Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg

Zoning; by-right multifamily development in areas zoned for commercial use. Requires a locality to provide in its zoning ordinance provisions allowing for the by-right development and construction of multifamily residential uses on all land contained in commercial or business zoning district classifications. The bill provides that the review and approval of such development shall be done administratively by the locality's staff and that any residential development that dedicates a minimum of 10 percent of the total number of housing units to households with a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income shall be granted an accelerated plan review and permit approval process by the locality's staff.

Statewide housing targets for localities. Requires localities to increase their total housing stock by at least 7.5 percent over the five-year period beginning January 1, 2026. The bill provides that in order to meet the 7.5 percent growth target, a locality shall develop a housing growth plan that best meets the needs of the locality and may include any of various listed housing growth strategies. The bill further provides that after January 1, 2031, an applicant who seeks local government approval for a residential development that will have the effect of increasing the supply of housing in a locality and has that application rejected may, in addition to other remedies, appeal such decision to the Housing Approval Board, which shall be established by the Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development. The bill authorizes the Housing Approval Board to overturn local decisions and approve applications under certain circumstances. However, if the Housing Approval Board determines that a locality has in good faith implemented at least three of the housing growth strategies listed in the bill and has not rejected more than 25 percent of new housing development proposals over the previous five years, the Housing Approval Board shall allow the local decision to stand. Finally, the bill provides that the Housing Approval Board shall give extra weight for increases in affordable housing and for the rehabilitation of current, underutilized housing stock.

Child labor; child engaged in the work of content creation; trust account. Specifies certain criteria for a child to be considered engaged in the work of content creation and prohibits a child who is under 14 years of age from engaging in the work of content creation. A child 14 years of age or older who is considered a child engaged in the work of content creation shall be compensated by the content creator, defined in the bill, whose video content includes such child's likeness, name, or photograph. The bill requires the content creator to set aside gross earnings on the video content including the likeness, name, or photograph of the child in a trust account to be preserved for the benefit of the child upon attaining 18 years of age or being declared emancipated. The bill also requires the content creator to maintain certain records specified in the bill and retain them until the child reaches 21 years of age. The bill allows the child, or his parent or guardian on behalf of such child, to commence a civil action to enforce the provisions of law related to the trust account. Finally, the bill gives the Attorney General the authority to enforce the provisions of the bill by issuing a civil investigative demand and causing an action to be brought in the appropriate circuit court to enjoin any violations. This bill was incorporated into SB 998.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 210) that formally honors Lawrence Douglas Wilder, the first Black governor of Virginia (1990-1994). It does not create new laws or affect policy; it is solely a symbolic expression of respect for Wilder's historical service. The resolution was unanimously agreed to by the Senate on January 16, 2025. It directly recognizes Wilder's legacy but has no binding effect or practical impact on legislation or constituents.

Maddy summaryThis bill, SJ 279, is a ceremonial resolution commending Reverend Dr. Kirkland R. Walton for his contributions. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, programs, or individuals. The resolution simply expresses formal appreciation for the reverend's service through a symbolic gesture approved by both legislative chambers. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect or practical impact beyond recognition.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally expresses appreciation for Lawrence Douglas Wilder, Virginia's first Black governor, recognizing his service to the state. It passed both the Senate and House by voice vote on January 15-16, 2025, with no recorded opposition. The bill has no binding effect or policy changes - it serves solely as a ceremonial honor. It directly affects no individuals or entities beyond the symbolic recognition of Wilder's legacy.

Residential development in certain areas; affordable housing. Provides that any type of residential use that is permitted in a locality shall be considered a conforming residential use on any parcel other than parcels zoned for (i) agriculture, (ii) conservation, or (iii) a different residential use. The bill states that no local ordinance shall require that a special exception, special use, or conditional use permit be obtained for a conforming residential use and that rights under existing zoning shall be considered vested pursuant to existing vesting provisions. The bill further provides that any residential development pursuant to the authority granted in the bill shall dedicate a minimum of 10 percent of the total number of housing units to housing affordable to households making at or below 120 percent of the area median income.

Paid sick leave; health care providers and grocery store workers. Requires employers to provide paid sick leave to health care providers and grocery store workers. Under current law, employers are only required to provide paid sick leave to certain home health workers. The bill removes requirements that workers work on average at least 20 hours per week or 90 hours per month to be eligible for paid sick leave. The bill provides that certain health care providers may waive their right to accrue and use paid sick leave and provides an exemption for employers of certain other health care providers. The bill requires the Department of Labor and Industry to develop guidelines for retail employers that sell groceries to provide sick leave and to publish such guidelines by December 1, 2024. The provisions of the bill other than the requirement for the Department of Labor and Industry to develop guidelines have a delayed effective date of January 1, 2025.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 58.1-4030 and 58.1-4039 of the Code of Virginia and the fourth enactment of Chapter 1197 and the fourth enactment of Chapter 1248 of the Acts of Assembly of 2020, relating to sports betting; Virginia college sports. 24101271D

Improvements, repairs, or maintenance of property; entering adjoining property; petition for entry. Allows an owner or lessee of real property who seeks to improve, repair, or maintain his property to petition the circuit court for a license to enter adjoining property for the purpose of performing the improvements, repairs, or maintenance when the property is so situated that it is impossible to perform the improvements, repairs, or maintenance without entering such adjoining property and permission to enter such adjoining property has been denied. The bill provides that such license shall be granted by the court in an appropriate case upon such terms as justice requires. No such entry shall be deemed a trespass, and the licensee shall be liable to the adjoining owner or his lessee for actual damages occurring as a result of the entry.