Public institutions of higher education; eligibility for in-state tuition. Provides that any student is eligible for in-state tuition who (i) attended high school for at least two years in the Commonwealth and either (a) graduated on or after July 1, 2008, from a public or private high school or program of home instruction in the Commonwealth or (b) passed, on or after July 1, 2008, a high school equivalency examination approved by the Secretary of Education; (ii) has submitted evidence that he or, in the case of a dependent student, at least one parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis has filed, unless exempted by state law, Virginia income tax returns for at least two years prior to the date of registration or enrollment; and (iii) registers as an entering student or is enrolled in a public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth. The bill states that students who meet these criteria shall be eligible for in-state tuition regardless of their citizenship or immigration status, except students with currently valid visas issued under 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(F), 1101(a)(15)(H)(iii), 1101(a)(15)(J) (including only students or trainees), or 1101(a)(15)(M). Information obtained in the implementation of the provisions of the bill shall only be used or disclosed to individuals other than the student for purposes of determining in-state tuition eligibility. This bill is identical to HB 1547.
Sponsored bills
Public institutions of higher education; public-private partnerships; wind and solar power. Permits each public institutionof higher education to enter into a public-private partnership withany private entity whereby such entity is permitted to use at nocost property owned or controlled by such public institution of highereducation for the generation of wind or solar power in exchange foroffering educational immersion programs for high school studentsand students at public institutions of higher education that providehands-on education and training in the construction, operations, and maintenance of its wind or solar power generators. The bill requiresany energy produced by such solar or wind power generators to be(i) used to provide power for the partner public institution of highereducation or (ii) introduced to applicable power grids and sold atmarket rates, with profits split as agreed upon by the private entityand the partner public institution of higher education. The billrequires any such profits gained by the partner public institutionof higher education to be used to further research, expand cleanenergy education programs, or lower student tuition rates.
Computer trespass; penalty. Expands the crime of computer trespass to provide that the prohibited actions that constitute computer trespass are criminalized if done through intentionally deceptive means and without authority and specifies that a computer hardware or software provider, an interactive computer service, or a telecommunications or cable operator does not have to provide notice of its activities to a computer user that a reasonable computer user should expect may occur. This bill incorporates SB 844.
Virginia Public Procurement Act; architecturaland professional engineering term contracts; limitations. Increasesfrom four to five the number of times that a public body may renewa one-year term contract for architectural or professional engineeringservices related to multiple construction projects. The bill alsoadds an alternative option for public bodies to instead choose onefive-year term contract for such services with no option for renewals.The bill increases the aggregate limit for architectural and engineeringservices contracts for localities for projects performed in a one-yearcontract term from $6 million to $10 million. The bill also increasesthe aggregate limit for architectural and engineering services contractsfor environmental location, design, and inspection work regardinghighways and bridges by the Commissioner of Highways for projects performed in an initial two-year term contract from $5 million to$10 million.
Virginia National Guard; state active duty for emergency response; pay and allowances for members. Provides that whenever called to state active duty in response to certain emergencies, members of the National Guard and the Virginia Defense Force receive pay and allowance equal to their rank and years of service, as determined by the Department of Military Affairs. The bill also authorizes the Adjutant General to increase state active duty pay on an annual basis by a rate not to exceed the most recent percentage increase in basic pay for members of the Armed Forces. Current law provides that (i) officers of the National Guard receive the same pay and allowances as prescribed for members of like rank in the United States Armed Forces, (ii) members of the National Guard receive the same pay and allowances as if they were on a day of Annual Training, and (iii) members of the Virginia Defense Force called to state active duty receive the same pay and allowances as persons of like grade in the National Guard for a day of Annual Training, capped at 25 years of service. The provisions of the bills are contingent on funding in a general appropriation act.
Department of Motor Vehicles; information for veterans. Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to offer information on veteran services available in the Commonwealth to any person who identifies himself as a veteran on a document submitted to the Department for the purpose of a driver or vehicle transaction. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2021.
Comprehensive plan. Extends the time by which a governing body is required to approve or disapprove a locality-initiated comprehensive plan amendment for more than 25 parcels from 90 to 150 days. This bill is identical to HB 726.
Income tax exclusion; student loan forgiveness; disabled veterans. Excludes from Virginia adjusted gross income any income received by a totally and permanently disabled veteran from student loan debt cancellation or discharge for taxable years 2020 through 2025.
Corporal Ryan C. McGhee Memorial Bridge. Designatesthe bridge on Guinea Station Road over Interstate 95 in SpotsylvaniaCounty the Corporal Ryan C. McGhee Memorial Bridge.
Virginia Public Procurement Act; architecturaland professional engineering term contracts; limitations on projectfees; localities. Decreases the population threshold from 78,000to 50,000 for a locality to qualify for the exceptions from (i) the $150,000 single-project fee limit for architectural and professional engineering term contracts and (ii) the $750,000 annual aggregatetotal limit for all such projects.