Sen. Barbara Favola

Board of Housing and Community Development; USBC; temperature regulation. Directs the Board of Housing and Community Development to, during the 2024 Virginia Code Development Cycle, evaluate potential revisions to the Uniform Statewide Building Code to require that certain owners and operators that rent, lease, or let one or more dwelling unit, rooming unit, or guestroom to supply cooling and furnish heat to maintain certain temperatures in all habitable rooms.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJ 280) is a procedural resolution commending the annual House-Senate basketball game held to raise funds for Massey Cancer Center. It directly recognizes the event's charitable purpose in supporting cancer care and research at Massey Cancer Center. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or alter policies, but formally acknowledges the game's benefit to the center. The bill was tabled in the Rules Committee on February 17, 2025.

Study; Division of Purchases and Supply; development of dynamic stockpile strategy; report. Directs the Division of Purchases and Supply, in conjunction with the Department of Emergency Management, to study and recommend a dynamic stockpile strategy for use in times of emergencies. The bill directs the Division to complete its work and report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than November 30, 2025. This bill is a recommendation of the Joint Subcommittee to Study Pandemic Response and Preparedness in the Commonwealth.

Study; Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security; feasibility of establishing a centralized Continuity of Operations framework across all state agencies; work group; report. Directs the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to convene a work group to study the feasibility of establishing a centralized Continuity of Operations framework across all state agencies mandating the creation and regular updating of agency-specific continuity plans. In conducting its study, the work group shall include consideration of standardized guidelines for digital infrastructure upgrades, remote work capabilities, and staff training on emergency procedures. The bill directs the work group to complete its work and report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than November 30, 2025. This bill is a recommendation of the Joint Subcommittee to Study Pandemic Response and Preparedness in the Commonwealth.

Public schools; student discipline; Restorative Schools in Virginia Pilot Program; established. Establishes the Restorative Schools in Virginia Pilot Program (the Program), to be administered by the Department of Education (the Department), for the purpose of addressing school discipline issues and promoting evidence-based restorative practices, as that term is defined in the bill, in public schools in the Commonwealth by awarding grants to a school division in each superintendent's region in the Commonwealth to be used in developing and implementing a comprehensive plan to integrate evidence-based restorative practices in such school divisions in accordance with the provisions of the bill. The bill directs the Department to (i) develop the application process by which a school board may apply to receive funds pursuant to the Program; (ii) establish criteria for the selection and award of grants pursuant to the Program; and (iii) develop a process for evaluating the progress and performance of each school division selected to receive a grant pursuant to the Program in implementing such evidence-based restorative practices and satisfying the Program requirements set forth in the bill. The bill requires any such school division to (a) establish a learning collaborative for the purpose of developing a comprehensive plan for implementing evidence-based restorative practices in accordance with the provisions of the bill and (b) submit to the Department by July 1 of each year immediately following any year for which it receives a grant a report on its progress in implementing such evidence-based restorative practices for the preceding school year. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySR 259 is a ceremonial resolution that formally commends the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce for its work. It does not create new laws or affect regulations; it solely expresses the Senate's appreciation through a symbolic gesture. The resolution was unanimously agreed to by the Senate on February 13, 2025, and passed without debate. As a non-binding commemorative measure, it has no direct impact on policy or affected parties beyond acknowledging the Chamber's contributions.

Maddy summarySR 258 is a ceremonial Senate resolution commending the United States Army for its service. It expresses appreciation for the Army's contributions but does not create any new laws, policies, or financial obligations. The bill has no direct impact on citizens, programs, or regulations, as it solely serves as a symbolic gesture of recognition. It passed unanimously in the Senate on February 13, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 247) commending Jon Phillip Lugbill for his contributions. It does not create new laws, alter policies, or directly affect any group or individual beyond the symbolic recognition. The resolution was unanimously agreed to by the Senate on February 13, 2025, following standard procedural steps. As a commemorative measure, it has no substantive policy impact.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (SR 254) honoring Peggy Lynn Davis. It formally celebrates her life and contributions but does not create any new laws, policies, or financial obligations. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct impact on constituents or legislative action beyond recognition. The bill was passed by the Senate on February 13, 2025.

Maddy summarySR 253 is a ceremonial resolution commending the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry for its service to the communities it connects in Virginia. It does not create new laws or allocate funding; it is a symbolic gesture recognizing the ferry's role in transportation and regional connectivity. The bill passed the Virginia Senate unanimously on February 13, 2025, with a voice vote. This resolution directly affects the ferry's operators and riders by formally acknowledging its importance, though it has no direct policy or financial impact.