Sen. Angelia Graves

Maddy summaryHJ 684 is a commemorative resolution honoring Loudoun County residents who were among the passengers aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which crashed in 2023. It formally recognizes and celebrates the lives of these community members without creating any new laws or policy changes. The resolution passed both the House and Senate in February 2025 and was signed into law. This is a symbolic gesture, not a substantive legislative measure.

Maddy summaryHJ 721 is a ceremonial resolution commending Norfolk State University for its contributions to education and the community. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any policies or individuals. The bill serves only as a formal expression of recognition from the legislature. As a procedural resolution, it has no practical impact beyond the symbolic gesture.

Local officers; oath of office. Provides that, notwithstanding the provisions of any local government charter, or any other provision of law, every elected county, city, town and district officer, on or before the day on which his term of office begins, shall qualify by taking the oath prescribed by general law. Current law allows a local government charter to prescribe a different procedure for taking the oath. This bill is identical to HB 2628.

Constitutional amendment (first reference); fundamental right to reproductive freedom. Provides that every individual has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom and that such right shall not be denied, burdened, or infringed upon unless justified by a compelling state interest, defined within the text of the amendment, and achieved by the least restrictive means. The amendment allows the Commonwealth to regulate the provision of abortion care in the third trimester when it is medically indicated to protect the life or health of the pregnant individual or when the fetus is not viable. The amendment prohibits the Commonwealth from penalizing, prosecuting, or taking adverse action against an individual for exercising the individual's right to reproductive freedom or for aiding another individual in the exercise of such right.

Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; real estate brokers, salespersons, and rental location agents; exemptions. Clarifies that the provisions related to real estate brokers, salespersons, and rental location agents shall not apply to any person employed by a licensed real estate broker for and on behalf of the owner of any real estate or the improvements thereon that the licensed broker has contracted to manage for the owner if the actions of such employee are limited to (i) accepting and signing broker-approved rental agreements, state or federal required disclosures, and any documents required for compliance with Virginia Fair Housing Law related to such rental transaction and (ii) accepting security deposits, periodic rent, and other payments contracted for in the rental agreement for such real estate. The bill contains technical amendments. This bill is identical to HB 2557.

Civil penalties for certain repeat zoning violations in Planning District 23; appeals. Provides an enhanced level of civil penalties in Planning District 23 (Hampton Roads) for repeat violations involving nonpermitted commercial uses, defined in the bill. The bill also clarifies (i) that when a board of zoning appeals hears appeals from the decision of an administrative officer and alters the statutorily required order of evidence, it is a reversible error if the appellant lodges an objection and the board subsequently refuses to reorder the hearing and (ii) that the required statement of a right to appeal an administrative officer's decision must be sent to the aggrieved person by certified mail with proof of delivery.

Maddy summaryHJ 659 is a ceremonial resolution commending Mekhi Becton, Sr., for his contributions to the community. It does not create new laws, alter policies, or directly affect any individuals or groups beyond expressing legislative recognition. The resolution passed unanimously in the Senate via voice vote after being introduced and quickly advanced through procedural steps. As a non-binding resolution, it serves only to honor an individual and has no legal or practical impact on governance or public policy.

Institutions of higher education; Hunger-Free Campus Food Pantry Grant Program established; report. Establishes the Hunger-Free Campus Food Pantry Grant Program to address student food insecurity at public institutions of higher education and eligible private institutions of higher education, as defined by the bill. The bill provides that the Program shall be managed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and available for participation by public institutions of higher education and eligible private institutions of higher education; however, participation in the Program is optional for such institutions. Under the bill, if a public institution of higher education or eligible private institution of higher education satisfies certain criteria set out in the bill, including creating initiatives on campus to address student food insecurity, it will receive a "Hunger-Free Campus Food Pantry" designation and the Council will award a grant to such institution. Any such institution that receives a grant under the bill is required to utilize the funds to support on-campus efforts and initiatives to eliminate student food insecurity at such institution through the maintenance and operation of the on-campus food pantry established pursuant to the Program. The bill requires the Council to submit a report to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the House Committee on Education no later than two years after the establishment of the Program. This bill is identical to HB 2240.

Elections; election results; reporting; provisional ballots. Requires the general registrar of each locality to report to the Department of Elections for each precinct in his locality the total number of provisional ballots cast, the number of those provisional ballots determined to be valid by the electoral board, and the results of such valid provisional ballots by voters assigned to such precinct. The bill specifies that results from provisional voting and voting at the precinct on election day must be reported separately. The bill directs the Department to establish standards for ascertaining and reporting such information and provides that such standards must direct that all results be posted promptly and no later than 5:00 p.m. on the tenth day after the election day.

Deputy Hunter D. Reedy Memorial Bridge. Designates the bridge on Adwolfe Road and U.S. Route 11/State Route 660 over Interstate 81 in Smyth County the "Deputy Hunter D. Reedy Memorial Bridge." This bill is identical to HB 1853.