Del. Dan Helmer

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution commending the Roanoke Star, a historic landmark in Roanoke, Virginia. Passed by both the House and Senate in January 2025 with voice votes, it formally honors the landmark's cultural and historical significance. The resolution has no legal effect, does not change laws, and does not directly affect any individuals or policies. It serves as a ceremonial gesture of recognition by the state legislature.

Study; joint subcommittee to study the consolidation and scheduling of general elections in Virginia; report. Creates a two-year legislative study on the consolidation and scheduling of general elections in Virginia. A 13-member joint subcommittee is established, consisting of eight members of the General Assembly, four nonlegislative citizen members, and one ex officio member, and is tasked with weighing the potential and probable effects of moving some or all of Virginia's state or local elections to even-numbered years in order to coincide with the federal election schedule. Any recommendations by the joint subcommittee to consolidate or reschedule Virginia's general elections must include recommendations for any amendments to the Constitution of Virginia and the Code of Virginia needed to effectuate the shift. The joint subcommittee is given two years to complete its study, with its final report due no later than the first day of the 2027 Regular Session of the General Assembly. This resolution is identical to SJ 253.

Maddy summaryHR 481 is a House resolution commending Lawrence Douglas Wilder, Virginia's first Black governor and former lieutenant governor. It serves as a formal, symbolic recognition of his contributions to public service and leadership. The bill does not create any policy changes or affect specific groups; it is purely a ceremonial gesture. The resolution passed unanimously by the House on January 16, 2025, and was engrossed for final passage.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution honoring Matthew Charles Obenshain. It does not create any new laws or affect policies; it simply expresses legislative recognition of his life. The resolution was passed unanimously by both the Senate and House on February 20-21, 2025. It has no binding effect beyond ceremonial acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJ 410) is a ceremonial resolution commending the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce for its work. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, programs, or individuals. The resolution formally expresses legislative appreciation but has no binding effect or practical impact. It passed both chambers of the legislature by voice vote in early 2025.

Maddy summarySJ 408 is a ceremonial resolution formally honoring the United States Army for its service. It does not create new laws or affect specific individuals or policies; instead, it expresses legislative recognition through a symbolic gesture. The bill passed unanimously in both the Senate and House in February 2025, with no substantive policy changes or implementation mechanisms. As a commemorative resolution, it has no legal effect beyond the expression of praise.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJ 393) is a ceremonial resolution passed by both the Senate and House in early 2025 to honor the life and legacy of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or affect any specific group or policy. The resolution simply expresses legislative recognition of Prince Aga Khan's contributions as a humanitarian leader and spiritual figure. As a procedural measure, it has no direct impact beyond formal commemoration.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJ 434), not a policy bill. It formally commends Dr. William Ferguson Reid for his service, with no legal effect or impact on any individuals or policies. The resolution passed both the Senate and House by voice vote in February 2025. As a symbolic gesture, it expresses legislative recognition but does not create any new requirements or change existing law.

Secure storage of firearms; penalties. Creates a Class 4 misdemeanor for any person who fails to securely store a firearm on any premises where such person knows, or reasonably should know, that a minor or a person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm is, or is likely to be, present. The bill increases the penalty to a Class 1 misdemeanor if a minor or a person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm obtains such firearm. The bill includes certain exceptions and requires firearms dealers to post a notice stating firearm storage requirements and the penalty for improperly storing such firearms. The bill also creates a Class 4 misdemeanor for any person who fails to report to law enforcement the theft or loss of a firearm from a vehicle and a Class 1 misdemeanor if another person obtains such firearm. Finally, the bill requires the Superintendent of State Police, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Health, to create a public awareness campaign on the importance of the secure storage of firearms by January 1, 2026.

High-risk artificial intelligence; development, deployment, and use by public bodies; work group; report. Creates requirements for the development, deployment, and use of high-risk artificial intelligence systems, as defined in the bill, by public bodies. The bill also directs the Chief Information Officer of the Commonwealth (CIO) to develop, publish, and maintain policies and procedures concerning the development, procurement, implementation, utilization, and ongoing assessment of systems that employ high-risk artificial intelligence systems that are consistent with the requirements created by the bill. The bill directs the CIO to convene a work group to examine the impact on and the ability of local governments to comply with the requirements of the bill. The substantive requirements of the bill have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027.