Status: This bill will be voted on in the House Health Subcommittee THIS MORNING, 1/29, at 9AM in House Committee Room C-206.
Requires the Department of Health to establish the Health Care Regulatory Sandbox Program to enable a person to obtain limited access to the market in the Commonwealth to temporarily test an innovative health care product or service on a limited basis.
SUPPORT: SB932 – Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning Standardization
Status: This bill is on the Senate Second Reading Calendar today, 1/29. It is on the Senate Third Reading Calendar TOMORROW, 1/30, and is expected to receive a floor vote.
This bill establishes statewide standards for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), promoting housing flexibility by requiring localities to permit ADUs in single-family residential zones. The legislation balances local regulatory needs with homeowner rights, creating a streamlined process for ADU development while maintaining reasonable restrictions on size, location, and occupancy to protect neighborhood characteristics and property values.
OPPOSE: SB769 – Require Opt-in Consent for Cookies on Web Browsers
STATUS: This bill will be voted on in the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee TODAY, 1/29, 30 minutes after adjournment in Senate Room B.
This billrequires website controllers to seek consent from a user before storing cookies on the user’s devices. Websites must retain proof of having done so, and provide a means of opt-out afterwards.
OPPOSE: SB917 – Collective Bargaining by Public Employees
STATUS: This bill will be voted on in the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee TODAY, 1/29, at 9am in Senate Room A.
This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for public employee collective bargaining, creating a Public Employee Relations Board to oversee negotiations while maintaining critical limitations on government employee strikes.
OPPOSE: HB1552 – Certificate of Public Need Exemption for Critical Hospitals
STATUS: This bill was on the House Second Reading Calendar yesterday, 1/28. It is on the House Third Reading Calendar TODAY, 1/29, and is expected to receive a floor vote.
This bill would further entrench Virginia in the problems caused by the Certificate of Public Need program. It would allow certain hospitals, defined as critical access hospitals, to receive an exemption from COPN. This interference in the market place would cause inequity and continue to allow hospitals to choose winners and losers in the market of medical services.
SUPPORT: SB1037 – School-based Telehealth and Mental Health Services
STATUS: This bill was on the House Second Reading Calendar yesterday, 1/28. It is on the House Third Reading Calendar TODAY, 1/29, and is expected to receive a floor vote.
Empowers local school boards to increase healthcare access by allowing students to receive telehealth and mental health services during school hours, respecting parental rights through consent requirements. The bill preserves local control by letting school boards develop their own policies while ensuring student privacy and preventing disciplinary action for receiving healthcare services. This approach expands healthcare options without mandating participation, aligning with principles of individual choice and limited government intervention.
OPPOSE: SB1177 – Certificate of Public Need Exemption for Critical Hospitals
STATUS: This bill was passed on the Senate floor yesterday, 1/28. It will now be sent to the House to be assigned to a House Committee.
This bill would further entrench Virginia in the problems caused by the Certificate of Public Need program. It would allow certain hospitals, defined as critical access hospitals, to receive an exemption from COPN. This interference in the market place would cause inequity and continue to allow hospitals to choose winners and losers in the market of medical services.
SUPPORT: HB2119 – Medical Desert Healthcare Access and Expedited Review
STATUS: This bill passed the House Health Subcommittee yesterday, 1/28. It will now be sent to the full House Health and Human Services Committee.
This bill creates a process for expedited certificate of public need review in medical desert areas, defined as locations with no healthcare facility within 15-30 miles, less than one primary care physician per 3,500 residents, high poverty rates, or federal Health Professional Shortage Area designation. The Commissioner must issue determinations within 120 days of application submission, streamlining approval processes to expand healthcare access in underserved communities.
SUPPORT: SB1064 – Medical Care Facilities Certificate of Public Need Process Reform
STATUS: This bill passed on the Senate floor yesterday, 1/28. It will now be sent to the House to be assigned to a House Committee.
This bill streamlines the certificate of public need (COPN) process for medical facilities by establishing an expedited 90-day review for certain psychiatric services, creating clear criteria for project reviews, and ensuring efficient processing of applications. The reforms maintain oversight of healthcare facility expansion while reducing regulatory burden through more efficient approval processes, supporting increased access to behavioral health services.
SUPPORT: SB1203 – Medical Desert Healthcare Access and Expedited Review
STATUS: This bill passed the Senate Health Subcommittee yesterday, 1/28. It will now be sent to the full Senate Education and Health Committee.
This bill creates a process for expedited certificate of public need review in medical desert areas, defined as locations with no healthcare facility within 15-30 miles, less than one primary care physician per 3,500 residents, high poverty rates, or federal Health Professional Shortage Area designation. The Commissioner must issue determinations within 120 days of application submission, streamlining approval processes to expand healthcare access in underserved communities.
OPPOSE: SB1009 – Ranked Choice Voting Expansion for Localities
STATUS: This bill was on the agenda to be voted on yesterday, but was passed by for the day. The bill will be voted on in the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee TODAY, 1/29 at 9am in Senate Room A, Room 305.
Expands ranked choice voting options for all local offices, despite this method of voting being riddled with problems that disenfranchise voters. Currently, any Virginia locality is allowed to use Ranked Choice Voting for City Council and Board of Supervisor elections, but not any other election; we oppose expansion in any form. This bill also requires localities to receive state approval on feasibility before implementation.
STATUS: This bill is on the 2nd Reading Calendar and is expected to be on the 3rd Reading Calendar TOMORROW, 1/30 for a vote.
Requires the Department of Elections to publicly post costs for purchasing voter registration lists and voting history lists on its website. Maintains existing privacy protections and authorized uses while increasing transparency about fees charged to campaigns, parties, and other authorized recipients.
SUPPORT: SB1454 – Systematic Citizenship Verification Program
STATUS: This bill was killed in the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee on 1/28.
Establishes monthly verification system to prevent non-citizen voter registration and remove non-citizens from voter rolls. Requires clear signage at polling places and registration offices about citizenship requirements and election fraud penalties. Requires registration agencies to verify citizenship status before processing applications.
OPPOSE: SB979 – Delayed Implementation of New Public School Accountability System
STATUS: This bill will be voted on in the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee TODAY, 1/29, at 9am in the Senate Room A, Room 305.
This bill directs the Department of Education to delay for one year the implementation of the revised public school accountability system adopted recently by the State Board of Education after robust research and discussion.
OPPOSE: SB1031 – Attack on Religious Exemption for Homeschooling
STATUS: This bill passed the Senate Education and Health Committee and is headed to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.
This legislation challenges the core purpose of the religious exemption for homeschooling statute, which was established to safeguard the beliefs of families who conscientiously object to government-run education due to deeply held religious convictions and choose to homeschool their children.
STATUS: This bill was killed the House Finance Subcommittee 2 on 1/28.
Creates two refundable tax credits empowering parental education choice: Up to $5,000 for homeschool/private school expenses and up to $1,500 for public school expenses. Lower-income families get additional $2,500 credit. Program capped at $25M annually with automatic 10% increase if 90% used. Supports family freedom in education decisions while reducing their tax burden.
Status: This bill will be voted on in the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee TODAY, 1/28, at 9AM in Senate Room A.
This bill establishes a framework for portable benefit accounts for independent contractors. The legislation supports independent workers by creating a mechanism for flexible benefits and tax relief, allowing contractors to save for healthcare and other essential expenses while maintaining individual financial autonomy.
SUPPORT: SB839 – Property Rights and Multi-Family Housing
Status: This bill passed the Senate Local Government Committee on 1/27 and was sent to the Senate Floor. It is expected to receive a floor vote later this week.
This bill would require cities and counties to automatically allow apartment buildings or other multi-family housing to be built in areas that are currently zoned for businesses or commercial use, supporting strong property rights.
Status: This bill passed the House Communications Subcommittee and the House Communications, Technology and Innovation full Committee on 1/27 and was sent to General Government and Capital Outlay Appropriations Subcommittee.
This bill creates requirements for the development, deployment, and use of certain artificial intelligence systems, defined in the bill, and civil penalties for noncompliance. If adopted, this bill would establish considerable heavy handed regulations on AI development and use including requiring AI to be trained on what appears to be DEI standards. This bill Takes effect July 2026 with enforcement through the Attorney General.
STATUS: This bill has passed the House Appropriations Committee on 1/27 and is moving to the floor of the House.
This bill would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. Under this proposed legislation, the Board will be given authority to limit drug payment amounts and reimbursements to an upper payment limit amount for state sponsored and state regulated health plans, directly opposed to free market principles.
OPPOSE: SB769 – Require Opt-in Consent for Cookies on Web Browsers
STATUS: This bill will be voted on in the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee TOMORROW, 1/29 in Senate Room B after adjournment.
This billrequires website controllers to seek consent from a user before storing cookies on the user’s devices. Websites must retain proof of having done so, and provide a means of opt-out afterwards.
OPPOSE: SB1009 – Ranked Choice Voting Expansion for Localities
Status: This bill will be voted on in the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee TODAY, 1/28, at 9AM in Senate Room A.
Expands ranked choice voting options for all local offices, despite this method of voting being riddled with problems that disenfranchise voters. Currently, any Virginia locality is allowed to use Ranked Choice Voting for City Council and Board of Supervisor elections, but not any other election; we oppose expansion in any form. This bill also requires localities to receive state approval on feasibility before implementation.
SUPPORT: SB1044 – Election Results Reporting for Absentee and Provisional Ballots
Status: This bill will be voted on in the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee TODAY, 1/28, at 9AM in Senate Room A.
This bill enhances election transparency by requiring detailed reporting of absentee and provisional ballot results. General registrars must separately report early in-person voting results from other absentee ballots and Election Day voting. Results must be posted no later than 5:00 p.m. on the tenth day after election day, ensuring timely and transparent reporting of all ballot types while maintaining systematic verification processes.
SUPPORT: SB1454 – Systematic Citizenship Verification Program
Status: This bill will be voted on in the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee THIS AFTERNOON, 1/28, in Senate Room B, Room 306.
Establishes monthly verification system to prevent non-citizen voter registration and remove non-citizens from voter rolls. Requires clear signage at polling places and registration offices about citizenship requirements and election fraud penalties. Requires registration agencies to verify citizenship status before processing applications.
Status: This bill passed the House Election Administration Subcommittee on 1/27 and was sent to the House Appropriations Committee.
This bill requires certain list maintenance programs that remove ineligible voters to be completed 90 days before any primary or general election, extending the current requirement that certain list maintenance programs (like address updates at large scale) cannot be completed within 90 days before a general election. Because Virginia has frequent elections, this bill proposes changes that would impede voter list accuracy.
OPPOSE: HB2002 – Voter Registration Cancellation Data Sources
Status: This bill passed the House Election Administration Subcommittee on 1/27 and was sent to the full House Privileges and Elections Committee.
This bill limits voter registration cancellations to data provided only by the Department of Elections or state-approved agencies, inhibiting our general registrars ability to maintain an accurate registered voter list.
Status: This bill passed the House Election Administration Subcommittee on 1/27 and was sent to the full House Privileges and Elections Committee.
Imposes $1,000 civil penalty on electoral board members who refuse to certify results. This impedes their ability to serve properly as an electoral board member, oversee elections and use their best judgment to certify elections.
Status: This bill was passed in the Senate on 1/27 and will now be sent to the House to be assigned to a House Committee.
The bill changes deadline from noon to 5:00 PM on the third day after Election Day for receiving absentee ballots and for a voter to provide missing information needed to accompany a provisional ballot (like an ID). This change would unnecessarily delay election results, negatively impacting voter confidence.
Status: This bill was passed in the Senate on 1/27 and will now be sent to the House to be assigned to a House Committee.
Requires certain list maintenance programs that remove ineligible voters to be completed 90 days before any primary or general election, extending the current requirement that certain list maintenance programs (like address updates at large scale) cannot be completed within 90 days before a general election. Because Virginia has frequent elections, this bill proposes changes that would impede voter list accuracy.
Status: This bill was killed in a tie vote in the House Election Administration Subcommittee on 1/27.
Requires voters without ID to provide additional information (full name, birth year, last four SSN digits) when signing an affirmation statement to vote. Applies to both in-person and early voting. Maintains existing acceptable forms of ID while strengthening verification requirements for those voting by affirmation.
Status: This bill was killed in the House Election Administration Subcommittee on 1/27.
This bill strengthens voter identification requirements by mandating the presentation of photo identification at polling places and during absentee voting. The legislation aims to enhance election integrity by ensuring voters can definitively verify their identity, while providing provisional voting options for those without standard forms of identification and maintaining accessibility for all qualified voters.
SUPPORT: HB2444 – Eliminate Cost for Digital Copies of the Registered Voter List
Status: This bill was killed in the House Election Administration Subcommittee on 1/27.
This bill requires the Department of Elections to provide digital lists of all registered voters and of persons who voted at any primary, special, or general election held in the four preceding years at no cost and manually prepared paper lists of such voters and persons at actual cost to certain persons. Under current law such lists are provided at a “reasonable” price and no format is specified.
Status: This bill was killed in the House Election Administration Subcommittee on 1/27.
This bill requires 24-hour video surveillance at all absentee ballot drop-off locations and mandates daily collection by bipartisan teams, strengthening security protocols for ballot returns. Currently, guidance from the Department of Elections requires 24-hour surveillance but many localities are not in compliance with the policy.
SUPPORT: HB2508 – High School Voter Registration Parental Consent
Status: This bill was killed in the House Election Administration Subcommittee on 1/27.
Requires parental consent for voter registration of students under 18. Limits voter registration activities at high schools to administrators, teachers, staff, and election officials. Requires acknowledgment of giving minor applicant’s personal information.
SUPPORT: HB2513 – Voter Registration Cancellation Notice Process
Status: This bill passed in the House Election Administration Subcommittee on 1/27 and will now be sent to the full House Privileges and Elections Committee.
Requires registrars to use DMV data to update vote records and mail cancellation notices to both new and old addresses when available for voters who have moved, as indicated by DMV data.
OPPOSE: SB1031 – Attack on Religious Exemption for Homeschooling
STATUS: This bill will be voted on TODAY, 1/28, in the Senate Education and Health Committee after the adjournment of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee in Senate Room A.
This legislation challenges the core purpose of the religious exemption for homeschooling statute, which was established to safeguard the beliefs of families who conscientiously object to government-run education due to deeply held religious convictions and choose to homeschool their children.
STATUS: This bill will be voted on TODAY, 1/28 in the House Finance Subcommittee 2 at 4pm in House Committee Room 210.
Creates two refundable tax credits empowering parental education choice: Up to $5,000 for homeschool/private school expenses and up to $1,500 for public school expenses. Lower-income families get additional $2,500 credit. Program capped at $25M annually with automatic 10% increase if 90% used. Supports family freedom in education decisions while reducing their tax burden.
