plus interest or dividends, which for the first 15 years shall be compounded annually at a rate of at least five percent. The bill also removes the requirement that interest or dividends continue to be paid after 15 years. The bill provides that for any life insurance or annuity contract that is used to fund a preneed funeral contract, the face amount of any life insurance policy shall not be decreased over the life of such policy except for with respect to life insurance policies that have lapsed due to the nonpayment of premiums or have gone to a nonforfeiture option that lowers the amount as allowed for in the provisions of the policy. The bill states that an emergency exists and that the bill is in force from its passage.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 38.2-3100.3 and 54.1-2820 of the Code of Virginia, relating to preneed funeral contracts; emergency.

22105126D

EMERGENCY

H.B. 1286

Patron: Hudson

Housing Authorities Law; notice of intent to dispose of housing projects. Removes the requirement that any housing authority required to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to demolish, liquidate, or otherwise dispose of such housing project also serve a notice to any agency that would be responsible for administering tenant-based rental assistance to persons who would otherwise be displaced from the housing project. The bill shortens from 12 to six the number of months prior to such application submission date required before the housing authority serves notice of intent to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and each tenant residing in the housing project. The bill prohibits the housing authority from requiring a tenant currently residing in such housing project to surrender possession of his unit until at least 12 months after serving the notice required by the bill except as otherwise provided by law.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 36-7.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Housing Authorities Law; notice of intent to dispose of a housing project.

22104416D

H.B. 1287

Patron: Runion

Virginia Public Procurement Act; preference for plastic recycled materials. Requires the Department of General Services (DGS), in determining the award of any contract for plastic materials to be purchased for use by agencies of the Commonwealth, to procure using competitive sealed bidding and give preference to bidders that supply materials containing plastic recycled content, as long as such materials are cost competitive with materials that do not contain plastic recycled content. The bill directs DGS to promulgate regulations to (i) in consultation with the Virginia Manufacturers Association, define the term "cost competitive" as it relates to the provision of this bill, and (ii) implement such provision and establish a system that requires an incremental increase in the minimum percentage of plastic recycled content required to be included in materials in order for a bidder to be given preference in the procurement process, as follows: (a) 10 percent plastic recycled content by January 1, 2025; (b) 20 percent plastic recycled content by January 1, 2028; and (c) 30 percent plastic recycled content by January 1, 2030.

 A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4323 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-4328.2, relating to Virginia Public Procurement Act; preference for plastic recycled materials.

22106525D

H.B. 1289

Patron: Head

Board of Housing and Community Development; exemption for certain use and occupancy classifications from the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code. Directs the Board of Housing and Community Development to consider, during the next code development cycle, revising the Uniform Statewide Building Code (the Building Code) to provide an exemption from any requirements in the energy efficiency standards in the Building Code and the 2018 Virginia Energy Conservation Code (the Energy Conservation Code), and any subsequent amendments to the Building Code and the Energy Conservation Code, for the use and occupancy classifications of (i) Section 306, Factory Group F; (ii) Section 311, Storage Group S; and (iii) Section 312, Utility and Miscellaneous Group U.

A BILL to direct the Board of Housing and Community Development to consider, during the next code development cycle, certain revisions to the Uniform Statewide Building Code regarding energy efficiency requirements for certain use and occupancy classifications.

22105555D

H.B. 1300

Patron: Freitas


Renaming Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as Director of Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion. Renames the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the Director of Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion. The Director shall  (i) develop a sustainable framework to promote inclusive practices across state government; (ii) implement a measurable, strategic plan to  increase opportunities for all Virginians; (iii) facilitate methods to turn feedback and suggestions from state employees, external stakeholders, and community leaders into  actionable opportunities; (iv) promote ideas, policies, and practices in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce and Trade to expand entrepreneurship and economic opportunities for disadvantaged Virginians, including Virginians living with disabilities; (v) facilitate bringing Virginians of different faiths together in service to their communities and the Commonwealth; (vi) promote free speech and civil discourse in civic life, including viewpoint diversity in higher education in coordination with the Secretary of Education; (vii) promote ideas, policies, and practices to eliminate disparities in prenatal care and to be an ambassador for unborn children; (viii) coordinate with the Secretary of Education to ensure the history of the United States is taught in Virginia honestly, objectively, and completely and to respond to the rights of parents in educational and curricular decision making; and (ix) perform any other responsibilities as assigned by the Governor. The bill makes similar renaming changes for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-435.12, 2.2-602, 2.2-1201, 2.2-2497, 2.2-2499.5, 2.2-2499.7, 2.2-2499.8, 4.1-604, 4.1-1503, 22.1-208.02, 22.1-365, 44-146.18, and 56-585.1:11 of the Code of Virginia, relating to renaming Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to Director of Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion.

22103624D

H.B. 1303

Patron: Williams

Virginia Freedom of Information Act; Virginia Parole Board member votes. Provides that individual votes of the members of the Virginia Parole Board are public records and subject to the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-3703 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; Virginia Parole Board member votes.

22106431D

H.B. 1310

Patron: Shin

Virginia Public Procurement Act; revision of procurement procedures. Provides that the Department of General Services and the Virginia Information Technologies Agency shall review and revise their procurement procedures to encourage the use of U.S. General Services Administration contracts or contracts awarded by any other agency of the United States government where appropriate.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4304 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Public Procurement Act; revision of procurement procedures.

22105694D

H.B. 1339

Patron: Leftwich

Facial recognition technology; local law enforcement; campus police. Facial recognition technology; local law enforcement; campus police. Redefines facial recognition technology, for the purposes of providing criteria for the lawful use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement, as conducting an algorithmic comparison of images of an individual's facial features for the purposes of identification. The bill authorizes local law enforcement and campus police departments to utilize facial recognition technology for certain authorized uses as defined in the bill. The bill requires that local law-enforcement agencies and campus police departments publicly post and annually update policies regarding the use of facial recognition technology and maintain records regarding the use of facial recognition technology and report the data annually to their communities. The bill also makes it a Class 3 misdemeanor for any facial recognition technology operator employed by a local law-enforcement agency to violate the agency or department's policy regarding the use of facial recognition technology or to conduct a search for any other reason than an authorized use. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of State Police to develop a model policy regarding the use of facial recognition technology by January 1, 2023. The bill directs the Virginia State Crime Commission to submit a report with an analysis and recommendations about the use of facial recognition technology to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee on Public Safety by November 1, 2025. The provisions of the bill expire on July 1, 2026.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-1723.2 and 23.1-815.1 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 52-4.5, relating to facial recognition technology; Department of State Police and authorized uses.

22106444D

H.B. 1364

Patron: Leftwich

Real estate settlement agents; choice of settlement agent; emergency. Clarifies that a seller shall not be prohibited from retaining a licensed attorney to represent his interests and provide legal advice pertaining to escrow, closing, or settlement services. This bill is declarative of existing law. The bill contains an emergency clause.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 55.1-1006 of the Code of Virginia, relating to real estate settlement agents; emergency.

22106345D

EMERGENCY