Bills & Legislation

Emergency Management, Department of; powers & duties, development & implementation of guidelines.

Department of Emergency Management; powers and duties; development and implementation of standardized guidelines and training programs. Provides for the Department of Emergency Management (the Department) to consult with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services regarding the development of standardized guidelines for mental health support during an emergency or extended incident. The bill also requires the Department to develop a training program comprised of National Incident Management System (NIMS) principles, the state's Incident Command System (ICS) structure, and the role of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Under the bill, each agency head shall be required to complete the training within six months of appointment and again every two years thereafter. In addition, the bill provides for the Department to (i) offer health and safety training to volunteer organizations incorporated into the Virginia Emergency Support Team (VEST) and (ii) establish a health monitoring system for volunteers to be implemented during a declared state of emergency. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Joint Subcommittee to Study Pandemic Response and Preparedness in the Commonwealth. This bill is identical to HB 2350.

Barbara A. FavolaDemocrat

Corporations; creates a regulatory framework for decentralized autonomous organizations.

Corporations; decentralized autonomous organizations. Creates a regulatory framework for decentralized autonomous organizations, defined in the bill as a distinct legal entity that operates through blockchain-based governance frameworks, incorporating self-executing smart contracts and decentralized decision-making mechanisms. The bill provides that an entity seeking to become a decentralized autonomous organization must file its articles of organization with the State Corporation Commission in order to seek a certificate of organization and requires such articles of organization to designate an operator of record. The bill permits a limited liability company to elect to become a decentralized autonomous organization with management vested in its members or smart contracts and contains requirements for its articles of organization and operating agreements. The bill also contains provisions governing the relationships and rights of members of a decentralized autonomous organization and for the dissolution of a decentralized autonomous organization. The provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2026 Session of the General Assembly.

Dan I. HelmerDemocrat

Electricity consumption tax; rate adjustments.

Electricity consumption tax; rate adjustments. Increases the electric utility consumption tax's special utility tax rates for commercial and industrial consumer electricity consumed per month (i) in excess of 2,500 kWh but not in excess of 50,000 kWh and (ii) in excess of 50,000 kWh. This bill is identical to HB 2663.

David W. MarsdenDemocrat

Renewable energy portfolio standard eligible sources; geothermal electric generating resources.

Renewable energy portfolio standard eligible sources; geothermal electric generating resources. Provides that geothermal electric generating resources, as defined in the bill, located in the Commonwealth or physically located within the PJM region are eligible for compliance with renewable energy portfolio standard requirements.

Jeremy S. McPikeDemocrat

School board policies; parental notification, safe storage of prescription drugs and firearms, etc.

School board policies; parental notification; safe storage of prescription drugs and firearms in the household. Requires each local school board to develop and implement a policy to require the annual notification of the parent of each student enrolled in the local school division, to be sent by email and, if applicable, SMS text message within 30 calendar days succeeding the first day of each school year, of (i) the importance of securely storing any prescription drug, as defined in relevant law, present in the household and (ii) the parent's legal responsibility to safely store any firearm present in the household. The bill requires each school board to make such parental notification available in multiple languages on its website. This bill is identical to HB 1678.

Stella G. PekarskyDemocrat

Electric utilities; renewable energy portfolio standard program requirements.

Electric utilities; renewable energy portfolio standard program requirements; power purchase agreements. Amends certain renewable energy portfolio standard program requirements for Dominion Energy Virginia, including (i) the annual percentage of program requirements to be met with behind-the meter solar, wind, or anaerobic digestion resources of three megawatts or less located in the Commonwealth and (ii) the date by which 75 percent of such requirements shall be met with resources located in the Commonwealth. The bill also removes the requirement for a solar-powered or wind-powered generation facility to have a capacity of no less than 50 kilowatts to qualify for a third party power purchase agreement under a pilot program. The bill permits Dominion Energy Virginia to recover certain costs prior to December 31, 2032, and provides that it is the policy of the Commonwealth to encourage development on previously developed project sites, as defined in existing law, to reduce the land use impacts of solar development. This bill is identical to HB 1883.

Schuyler T. VanValkenburgDemocrat

American Indians, Va. recognized tribes, and federally recognized tribes; definitions, sovereignty.

Definitions; American Indians; Virginia recognized tribes; federally recognized tribes; sovereignty. Establishes definitions for "American Indian," "federally recognized tribe," and "Virginia recognized tribe" and amends various sections throughout the Code for the purpose of uniformity in terminology. This bill is identical to SB 949.

Paul E. KrizekDemocrat

Child labor; child engaged in the work of content creation, trust account.

Child labor; child engaged in the work of content creation; trust account. Requires that a child under the age of 16 who meets certain criteria specified in the bill to be considered a child engaged in the work of content creation be compensated by the content creator, defined in the bill, whose video content includes such child's likeness, name, or photograph. The bill requires the content creator to set aside gross earnings on the video content that includes the likeness, name, or photograph of the child in a trust account to be preserved for the benefit of the child upon attaining 18 years of age or having been declared emancipated. The bill also requires the content creator to maintain certain records specified in the bill and provide them to the child and the holder of the trust account on an ongoing basis. The bill also allows the child, or his parent or guardian on behalf of such child, to commence a civil action if the content creator fails to maintain the required records and to enforce the provisions of law related to the trust account. This bill incorporates SB 840 and is identical to HB 2401.

Angelia Williams GravesDemocrat

Admission to bail; pregnant persons or persons who have recently given birth.

Admission to bail; pregnant persons or persons who have recently given birth. Requires the judicial officer to consider any evidence a person provides indicating that such person (i) is currently pregnant, (ii) has recently given birth, or (iii) is currently nursing a child when determining whether such person shall be admitted to bail.

Shelly A. SimondsDemocrat

Emergency Management, Department of; powers & duties, development & implementation of guidelines.

Department of Emergency Management; powers and duties; development and implementation of standardized guidelines and training programs. Provides for the Department of Emergency Management (the Department) to consult with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services regarding the development of standardized guidelines for mental health support during an emergency or extended incident. The bill also requires the Department to develop a training program comprised of National Incident Management System (NIMS) principles, the state's Incident Command System (ICS) structure, and the role of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Under the bill, each agency head shall be required to complete the training within six months of appointment and again every two years thereafter. In addition, the bill provides for the Department to (i) offer health and safety training to volunteer organizations incorporated into the Virginia Emergency Support Team (VEST) and (ii) establish a health monitoring system for volunteers to be implemented during a declared state of emergency. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Joint Subcommittee to Study Pandemic Response and Preparedness in the Commonwealth. This bill is identical to SB 1386.

Debra D. GardnerDemocrat

Civil litigation; suspension bonds and irrevocable letters of credit upon appeal.

Civil litigation; suspension bonds and irrevocable letters of credit upon appeal. Increases the cap currently in place for suspension bonds and irrevocable letters of credit for appellants during the pendency of an appeal of a civil action from $25 million to $200 million. The bill also requires, beginning April 1, 2028, and at each three-year interval ending on April 1 thereafter, this monetary cap to be adjusted to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Phil M. HernandezDemocrat

Medicine, Board of; continuing education, unconscious bias and cultural competency.

Board of Medicine; continuing education; unconscious bias and cultural competency. Directs the Board of Medicine to require unconscious bias and cultural competency training as part of the continuing education requirements for renewal of licensure. The bill specifies requirements for the training and requires the Board of Medicine to report the number of licensees who have successfully completed such training to the Department of Health and the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative. This bill is identical to HB 1649.

Mamie E. LockeDemocrat

High school graduation requirements; history and social studies credits, etc.

High school graduation requirements; history and social studies credits; certain substitutions permitted. Requires the Board of Education, in establishing high school graduation requirements, to permit any student to substitute the African American History course or the Advanced Placement African American Studies course for the World History I course or the World Geography course for the purpose of satisfying the history and social studies credit requirements, provided that enrollment in such an African American History course or Advanced Placement African American Studies course is available to the student. This bill is identical to HB 1824.

Lamont BagbyDemocrat

Library Board; conferral of the honorary degree of patron of letters.

Library Board; conferral of the honorary degree of patron of letters. Adds arts, humanities, and information science to the fields in which the state Library Board may confer the honorary degree of patron of letters. Currently the fields consist of history and library or archival science.

JJ SinghDemocrat

Energy storage requirements; Department of Energy, et al., to develop model ordinances, reports.

Electric utilities; energy storage requirements; Department of Energy and Department of Environmental Quality to develop model ordinances; work groups; reports. Increases the targets for energy storage capacity that Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy Virginia are required to petition the State Corporation Commission for approval to construct, acquire, or procure and extends the time frame by which such capacity must be met. Under the bill, (i) Appalachian Power shall petition the Commission for approval to construct, acquire, or procure at least 780 megawatts of short-duration energy storage capacity by 2040 and 520 megawatts of long-duration energy storage capacity by 2045 and (ii) Dominion Energy Virginia shall petition the Commission for approval to construct, acquire, or procure at least 5,220 megawatts of short-duration energy storage capacity by 2045 and 3,480 megawatts of long-duration energy storage capacity by 2045. "Long-duration energy storage" and "short-duration energy storage" are defined in the bill. The bill requires the Commission to conduct a technology demonstration program for long-duration energy storage resources and initiate a proceeding to determine if such technology is viable and that the targets in the bill are reasonably achievable, for which a final order shall be entered no later than March 1, 2030. Certain provisions of the bill are only effective upon such determination by the Commission.The bill requires the Department of Energy, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Fire Programs, to create model ordinances for use by localities in their regulation of energy storage projects and to convene a work group to develop such model ordinances and submit a report by December 1, 2025. The bill directs the Department of Energy and the Department of Environmental Quality to convene a work group to develop recommendations and financial incentives related to the development of long-duration energy storage projects and submit a report by December 1, 2025. The bill also directs the Department of Energy to engage with PJM Interconnection, LLC, in reviewing regional market conditions related to energy storage resources and permits Dominion Energy Virginia to propose a partnership with institutions of higher education to deploy energy storage resources. This bill is identical to SB 1394.

Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.Democrat

Board of Medicine; continuing education; unconscious bias and cultural competency.

Board of Medicine; continuing education; unconscious bias and cultural competency. Directs the Board of Medicine to require unconscious bias and cultural competency training as part of the continuing education requirements for renewal of licensure. The bill specifies requirements for the training and requires the Board of Medicine to report the number of licensees who have successfully completed such training to the Department of Health and the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative. This bill is identical to SB 740.

C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.Democrat

Virginia Consumer Protection Act; prohibited practices, mandatory fees or surcharges disclosure.

Virginia Consumer Protection Act; prohibited practices; mandatory fees or surcharges disclosure. Prohibits a supplier, in connection with a consumer transaction, from advertising or displaying a price for goods or services without clearly and conspicuously displaying the total price, which shall include all mandatory fees or surcharges, as defined in the bill. The bill specifies the requirements for compliance with its provisions for certain suppliers and excludes from its provisions (i) certain fees charged by motor vehicle dealers, as defined in relevant law; (ii) fees charged by electric utilities, natural gas utilities, and telecommunications service providers, as those terms are defined in relevant law; (iii) certain costs associated with real estate settlement services; and (iv) the provision of air transportation by air carriers. The bill requires a food delivery platform to (a) at the point when a consumer views and selects a vendor or items for purchase, include a clear and conspicuous disclosure of any additional fee or percentage charged, as defined in the bill, and (b) after a consumer selects items for purchase, but prior to checkout, display a subtotal page that itemizes the price of such selected items and any additional fee or percentage included in the total cost. This bill is identical to SB 1212.

Adele Y. McClureDemocrat

Legislator Compensation Commission; established, appointment of members, report.

General Assembly; Legislator Compensation Commission established. Establishes the Legislator Compensation Commission, to be formed every four years for the purpose of reviewing the salaries, expense allowances, retirement benefits, and other emoluments received by members of the General Assembly and determining whether any adjustments to salaries or allowances are needed. The 11-member Commission shall be appointed as follows: two former members of the Senate of Virginia and four former members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Joint Rules Committee, and five nonlegislative citizen members, with the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, the House Minority Leader, and the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders each appointing one such member. Any adjustments made to salaries, expense allowances, or other emoluments or benefits enacted in a budget bill based upon the recommendation of the Commission shall not be effective until January 1 of the year immediately following the general election for all members of the General Assembly.

Bryce E. ReevesRepublican

Virginia Consumer Protection Act; prohibited practices, mandatory fees or surcharges disclosure.

Virginia Consumer Protection Act; prohibited practices; mandatory fees or surcharges disclosure. Prohibits a supplier, in connection with a consumer transaction, from advertising or displaying a price for goods or services without clearly and conspicuously displaying the total price, which shall include all mandatory fees or surcharges, as defined in the bill. The bill specifies the requirements for compliance with its provisions for certain suppliers and excludes from its provisions (i) certain fees charged by motor vehicle dealers, as defined in relevant law; (ii) fees charged by electric utilities, natural gas utilities, and telecommunications service providers, as those terms are defined in relevant law; (iii) certain costs associated with real estate settlement services; and (iv) the provision of air transportation by air carriers. The bill requires a food delivery platform to (a) at the point when a consumer views and selects a vendor or items for purchase, include a clear and conspicuous disclosure of any additional fee or percentage charged, as defined in the bill, and (b) after a consumer selects items for purchase, but prior to checkout, display a subtotal page that itemizes the price of such selected items and any additional fee or percentage included in the total cost. This bill is identical to HB 2515.

Stella G. PekarskyDemocrat

VCU Health System Authority; changes relating to board of directors and chief executive officer.

Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority; board of directors; chief executive officer. Makes several changes relating to the board of directors and the chief executive officer of the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority (the Authority), including (i) reducing from 19 to 13 the number of appointed members on the board of directors and adding the chief executive officer of the Authority as an ex officio member with voting privileges, thereby reducing from 21 to 16 the total number of board members; (ii) changing from voting to nonvoting the nature of the membership of the President of Virginia Commonwealth University (the University) on the board of directors and prohibiting rather than requiring, as under current law, the President of the University from serving as chairman of the board of directors; (iii) lengthening the terms of all members of the board of directors from three years to four years; (iv) adding demonstrated experience or expertise in finance or commercial real estate as options for satisfying the required qualifications for certain appointed members and requiring each enumerated area of demonstrated experience or expertise to be represented amongst such appointed members at any given time; (v) requiring the biennial election of a chairman and vice-chairman of the board of directors, requiring such chairman and vice-chairman to have served for at least two years on the board of directors, and prohibiting any employee of the University, employee of the Authority, member of the board of visitors of the University, or legislative member from serving as chairman; (vi) prohibiting rather than permitting, as under current law, the Senior Vice-President for Health Sciences of the University from serving as chief executive officer of the Authority but requiring the Senior Vice-President for Health Sciences to regularly communicate and collaborate with such chief executive officer to support the mutual interests and success of the University and the Authority; (vii) providing that no further action shall be taken if a majority of each of the three-member committees appointed by the board of directors of the Authority and the board of visitors of the University do not agree on the removal of the chief executive officer of the Authority within 30 days of the appointment of the committees by each board; and (viii) providing that in the event that a majority of the members of each committee do not agree on the selection or conditions of appointment of the chief executive officer within 30 days of the appointment of the committees by each board, then the process set forth in statute shall be repeated until such selection has been made or such conditions of appointment have been determined. Current law requires the President of the University to make a binding decision in the event of any such disagreement. This bill is identical to HB 2161.

Lamont BagbyDemocrat

Public housing authorities; indigent parties, unlawful detainer.

Public housing authorities; indigent parties; unlawful detainer. Exempts indigent defendants from having to post an appeal bond in unlawful detainer actions brought by a public housing authority. The bill also amends certain provisions of the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to (i) prohibit any landlord that is a public housing authority from requiring a tenant to pay any fees for the maintenance or repair of a dwelling unit unless such repair is necessitated by the tenant's action or omission and (ii) require, if a public housing authority issues a notice of nonpayment of rent to a tenant, such public housing authority to provide the tenant certain information printed on pink or orange paper explaining how the tenant may recertify the tenant's income in accordance with federal law and policy. This bill is identical to HB 2415.

Lashrecse D. AirdDemocrat

Electric utilities; generation of electricity from renewable and zero carbon sources.

Electric utilities; generation of electricity from renewable and zero carbon sources; projects on or adjacent to public elementary or secondary schools. Provides that for purposes of compliance with a renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS) program, to the extent that low-income qualifying projects, as defined in existing law, are not available and projects located on or adjacent to public elementary or secondary schools are available, a certain percentage of the required projects shall be composed of projects located on or adjacent to public elementary or secondary schools. This bill is identical to HB 1934.

R. Creigh DeedsDemocrat

Contraception; establishes right to obtain, applicability, enforcement.

Contraception; right to contraception; applicability; enforcement. Establishes a right to obtain contraceptives and engage in contraception, as such terms are defined in the bill. The bill clarifies that none of its provisions shall be construed to permit or sanction the performance of any sterilization procedure without a patient's voluntary and informed consent. The bill creates a cause of action that may be instituted against anyone who infringes on such right. This bill is identical to HB 1716.

Ghazala F. HashmiDemocrat

Energy storage requirements; Department of Energy, et al., to develop model ordinances, reports.

Electric utilities; energy storage requirements; Department of Energy and Department of Environmental Quality to develop model ordinances; work groups; reports. Increases the targets for energy storage capacity that Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy Virginia are required to petition the State Corporation Commission for approval to construct, acquire, or procure and extends the time frame by which such capacity must be met. Under the bill, (i) Appalachian Power shall petition the Commission for approval to construct, acquire, or procure at least 780 megawatts of short-duration energy storage capacity by 2040 and 520 megawatts of long-duration energy storage capacity by 2045 and (ii) Dominion Energy Virginia shall petition the Commission for approval to construct, acquire, or procure at least 5,220 megawatts of short-duration energy storage capacity by 2045 and 3,480 megawatts of long-duration energy storage capacity by 2045. "Long-duration energy storage" and "short-duration energy storage" are defined in the bill. The bill requires the Commission to conduct a technology demonstration program for long-duration energy storage resources and initiate a proceeding to determine if such technology is viable and that the targets in the bill are reasonably achievable, for which a final order shall be entered no later than March 1, 2030. Certain provisions of the bill are only effective upon such determination by the Commission.The bill requires the Department of Energy, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Fire Programs, to create model ordinances for use by localities in their regulation of energy storage projects and to convene a work group to develop such model ordinances and submit a report by December 1, 2025. The bill directs the Department of Energy and the Department of Environmental Quality to convene a work group to develop recommendations and financial incentives related to the development of long-duration energy storage projects and submit a report by December 1, 2025. The bill also directs the Department of Energy to engage with PJM Interconnection, LLC, in reviewing regional market conditions related to energy storage resources and permits Dominion Energy Virginia to propose a partnership with institutions of higher education to deploy energy storage resources. This bill is identical to HB 2537.

Lamont BagbyDemocrat

New Americans Advisory Board, Office of; increases member of nonlegislative citizen members.

Office of New Americans Advisory Board; increase in membership. Increases from 18 to 21 the number of nonlegislative citizen members of the Office of New Americans Advisory Board and adds the Secretaries of Commerce and Trade, Education, Health and Human Resources, Labor, Public Safety and Homeland Security, and Transportation as ex officio members with nonvoting privileges. The bill also removes the provision that limits the Board to meeting four times per year. This bill incorporates HB 2280.

Irene ShinDemocrat

Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program authority; right of entry.

Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program authority; right of entry. Removes the restriction on localities that operate regulated municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) to only enter on those properties from which a discharge enters their MS4 and allows such localities to, at reasonable times and under reasonable circumstances, enter any establishment or upon any property, public or private, for the purpose of obtaining information or conducting surveys or investigations necessary in the enforcement of the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program. However, the bill restricts operators of an MS4 that are not a locality, or any duly authorized agent thereof, to only enter on those properties from which a discharge enters their MS4. This bill is identical to HB 2008.

Russet PerryDemocrat

Virtual power plant pilot program; each Phase II Utility shall petition SCC for approval to conduct.

Electric utilities; virtual power plant pilot program. Requires Dominion Energy Virginia to petition the State Corporation Commission for approval to conduct a pilot program to evaluate methods to optimize demand through various technology applications, including the establishment of virtual power plants, by December 1, 2025. The bill requires the pilot program to evaluate electric grid capacity needs and the ability of such virtual power plants to provide grid services, including peak-shaving, during times of peak electric demand. This bill is identical to HB 2346.

Ghazala F. HashmiDemocrat

Postpartum doula care; DMAS to amend state plan for medical assistance services.

Department of Medical Assistance Services; state plan for medical assistance services; postpartum doula care; report. Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to amend the state plan for medical assistance services to include a provision for payment for up to 10 doula visits, with up to four doula visits during pregnancy and up to six doula visits during the 12 months after the individual gives birth. The bill requires the Department to report to the Governor and General Assembly annually on the implementation and outcomes of the provision, and requires the first such report to be submitted by December 31, 2026. This bill is identical to SB 1418.

Adele Y. McClureDemocrat

Discovery materials or evidence; allows accused to request the Commonwealth to copy or photograph.

Discovery. Requires the Commonwealth, upon request of the accused or his counsel, to copy or photograph any discovery materials or evidence the accused is permitted to inspect and review, including relevant police reports, criminal records, and body-worn camera footage, and requires the Commonwealth to provide such copies or photographs, electronically or otherwise, to the accused or his counsel, unless such material is prohibited from being distributed by law or impossible to provide by electronic means. The bill requires the attorney for the Commonwealth in any district court to provide to counsel of record for the accused, if requested, by electronic means a copy of any police report at least 10 days prior to the date the case is set for trial or preliminary hearing, provided that counsel of record agrees to any reasonable redaction or restricted dissemination as requested by the attorney for the Commonwealth. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission. This bill is identical to SB 963.

Karen Keys-GamarraDemocrat

Virtual power plant pilot program; each Phase II Utility shall petition SCC for approval to conduct.

Electric utilities; virtual power plant pilot program. Requires Dominion Energy Virginia to petition the State Corporation Commission for approval to conduct a pilot program to evaluate methods to optimize demand through various technology applications, including the establishment of virtual power plants, by December 1, 2025. The bill requires the pilot program to evaluate electric grid capacity needs and the ability of such virtual power plants to provide grid services, including peak-shaving, during times of peak electric demand. This bill is identical to SB 1100.

Phil M. HernandezDemocrat

Automatic license plate recognition systems; use, reports, penalty.

Use of automatic license plate recognition systems; reports; penalty. Requires the Division of Purchases and Supply of the Department of General Services (the Division) to determine and approve the automatic license plate recognition systems, defined in the bill, for use in the Commonwealth and provides requirements for use of such systems by law-enforcement agencies. The bill limits the use of such systems by law-enforcement agencies to the following purposes: (i) as part of a criminal investigation into an alleged criminal violation of the Code of Virginia or any ordinance of any county, city, or town where there is a reasonable suspicion that a crime was committed; (ii) as part of an active investigation related to a missing or endangered person, including whether to issue an alert for such person, or a person associated with human trafficking; or (iii) to receive notifications related to a missing or endangered person, a person with an outstanding warrant, a person associated with human trafficking, a stolen vehicle, or a stolen license plate.The bill requires annual reports from law-enforcement agencies using such systems that provide de-identified information concerning the use of the systems and from the State Police that aggregate such information statewide beginning April 1, 2027. The bill also requires a law-enforcement officer or State Police officer to collect data on whether a stop of a driver of a motor vehicle or stop or temporary detention of a person was based on a notification from an automatic license plate recognition system prior to such stop and if so, the specific reason for the notification as set forth in relevant law.The provisions of the bill that require a law-enforcement agency to obtain a permit from the Department of Transportation in accordance with regulations of the Commonwealth Transportation Board before installing an automatic license plate recognition system on a state right-of-way do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2026 Session of the General Assembly. Except for provisions requiring (a) the Division to determine and approve automatic license plate recognition systems for use in the Commonwealth, which shall become effective on July 1, 2026, and (b) law-enforcement officers to collect data on whether a stop was based on a notification from an automatic license plate recognition system, which shall become effective January 1, 2026, the provisions of the bill become effective in due course. The bill requires the Division, in consultation with the Virginia Information Technologies Agency, to determine such systems for use in the Commonwealth and publicly post a list of such systems by January 1, 2026. Finally, the bill requires the Virginia State Crime Commission to collect data and conduct surveys of law-enforcement agencies to assess the use of automatic license plate recognition systems and report its findings by the first day of the 2026 Regular Session and again on November 1, 2026. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Virginia State Crime Commission.

Charniele L. HerringDemocrat

Vehicles used for agricultural purposes; reflectors/reflectorized material on rear end of trailers.

Vehicles used for agricultural purposes. Provides that trailers and semitrailers used for certain agricultural purposes may be operated without tail lights or brake lights on the highways of the Commonwealth, except in Planning District 8 (Northern Virginia), that are not interstate highways between sunrise and sunset, provided that such trailer or semitrailer has affixed to the rear end either (i) two or more reflectors of a type approved by the Superintendent of State Police or (ii) at least 100 square inches of solid reflectorized material. The bill requires such a trailer or semitrailer operated without tail lights or brake lights to keep to the rightmost lane, except when turning at an intersection or avoiding any hazard. The bill also prohibits the operation of such a trailer or semitrailer operated without tail lights or brake lights whenever (a) certain conditions reducing visibility are present or (b) windshield wipers are in use as a result of fog, rain, sleet, or snow.

Israel D. O'QuinnRepublican

Public school accountability system; Three "E" Readiness Framework.

Board of Education; public school accountability system; Three "E" Readiness Framework; include and incentivize work-based learning experiences. Directs the Board of Education to revise its Three "E" Readiness Framework: Employment, Enlistment, and Enrollment, adopted pursuant to the public school accountability system to measure high school student postsecondary readiness, to include as an indicator of postsecondary readiness and incentivize participation in and completion of work-based learning experiences, with the maximum number of points for such indicator awarded to students who participate in a minimum of 90 hours of work-based learning experiences. This bill is identical to SB 784.

Sam RasoulDemocrat

Small renewable energy projects; amends definition, permit by rule.

Small renewable energy projects; permit by rule. Amends the definition of "small renewable energy project" for the purposes of obtaining a permit by rule from the Department of Environmental Quality to include interconnection facilities, as defined in the bill. The bill requires that the Department of Environmental Quality and the State Corporation Commission enter into a memorandum of understanding to implement the provisions of the bill. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2026.

Katrina CallsenDemocrat

Public housing authorities; indigent parties, unlawful detainer.

Public housing authorities; indigent parties; unlawful detainer. Exempts indigent defendants from having to post an appeal bond in unlawful detainer actions brought by a public housing authority. The bill also amends certain provisions of the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to (i) prohibit any landlord that is a public housing authority from requiring a tenant to pay any fees for the maintenance or repair of a dwelling unit unless such repair is necessitated by the tenant's action or omission and (ii) require, if a public housing authority issues a notice of nonpayment of rent to a tenant, such public housing authority to provide the tenant certain information printed on pink or orange paper explaining how the tenant may recertify the tenant's income in accordance with federal law and policy. This bill is identical to SB 1221.

Rae CousinsDemocrat

Postpartum Depression Education Act; Department of Health to establish a public awareness campaign.

Postpartum Depression Education Act; report. Directs the Department of Health to establish a public awareness campaign, develop and distribute educational materials, and create an online resource hub focused on perinatal and postpartum depression. The bill requires the Department to submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the implementation of the bill, with the first annual report due by November 1, 2026.

Candi Mundon KingDemocrat

Electric utilities; renewable energy portfolio standard program requirements.

Electric utilities; renewable energy portfolio standard program requirements; power purchase agreements. Amends certain renewable energy portfolio standard program requirements for Dominion Energy Virginia, including (i) the annual percentage of program requirements to be met with behind-the meter solar, wind, or anaerobic digestion resources of three megawatts or less located in the Commonwealth and (ii) the date by which 75 percent of such requirements shall be met with resources located in the Commonwealth. The bill also removes the requirement for a solar-powered or wind-powered generation facility to have a capacity of no less than 50 kilowatts to qualify for a third party power purchase agreement under a pilot program. The bill permits Dominion Energy Virginia to recover certain costs prior to December 31, 2032, and provides that it is the policy of the Commonwealth to encourage development on previously developed project sites, as defined in existing law, to reduce the land use impacts of solar development. This bill is identical to SB 1040.

Katrina CallsenDemocrat

Electric utilities; accelerated renewable energy buyers, zero-carbon electricity.

Electric utilities; accelerated renewable energy buyers; zero-carbon electricity; energy storage resources. Permits an accelerated renewable energy buyer or group of accelerated renewable energy buyers to contract to (i) obtain bundled capacity, energy, and renewable energy certificates from zero-carbon electricity generation resources under certain conditions and (ii) offset all or a portion of their capacity needs through the procurement of energy storage resources under certain conditions.

David A. ReidDemocrat

High school graduation requirements; history and social studies credits, etc.

High school graduation requirements; history and social studies credits; certain substitutions permitted. Requires the Board of Education, in establishing high school graduation requirements, to permit any student to substitute the African American History course or the Advanced Placement African American Studies course for the World History I course or the World Geography course for the purpose of satisfying the history and social studies credit requirements, provided that enrollment in such an African American History course or Advanced Placement African American Studies course is available to the student. This bill is identical to SB 1462.

David A. ReidDemocrat

Health insurance; coverage for contraceptive drugs and devices.

Health insurance; coverage for contraceptive drugs and devices. Requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage, under any health insurance contract, policy, or plan that includes coverage for prescription drugs on an outpatient basis, for contraceptive drugs and contraceptive devices, as defined in the bill, including those available over-the-counter. The bill prohibits a health insurance carrier from imposing upon any person receiving contraceptive benefits pursuant to the provisions of the bill any copayment, coinsurance payment, or fee, except in certain circumstances. This bill is identical to HB 2371.

Jennifer D. Carroll FoyDemocrat

Electric utilities; generation of electricity from renewable and zero carbon sources.

Electric utilities; generation of electricity from renewable and zero carbon sources; projects on or adjacent to public elementary or secondary schools. Provides that for purposes of compliance with a renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS) program, to the extent that low-income qualifying projects, as defined in existing law, are not available and projects located on or adjacent to public elementary or secondary schools are available, a certain percentage of the required projects shall be composed of projects located on or adjacent to public elementary or secondary schools. This bill is identical to SB 1192.

Destiny LeVere BollingDemocrat

Public school accountability system; Three "E" Readiness Framework.

Board of Education; public school accountability system; Three "E" Readiness Framework; include and incentivize work-based learning experiences. Directs the Board of Education to revise its Three "E" Readiness Framework: Employment, Enlistment, and Enrollment, adopted pursuant to the public school accountability system to measure high school student postsecondary readiness, to include as an indicator of postsecondary readiness and incentivize participation in and completion of work-based learning experiences, with the maximum number of points for such indicator awarded to students who participate in a minimum of 90 hours of work-based learning experiences. This bill is identical to HB 2454.

David R. SuetterleinRepublican

Child support; updates amounts in the schedule of basic support obligations.

Determination of child support. Updates the amounts in the schedule of basic child support obligations based upon gross monthly income and calculates such obligations for specific amounts up to a gross monthly income of $42,500. Under current law, such child support obligations are calculated up to a gross monthly income of $35,000. The bill directs the Child Support Guidelines Review Panel, in collaboration with the Division of Child Support Enforcement, to examine the current outstanding amount of child support arrearages and make recommendations to the General Assembly about measures the General Assembly can consider regarding (i) helping child support obligors pay outstanding arrearages and (ii) whether existing penalties that place restrictions on such obligors' drivers licenses or other professional restrictions unnecessarily impair the obligor's ability to repay outstanding child support arrearages. The bill directs the Child Support Guidelines Review Panel to report its conclusions to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice by November 15, 2025.

Scott A. SurovellDemocrat

Richard Bland College; governance.

Richard Bland College; governance. Removes the authority of the board of visitors of The College of William and Mary in Virginia to supervise, manage, and control Richard Bland College and establishes the nine-member board of visitors of Richard Bland College to generally direct the affairs of Richard Bland College, including appointing all teachers and fixing their salaries, providing for the employment of other personnel as required, and caring for and preserving all property belonging to Richard Bland College. The bill provides for the transfer of relevant property and rights thereto, contracts, and duties from the board of visitors of The College of William and Mary in Virginia to the board of visitors of Richard Bland College. The bill also requires the board of visitors of Richard Bland College to focus its efforts on preparing students for academic and career success and permits the board of visitors to take several enumerated actions in furtherance of such efforts. The bill also provides that the audit conducted by the Auditor of Public Accounts for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, will be the last audit for which Richard Bland College is treated as a consolidated entity of the board of visitors of The College of William and Mary in Virginia and that beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the Auditor of Public Accounts shall submit its audit report on Richard Bland College to the board of visitors of Richard Bland College. The provisions of the bill, with the exception of the provision requiring Richard Bland College to submit a report to the General Assembly by December 31, 2025, have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2026. This bill is identical to SB 742.

Betsy B. CarrDemocrat

Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program authority; right of entry.

Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program authority; right of entry. Removes the restriction on localities that operate regulated municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) to only enter on those properties from which a discharge enters their MS4 and allows such localities to, at reasonable times and under reasonable circumstances, enter any establishment or upon any property, public or private, for the purpose of obtaining information or conducting surveys or investigations necessary in the enforcement of the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program. However, the bill restricts operators of an MS4 that are not a locality, or any duly authorized agent thereof, to only enter on those properties from which a discharge enters their MS4. This bill is identical to SB 1093.

Marty MartinezDemocrat

Electricity consumption tax; rate adjustments.

Electricity consumption tax; rate adjustments. Increases the electric utility consumption tax's special utility tax rates for commercial and industrial consumer electricity consumed per month (i) in excess of 2,500 kWh but not in excess of 50,000 kWh and (ii) in excess of 50,000 kWh. This bill is identical to SB 1336.

Hyland F. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr.Republican

Elections; candidates for office, challenges to candidate qualifications.

Elections; candidates for office; challenges to candidate qualifications. Requires any legal action relating to a person's eligibility to appear on the ballot on the basis that such person did not meet all qualifications or fulfill all requirements for candidacy to be filed in a circuit court and served on all parties at least (i) 90 days before the date of a general election, (ii) 65 days before the date of a primary election, (iii) 70 days before the date of a special election held on the same date as the general election, or (iv) for any special election held at a time other than a general election (a) at least 55 days before the date of the special election or (b) within 10 days of any writ of election or order calling a special election to be held less than 60 days after the issuance of the writ or order. The bill specifies that any such legal action will be given precedence on the docket and be decided by the court no later than 10 days before the date on which ballots for that election are made available for absentee voting. The bill also specifies that candidates who are nominated at a primary election cannot be later challenged on the basis of facts that were present prior to the primary election and could have been raised in a challenge to such candidate's eligibility for the primary ballot.

Scott A. SurovellDemocrat

American Indians, Va. recognized tribes, and federally recognized tribes; definitions, sovereignty.

Definitions; American Indians; Virginia recognized tribes; federally recognized tribes; sovereignty. Establishes definitions for "American Indian," "federally recognized tribe," and "Virginia recognized tribe" and amends various sections throughout the Code for the purpose of uniformity in terminology. This bill is identical to HB 2134.

Ryan T. McDougleRepublican