Weekly General Assembly Update
01.13 – 01.18
Week Recap & Highlights
The 2025 General Assembly Session officially began on January 8th, 2025. But, with the weather and resulting water issues in Richmond, it didn’t begin in earnest until last week. On the 13th, committees began meeting, votes were cast, and public policy debates once again filled the General Assembly Building.
Because 2025 is an odd-numbered year and the longer process of building out a two-year budget happens only in even-numbered years for the following two-year period, this year will be a short 45 day session. The delayed session start has begged the question of how likely it is for the session to end on time. After a call to the Senate Clerk, we learned that the original schedule will still be adhered to as much as possible, with some potential Saturday work for General Assembly members later in the session. February 22nd is the tentative last day of the 2025 General Assembly Session.
One of the budget amendments proposed by the Governor this year is a program to assist children from low-income families to afford educational opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach without financial assistance. $50 million dollars would be ear marked for Virginia Opportunity Scholarships to cover private school tuition costs for eligible Virginia students if this budget amendment receives enough support and becomes adopted. Click HERE to watch a press conference held last week about the program. We applaud this proposed program by the Governor’s administration and further encourage funds to be dedicated towards sustaining this program for multiple years versus one year. Although there is already significant politically-based pushback to the Virginia Opportunity Scholarship proposal, it’s hard to see why any legislator would fight against this program for Virginia’s kids.
2025 Session Overview Numbers – As of 01.19
(Total # of bills and resolutions)
| LEGISLATION UPDATE |
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.
| EDUCATION |
Two harmful bills were slated for a vote in the Senate Public Education Subcommittee on Friday, with many present at the committee to testify, but the vote was delayed. These two bills are currently expected to be heard on Monday, January 20th, at 1:30pm.
SB1031 – Religious Exemption for Education Requirements
Attacks the homeschooling religious exemption process by requiring parents to meet educational qualifications, submit annual notices and progress reports, and demonstrate certain instruction methods.
- To see bill text and info: Click HERE
SB979 – Delayed Implementation of New Public School Accountability System
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.
- To see bill text and info: Click HERE
| ELECTIONS |
HB1735 – Voter Registration Deadline Change – Passed the House Privileges and Elections Committee on January 17th and is expected to be voted on by the House floor in the next few days
Currently, an individual who registers to vote within the three weeks prior to an election is provided with a provisional ballot. This bill proposes to limit that to only ten days prior to an election instead of three weeks. This bill also streamlines registration deadlines across all election types.
- To see bill text and info: Click HERE
HEALTHCARE
SB843 – Remote Patient Monitoring – Passed Senate Health and Education Committee with a vote of 14-Y and 0-N on January 16th. This bill is expected to be voted on by the House floor within a few days.
This bill directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to develop a plan and estimate costs for expanding eligibility criteria under Medicaid for remote patient monitoring for individuals with chronic conditions. These proposed changes would allow for a vulnerable demographic of Virginians, those with chronic conditions, to receive critical attention from medical professionals without further jeopardizing their health through unnecessary movement and travel.
- To see bill text and info: Click HERE
SB910 – Phased Elimination of Certificate of Public Need – Failed through the motion to pass by indefinitely in the Senate Health and Education Committee with a vote of 13-Y and 1-N on January 16th.
This bill would establish a phased elimination of Certificate of Public Need with full elimination in 2027.
- To see bill text and info: Click HERE
The Virginia Institute has fought for the Liberty and Property of the people of Virginia for over 25 years. Your generous support has armed us with the resources to successfully promote your principles of free enterprise, individual liberty, personal responsibility, and constitutionally-limited government in the seat of American history and freedom. Together, we can continue to inspire the Freedom & Prosperity that has made the Commonwealth of Virginia the cornerstone of the American Dream.
The Virginia Institute for Public Policy is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.