Sen. Bill DeSteph

State Air Pollution Control Board; regulations; low-emissions and zero-emissions vehicle standards. Repeals the State Air Pollution Control Board's authority to implement low-emissions and zero-emissions vehicle standards that apply to vehicles with a model year of 2025 and later.

Electric utilities; emissions intensity target program. Requires the State Corporation Commission to develop an emissions intensity target program for Dominion Energy Virginia and American Electric Power to achieve net-zero emissions. The bill requires the Commission to promulgate regulations to implement its provisions by January 1, 2026. Upon the promulgation of such regulations, the bill repeals certain provisions that require Dominion Energy Virginia and American Electric Power to participate in a renewable energy portfolio standard program, authorize the State Air Pollution Control Board to promulgate certain regulations, and provide that the construction or purchase by a public utility of certain generation facilities is in the public interest.

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 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.

Assault and battery; Virginia Marine Police officers; penalty. Adds Virginia Marine Police officers to the definition of "law-enforcement officer" as such definition relates to the Class 6 felony for any person who commits an assault or assault and battery against another knowing or having reason to know that such other person is a law-enforcement officer.

Fleeing from a law-enforcement officer; penalty. Removes the requirement that a law-enforcement officer have the immediate physical ability to place a person under arrest in order for a person who flees from a law-enforcement officer to be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill instead requires that the officer be within 30 feet of the person when such person knows or has reason to know that the officer is a law-enforcement officer.

Taxation; secrecy of information; taxpayer waiver. Allows a taxpayer to waive confidentiality and secrecy of information provisions of Virginia law with respect to tax information upon executing a written acknowledgement waiver.

Virginia First Manufacturing Incentive Program. Directs the Manufacturing Development Commission (the Commission) to develop a budget and business plan to establish a Virginia First Manufacturing Incentive Program (the Program). The bill provides that the business plan shall identify existing manufacturers in the Commonwealth that are potential candidates for reshoring, near-shoring, or in-shoring manufacturing jobs and capital investments. The bill directs that the Program focus on expanding and recruiting manufacturing operations that produce products identified as critical infrastructure by providing discretionary incentive funding for trade adjustment assistance. Finally, the bill requires that the Commission present the budget and business plan to the Secretary of Commerce and Trade and the Chairmen of the House Committee on General Laws and the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology by October 1, 2024.

Southwest Regional Recreation Authority; soil erosion control and stormwater management plans; land-disturbing activities. Adds the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority to the list of entities that may submit standards and specifications for its conduct of land-disturbing activities to the Department of Environmental Quality for approval by the Department as an alternative to submitting soil erosion control and stormwater management plans.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment; pilot program. Directs the Department of Veterans Services to establish a pilot program with two locations to make electroencephalogram (EEG) combined transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment available for certain military members, veterans, first responders, law-enforcement officers, and certain agents of federal agencies, and family members of the aforementioned individuals. The bill requires the Department to establish regulations for administration of the pilot program.