Virginia 2023 Regular Session All Bills
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB1773
Introduced
1/10/23
Refer
1/10/23
Exception to stopping requirement; bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or motorized skateboard or scooter. Authorizes the operator of a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or motorized skateboard or scooter to yield instead of stop at an intersection of two highways controlled by a stop sign if (i) each intersecting highway has no more than three motor vehicle travel lanes; (ii) the operator is at least 15 years old or accompanied by an adult; (iii) the operator slows to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions; (iv) before proceeding into the intersection, the person yields the right-of-way to any pedestrian lawfully within the crosswalk and to the driver of another vehicle approaching or entering such intersection from another direction; and (v) the stop sign is not marked as a full-stop stop sign. The bill authorizes the Department of Transportation to designate any stop sign as a full-stop stop sign if site-specific conditions, including limited sight distances and hidden entrances, make it unsafe for a person to yield instead of stop at such stop sign and requires a clearly marked sign at such stop signs.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB1774
Introduced
1/10/23
Refer
1/10/23
Training standards for law-enforcement officers; comprehensive harm reduction program; drug use. Requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services to establish training standards and publish and periodically update model policies for law-enforcement personnel for a comprehensive harm reduction program that promotes scientifically proven methods of mitigating health risks associated with drug use and other high-risk behaviors, including the use of naloxone or other opioid antagonists to prevent opioid overdose deaths, in coordination with statewide naloxone training programs developed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Virginia Department of Health. Training standards for law-enforcement officers; comprehensive harm reduction program; drug use. Requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services to establish training standards and publish and periodically update model policies for law-enforcement personnel for a comprehensive harm reduction program that promotes scientifically proven methods of mitigating health risks associated with drug use and other high-risk behaviors, including the use of naloxone or other opioid antagonists to prevent opioid overdose deaths, in coordination with statewide naloxone training programs developed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Virginia Department of Health.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB1775
Introduced
1/10/23
Refer
1/10/23
Report Pass
1/19/23
Refer
1/19/23
Report Pass
1/27/23
Engrossed
2/1/23
Refer
2/3/23
Report Pass
2/13/23
Report Pass
2/15/23
Engrossed
2/17/23
Engrossed
2/21/23
Engrossed
2/21/23
Engrossed
2/24/23
Engrossed
2/24/23
Enrolled
3/7/23
Chaptered
3/22/23
Passed
3/22/23
Workers' compensation; post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder; law-enforcement officers and firefighters. Provides that an anxiety disorder or depressive disorder, as both are defined in the bill, incurred by a law-enforcement officer or firefighter is compensable under the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act on the same basis as post-traumatic stress disorder, except in the case of responding to crime scenes for investigation. The bill provides that a mental health professional must diagnose the covered individual as suffering from anxiety disorder or depressive disorder as a result of a qualifying event, defined in the bill as an incident or exposure occurring in the line of duty on or after July 1, 2023, and includes other conditions for compensability.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB1776
Introduced
1/10/23
Refer
1/10/23
Report Pass
1/31/23
Engrossed
2/3/23
Refer
2/7/23
Report Pass
2/13/23
Enrolled
2/21/23
Chaptered
3/27/23
Passed
3/27/23
Business park electric infrastructure program. Makes permanent and amends certain provisions of the Code related to the business park electric infrastructure program conducted by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. The bill requires that the program be conducted in the service territory or transmission zone of each Phase I and Phase II Utility and permits costs incurred by the utility in installing the business park electric infrastructure to be recovered pursuant to a rate adjustment clause approved by the State Corporation Commission. The bill also requires a utility to obtain a certificate from the Commission prior to constructing business park electric infrastructure and requires the Commission to institute a rulemaking proceeding by September 1, 2023, to establish requirements for the program.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB1777
Introduced
1/10/23
Refer
1/10/23
Report Pass
2/2/23
Engrossed
2/6/23
Refer
2/8/23
Report Pass
2/13/23
Engrossed
2/23/23
Engrossed
2/23/23
Enrolled
3/7/23
Chaptered
4/12/23
Phase I Utilities; deferred fuel costs; biennial reviews. Authorizes Appalachian Power to petition the State Corporation Commission (the Commission) for a financing order for deferred fuel costs. The bill sets forth specific transaction terms and other provisions related to the financing order. Before granting a financing order, the Commission is required to find that (i) the proposed issuance of deferred fuel cost bonds is in the public interest and the associated deferred fuel cost charges are just and reasonable and (ii) the structuring and pricing of the deferred fuel cost bonds are reasonably expected to result in reasonable deferred fuel cost charges consistent with market conditions at the time the deferred fuel cost bonds are priced and the terms set forth in such financing order. The bill requires the financing order to include, among other things: (a) the amount of deferred fuel costs to be financed using deferred fuel cost bonds; (b) a requirement that deferred fuel cost charges authorized under a financing order are non-bypassable and paid by all retail customers of the electric utility, irrespective of the generation supplier of such customer, except for certain exempt customers; (c) a formula-based true-up mechanism for making annual adjustments to the deferred fuel cost charges; and (d) a method of tracing funds collected as deferred fuel cost charges. The bill requires the utility to permit certain retail customers to opt out of financing the customer's pro rata obligation for the deferred fuel cost charges through deferred fuel cost bonds. Under the bill, the financing order is irrevocable. Phase I Utilities; deferred fuel costs; biennial reviews. Authorizes Appalachian Power to petition the State Corporation Commission (the Commission) for a financing order for deferred fuel costs. The bill sets forth specific transaction terms and other provisions related to the financing order. Before granting a financing order, the Commission is required to find that (i) the proposed issuance of deferred fuel cost bonds is in the public interest and the associated deferred fuel cost charges are just and reasonable and (ii) the structuring and pricing of the deferred fuel cost bonds are reasonably expected to result in reasonable deferred fuel cost charges consistent with market conditions at the time the deferred fuel cost bonds are priced and the terms set forth in such financing order. The bill requires the financing order to include, among other things: (a) the amount of deferred fuel costs to be financed using deferred fuel cost bonds; (b) a requirement that deferred fuel cost charges authorized under a financing order are non-bypassable and paid by all retail customers of the electric utility, irrespective of the generation supplier of such customer, except for certain exempt customers; (c) a formula-based true-up mechanism for making annual adjustments to the deferred fuel cost charges; and (d) a method of tracing funds collected as deferred fuel cost charges. The bill requires the utility to permit certain retail customers to opt out of financing the customer's pro rata obligation for the deferred fuel cost charges through deferred fuel cost bonds. Under the bill, the financing order is irrevocable. The bill creates the deferred fuel cost charge and provides that the revenues generated by this charge, known as deferred fuel cost property, are a property right that can be transferred and pledged as security for the deferred fuel cost bonds. The bill establishes the procedures for creating, perfecting, and enforcing the security interest in deferred fuel cost property. The bill includes a state non-impairment obligation. Under the bill, if the deferred fuel cost bonds are issued, the Commonwealth and its agencies, including the Commission, agree not to take any action that would limit or alter the deferred fuel cost charges until the deferred fuel cost bonds have been paid and performed in full. The bill makes various changes to procedures under which the Commission reviews the earnings and sets the rates of Appalachian Power. The bill provides that, in lieu of the triennial review proceedings required under current law, Appalachian Power will be subject to biennial reviews of their rates, terms, and conditions for generation and distribution services, with the first review commencing on March 31, 2024. The bill requires the Commission, in each biennial review, to conduct a proceeding to review all rates, terms, and conditions for generation and distribution services, with such proceeding utilizing the two successive 12-month test periods ending December 31 immediately preceding the year in which such proceeding is conducted. The bill provides that in each biennial review proceeding, the Commission will set the fair rate of return on common equity applicable to the generation and distribution services of the utility for the two such services combined and for certain approved rate adjustment clauses. The bill provides that the Commission may use any methodology it finds consistent with the public interest to determine Appalachian Power's fair rate of return on common equity. Additionally, the bill provides that the Commission may increase or decrease the combined rate of return for generation and distribution services by up to 50 basis points based on the reliability, generating plant performance, customer service, and operating efficiency of a utility, as compared to nationally recognized standards determined by the Commission to be appropriate for such purposes. The bill requires the Commission, before December 31, 2023, to direct the initiation of a proceeding to review and determine the appropriate protocols and standards applicable to implementing any such performance-based adjustments. The bill provides that if the Commission determines in its sole discretion that the utility's existing rates for generation and distribution services will, on a going-forward basis, either produce (1) revenues in excess of the utility's authorized rate of return or (2) revenues below the utility's authorized rate of return, then the Commission is required to order any reductions or increases, as applicable and necessary, to such rates for generation and distribution services that it deems appropriate to ensure the resulting rates for generation and distribution services (A) are just and reasonable and (B) provide the utility an opportunity to recover its costs. The bill provides that, if in any biennial review, the Commission finds that, during the test period under review, the utility has earned more than 100 basis points above the authorized fair combined rate of return on its generation or distribution services, the Commission will direct that 100 percent of the amount of such earnings that were more than 100 basis points above such fair combined rate of return be credited to customers' bills. The bill requires the Commission to authorize deferred recovery for reasonable (I) actual costs associated with severe weather events and (II) actual costs associated with natural disasters, not currently in rates, and provides that the Commission shall allow the utility to amortize and recover such deferred costs over future periods as determined by the Commission. The bill provides that the Commission is authorized to determine during any biennial review the reasonableness or prudence of any cost subject to the rate review incurred or projected to be incurred by the utility. The bill removes the requirement for Appalachian Power to file an integrated resource plan with the Commission.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB1778
Introduced
1/10/23
Refer
1/10/23
Report Pass
1/17/23
Engrossed
1/20/23
Refer
1/24/23
Report Pass
2/13/23
Enrolled
2/21/23
Chaptered
3/26/23
Passed
3/26/23
Financial institutions; certain investments by banks permitted. Provides that the prohibition on a bank from investing its funds in certain entities does not prevent a bank from (i) investing in (a) a community development corporation; (b) an entity formed primarily to support community-based economic development; (c) an entity qualifying for the federal new markets tax credit; (d) an entity formed for a predominantly civic, community, or public purpose; (e) an entity making qualified rehabilitation expenditures with respect to a qualified rehabilitated building or certified historic structure, or a similar state historic tax credit program; or (f) a rural business investment company; (ii) engaging in any tax equity finance transaction permissible for a national bank or federal savings association; or (iii) investing, subject to such conditions as the Commissioner of Financial Institutions may prescribe, in any community and economic development entity, community development project, or other public welfare investment.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB1779
Introduced
1/10/23
Refer
1/10/23
Report Pass
1/25/23
Refer
1/25/23
Report Pass
1/30/23
Engrossed
2/2/23
Refer
2/6/23
Report Pass
2/16/23
Report Pass
2/16/23
Enrolled
2/24/23
Chaptered
3/24/23
Passed
3/24/23
Nuclear Education Grant Fund and Program established. Establishes the Nuclear Education Grant Fund and Program, to be administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, for the purpose of awarding grants on a competitive basis to any public institution of higher education or private institution of higher education in the Commonwealth that seeks to establish or expand a nuclear education program, defined in the bill as an instructional program that leads to a degree or credential that specifically supports the nuclear power industry, including nuclear engineering and nuclear welding. The bill permits the Council to establish such rules, policies, and procedures as it deems necessary for the administration of the Program, including rules, policies, and procedures for Program applications and grant awards.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB1780
Introduced
1/10/23
Refer
1/10/23
Report Pass
2/1/23
Engrossed
2/6/23
Refer
2/8/23
Small modular reactor plant revenue-sharing agreement among certain localities. Requires the Counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise and the City of Norton to enter into a perpetual revenue-sharing agreement regarding advanced nuclear technologies and an advanced nuclear reactor to be located in one of these localities. The measure establishes the percentage of the revenue to be allocated to each locality and provides that the host locality shall retain the remaining six percent of the revenue. The bill requires any direct costs of infrastructure improvements incurred by the host locality for purposes of the small modular reactor plant or facility to be allocated among the localities in the same proportion as the revenues from the plant or facility. Small modular reactor plant revenue-sharing agreement among certain localities. Requires the Counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise and the City of Norton to enter into a perpetual revenue-sharing agreement regarding advanced nuclear technologies and an advanced nuclear reactor to be located in one of these localities. The measure establishes the percentage of the revenue to be allocated to each locality and provides that the host locality shall retain the remaining six percent of the revenue. The bill requires any direct costs of infrastructure improvements incurred by the host locality for purposes of the small modular reactor plant or facility to be allocated among the localities in the same proportion as the revenues from the plant or facility.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB1781
Introduced
1/10/23
Refer
1/10/23
Report Pass
1/25/23
Engrossed
1/30/23
Refer
2/1/23
Report Pass
2/14/23
Report Pass
2/16/23
Engrossed
2/21/23
Engrossed
2/22/23
Enrolled
3/7/23
Chaptered
3/27/23
Passed
3/27/23
Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority; powers and duties; Department of Energy and Department of Environmental Quality; report. Provides that the Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority (the Authority) has the power and duty to (i) support energy development projects, including pump storage hydropower, energy storage, hydrogen production and uses, carbon capture and storage, geothermal energy, and advanced wind and solar energy; (ii) promote energy development projects on closed power plant sites, brownfield sites, former coal mine sites, reclaimed coal mine sites, abandoned mine sites lands, and lands adjacent thereto; (iii) promote energy workforce development and energy supply chain development; (iv) identify and work with, through mutually agreed collaborations, the Commonwealth’s research and development partners, in advancing efforts related to energy development in Southwest Virginia; and (v) promote the capture and beneficial use of coal mine methane from active, inactive, and abandoned coal mines as a low-carbon intensity feedstock for manufacturing and energy generation projects located in Southwest Virginia. Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority; powers and duties; Department of Energy and Department of Environmental Quality; report. Provides that the Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority (the Authority) has the power and duty to (i) support energy development projects, including pump storage hydropower, energy storage, hydrogen production and uses, carbon capture and storage, geothermal energy, and advanced wind and solar energy; (ii) promote energy development projects on closed power plant sites, brownfield sites, former coal mine sites, reclaimed coal mine sites, abandoned mine sites lands, and lands adjacent thereto; (iii) promote energy workforce development and energy supply chain development; (iv) identify and work with, through mutually agreed collaborations, the Commonwealth’s research and development partners, in advancing efforts related to energy development in Southwest Virginia; and (v) promote the capture and beneficial use of coal mine methane from active, inactive, and abandoned coal mines as a low-carbon intensity feedstock for manufacturing and energy generation projects located in Southwest Virginia. The bill defines "energy development project" as any activity that generates, produces, or stores energy, any energy efficiency system, and any supporting ancillary activities located within Southwest Virginia and includes interests in land, improvements, and ancillary facilities and research, development, commercialization, and deployment activities designated by the Authority to the nonprofit collaborative. The bill defines "nonprofit collaborative" as a multi-site nonprofit innovative energy technology testbed established as a collaborative effort of the Department of Energy, the Authority, and the Authority's business partners to support the Authority’s purpose through energy technology research, development, commercialization, and deployment.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB1782
Introduced
1/10/23
Refer
1/10/23
Health insurance; ensuring fairness in cost-sharing. Amends provisions related to rebates provided by carriers and health benefit plans to health plan enrollees by defining defined cost-sharing, price protection rebates, and pharmacy benefits management services. The bill requires that an enrollee's defined cost-sharing for each prescription drug shall be calculated at the point of sale based on a price that is reduced by an amount equal to at least 80 percent of all rebates received or expected to be received in connection with the dispensing or administration of the prescription drug.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB1783
Introduced
1/10/23
Refer
1/10/23
Report Pass
1/17/23
Engrossed
1/23/23
Refer
1/25/23
Natural gas utilities; retail supply choice. Natural gas utilities; retail supply choice. Allows every person access to distribution service or retail natural gas from a natural gas company authorized to provide natural gas service to the area where the service will be received. The bill prohibits a public entity from adopting an ordinance, resolution, or any other requirement that limits or prohibits customers from acquiring natural gas service and supply from both utility and non-utility gas companies. The bill prohibits public entities from denying building permits solely based on a proposed utility provider and directs public entities to ensure that all applicable permits and fees are reasonable, as compared to other utility providers, and do not restrict an applicant's ability to use the services of an authorized utility provider.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB1784
Introduced
1/10/23
Refer
1/10/23
Report Pass
1/31/23
Engrossed
2/6/23
Refer
2/8/23
Securities; digital token exemption; decentralized autonomous organizations. Provides an exemption from securities registration requirements for issuers or sellers of digital tokens, as defined in the bill, under certain circumstances. The bill directs the State Corporation Commission to develop a form and submission process for an issuer or seller of digital tokens to file a notice of intent with the Commission. The bill also creates a regulatory framework for decentralized autonomous organizations, which are a form of limited liability company, and provides that the entity seeking to become a decentralized autonomous organization must file its articles of organization with the Commission in order to seek a certificate of organization. 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 incorporation 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. Securities; digital token exemption; decentralized autonomous organizations. Provides an exemption from securities registration requirements for issuers or sellers of digital tokens, as defined in the bill, under certain circumstances. The bill directs the State Corporation Commission to develop a form and submission process for an issuer or seller of digital tokens to file a notice of intent with the Commission. The bill also creates a regulatory framework for decentralized autonomous organizations, which are a form of limited liability company, and provides that the entity seeking to become a decentralized autonomous organization must file its articles of organization with the Commission in order to seek a certificate of organization. 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 incorporation 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.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB1785
Introduced
1/10/23
Refer
1/10/23
Speed limit in residence districts; local authority; penalty. Authorizes the governing body of any city to reduce the default speed limit on any highway maintained by the city that is located in a residence district to less than 25 miles per hour unless otherwise indicated by a sign and to adopt increased penalties for operation of a motor vehicle 15 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit in a residence district. Current law authorizes the increased penalties in the Cities of Falls Church and Manassas. The bill clarifies that the requirement for signage for a conviction of a speeding violation does not apply to ordinances adopted setting a default speed limit as provided in the bill.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB1786
Introduced
1/10/23
Refer
1/10/23
Child abuse or neglect; definition; independent activities. Clarifies that no child whose parent or other person responsible for his care allows the child to engage in reasonable independent activities without adult supervision shall for that reason alone be considered to be an abused or neglected child, provided that such independent activities are appropriate based on the child's age, maturity, and physical and mental abilities. The bill provides that such independent activities may include traveling to or from school or nearby locations by bicycle or on foot, playing outdoors, remaining at home for a reasonable period of time, or remaining in a vehicle if such vehicle is parked in a safe location and the temperature is not and will not become dangerously hot or cold.
VA
Virginia 2023 Regular Session
Virginia House Bill HB1787
Introduced
1/10/23
Refer
1/10/23
Prescription for controlled substance; practitioner-patient relationship; telemedicine. Allows a practitioner to establish a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship through asynchronous interaction for the purpose of prescribing a Schedule VI controlled substance if the patient chooses not to seek reimbursement by a health plan or carrier for the prescribing and if such prescribing complies with federal requirements for the practice of telemedicine. Prescription for controlled substance; practitioner-patient relationship; telemedicine. Allows a practitioner to establish a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship through asynchronous interaction for the purpose of prescribing a Schedule VI controlled substance if the patient chooses not to seek reimbursement by a health plan or carrier for the prescribing and if such prescribing complies with federal requirements for the practice of telemedicine.