Del. Debra Gardner

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJ 434), not a policy bill. It formally commends Dr. William Ferguson Reid for his service, with no legal effect or impact on any individuals or policies. The resolution passed both the Senate and House by voice vote in February 2025. As a symbolic gesture, it expresses legislative recognition but does not create any new requirements or change existing law.

Secure storage of firearms; penalties. Creates a Class 4 misdemeanor for any person who fails to securely store a firearm on any premises where such person knows, or reasonably should know, that a minor or a person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm is, or is likely to be, present. The bill increases the penalty to a Class 1 misdemeanor if a minor or a person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm obtains such firearm. The bill includes certain exceptions and requires firearms dealers to post a notice stating firearm storage requirements and the penalty for improperly storing such firearms. The bill also creates a Class 4 misdemeanor for any person who fails to report to law enforcement the theft or loss of a firearm from a vehicle and a Class 1 misdemeanor if another person obtains such firearm. Finally, the bill requires the Superintendent of State Police, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Health, to create a public awareness campaign on the importance of the secure storage of firearms by January 1, 2026.

High-risk artificial intelligence; development, deployment, and use by public bodies; work group; report. Creates requirements for the development, deployment, and use of high-risk artificial intelligence systems, as defined in the bill, by public bodies. The bill also directs the Chief Information Officer of the Commonwealth (CIO) to develop, publish, and maintain policies and procedures concerning the development, procurement, implementation, utilization, and ongoing assessment of systems that employ high-risk artificial intelligence systems that are consistent with the requirements created by the bill. The bill directs the CIO to convene a work group to examine the impact on and the ability of local governments to comply with the requirements of the bill. The substantive requirements of the bill have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027.

Adult adoptee access to original birth certificate; contact preference form. Allows the State Registrar to provide, upon written request, any adult adopted person access to his original birth certificate. The bill allows a birth parent to indicate whether they would like to be contacted by an adoptee on a contact preference form provided by the State Registrar that shall accompany the adoptee's original birth certificate, which shall be released to an adopted person when he requests his original birth certificate.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally commends Linda Ford for her contributions. It passed unanimously in both the Senate and House via voice vote, with final passage recorded on February 19, 2025. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or affect policies, funding, or regulations. It serves solely to recognize an individual's service.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SJ 373) formally commends Chesterfield County for its contributions or achievements, though the specific reason for commendation is not detailed in the provided abstract. It is a ceremonial resolution, not a substantive bill with policy changes or direct impacts on individuals or entities. The resolution passed both the Senate and House by voice vote and is now enacted as a formal expression of recognition. No mechanisms, provisions, or concrete policy effects are associated with this procedural measure.

Maddy summarySJ 363 is a ceremonial resolution commending the Virginia Spaceport Authority for its work in advancing space exploration and economic development in Virginia. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it is purely symbolic recognition. The bill passed both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly with unanimous voice votes in February 2025. It honors the Authority's contributions but has no binding effect or direct impact on residents, businesses, or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJ 371) is a ceremonial resolution commending Hoda Kotb, a well-known television host and co-anchor, for her contributions. It does not create any legal requirements or affect any individuals, organizations, or policies. The resolution simply expresses the legislature's appreciation through a formal statement. As a commemorative measure, it has no binding effect and passed unanimously in both chambers.

Poor debtor's exemption; depository institution account exemption. Allows a householder to hold exempt from creditor process up to $500 held in a depository institution. The bill provides that a depository institution shall, upon receipt of an order of garnishment, attachment, or other levy, answer such order and, if the householder maintains a deposit account or accounts with such depository institution, state that (i) the total amount in such account or accounts does not exceed $500 or (ii) the total amount in such account or accounts does exceed $500 and that the amount of funds in excess of $500 is being held by such institution pending further order of the court. The bill further provides that, beginning on April 1, 2027, any increases in exempt amounts shall be adjusted at three-year intervals to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U), as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The bill provides that such adjustments shall be calculated by the Department of Planning and Budget.

Public education; early childhood care and education; funding formula calculations; Early Childhood Care and Education Fund established; report. Requires the Department of Education to (i) establish and maintain a funding formula for the provision of early childhood care and education services that establishes the minimum funding and number of slots per biennium for such providers based on a cost of quality rate per child, actual data from the prior year, unserved waitlists, and a multiplier based on enrollment and parent demand growth in prior biennia; (ii) make disbursements from the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund, established in the bill, to support the provision of early childhood care and education services in accordance with the funding formula set forth in the bill; and (iii) submit to the Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education a report on the status of the Fund, including the data used to calculate the minimum funding and number of slots per biennium established pursuant to the funding formula. The bill requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to submit to the General Assembly by November 1 of each year a report on Fund revenues, distributions, and balances. The bill contains a reenactment clause.