Del. Wren Williams

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution honors the memory of Chris Anthony Thompson, a Virginia State Police officer who passed away in June 2024 after an 18-year career serving the community. The document formally acknowledges his dedication and integrity while noting his service in various roles, including patrol work and investigations into firearms and sex offenses. As a commemorative measure, the resolution directs the Clerk of the House to provide a copy of the text to Thompson's family as a sign of respect from the House of Delegates.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution formally commends the Carroll County Historical Society for its final presentation of the historical play "Thunder in the Hills." The legislation recognizes the society's work in producing a play written by Frank Levering that dramatizes the 1912 Carroll County Courthouse shooting, an event that deeply divided the local community. By passing this resolution, the House of Delegates expresses its appreciation for the society's efforts to preserve local history and engage the community through this theatrical interpretation. The Clerk of the House will prepare a copy of the resolution to present to the society as a gesture of admiration for their dedication to community engagement.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally commends Tucker Swails, a senior baseball pitcher at Patrick County High School, for achieving the milestone of recording 300 career strikeouts. The document highlights his athletic versatility as a skilled shortstop and hitter, as well as his family's involvement in coaching the team. It authorizes the Clerk of the House of Delegates to prepare a copy of this resolution to present to Swails as an expression of admiration for his accomplishments.

Abandoned or derelict aircraft. Provides that an airport has a lien on an abandoned or derelict aircraft, defined in the bill, on its property for all fees and charges for the use of the airport by such aircraft and for all fees and charges incurred by the airport for the transportation, storage, and removal of the aircraft. The bill authorizes an airport operator or his designee to retain, trade, sell, or dispose of an abandoned or derelict aircraft on the property of such airport. The bill provides for notice requirements prior to any such transfer of ownership interest in the aircraft.

Local government ordinances related to fire departments; billing on behalf of volunteer fire departments. Provides that the governing body of any county, city, or town in which a fire department or fire company is established may make such ordinances in relation to the powers and duties of such fire departments or fire companies as it deems proper, including billing on behalf of volunteer fire departments for the provision of emergency medical services. The provisions of the bill do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2025 Session of the General Assembly.

Surveillance Technology Registry; created.Directs the Department of Criminal Justice Services (the Department)to create and maintain a registry of surveillance technologies, definedin the bill, and related information provided by localities and toprovide notice to localities that fail to properly register. Thebill requires localities, prior to implementing the use of any surveillancetechnology, to register such surveillance technology with the SurveillanceTechnology Registry and provide information including (i) the type of surveillance technology used, (ii) the cost and vendor of thesurveillance technology, (iii) the approximate location of the surveillancetechnology, and (iv) any storage and use requirements for the surveillancetechnology. The bill requires the Department, for any type of surveillancetechnology that has not previously been registered, to request theJoint Commission on Technology and Science to study and issue a reporton such surveillance technology.

Virginia Consumer Protection Act; prohibited practices; ignition interlock system. Provides that advertising for any ignition interlock system by a vendor not approved by the Commission on the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program to operate in Virginia; targeted advertising to a person before a determination of guilt; and any advertising, before or after a determination of guilt, without a conspicuous statement that such advertisement is not affiliated with any government agency is an unlawful consumer transaction in violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. The bill exempts advertisements approved by the Commission and provided at a Commission-approved location.

Security for costs; suit or action by nonresident.Provides that in any suit or action taken by a plaintiff, includinga counterclaim plaintiff, cross-claim plaintiff, or third-party plaintiff,a motion may be made by a party to such suit or action that suchplaintiff is a nonresident and security is required. As under currentlaw, a court may dismiss such suit or action after 60 days from thecourt's order unless before the dismissal it is proven that suchplaintiff is a resident of the Commonwealth or that the security setby the court has been posted. This bill is a recommendation of theBoyd-Graves Conference.

Optometrists; expert witness testimony. Allows an optometrist to testify as an expert witness in a court of law on certain matters within the scope of his practice. This bill is identical to SB 254.

Debtor interrogatories; fieri facias; against whom a summons shall be issued. Requires the clerk of the court from which a fieri facias is issued to issue a summons against any person known or reasonably suspected to be a debtor to, or bailee of, the execution debtor in order to ascertain the personal estate of a judgment debtor provided the judgment creditor or his attorney files an affidavit stating as such. Under current law, such clerk of the court shall issue a summons against any debtor to, or bailee of, the execution debtor. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Boyd-Graves Conference.