Rep. Eric Phillips

Sales and use tax; food purchased for human consumption and essential personal hygiene products. Eliminates the remaining one percent local sales and use tax that is imposed on food purchased for human consumption and essential personal hygiene products. Under current law, no other sales and use tax is applied to such products. The bill requires an equivalent amount of revenue to be distributed to cities and counties on a monthly basis in compensation for the lost tax revenue. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027.

Notaries; altered documents; name across instruments. Provides that a notary shall not affix an official signature or seal on a notarial certificate that is altered. The bill further provides that the name associated with the commissioned notary shall be the same on and across such notary's signature, certificate, seal, and any other document or instrument requiring such notary's name and information.

Uniform Statewide Building Code; regulations superseded; exceptions; interpretations; report. Removes existing exceptions to the Uniform Statewide Building Code and establishes a process by which counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions may petition the State Building Code Technical Review Board (the Review Board) to grant single project exceptions. The bill requires the Review Board, in granting approval for an exception, to identify other counties, municipalities, and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth in which the conditions are substantially similar and to which such exception shall therefore apply. The bill additionally requires the Review Board to report to the General Assembly annually no later than November 1 regarding the number of petitions received, the disposition of such petitions, technical findings supporting approvals and denials, and the cost and safety impacts of any approved exception. The bill requires any interpretation issued by the Review Board to apply statewide. Finally, the bill directs the Board of Housing and Community Development, in consultation with the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, to establish a training program for local plan reviewers and inspectors to ensure enforcement of the Uniform Statewide Building Code is uniform across the Commonwealth.

Fraud and Abuse Whistle Blower Protection Act; Auditor of Public Accounts. Adds the Auditor of Public Accounts to the definition of "appropriate authority" for purposes of whistle blower reporting pursuant to the Fraud and Abuse Whistle Blower Protection Act. The bill also requires additional notice and posting requirements related to the Act for local governments. Finally, the bill grants authority to the Auditor of Public Accounts to perform any type of audit, review, or investigation of the accounts and records of a locality that may be required pursuant to the Act.

Board of Pharmacy; membership; registered pharmacy technician. Increases the membership of the Board of Pharmacy from 10 to 11 members, with the additional member being a registered pharmacy technician.

Industrial development authorities in certain localities; housing. Allows industrial development authorities in the Counties of Halifax, Henry, and Pittsylvania and the Cities of Danville and Martinsville to exercise their powers with respect to facilities used primarily for single or multifamily residences in order to promote safe and affordable housing in the Commonwealth. Under current law, such powers may be exercised only in a locality where a housing authority has not been activated. The bill also grants industrial development authorities in such localities the power to issue bonds associated with the construction of affordable housing.

Maddy summaryHR 853 is a ceremonial resolution commending Khadijeh Aslankhani for her contributions, with no substantive policy changes or direct impact on legislation. It serves solely as a formal expression of appreciation from the House of Representatives. The bill was passed by voice vote and engrossed without debate, reflecting standard procedural steps for such resolutions. As a commemorative measure, it does not allocate funds, alter laws, or affect any specific group or policy.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 861) that formally commends Dr. McKinley L. Price, D.D.S., for his contributions. It does not create any new laws, obligations, or direct impacts on policies or constituents. The resolution serves as a non-binding expression of appreciation from the House of Representatives. It passed the House by voice vote on February 21, 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 807 is a symbolic resolution commending the Virginia State Police Association for its service. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, programs, or individuals. The bill serves solely as a formal expression of appreciation from the Virginia House of Delegates. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect or practical impact beyond the ceremonial acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryHR 816 is a non-binding resolution that formally commends the Washington Commanders professional football team. It does not create new laws, impose costs, or affect any specific group of people. The bill serves solely as a ceremonial gesture of recognition by the U.S. House of Representatives. It passed unanimously by voice vote in the House on February 21, 2025, and has no practical policy impact.