Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJ 67) that formally commends Sweet Briar College for its contributions. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any individuals or entities. The resolution serves solely as a symbolic gesture of recognition by the legislature. As a procedural measure, it has no substantive policy impact.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 18) that formally commends the "Walk for Peace" event. It does not create any new laws or affect any individuals or groups through policy changes. The resolution was unanimously passed by the Senate via voice vote on January 29, 2026, and serves only as a symbolic expression of support for the event. As a procedural resolution, it has no legal effect or concrete policy impact.
Tow truck drivers; temporary registration. Requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services to offer a temporary registration or driver authorization document to tow truck drivers that is effective upon submission of an application for registration and that expires upon issuance or denial of permanent registration. Under current law, the Department is authorized, but not required, to offer such temporary registration or driver authorization document.
Individual income tax subtractions; tips. Establishes an individual income tax subtraction for income attributable to tips in an amount equal to (i) 25 percent of the federal tip income deduction for taxable year 2026 and (ii) 50 percent of the federal tip income deduction in taxable year 2027 and thereafter.
Real property tax exemption; surviving spouses of members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty. Authorizes localities to provide, for tax years beginning on and after January 1, 2026, up to a total exemption from real property taxes for dwellings owned by surviving spouses of members of the armed forces that are situated on property zoned as single family residential. Under current law, a total exemption is only allowed for such dwellings 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.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJ 36) honoring retired U.S. Navy officer William Bruce Rutherford. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, programs, or individuals beyond formally recognizing his service. The resolution passed unanimously in both the Senate (January 22, 2026) and House (January 26, 2026) with voice votes. As a commemorative measure, it has no legislative impact beyond the symbolic tribute.
Health insurance; prior authorization requests reviewed by physician. Requires a provider contract between a health insurance carrier and a provider to contain provisions requiring (i) any decision to deny a prior authorization request for drug benefits or health care services is made by a licensed physician who is (a) an expert in the treatment of the enrollee's medical condition that is the subject of the prior authorization request and (b) knowledgeable about the recommended health care service or treatment through recent or current actual clinical experience treating patients with the same or similar medical condition of the enrollee and (ii) if the carrier is questioning the medical necessity of the request, the carrier will provide the enrollee's physician an opportunity to discuss the medical necessity of the health care service with the physician who will be responsible for determining authorization of the health care service or drug benefit under review.
Health insurance; prior authorization for health care services. Decreases from 72 hours to 24 hours and from seven days to five days the time by which a health insurance carrier is required to respond to expedited and standard requests for prior authorization for health care services, respectively. The bill prohibits a carrier from (i) denying a claim for the provision of dental services by a dentist or oral surgeon for failure to obtain prior authorization if the dentist or oral surgeon calls the dental plan during business hours to obtain such prior authorization and is unable to reach the dental plan or is placed on hold for longer than 15 minutes and (ii) downcoding a claim if a prior authorization was approved. The bill requires carriers to establish a system in which providers with high prior authorization approval rates are not required to obtain prior authorization for routine health care services. Additionally, the bill provides that if a prior authorization request is denied, the carrier is required to notify providers and enrollees if artificial-intelligence based tools were used in reviewing the request.
Issuing citations; certain traffic offenses and odor of marijuana; exclusion of evidence. Removes provisions prohibiting a law-enforcement officer from stopping a motor vehicle for operating (i) with an expired registration sticker prior to the first day of the fourth month after the original expiration date; (ii) with defective and unsafe equipment; (iii) without tail lights, brake lights, or a supplemental high mount stop light; (iv) without lighted headlights displayed when so required; (v) with certain tinting films, signs, posters, stickers, or decals; (vi) with objects or other equipment suspended so as to obstruct the driver's view; or (vii) with an expired inspection prior to the first day of the fourth month after the original expiration date, as well as the accompanying exclusionary provisions. The bill also authorizes a law-enforcement officer to lawfully stop, search, or seize a person, place, or thing or a search warrant to be issued based solely on the odor of marijuana if such odor creates a reasonable suspicion of a violation of the law prohibiting driving while intoxicated.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 4) honoring William J. Martin. It does not create any new laws, policies, or financial obligations; it is a formal expression of recognition by the Senate. The resolution passed unanimously via voice vote on January 22, 2026, following its introduction on January 14. As a commemorative resolution, it directly affects no individuals or groups through policy changes.
