Sen. Monty Mason

Defines "beneficial use," "beneficiation facility," and "recycling center" and provides that a beneficiation facility or recycling center shall be considered a manufacturer for the purpose of any state or local economic development incentive grant. The bill directs the Department of Environmental Quality (the Department) to encourage and support beneficial use; current law requires the Department to encourage and support litter control and recycling. The bill also directs the Department to provide to the General Assembly by November 1, 2019, an evaluation of Virginia's solid waste recycling rates and a set of recommendations for improving the reliability of the supply of recycled materials during the next 10 years in order to provide for beneficial use.

Prohibits, except for drug offenses, firearm offenses, and certain criminal acts, students in preschool through grade three from being suspended for more than three school days or expelled from attendance at school unless (i) the offense involves physical harm or credible threat of physical harm to others or (ii) the local school board or the division superintendent or his designee finds that aggravating circumstances exist, as defined by the Department of Education.

Requires the Board of Education to provide for teacher licensure by reciprocity for any spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the Commonwealth who has obtained a valid out-of-state license, with full credentials and without deficiencies, that is in force at the time the application for a Virginia license is received by the Department of Education. The bill provides that no service requirements or licensing assessments shall be required for any such individual. This bill is identical to

Provides that a property owner may install a solar facility on the roof of a dwelling or other building to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that dwelling or building, provided that such installation is in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located as well as any provisions pertaining to any local historic or architectural preservation district. Unless a local ordinance provides otherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility shall also be permitted, provided that such installation is in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located as well as any provision pertaining to any local historic district. Any other proposed solar facility, including any solar facility that is designed to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property other than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to any applicable zoning regulations of the locality. The bill requires that any ground-mounted solar energy generation facility existing as of January 1, 2018, be deemed a legal nonconforming use, with certain exceptions. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2019, with respect to ground-mounted solar energy generation facilities. This bill is identical to