Del. Terry Kilgore

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late state legislator Frank Miller Ruff, Jr. It does not create new laws or affect any policies or people. The resolution formally commemorates his service and life through a symbolic tribute. As a non-binding resolution, it has no practical impact beyond recognition.

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.

Electric utilities; renewable energy definition and facilities. Amends the definition of "renewable energy" for the purposes of electric utility regulation to include fuel cells. The bill also adds any renewable energy generation facility located in the coalfield region of the Commonwealth to the list of projects for which a utility may seek a rate adjustment clause.

Electric utilities; renewable energy standard eligible sources; zero-carbon electricity generating nuclear facilities. Provides that, for the purposes of the renewable energy portfolio standard, eligible sources include zero-carbon electricity generating nuclear facilities located in the Commonwealth.

Electric utilities; renewable portfolio standard program; deficiency payments. Removes provisions requiring deficiency payments by certain electric utilities if such utilities are unable to meet the compliance obligation of the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) program requirements or if the cost of renewable energy certificates necessary to comply with RPS program requirements exceeds $45 per megawatt hour.

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.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-4311.3, relating to Virginia Public Procurement Act; prohibition on boycotting Israel.

Damage or trespass to public services or utilities; penalty. Provides that any person who intentionally destroys or damages any facility, fixtures, equipment, or information technology system used to provide, process, transmit, furnish, or maintain public services, utilities, or other critical infrastructure is guilty of a Class 3 felony. Under current law, any person convicted of intentionally destroying or damaging public services or utilities is guilty of a Class 4 felony. If the destruction or damage to such public services, utilities, or other critical infrastructure can be repaired for less than $1,000, such act is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Current law provides that repairable damage is a Class 3 misdemeanor. The bill also makes it a Class 3 felony if such destruction or damage might threaten the release of increased radioactive materials or ionizing radiation. If exposure to such increased release of radioactive materials or ionizing radiation causes injury to another person, the person causing the damage or destruction is guilty of a Class 2 felony; however, it is a Class 1 felony if such damage or destruction causes the death of another person.

Public institutions of higher education; presence of or material aid or support to terrorist activities, organizations, and states prohibited. Prohibits from accessing, occupying, or otherwise having a physical presence on any campus of a public institution of higher education any (i) terrorist organization, (ii) state or non-state sponsor of terrorism, (iii) representative of a terrorist organization, as those terms are defined by the bill, or (iv) individual who, knowingly and with the intent set forth in the bill, solicits or attempts to solicit any individual to engage in terrorist activity, become a member of terrorist organization, or provide funds or other material support or resources, as that term is defined by the bill, to support, facilitate, or aid or abet terrorist activity or a terrorist organization. The bill prohibits any public institution of higher education from (a) granting access to campus, (b) providing or facilitating the provision of funds or other material supports or resources, (c) making or facilitating the donation of material support or resources, or (d) entering into any contract providing for the exchange of services or material support or resources to any of the individuals or organizations described in clauses (i) through (iv). Finally, the bill sets forth certain exceptions for individuals that lack the requisite intent and knowledge, as set forth in the bill, to be subject to the prohibitions.