Sen. Bill DeSteph

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJ 336) honoring Dr. Peter John Kemp's life. It does not create legal obligations or affect any policies or individuals. The resolution formally expresses the legislature's commemoration of Dr. Kemp's contributions, as passed by both the Senate and House on February 6-11, 2025. It is a non-binding gesture of respect with no substantive impact.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late state legislator Frank Miller Ruff, Jr. It does not create new laws or affect any policies or people. The resolution formally commemorates his service and life through a symbolic tribute. As a non-binding resolution, it has no practical impact beyond recognition.

Maddy summarySR 234 is a Senate resolution commending the Virginia Opera Association, Inc. for its contributions to the cultural and artistic life of Virginia. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies; it is a symbolic gesture of recognition. The bill was unanimously agreed to by the Senate on February 6, 2025, and honors the organization's work without imposing any requirements or funding. It directly affects the Virginia Opera Association as the recipient of this formal acknowledgment.

Real property tax exemption; surviving spouses of members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty. Authorizes localities by ordinance to provide a total exemption from real property taxes regardless of assessed value beginning in taxable year 2025. Under current law, a total exemption is only allowed for those dwellings in the locality with assessed values in the most recently ended tax year that are not in excess of the average assessed value for such year of a dwelling situated on property that is zoned as single family residential.

Virginia Gaming Commerce Regulation Act established; penalties. Establishes the Virginia Gaming Commerce Regulation Act for the purpose of providing a regulatory and registration scheme for electronic gaming devices in the Commonwealth. The bill authorizes and specifies the registration requirements for the distribution, operation, hosting, and play of electronic gaming devices, as defined in the bill. The bill imposes a $1,200 monthly tax on each electronic gaming device from each distributor, as defined in the bill, and provides for the use of such tax proceeds after deposit in the Virginia Gaming Commerce Regulation Fund, established in the bill for distribution as follows: (i) 70 percent to the Elementary and Secondary Education Fund, also established in the bill, but only to supplement and not supplant existing funding for public primary and secondary education; (ii) 15 percent to the host locality contingent upon 33 percent of such amount being used for local law enforcement; (iii) five percent for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program and Fund; (iv) three percent to the I-81 Corridor Improvement Fund, (v) three percent to the Gaming Regulatory Fund for administration and oversight costs; (vi) 2.5 percent to the State Police for the Office of Gaming Enforcement; and (vii) 1.5 percent to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund. The bill directs the Virginia Lottery Board to promulgate regulations no later than June 30, 2026, to implement the provisions of the bill and authorizes the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority to grant a provisional registration, until the Virginia Lottery Board regulations are promulgated, to any entity that meets the respective criteria.

Carrying concealed weapons; exceptions; penalty. Adds any pistol, revolver, or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind by action of compressed air to the list of concealed weapons the carrying of which is prohibited in public.

Labor and employment; portable benefit accounts; income tax; deduction. Authorizes a Virginia resident who has worked as an independent contractor to establish a portable benefit account. Under the bill, a portable benefit account offered through and administered by a bank, credit union, or other depository institution and distributions from the account may be used for the payment of various health-related costs. The bill also creates a temporary deduction for the amount of contributions made to a portable benefit account by an independent contractor for the 2025 and 2026 taxable years.

Department of Motor Vehicles; driver communication improvement program. Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to develop and implement a program for the promotion, printing, and distribution of envelopes for use by drivers with a disability that can impair communication, as that term is defined in relevant law, provide to a law-enforcement officer for the purpose of easing communication during a traffic stop or upon such law-enforcement officer's arrival at the scene of a traffic accident.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJ 267) is a ceremonial resolution commending the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a nonpartisan organization that supports state legislators. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, people, or programs. The resolution simply expresses formal recognition and appreciation for NCSL's work in strengthening state legislative governance. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect and serves only as a symbolic gesture.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution honoring the late Henry Levander Marsh, III, a former public servant. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, rights, or funding. The resolution formally recognizes his contributions through a ceremonial vote by both legislative chambers. It passed unanimously in the Senate and House in early February 2025, as documented in the official actions.