Legislative Update: 12 February 2023

February 12, 2023

Tuesday was a newsworthy day in the Virginia General Assembly. Not only was it Crossover, but Tuesday evening the Senate voted on Governor Youngkin’s nominees to various positions in state government. Three nominations were blocked, including Virginia’s Health Commissioner Collin Greene, parole board member Steven Buck, and education board member Suparna Dutta. There was also some controversy on the Floor over the nomination of Susan Beals, Virginia’s Commissioner of Elections, but the vote to confirm her nomination was successful. Click HERE to access the video of the Floor votes and debates regarding these nominees of the Governor (the nominee section of the video is from about 07:42:00 through 9:35:00).

2023 Session Overview Numbers
(Total # of bills and resolutions)

The report below includes bills that fall into alignment with Virginia Institute’s policy recommendations, either for good policy or bad policy, and received a vote in a committee or on the House or Senate Floor last week.

K-12 EDUCATION

HB 1821: Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credit Expansion
This bill expands the Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credit (EISTC) program, which provides education grants to children from low income families.

Bill status: Previously, this bill passed in several germane House committees. Last week, this bill passed on the House Floor and was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations. It is anticipated to be on a committee agenda in the near future.
Bill text, history, and information: Click HERE
Video about the EISTC program

REGULATORY REFORM

HB 2347: Regulatory Budget
This bill establishes the Regulatory Budget Program to help Virginia’s state agencies reduce the amount of regulations that come from their department in a two-year period. If passed, the bill would have an expiration date of January 2027.

Bill status: Previously, this bill passed on the House Floor and was referred to the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology. It was killed last week in committee through the motion to pass by the bill indefinitely with a letter requesting a study of the problem.
Bill text, history, and information: Click HERE

HB 1784: Digital Tokens & Decentralized Autonomous Organizations
This bill formalizes the use of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations to create an exception from security regulations regarding digital tokens. It will remove barriers for small tech companies to start businesses in Virginia, utilizing block-chain and algorithmic technology to increase business efficiency.

Bill status: Previously, this bill passed the House Commerce and Energy Committee. Last week, this bill passed on the House Floor and was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor. It is anticipated to be on a committee agenda in the near future.
To see bill text and info: Click HERE

ELECTIONS

HB 1680: Same Day Voter Registration
This legislation would require individuals who register to vote on Election Day or soon before Election Day to sign a statement affirming they will only cast one ballot.

Bill status: Previously, this bill passed the House Privileges and Elections Committee. Last week, this bill passed the House Floor and was referred to the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee. It is on the agenda to receive a committee vote on Tuesday afternoon, 2/14.
Bill text, history, and information: Click HERE

HB 2454: Voter Roll Maintenance – Voter Address Information Updates
If passed, this legislation would require that local registrars receive information monthly about voters who have moved to a new address or who need their voter registration changed or removed. This would be a positive change to enable a more accurate voter roll on a consistent basis.

Bill status: Previously, this bill passed the House Privileges and Elections Committee. Last week, this bill passed the House Floor and was referred to the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee. It is on the agenda to receive a committee vote on Tuesday afternoon, 2/14.
Bill text, history, and information: Click HERE

HB 1793: DMV Voter Information Transfer
This bill would help maintain accurate voter information that is collected from voter visits to the DMV. It proposes to require permission from the DMV customer before any relevant voter information is transferred from the DMV to the Department of Elections.

Bill status: Previously, this bill passed the House Privileges and Elections Committee. Last week, this bill passed the House Floor and was referred to the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee. It is on the agenda to receive a committee vote on Tuesday afternoon, 2/14.
Bill text, history, and information: Click HERE

DONOR PRIVACY

SB 854: Nonprofit Donor Names Disclosure
This bill would require nonprofit donors’ names to be displayed on public ads when they support a referendum and in certain cases if the nonprofit has a score card for legislators. Online public documents already disclose these donors, but displaying their names on ads would make them exceptionally more vulnerable to be targeted and doxed.

Bill status: Previously, this bill passed on the Senate Floor and was referred to the House Privileges and Elections Committee. It is anticipated to be on a committee agenda in the near future.
Bill text, history, and information: Click HERE