HJ 458 is a commemorative resolution designating April 24, 2025, and all subsequent years as "Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day" in Virginia. It formally recognizes this date for observance by state entities and encourages public remembrance, without creating new laws or funding. The resolution affects Virginia's state government and public institutions, directing them to acknowledge the historical event annually on April 24. This is a procedural measure focused on recognition, not policy change.
HJ 498 designates April 6, 2025, and every April 6 thereafter, as "Kindness Day" in Virginia. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect specific groups; it simply establishes an annual observance date. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Rules but has not advanced further. It serves only to formally name the day, with no additional policy mechanisms or implementation requirements.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-203.3, 2.2-401.01, 2.2-3705.3, 2.2-3705.6, 2.2-3705.7, 2.2-3711, 2.2-3802, 2.2-4002, 2.2-4346, 3.2-102, 3.2-6201, 4.1-100, 4.1-206.3, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 8.01-216.3, 8.01-534, 11-16.1, 11-16.2, 15.2-912.2, 15.2-2825, 18.2-325, 18.2-326, 18.2-334.2 through 18.2-334.5, 19.2-66, 19.2-215.1, 19.2-389, 19.2-390, 22.1-140.1, 37.2-314.2, 52-53, 52-54, 58.1-3, 58.1-439, 58.1-460, 58.1-3510, 58.1-3732.1, and 59.1-542.1 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a title numbered 29.5, containing a subtitle numbered I, containing chapters numbered 1 through 6, consisting of sections numbered 29.5-100 through 29.5-648, and a subtitle numbered II, containing chapters numbered 7 and 8, consisting of sections numbered 29.5-700 through 29.5-814; and to repeal §§ 2.2-2455 and 2.2-2456, Article 1.1:1 (§§ 18.2-340.15 through 18.2-340.37) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2, Chapter 40 (§§ 58.1-4000 through 58.1-4048) of Title 58.1, Chapter 41 (§§ 58.1-4100 through 58.1-4141) of Title 58.1, Chapter 29 (§§ 59.1-364 through 59.1-405) of Title 59.1, and Chapter 51 (§§ 59.1-556 through 59.1-570) of Title 59.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Gaming Commission; established; penalties.
Department of Medical Assistance Services; Medicaid; long-term services and supports; presumptive eligibility; sunset. Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to provide presumptive eligibility for Medicaid, including long-term services and supports where appropriate, to individuals who meet certain criteria. The provision of presumptive eligibility is conditional on the Department obtaining all necessary approvals and federal financial participation. The bill sunsets on July 1, 2026, if such approval and federal financial participation is not obtained.
Department of Law; Division of Emerging Technologies, Cybersecurity, and Data Privacy established. Establishes within the Department of Law a Division of Emerging Technologies, Cybersecurity, and Data Privacy to oversee and enforce laws governing cybersecurity, data privacy, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. The bill requires the Division to submit an annual report to the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) by November 1 of each year detailing (i) trends in enforcement, audit findings, and compliance rates under cybersecurity, data privacy, and AI-related laws and (ii) legislative recommendations for addressing emerging challenges and technological advancements. The bill also requires JCOTS to (a) collaborate with the Division to hold public hearings to gather community input on the impact of emerging technologies and issue legislative recommendations to address gaps in existing laws or emerging risks related to cybersecurity, data privacy, and AI and (b) monitor the implementation and enforcement of laws governing cybersecurity, data privacy, and AI.
Comprehensive plan; data centers; water usage. Requires every locality to incorporate into its comprehensive plan provisions that prioritize and evaluate alternative methods of cooling, such as air cooling, geothermal cooling, or other innovative technologies that minimize water usage, particularly in the context of approving or siting data centers or similar land uses. The bill provides that the comprehensive plan shall include methods of assessing the environmental impact of water-based cooling methods and requires that alternative methods to minimize water usage are thoroughly considered before local approval of data centers or similar land uses that are reliant on significant water resources for cooling purposes.
Attorneys and assistant attorneys for the Commonwealth to prosecute cases involving compulsory school attendance. Provides that the attorney for the Commonwealth and assistant attorney for the Commonwealth of the several counties and cities may, in their discretion, prosecute all cases involving compulsory school attendance pursuant to relevant law. Current law states that it shall be the duty of the attorneys for the Commonwealth of the several counties and cities to prosecute such cases.
Digital Right to Repair Act; access to diagnostics, tools, service documentation, and firmware; penalties; civil action. Requires an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of digital electronic equipment, or parts for such equipment, to make available to owners of such equipment and to independent repair providers, on fair and reasonable terms, documentation, parts, and tools for purposes of diagnosis, maintenance, or repair of such equipment. The bill requires, for digital electronic equipment that contains an electronic security lock or other security-related function, OEMs to make available to the owners of such equipment and to independent repair providers, on fair and reasonable terms, any special documentation, parts, and tools needed to disable such lock or function and to reset it when disabled. A violation of the bill's provisions is a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. Any person who suffers a loss as the result of a violation of the bill's provisions shall be entitled to initiate an action for an injunction to enforce such provisions. The bill applies with respect to equipment sold or in use in the Commonwealth on or after January 1, 2026.
Department of Conservation and Recreation; Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; work group to examine use of Johnsongrass in the Commonwealth. Directs the Department of Conservation and Recreation (the Department), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, to convene a work group to examine measures to reduce, mitigate, and eliminate the continued sale and use of Johnsongrass in the Commonwealth. The bill requires such work group to (i) conduct a risk assessment on the use of such plant to evaluate its effect on crops, livestock, public health, and the environment; (ii) identify measures to support education and outreach to reduce the use of such plant and promote the use of noninvasive or native species as a substitute; and (iii) make recommendations regarding potential statutory and regulatory changes relating to the use of such plant, including the creation of guidance documents from relevant agencies. The bill requires the Department to report its findings and any recommendations to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources by December 1, 2026.
Department of Wildlife Resources; use of a safety monitoring device; Fox Hill Boat Ramp. Allows the Department of Wildlife Resources to place and operate a safety monitoring device, as defined in the bill, at the Fox Hill Boat Ramp in the City of Hampton for the purpose of safety monitoring on state-owned property.
HB 2775 clarifies the legal definition of "hemp product" under state law. This bill directly affects hemp product manufacturers, retailers, and regulatory agencies by establishing a clear standard for what qualifies as a hemp product. The key provision defines hemp products based on specific cannabinoid levels and processing methods, removing ambiguity in current regulations. This clarification aims to streamline compliance and enforcement without introducing new restrictions or requirements.
Alcoholic beverage control; limitation on manufacturers, bottlers, and wholesalers; restrictions on employment; exemptions. Allows a manufacturer, bottler, or wholesaler to employ any person employed by a retail licensee and a retail licensee to employ any person employed by a manufacturer, bottler, or wholesaler, provided that (i) no person employed by a manufacturer is employed as a designated manager of a retail licensee or similar position in a retail licensee establishment and (ii) no retail licensee is required by agreement or otherwise to exclude from sale at his establishment alcoholic beverages of other manufacturers, bottlers, or wholesalers.
