Rep. Barry Knight

Maddy summaryHJ 490 is a ceremonial resolution commending the life and contributions of John Lee Orrock. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, people, or programs. The resolution simply expresses the legislature's recognition and appreciation for Orrock's life, with no binding effect or implementation requirements. This type of resolution is standard for honoring individuals and has no practical impact beyond the symbolic gesture.

Maddy summaryHJ 477 is a commemorative resolution honoring Henry Furlong Baldwin, recognizing his life and contributions. It passed both the House and Senate in early 2025 and has no policy impact or direct effect on any individuals or communities, as it serves only a ceremonial purpose.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HJ 478) honoring the late William R. O'Brien, a former legislator. It does not create new laws or affect policies; it simply commemorates his life and service through a formal expression of respect. The resolution was approved by both the House and Senate in early 2025. As a commemorative measure, it has no practical impact beyond the symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryHJ 493 is a ceremonial resolution that formally commends Blackwater Baptist Church for its community service. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or affect any individuals or groups beyond expressing legislative recognition. The bill passed both chambers via voice vote and was signed into law in March 2025. As a symbolic gesture, it has no binding policy impact.

Maddy summaryHJ 494 is a ceremonial resolution that expresses legislative appreciation for St. John's Church, a historic religious site. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any policies or individuals. The bill formally commends the church's historical significance through a symbolic gesture by the state legislature. Passed unanimously by both the House and Senate in early 2025, it has no practical impact beyond recognition.

Maddy summaryHR 481 is a House resolution commending Lawrence Douglas Wilder, Virginia's first Black governor and former lieutenant governor. It serves as a formal, symbolic recognition of his contributions to public service and leadership. The bill does not create any policy changes or affect specific groups; it is purely a ceremonial gesture. The resolution passed unanimously by the House on January 16, 2025, and was engrossed for final passage.

Real property tax; exemptions for disabled veterans and surviving spouses; driveways. Clarifies that any driveway used to access land otherwise exempt from real property taxes as being owned by a veteran who has a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability shall also be exempt from such taxation. The bill also clarifies that any driveway used to access land otherwise exempt from real property taxes due to being owned by a surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces who died in the line of duty shall be similarly exempt from real property taxes.

Maintenance of vegetative growth on certain property. Provides that a locality may require the owner of property that (i) was formerly used as a golf course but where such use has been discontinued and (ii) abuts an area zoned for residential purposes to maintain the vegetative growth on the former golf course property in a manner that (a) prevents such property from becoming a detriment to the health, safety, or welfare of the residents of the abutting residential area and (b) does not change the character of the former golf course property so as to be incompatible with the surrounding residential area. The bill further provides that whenever the locality deems it necessary, after reasonable notice as determined by the locality, the locality may have its agents or employees cut or maintain the vegetative growth, in which event the cost and expenses thereof shall be chargeable to and paid by the owner of such property and may be collected by the locality as taxes are collected. An enactment clause states that the provisions of the bill are declarative of existing law.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution formally commends Robert F. McDonnell for his selection as the 72nd First Citizen of Virginia Beach by the Virginia Beach Jaycees. The measure acknowledges his extensive service as a former Army member, state legislator, Attorney General, and Governor, along with his nearly 40 years of residence and contributions to the local community. It directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation to McDonnell as an expression of appreciation from the House of Delegates.

Board of directors of Eastern Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University; membership; meetings; removal. Adjusts the membership and terms of the standing committee of the Old Dominion Board of Visitors that is established to serve as the board of directors of the Eastern Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University by (i) adding the president of the University and the executive vice president for health sciences at the University to serve as ex officio nonvoting members, (ii) removing the nonlegislative citizen member to be appointed by the primary teaching hospital affiliated with the University, (iii) increasing from one to two the number of nonlegislative citizen members to be appointed by the Governor, (iv) decreasing from nine to seven the number of nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation or any successor foundation and establishing certain qualifications for such members, and (v) staggering the initial appointments of members. The bill permits the primary teaching hospital affiliated with the University to submit to the Governor a list of at least three nominees with certain qualifications for any vacancy on the standing committee that is to be filled by the Governor. The bill requires the standing committee to meet four times per year and at such other times as it determines. The bill also permits the Governor, as the sole judge of sufficiency, to remove from office for malfeasance, misfeasance, incompetence, or gross neglect of duty any member of the standing committee. The effective date of the establishment of the Eastern Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University and its board of directors, and by extension the effective date of the foregoing provisions of this bill, is delayed until the date on which the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations provide written approval for Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School to complete a merger to create the Eastern Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University. The bill finally requires, by January 1, 2029, the Old Dominion University Board of Visitors, the standing committee of the Eastern Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University, the Governor, and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations to provide written input to one another on whether the standing committee governance provisions contained in the bill should be revised.