Constitutional amendment (first reference); personal property tax; exemption for motor vehicles owned for personal, noncommercial use. Requires the General Assembly to exempt from personal property taxes motor vehicles owned by an individual for personal, noncommercial use, provided that for the first year following the effective date of such law, the exemption shall be equal to 20 percent of the tax rate imposed by a locality on tangible personal property, and shall increase by an additional 20 percent of such rate for each year thereafter until such time that the exemption is equal to 100 percent. For purposes of the exemption, "motor vehicle" includes only automobiles, pickup trucks, and motorcycles. The amendment provides that the exemption is applicable on the date the motor vehicle is acquired or the effective date of the amendment, whichever is later, but is not applicable for any period of time prior to the effective date.
Del. Israel O'Quinn
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 2780 is a definitional bill that clarifies terms used in Virginia's electric utility regulations, such as "electric utility" or "renewable energy sources." It does not create new policies but establishes standardized definitions to guide future regulatory actions by the State Corporation Commission. The bill is currently pending in the House Committee on Labor and Commerce after a subcommittee recommended it be laid on the table. This type of definitional legislation affects all entities regulated under Virginia's electric utility laws, including utilities, regulators, and potentially ratepayers, by providing clear terminology for future rulemaking. It has no direct financial impact on consumers or businesses at this stage, as it focuses solely on terminology.
New solar generation facilities; certificate of convenience and necessity; bond required. Provides that the State Corporation Commission shall only issue a certificate of convenience and necessity for a public utility to construct, enlarge, or acquire a solar generation facility that has a size of over one acre if the public utility has filed with the Commission a bond for performance payable to the Commonwealth. The amount of such bond shall be determined by the Commission depending on the size of the solar generation facility but shall not be less than $10,000.
Constitutional amendment (first reference); right to work. Provides that it is unlawful for any person, corporation, association, or the Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions to deny or attempt to deny employment to any person because of such person's membership in, affiliation with, resignation from, or refusal to join or affiliate with any labor union or employee organization.
Elections; absentee voting; drop-off locations for return of absentee ballots; 24-hour video surveillance requirement. Requires 24-hour video surveillance of all absentee ballot drop-off locations.
Estimated tax; failure by individual, trust, or estate to pay. Increases from $150 to $1,000 the maximum underpayment of estimated tax for which no addition to tax shall be added.
Line of Duty Act; Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System; enhanced benefits for certain fire personnel. Adds the State Fire Marshal and personnel of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs who, as a regular component of their official duties, are exposed to hazards or threats to their life and health to the lists of those eligible for benefits under the Line of Duty Act and for membership in the Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System.
Public schools; student enrollment; recruitment prohibited. Prohibits any school board, school board member, or school board employee from recruiting or otherwise incentivizing a student who resides outside of the local school division to enroll in a public school in such local school division.
Disaster Assistance Fund; established. Establishes the Disaster Assistance Fund for the purpose of addressing life, safety, and housing costs related to a disaster that are not covered by any form of federal assistance, private donations, or insurance. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund require authorization by the General Assembly. In addition to all other appropriations to the Fund, the bill also directs proceeds generated from the Commonwealth's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auction that occurred in December 2023 and deposited into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Fund with the Department of Environmental Quality and all interest accrued to such fund.
Study; Department of Conservation and Recreation; state park in Washington County; report. Requests the Department of Conservation and Recreation to study the feasibility of establishing a state park in Washington County at the Mendota Trail and Abrams Falls located within the Holston River watershed.