Sen. Glen Sturtevant

Department of Conservation and Recreation; Disabled Veteran's Family Passport; free entry into state parks and discounted services. Directs the Department of Conservation and Recreation to establish a Disabled Veteran's Family Passport that entitles the bearer to enter state parks in the Commonwealth without the payment of a parking or admission fee. The bill provides that the Passport will be issued upon request to any immediate family member, as defined in the bill, of a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States who provides certain documentation to the Department. The bill authorizes the Department to require passport holders to re-certify such documentation no more than once every five years.

Tangible personal property tax relief; rate of taxation. Removes the $950 million cap, beginning in tax year 2027 and all tax years thereafter, on the amount of tangible personal property tax relief reimbursed to localities by the Commonwealth. The bill requires, for tax year 2027 and all tax years thereafter, each county, city, or town to reduce its local tax rate on qualifying vehicles to no greater than $0.00000001 per $100 of assessed value of the qualifying vehicle.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJ 67) that formally commends Sweet Briar College for its contributions. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any individuals or entities. The resolution serves solely as a symbolic gesture of recognition by the legislature. As a procedural measure, it has no substantive policy impact.

Zoning; adequate public facilities. Allows a locality to determine the timing of development by considering the adequacy of public facilities when making zoning decisions. The bill provides that a locality that makes a determination of inadequate facilities may reject or defer a rezoning application based solely on that determination.

Protection of employees; covenants not to compete; involuntarily separated employees. Prohibits the enforcement of a covenant not to compete, as such term is defined in existing law, between an employer and an employee if such employee is involuntarily separated from employment, as defined in the bill. The bill provides that for its purposes, an employee that is separated from employment shall be presumed to be involuntarily separated from employment unless the employer provides documentation establishing that such separation is voluntary or due to the employee's inadequate job performance or misconduct.

Department of Environmental Quality; siting of large data centers; site assessment; standards; civil penalties. Requires a locality, prior to any approval of a rezoning application, special exception, or special use permit for the siting or major expansion of a large data center, as those terms are defined in the bill, to conduct an initial public hearing regarding such siting or expansion and to require the applicant to perform a site assessment including certain specified information and to submit such site assessment to the locality and the Department of Environmental Quality (the Department). The bill directs the locality to hold a second public hearing upon such submission. The bill requires the Department to review such site assessment to ensure compliance with site assessment standards established by the Department, including standards for noise impacts, light pollution and illumination at night, water usage and source impacts, air emissions, traffic and other construction-phase impacts, and other impacts of proximity to residential units and schools. The bill permits the Department to issue a notice of any violation of its provisions to a large data center, to require corrective or supplemental mitigation actions as a condition of continued approval, and to assess civil penalties against or revoke any approval for a large data center that continues such violation for more than 60 days after receiving such notice. The bill authorizes the Office of the Attorney General to bring an action against a large data center for injunctive or other appropriate relief to enforce the bill's provisions. Certain provisions of the bill have a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027. In addition, the bill directs the Department to develop site assessment standards for large data centers by July 1, 2027.

General Assembly; intergovernmental affairs; delegates to a convention for proposing amendments held under Article V of the Constitution of the United States; penalties. Provides for the selection by the General Assembly of delegates to attend a convention for proposing amendments held under Article V of the Constitution of the United States. The bill grants the General Assembly the power to recall delegates, appoint new delegates, and convene an advisory committee to oversee the conduct of delegates. The bill provides that delegates must take an oath to adhere to the instructions of the General Assembly.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 23) commending George B. Hayes for his contributions. It does not create any new laws, alter policies, or affect any individuals or groups beyond the symbolic recognition. The resolution passed the Senate unanimously via voice vote on January 29, 2026, and was certified as passed on January 30, 2026. As a commemorative measure, it has no substantive policy impact.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 25) commending Dr. Joseph P. Casey for his contributions. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, people, or programs. The resolution passed the Senate by voice vote on January 29, 2026, and was formally adopted. As a commendation, it has no binding effect or practical impact beyond expressing recognition.

Individual income tax subtractions; tips. Establishes an individual income tax subtraction for income attributable to tips in an amount equal to (i) 25 percent of the federal tip income deduction for taxable year 2026 and (ii) 50 percent of the federal tip income deduction in taxable year 2027 and thereafter.