Sen. Scott Surovell

Maddy summaryHJ 665 is a ceremonial resolution that formally commends the Thomas A. Edison High School girls' cross country team for their achievements. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or impact any policies; it solely serves as a public expression of recognition from the legislature. The bill directly affects the named high school team by acknowledging their accomplishments through a formal legislative gesture. This type of resolution is purely symbolic and has no practical effect beyond the statement of support.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commends Halley Elementary School for its contributions to education. It has no legal effect, policy changes, or direct impact on individuals or programs. As a symbolic gesture, it formally recognizes the school's work without altering laws or providing funding.

Transient occupancy tax; administration. Provides that an accommodations provider shall not be required to transmit a transient occupancy tax return to a locality if (i) all retail sales of accommodations owned by the accommodations provider are facilitated by an accommodations intermediary and (ii) the accommodations provider attests to the locality that all such sales were facilitated by an accommodations intermediary. Such attestation shall be effective for 12 months beginning with the month in which the attestation is made, and annual attestations shall be due thereafter on a date set by the locality. However, such accommodations provider shall be required to transmit returns for the retail sale of any accommodations not facilitated by an accommodations intermediary.The bill also requires that information provided by an accommodations intermediary to a local commissioner of the revenue, treasurer, or any other local tax or revenue officer or employee of a county, city, or town for transient occupancy tax purposes shall be confidential and shall not be divulged to any other department or official of the locality or any other political subdivision of the Commonwealth. Such information shall be used by such officials only for the purpose of levying and collecting retail sales and use tax, transient occupancy tax, and any other taxes imposed on the sale of accommodations. This bill is identical to HB 2383.

Water utilities and wastewater utilities; eligible infrastructure replacement and enhancement; cost recovery. Permits a water or wastewater utility to petition the State Corporation Commission for the approval of an eligible infrastructure replacement and enhancement plan, as defined in the bill. The bill requires that a water or wastewater utility that receives approval for an eligible infrastructure replacement and enhancement rider shall provide a proposed earnings test for informational purposes in each annual informational filing or base rate proceeding filed with the State Corporation Commission before December 1, 2030. The provisions of the bill expire on July 1, 2035. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the State Water Commission. This bill is identical to HB 2711.

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.

Virginia State Crime Commission; review panel; cases involving Mary Jane Burton; report. Directs the Virginia State Crime Commission (the Crime Commission) to designate a panel, consisting of members outlined in the bill, to review the following types of cases at the Virginia Department of Forensic Science where testing or analysis was performed by Mary Jane Burton: (i) cases resulting in convictions of persons who are currently incarcerated, or who were executed or exonerated, and (ii) cases where Burton testified, regardless of the final disposition of the case. However, the panel shall prioritize the review of such cases resulting in convictions of persons who are currently incarcerated. The bill provides that the Crime Commission shall provide staff support to the panel, and may request and shall receive support from other state or local government agencies. The bill provides that the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act do not apply to this panel or its review, or to any information received by or disseminated to any state or local government agency, private organization, or other entity for purposes of this review. The bill directs the panel to report on its work to the Crime Commission by the first day of each regular session of the General Assembly until completion of this review. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Virginia State Crime Commission. This bill is identical to HB 2730.

Constitutional amendment (first reference); qualifications of voters; right to vote; persons not entitled to vote. Provides that every person who meets the qualifications of voters set forth in the Constitution of Virginia shall have the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth and that such right shall not be abridged by law, except for persons who have been convicted of a felony and persons who have been adjudicated to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting. The amendment provides that a person who has been convicted of a felony shall not be entitled to vote during any period of incarceration for such felony conviction, but upon release from incarceration for that felony conviction and without further action required of him, such person shall be invested with all political rights, including the right to vote. Currently, in order to be qualified to vote a person convicted of a felony must have his civil rights restored by the Governor or other appropriate authority. The amendment also provides that a person adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction as lacking the capacity to understand the act of voting shall not be entitled to vote during this period of incapacity until his capacity has been reestablished as prescribed by law. Currently, the Constitution of Virginia provides that a person who has been adjudicated to be mentally incompetent is not qualified to vote until his competency is reestablished.

Constitutional amendment (first reference); marriage between two adult persons; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition; affirmative right to marry. Repeals the constitutional provision defining marriage as only a union between one man and one woman as well as the related provisions that are no longer valid as a result of the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015). The amendment prohibits the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions from denying the issuance of a marriage license to two adult persons seeking a lawful marriage on the basis of the sex, gender, or race of such persons. The Commonwealth and its political subdivisions are required to recognize any lawful marriage between two adult persons and to treat such marriages equally under the law, regardless of the sex, gender, or race of such persons.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial joint resolution honoring Matthew Robert Chiaverotti. It has no policy provisions or direct impact on legislation, citizens, or government operations. The resolution formally celebrates his life and legacy through a symbolic gesture by the legislature. As a commemorative measure, it does not create new laws or alter existing policies.

Maddy summaryHJ 616 is a ceremonial resolution commending Colonel Gary T. Settle for his service. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, programs, or individuals financially or operationally. The resolution formally recognizes his contributions through a non-binding expression of appreciation from the legislature. This procedural bill was passed unanimously by both chambers with no substantive impact beyond the symbolic commendation.