Del. Dan Helmer

Energy efficiency programs; incremental annualsavings. Provides that it is in the public interest and the policyof the Commonwealth to deploy demand-side management programs andenergy efficiency measures throughout the Commonwealth to achievethe greatest possible reductions in energy consumption. The billpermits the State Corporation Commission to increase or decreasean investor-owned electric utility's combined rate of return basedon the utility's success in complying with energy efficiency programtargets in existing law. Additionally, the bill states that "in thepublic interest" for the purpose of assessing energy efficiency programsmeans that the Commission determines that the program is cost-effective.Finally, the bill directs the Commission to promulgate regulationsno later than December 31, 2025, establishing a single, consistent cost-effectiveness test for use in evaluating proposed energy efficiency programs.

Employee protections; medicinal use of cannabisproduct. Amends the provision that prohibits an employer from discriminatingagainst an employee for such employee's lawful use of cannabis productpursuant to a valid written certification issued by a practitionerfor the treatment or to eliminate the symptoms of the employee'sdiagnosed condition or disease, with certain exceptions, by specifyingthat such use must conform to the laws of the Commonwealth and thatsuch protections extend to the employees of the Commonwealth andother public bodies.

Annual retail sales and use tax holiday. Establishes an annual retail sales and use tax holiday that takes place on the first full weekend in August beginning on July 1, 2025, through July 1, 2030. During such weekend, state retail sales and use tax will not apply to certain (i) school supplies, (ii) clothing and footwear, (iii) qualified products designated as Energy Star or WaterSense, (iv) portable generators, or (v) hurricane preparedness equipment. This bill is identical to SB 116.

Barrier crimes; adult substance abuse and mental health services; exception. Permits the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, providers of substance abuse or mental health services to adults, and community services boards and behavioral health authorities to hire applicants convicted of certain barrier crimes of misdemeanor assault and battery or involving controlled substances provided that such conviction occurred more than four years prior to the application date for employment. This bill is identical to SB 626.

Department of Energy; building standards forcertain local buildings. Requires the Department of Energy to provide technical assistance to localities, subject to availablebudgetary resources, as localities implement mandates related toenergy and resilience standards for construction or renovation ofcertain public buildings. The bill also requires the Department toconduct an annual survey of localities to obtain information on relatedactivities and to identify the needs of localities with respect totechnical assistance and training. The bill also makes several technicaland clarifying changes to the existing statute, in part by definingor redefining existing terms found in the statute.

Alzheimer's disease and dementia training fordispatchers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Requirescertain agencies in the Commonwealth to develop curricula and providetraining related to Alzheimer's disease and dementia to dispatchersemployed by or in any local or state government agency, firefighters,and emergency medical services personnel. This bill is a recommendationof the Virginia Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commissionand the Commonwealth Council on Aging.

Veterans' Services Protection Act; prohibited practices; penalty. Creates the Veterans' Services Protection Act to prohibit any person from receiving compensation for preparing, presenting, prosecuting, advising, consulting, or assisting any individual regarding any veterans' benefits matter, as defined in the bill, except as permitted under federal law. The bill provides that a violation of its provisions constitutes a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.

Forest Sustainability Fund; fund allocation. Provides that moneys from the Forest Sustainability Fund must be allocated proportionally among localities that forgo tax revenues as a result of the use value assessment and taxation for real estate devoted for forest use. The bill specifies that no locality shall receive an allocation of more than four percent or less than one-half of one percent of available funds from the Fund. This bill is identical to SB 129.

Constitutional amendment (second reference);real property tax exemption; surviving spouses of soldiers who diedin the line of duty. Expands the current tax exemption for realproperty available to the surviving spouses of soldiers killed inaction to the surviving spouses of soldiers who died in the lineof duty with a Line of Duty determination from the U.S. Departmentof Defense.

Virginia Minority Business Commission; report; sunset. Establishes the 13-member Virginia Minority Business Commission in the legislative branch of government for the purpose of promoting the growth and competitiveness of Virginia minority-owned businesses. The bill provides that the Commission sunsets on July 1, 2028.