Virginia 2022 Regular Session All Bills
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB555
Introduced
1/12/22
Refer
1/12/22
Liability for sale of alcohol to an underage person. Creates a cause of action against an alcoholic beverage control retail licensee who sells alcohol to an underage person who was visibly intoxicated if the consumption of the alcohol caused or contributed to an injury to person or property while the underage person operated a motor vehicle. The plaintiff must prove such negligence by a clear and convincing evidence standard.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB556
Introduced
1/12/22
Refer
1/12/22
State Board of Elections; membership. Increases the membership of the State Board of Elections from five to six members and provides that any third party or recognized political party whose candidate received greater than 20 percent of the votes in the Commonwealth for Governor at the last preceding gubernatorial election shall have representation on the Board.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB557
Introduced
1/12/22
Refer
1/12/22
Report Pass
1/18/22
Report Pass
2/9/22
Engrossed
2/11/22
Refer
2/23/22
Constitutional amendment (voter referendum); marriage; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition; affirmative right to marry. Provides for a referendum at the November 8, 2022, election to approve or reject an amendment that would repeal the constitutional provision defining marriage as only a union between a man and woman as well as the related provisions that are no longer valid as a result of the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015). The amendment provides that the right to marry is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of persons and requires the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions and agents to issue marriage licenses, recognize marriages, and treat all marriages equally under the law, regardless of the sex or gender of the parties to the marriage. Religious organizations and clergy acting in their religious capacity have the right to refuse to perform any marriage.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB558
Introduced
1/12/22
Refer
1/12/22
Board of Education; evaluation of and recommendations for Board of Education; evaluation of and recommendations for certain current and proposed policies and performance standards for public elementary and secondary schools. Requires the Board of Education to collaborate with the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Secretary of Education to evaluate, to implement where possible, and to otherwise make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding the following goals: (i) promoting excellence in instruction and student achievement in mathematics, including elimination of the Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative and an evaluation of any other proposed changes to the Mathematics Standards of Learning, in advance of the next revision of such standards by the Board, to maintain and increase the rigor of mathematics instruction in public elementary and secondary schools and permit students demonstrating aptitude and high achievement in mathematics to accelerate their progress through core mathematics classes and concepts and take advanced mathematics courses before the eleventh grade; (ii) increasing the number of academic year Governor's Schools in the Commonwealth and maintaining standards of excellence for students in all such schools; (iii) preserving the Advanced Studies Diploma as an option for students in public high schools in the Commonwealth while maintaining or increasing course and credit requirements for such diploma; (iv) increasing the transparency and honesty of performance measures for public elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth and ensuring that such measures do not obscure or conceal disparities in performance among student groups; (v) ensuring that performance measures for public elementary and secondary schools prioritize the attainment of grade-level proficiency in reading and mathematics for all students, especially in grades kindergarten through five; (vi) ensuring that the Commonwealth's proficiency standards on Standards of Learning assessments in reading and mathematics are rigorous in comparison with assessments administered by other states and national assessments in reading and mathematics; and (vii) restoring a strong accreditation system that promotes meaningful accountability year-over-year. The bill requires the Secretary of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, no later than November 30, 2022, to report to the chairmen of the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education and Health the results of such evaluation and recommendations to achieve such goals.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB559
Introduced
1/12/22
Refer
1/12/22
Report Pass
1/26/22
Engrossed
1/31/22
Refer
2/21/22
Registered lobbyists; information on disseminated documents; civil penalty. Requires a lobbyist registered with the Secretary of the Commonwealth to include in or attach to any document disseminated by such lobbyist to any member of the General Assembly or agent thereof the lobbyist's full legal name, email address, and telephone number. The bill provides that any such registered lobbyist that violates the provisions of the bill shall be subject to a civil penalty of $25 per document disseminated. Registered lobbyists; information on disseminated documents; civil penalty. Requires a lobbyist registered with the Secretary of the Commonwealth to include in or attach to any document disseminated by such lobbyist to any member of the General Assembly or agent thereof the lobbyist's full legal name, email address, and telephone number. The bill provides that any such registered lobbyist that violates the provisions of the bill shall be subject to a civil penalty of $25 per document disseminated.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB56
Introduced
12/31/21
Refer
12/31/21
Report Pass
1/14/22
Report Pass
2/2/22
Engrossed
2/4/22
Refer
2/22/22
Report Pass
2/24/22
Refer
2/24/22
Foster Care Prevention program. Establishes the Foster Care Prevention program to facilitate placements with relatives and ensure that such relatives are provided with the resources necessary to provide care for the child. The bill provides that a child is eligible to participate in the Foster Care Prevention program if the local department of social services (local department) determines that (i) the child is being cared for by a relative; (ii) the child's parent or guardian voluntarily placed the child with such relative after November 1, 2020; (iii) the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the relative, and the relative has a strong commitment to caring for the child; and (iv) the placement of the child with the relative was necessary to prevent or eliminate the need to place the child in foster care. The bill requires relatives seeking to receive Foster Care Prevention program payments to enter into an agreement with the local department and Department of Social Services that describes the manner in which payments will be provided and establishes the amount of such payments. Foster Care Prevention program. Establishes the Foster Care Prevention program to facilitate placements with relatives and ensure that such relatives are provided with the resources necessary to provide care for the child. The bill provides that a child is eligible to participate in the Foster Care Prevention program if the local department of social services (local department) determines that (i) the child is being cared for by a relative; (ii) the child's parent or guardian voluntarily placed the child with such relative after November 1, 2020; (iii) the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the relative, and the relative has a strong commitment to caring for the child; and (iv) the placement of the child with the relative was necessary to prevent or eliminate the need to place the child in foster care. The bill requires relatives seeking to receive Foster Care Prevention program payments to enter into an agreement with the local department and Department of Social Services that describes the manner in which payments will be provided and establishes the amount of such payments.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB560
Introduced
1/12/22
Refer
1/12/22
Income tax; standard deduction. Increases the standard deduction, starting with taxable year 2022, from $4,500 to $9,000 for single filers and from $9,000 to $18,000 for married filers (one-half of such amount in the case of a married individual filing a separate return). The increase would remain in effect for taxable years 2026 and after, when, under current law, the standard deduction is scheduled to be reduced to $3,000 for single filers and to $6,000 for married filers.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB561
Introduced
1/12/22
Refer
1/12/22
Virginia Attorney Disciplinary Commission; established. Establishes the Virginia Attorney Disciplinary Commission in the legislative branch of state government for the purpose of holding disciplinary hearings initiated by the Virginia State Bar against an attorney for a violation of the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct or Unauthorized Practice Rules that would be the basis for a sanction to be imposed against such attorney and grants the Commission the power to hold issue sanctions against such attorney. The bill transfers any existing authority to discipline attorneys from the Virginia State Bar to the Commission.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB562
Introduced
1/12/22
Refer
1/12/22
Report Pass
1/31/22
Engrossed
2/3/22
Refer
2/22/22
Report Pass
2/24/22
Enrolled
3/4/22
Chaptered
4/11/22
Passed
4/11/22
Workers' compensation; time period for filing claim; certain cancers. Provides that the time period for filing a workers' compensation claim for certain cancers is two years after a diagnosis of the disease is first communicated to the employee or within 10 years from the date of the last injurious exposure in employment, whichever first occurs. The bill provides, however, that such claim for benefits shall be barred if an employee is 65 years of age or older, regardless of the date of diagnosis, communication, or last injurious exposure in employment.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB563
Introduced
1/12/22
Refer
1/12/22
Attorney General; instituting or conducting criminal prosecutions for acts of violence. Authorizes the Attorney General to institute or conduct criminal prosecutions in cases involving a violation of the criminal laws involving an act of violence when such prosecution is requested by the sheriff or chief of police investigating the violation. The bill also provides that, prior to instituting or conducting a criminal prosecution for such cases involving a violation of the criminal laws involving an act of violence, the Attorney General shall give notice to the local attorney for the Commonwealth where such violation occurred of his intent to institute or conduct such criminal prosecution.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB564
Introduced
1/12/22
Refer
1/12/22
Report Pass
2/7/22
Report Pass
2/10/22
Engrossed
2/14/22
Refer
2/22/22
Sealing of offenses resulting in a deferred and dismissed disposition or conviction. Eliminates the lifetime cap on the number of sealing petitions that may be filed. The bill reduces from seven years to three years for a misdemeanor offense and from 10 years to seven years for a felony offense the minimum period of time between the offense to be sealed and the filing of the sealing petition during which the petitioner must not have been convicted of violating any law of the Commonwealth. The bill also reduces from seven years to three years the minimum period of time between the offense to be sealed and the automatic sealing of a misdemeanor offense. The bill also clarifies that a sealing petition may seal records related to any violation of the terms and conditions of a suspended sentence or probation for such conviction that were specifically set forth in the petition to be sealed. Sealing of offenses resulting in a deferred and dismissed disposition or conviction. Eliminates the lifetime cap on the number of sealing petitions that may be filed. The bill reduces from seven years to three years for a misdemeanor offense and from 10 years to seven years for a felony offense the minimum period of time between the offense to be sealed and the filing of the sealing petition during which the petitioner must not have been convicted of violating any law of the Commonwealth. The bill also reduces from seven years to three years the minimum period of time between the offense to be sealed and the automatic sealing of a misdemeanor offense. The bill also clarifies that a sealing petition may seal records related to any violation of the terms and conditions of a suspended sentence or probation for such conviction that were specifically set forth in the petition to be sealed.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB565
Introduced
1/12/22
Refer
1/12/22
Report Pass
2/1/22
Report Pass
2/7/22
Engrossed
2/10/22
Refer
2/21/22
Report Pass
3/3/22
Engrossed
3/8/22
Engrossed
3/9/22
Enrolled
3/11/22
Chaptered
4/27/22
Natural gas, biogas, and other gas sources of energy; definitions; energy conservation and efficiency; Steps to Advance Virginia's Energy Plan; biogas supply infrastructure projects; work group. Permits natural gas utilities to include in their fuel portfolios, submitted to the State Corporation Commission to monitor fuel prices and purchases, supplemental or substitute forms of gas sources, defined in the bill, that meet certain standards and that reduce emissions intensity. The bill amends provisions of the Code related to conservation and energy efficiency programs, removes certain cost-effectiveness requirements for conservation and energy efficiency programs, and adds appliance rebates to the types of programs the Commission may consider. The bill expands conservation and ratemaking efficiency provisions of the Code that currently apply to natural gas consumption specifically to instead apply generally to energy consumption. Natural gas, biogas, and other gas sources of energy; definitions; energy conservation and efficiency; Steps to Advance Virginia's Energy Plan; biogas supply infrastructure projects; work group. Permits natural gas utilities to include in their fuel portfolios, submitted to the State Corporation Commission to monitor fuel prices and purchases, supplemental or substitute forms of gas sources, defined in the bill, that meet certain standards and that reduce emissions intensity. The bill amends provisions of the Code related to conservation and energy efficiency programs, removes certain cost-effectiveness requirements for conservation and energy efficiency programs, and adds appliance rebates to the types of programs the Commission may consider. The bill expands conservation and ratemaking efficiency provisions of the Code that currently apply to natural gas consumption specifically to instead apply generally to energy consumption. The bill introduces enhanced leak detection and repair programs, defined in the bill, as a type of eligible infrastructure replacement for a natural gas utility facility. The bill provides that the costs of detecting and repairing leaks may be added to a natural gas utility's plan to identify proposed eligible infrastructure replacement projects and related cost recovery mechanisms, known as the utility's Steps to Advance Virginia's Energy (SAVE) Plan. The bill adds provisions to the Code related to biogas supply infrastructure projects, defined in the bill, and specifies that eligible infrastructure costs for such projects include (i) the investment in such projects, (ii) the return on the investment in such projects, (iii) a revenue conversion factor, (iv) operating and maintenance expenses, (v) depreciation, (vi) property tax and other taxes or government fees, and (vii) carrying costs on the over-recovery or under-recovery of the eligible biogas supply infrastructure costs. Under the bill, natural gas utilities can recover these eligible infrastructure costs on an ongoing basis through the gas component of the utility's rate structure or other recovery mechanism approved by the Commission. The bill provides that the biogas supply investment plan submitted by a natural gas utility may include an option to receive the biogas or sell the biogas at market prices and establishes a timeline for the Commission to approve such plan. The bill requires a natural gas utility with an approved biogas supply investment plan to annually file a report of the investments made, the eligible infrastructure costs incurred and the amount of such costs recovered, the volume of biogas delivered to customers or sold to third parties during the 12-month reporting period, and an analysis of the price of biogas delivered to customers and the market cost of biogas during the reporting period. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Environmental Quality to convene a stakeholder work group to determine the feasibility of setting a statewide methane reduction goal and plan. The recommendations of the work group shall be reported to the General Assembly by July 1, 2023.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB566
Introduced
1/12/22
Refer
1/12/22
Charitable gaming; enforcement and penalties. Strengthens the penalties that may be imposed for violations of charitable gaming law, allows for an action for pretrial levy or seizure or an attachment for a defendant who violates any provision of charitable gaming law, and requires the Department of State Police to assist the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in the conduct of investigations of charitable gaming violations.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB567
Introduced
1/12/22
Refer
1/12/22
Report Pass
2/8/22
Report Pass
2/10/22
Engrossed
2/14/22
Refer
2/22/22
Report Pass
3/2/22
Engrossed
3/7/22
Engrossed
3/8/22
Enrolled
3/10/22
Chaptered
4/7/22
Passed
4/7/22
State Water Control Board; regulations; issuance of certain permits. Directs the State Water Control Board to amend certain regulations to provide that Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits may also be issued to an existing sewage treatment plant constructed and placed into service prior to January 1, 2001, that serves at least 10 houses but no more than 25 houses if such sewage treatment plant has a documented history of substantial noncompliance and cannot feasibly be connected to a publicly owned sewage treatment plant. State Water Control Board; regulations; issuance of certain permits. Directs the State Water Control Board to amend certain regulations to provide that Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits may also be issued to an existing sewage treatment plant constructed and placed into service prior to January 1, 2001, that serves at least 10 houses but no more than 25 houses if such sewage treatment plant has a documented history of substantial noncompliance and cannot feasibly be connected to a publicly owned sewage treatment plant.
VA
Virginia 2022 Regular Session
Virginia Senate Bill SB568
Introduced
1/12/22
Refer
1/12/22
Campaign finance; prohibited contributions to candidates; civil penalty. Prohibits any public utility from making any contribution to any committee or otherwise provide any money any other thing of value, given, advanced, loaned, or in any other way provided to any person or committee for the purpose of influencing the outcome of an election. The bill creates a civil penalty for violation of the prohibition of three times the amount of the contribution or $10,000, whichever is greater, payable to the State Treasurer for deposit to the general fund. The bill provides that any registered voter of the Commonwealth may file a petition with an appropriate circuit court for enforcement of these provisions.