Sen. Christie Craig

Virginia Retirement System; enhanced retirement benefits for 911 dispatchers. Allows local governments to provide enhanced retirement benefits for hazardous duty service to full-time salaried 911 dispatchers. The bill provides that such enhanced retirement benefits apply only to service earned as a full-time salaried 911 dispatcher on or after July 1, 2025, but allows an employer, as that term is defined in relevant law, to provide such enhanced retirement benefits for service earned as a full-time salaried 911 dispatcher before July 1, 2025, in addition to service earned on or after that date. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2025.

Personal property tax relief; qualifying vehicles; reimbursement and appropriation. Provides for a portion of the general fund surplus at the close of the immediately preceding fiscal year to be appropriated for increased car tax relief. If more than $250 million in general fund surplus remains after all mandatory assignments under current law, then the total amount the Commonwealth shall pay in reimbursements to localities for providing required tangible personal property tax relief on qualifying vehicles for the immediately following tax year, beginning in tax year 2025, shall be $950 million plus up to 25 percent of the remaining surplus. In such case, the surplus amount would be held in reserve for appropriation for such tax relief and not further assigned by the Comptroller. If less than $250 million in general fund surplus remains after such mandatory assignments, the total amount of reimbursements from the Commonwealth to localities would remain at $950 million, the fixed amount under current law, and the remaining surplus would be assigned by the Comptroller for nonrecurring expenditures. Also beginning in tax year 2025, the bill increases from $20,000 to $30,000 the base vehicle value for which a county, city, or town shall establish its tangible personal property tax rate for each qualifying vehicle and reimbursements from the Commonwealth therefor.

Celebrating the life of Staff Sergeant CraigAaron Pruden, USA.

Commending Daniel M. Gade.

Commending Sandra Gioia Treadway.

Celebrating the life of Janet Marie Brooking.

Commending Peter A. Blake.

Commending Scott McGeary.

Militia state active duty; cyber-related support.Provides that the Governor or his designee may call forth the militiaor any part thereof to state active duty for service when the Governordetermines that cyber-related support is needed to assist state orlocal agencies or to assist private entities that provide critical infrastructure. The bill contains technical amendments.

Carrying a firearm or explosive material withinCapitol Square and the surrounding area, into a building owned orleased by the Commonwealth, etc.; exceptions for law-enforcementofficers. Adds an exception for off-duty law-enforcement officersto the prohibition of carrying a firearm within any building ownedor leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof or any officewhere employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularlypresent for the purpose of performing their official duties.