Sen. Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.

Prohibits the governing board of a public institution of higher education from approving an increase in undergraduate tuition or mandatory fees without first providing students and the public a projected range of the planned increase, an explanation of the need for the increase, and notice of the date and location of any vote on the increase at least 30 days prior to such vote.

Adds defamation to the causes of action from which a citizen shall be immune when making statements (i) regarding matters of public concern to a third party or (ii) at a public hearing before the governing body of any locality or other political subdivision, or the boards, commissions, agencies, and authorities thereof, and other governing bodies of any local governmental entity. The bill further provides that the immunity does not apply to any statements made with actual or constructive knowledge that they are false, or with reckless disregard for whether they are false. This bill is identical to

Requires the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (the Council) and each public institution of higher education to develop a passport credit program that will be offered at each associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education. Under the program, each passport credit course shall satisfy a lower division general education requirement at any public institution of higher education. The bill requires the Council to develop such program by July 1, 2020, and each associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education to offer such program by the 2020-2021 academic year.

Requires the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), in consultation with each public institution of higher education, to establish a policy for granting undergraduate general education course credit to any entering freshman student who has successfully completed a dual enrollment course. The bill requires SCHEV and each public institution of higher education to make the policy available to the public on the SCHEV and institution's websites. This bill is identical to

Requires the Department of Planning and Budget to revise and reissue its economic impact analysis within the time limits set forth for the Department's review of regulations at the final stage pursuant to the Governor's executive order for executive branch review if one of the following conditions is present and would materially change the Department's analysis: (i) public comment timely received at the proposed stage indicates significant errors in the economic impact analysis or (ii) there is a significant or material difference between the agency's proposed economic impact analysis and the anticipated negative economic impacts to the business community as indicated by public comment. The bill provides that the determination as to whether either such condition is present shall be made by the Department and shall not be subject to judicial review. The bill contains an emergency clause. This bill is identical to

Requires the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), in consultation with each public institution of higher education, to establish a policy for granting undergraduate general education course credit to any entering freshman student who has successfully completed a dual enrollment course. The bill requires SCHEV and each public institution of higher education to make the policy available to the public on the SCHEV and institution's websites. This bill is identical to

Increases the aggregate amount of civil penalties that the Commissioner of Social Services may assess against an assisted living facility for noncompliance with the terms of its license from $10,000 per 24-month period to $10,000 per 12-month period. This bill is identical to

Allows a licensed residential real estate appraiser, certified residential real estate appraiser, or certified general real estate appraiser to provide an evaluation of real estate or real property in connection with certain real estate-related financial transactions. This bill is identical to

Provides that the separate division of the City of Richmond general district court that is operated south of the James River shall have concurrent jurisdiction over criminal matters arising in that part of the city, not exclusive jurisdiction over such matters. This bill is identical to