Rep. Tommy Wright

Elections; voter identification; identification containing a photograph required. Requires presentation of a form of identification containing a photograph in order to vote. The bill repeals the provisions of law permitting a voter who does not have one of the required forms of identification to vote after signing a statement, subject to felony penalties for false statements, that he is the named registered voter he claims to be. Instead, the bill provides that such voter is entitled to cast a provisional ballot.

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.

Insurance; Fire Programs Fund; purposes; Aid to Localities Grant Program. Increases the assessment on certain insurance companies from one percent to 1.5 percent. The bill provides that the portion of the Fire Programs Fund allocated to localities may be used for the additional purposes of (i) constructing, improving, or expanding fire station facilities; (ii) providing mental health resources for fire personnel; or (iii) hiring additional fire personnel and funding recruitment and retention programs. The bill also prohibits such funds from being used, except as provided, for the purposes of investments, operating expenses, debt repayment, taxes, or fees. The bill also establishes the Aid to Localities Grant Program, to be funded by 0.25 percent of the assessments on insurance companies, for the purposes of providing assistance to local fire departments that are at risk of closing or facing major violations due to the lack of funds needed to be in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Motor vehicle sales and use tax; definition of sale price. Excludes from the sale price for determining motor vehicle sales and use tax the amount of any credit given by the seller for any motor vehicle taken as a trade-in.

Virginia Real Estate Time-Share Act; recordkeeping by resellers. Removes the requirement under the Virginia Real Estate Time-Share Act that, if contact information has been obtained by a reseller of a time-share from any source, such reseller and the lead dealer of such time-share maintain a copy of a current government-issued photographic identification of the lead dealer who provided the contact information.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJ 305) is a ceremonial resolution commending Colonel James B. Cogbill, USA, Ret., for his military service. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, programs, or individuals beyond this formal recognition. The resolution passed both the Senate and House by voice vote in early February 2025 and is now pending final action. It serves solely to honor an individual's service, with no substantive policy impact.

Virginia taxable income; standard deduction; sunset. Removes the sunset on elevated standard deduction amounts for single individuals and married persons that is scheduled to expire for taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2026.

Board of zoning appeals; petition for appeal; emergency. Clarifies the procedure by which a person aggrieved by a decision of the board of zoning appeals may appeal the decision to the circuit court by changing the manner in which a petition is styled. The bill also (i) changes instances of \"board\" to \"board of zoning appeals\" to clarify that \"board\" does not refer to a county's board of supervisors, (ii) provides that service of process is to be obtained as in other actions at law, and (iii) contains a retroactive savings clause that is intended to prevent dismissal of certain appeals that have not yet been finally adjudicated. The bill contains an emergency clause.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution formally commends the Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center on its 50th anniversary. The document highlights the center's contributions to agricultural research and education in Southside Virginia over the past five decades, noting its role in supporting various crops and tobacco producers. It acknowledges the facility's history, current operations, and the leadership of its directors, while expressing the House of Delegates' appreciation for its work. The resolution directs the Clerk to provide a copy of the text to the center as a gesture of recognition.