Sen. Richard Stuart

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJ 24) is a ceremonial resolution honoring John S. Cheadle, a person recognized by the legislature. It does not create new laws, impose requirements, or affect any specific group or policy. The resolution passed both the Senate (January 15, 2026) and House (January 19, 2026) and was formally recorded as passed. It serves solely to formally celebrate and recognize John S. Cheadle's life, with no substantive legislative impact.

Electric utilities; construction and development of renewable energy facilities; powers of State Air Pollution Control Board; powers of State Corporation Commission. Repeals provisions (i) requiring the State Air Pollution Control Board to adopt regulations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from any electricity generating unit in the Commonwealth and authorizing the Board to establish an auction program for energy allowances; (ii) prohibiting the State Corporation Commission from approving any new utility-owned generation facilities that emit carbon dioxide as a by-product of energy generation under certain circumstances; (iii) declaring that statutory allowances for energy derived from sunlight, onshore wind, offshore wind, and storage facilities are in the public interest; and (iv) relating to the development of solar and wind generation and energy storage capacity, development of offshore wind capacity, and generation of electricity from renewable and zero-carbon sources. The bill provides that planning and development activities for new nuclear generation facilities are in the public interest.

Income tax; standard deduction and earned income tax credit. Removes the sunset from and makes permanent the standard deduction amounts of $8,750 for single individuals and $17,500 for married individuals filing jointly. Under current law, the standard deduction is scheduled to revert to $3,000 for single individuals and $6,000 for married individuals filing jointly after taxable year 2026. The bill also removes the sunset from and makes permanent the increase in Virginia's refundable earned income tax credit from 15 percent to 20 percent of the allowable federal earned income tax credit. Under current law, the Virginia refundable earned income tax credit expires in taxable year 2027 and Virginia's nonrefundable earned income tax credit, which has no expiration date, is equal to 20 percent of the federal credit.

Sales and use tax; food purchased for human consumption and essential personal hygiene products. Eliminates the remaining one percent local sales and use tax that is imposed on food purchased for human consumption and essential personal hygiene products. Under current law, no other sales and use tax is applied to such products. The bill requires an equivalent amount of revenue to be distributed to cities and counties on a monthly basis in compensation for the lost tax revenue. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHJ 710 is a ceremonial resolution formally expressing appreciation for Barry Eugene DuVal's contributions. It does not impose any legal requirements or change policies, as it is solely a symbolic gesture of recognition. The resolution directly honors DuVal but affects no individuals or entities through binding actions. This type of bill is common for acknowledging community service or achievements without altering legislation.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally commends the Virginia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol for its service. It is a symbolic gesture with no legal effect or policy changes. The bill does not affect any laws, regulations, or individuals' rights. It passed both chambers as a non-binding expression of appreciation.

Maddy summaryHJ 680 is a ceremonial resolution commending the Combat Antisemitism Movement for its efforts to combat antisemitism. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals, organizations, or policies. The resolution expresses legislative recognition and support through a formal statement of appreciation. As a procedural joint resolution, it has no binding legal effect and serves solely to acknowledge the organization's work.

Labor and employment; covenants not to compete prohibited; exceptions; civil penalty. Provides that, for the purposes of the prohibition in existing law against an employer entering into, enforcing, or threatening to enforce a covenant not to compete with any low-wage employee, "low-wage employee" includes an employee who, regardless of average weekly earnings, is entitled to overtime compensation under federal law for any hours worked in excess of 40 hours in any one workweek. Any employer that violates the bill's provisions is subject to a civil penalty in existing law of $10,000 for each violation.

Court of Appeals; procedure on appeal; criminal cases. Removes the requirement that a copy of a notice of appeal to the Court of Appeals in a criminal case be mailed or delivered to the Attorney General. This bill is identical to HB 1553.

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.