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Wow! The first weeks of session have flown by fast!
The 2024 Virginia General Assembly commenced on January 10 and immediately made history by unanimously electing Delegate Don Scott as Virginia’s first Black Speaker of the House. Since then, it has been non-stop as committees tackle the work of considering, debating, and voting on 1,546 bills. And that is just on the House side! TOWN HALL MEETING I am pleased to carry on a time-honored tradition by hosting a mid-session Town Hall meeting. The meeting will include a session overview and lots of opportunity for Q&A. I will be joined by State Senator Saddam Salim.
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS I was honored to again be appointed chair of the General Laws Committee (I served in this capacity from 2020-2021). This is one of the oldest, and most active, committees. First organized in 1677 as the Committee on Propositions and Grievances, the name was changed to General Laws in 1901. The committee deals with alcohol, gaming, cannabis, procurement, Freedom of Information Act, regulation of professions and occupations (anything from engineers to barbers), administration of government, housing, symbols of the Commonwealth, cemeteries, conflict of interest, and consumer protection – plus anything else that does not fit into one of our sister committees. In addition to General Laws, I am grateful to serve on the Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee (where I chair the Chesapeake subcommittee) and the Appropriations Committee (where I chair the Commerce, Agriculture, and Natural Resources subcommittee). These definitely keep me busy – in a good way! ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENTS In addition to committee assignments, I have been appointed to the Major Employment and Investment (MEI) Project Approval Commission and the Joint Subcommittee on Elementary and Secondary Education Funding. The MEI commission is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on large economic development projects that involve state funding. The Joint Subcommittee is new and has been charged with making recommendations for how to adequately fund K-12 education in light of a recent report showing that Virginia spends $1,900 less per pupil than the national average. Underfunding by the state is a significant contributor to higher real estate taxes, since local governments are left to make up the difference. MY LEGISLATION This year, I am carrying 18 bills. Below are a few highlights. You can see all my bills, as well as bills I have co-patroned, by clicking here. HB68 – Workers Compensation for Dispatchers. This bill would provide workers compensation benefits to emergency dispatchers who suffer from PTSD. Right now, they are not eligible under workers compensation. These professionals remain on the line under the most stressful circumstances – hostage situations, suicide, sexual assault, fatal accidents, and more. A recent study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that 17% of dispatchers suffered from moderately severe to severe depression. Making sure that these public servants can get the help they need should be a priority. HB69 – Interim Appointments for Local Elected Office. This bill was brought to me by the Coalition for Open Government. When a vacancy occurs on a town or city council, Virginia law allows the remaining members to appoint an interim member. While necessary, it is still highly undemocratic and can impact the outcome of council votes. Currently, there is no required transparency to the appointment process. My HB69 simply adds some sunshine by requiring a public hearing to be held prior to appointing an interim member. HB245 – PFAS/Forever Chemicals. Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) are fast becoming one of our greatest health concerns. These chemicals are widely used in consumer and industrial products, including cleaning products, water-resistant fabrics, grease-resistant paper, and non-stick cookware. They are also found in firefighting foam. Because PFAS does not easily break down, we are now seeing increasing concentrations in our water, food, and even in the blood of people and animals. The US EPA is on the verge of setting limits for drinking water – which will require installation of new, expensive water treatment technology. Fairfax Water anticipates it could cost rate payers more than $700M in the next few years. HB245 takes a proactive approach by requiring sampling for certain industrial categories known to handle PFAS so that sources can be identified and eliminated. HB316 – Recycling. Nothing is more frustrating than to sort materials for recycling only to discover that they have been sent to a landfill. While there are many reasons this happens, a major one is the lack of markets for recycled materials. HB316 creates a Virginia Recycling Development Center to further the development of markets for recycled commodities and products. HB419 – Early Childhood Care and Education. Quality early childhood care and education can set the foundation for a life-time of success. Virginia has come a long way in a relatively short period of time to make child care more affordable and accessible. We can be very proud of that. HB419 builds on this progress by establishing a transparent, predictable formula for funding early childhood education. I am pleased that this bill was reported from subcommittee 6Y-2N with support from child care advocates as well as the business and health care communities. HB870 – Sewage Sludge Regulations. This one is just fun to say – but also addresses an emerging water quality issue. In the past few years, Virginia has literally spent billions of dollars to upgrade our wastewater treatment facilities to improve water quality. The better job we do of that – the more “byproduct” we have! The sewage sludge is then converted to fertilizers and other products. However, these materials can't be applied on the land during excessively wet periods - which are expected to increase in Virginia due to climate change. That creates a problem if the amount of sludge exceeds storage capacity at the treatment plant. This bill directs the Department of Environmental Quality to develop regulations to address this issue. HB874 – Campaign Finance Reform. Virginia is one of a handful of states with no limits on giving to political campaigns. This has resulted in skyrocketing campaign costs – with 2023 seeing four of the most expensive state legislative races in Virginia history. Several races topped the $7 million dollar mark. This both discourages otherwise great candidates and undermines the public’s faith in our election system. HB874 would finally set campaign contribution limits in Virginia. HB880 – Foreclosures. This bill is a recommendation of the Virginia Housing Commission and comes after years of discussion and negotiation among key stakeholders. At issue is that common interest community associations (HOAs and condominiums) have the authority to record a lien for nonpayment of assessments in any amount. That lien is then enforceable by foreclosure. This bill recognizes that foreclosure on a primary residence should be the remedy of last resort and establishes a $5,000 minimum threshold for commencement to foreclose. HB881 – Hunger Free Campus Program. It is hard to study when you are hungry! According to a State Council of Higher Education for Virginia report, 18% of college students in Virginia experience food insecurity. I was honored to work with George Mason University students to introduce legislation to help tackle this problem. HB892 – Farmland Preservation. It is easy to forget from a Northern Virginia vantage point that agriculture and forestry are still Virginia’s largest private industries, with a total economic impact of $105B per year! Many of our family farms, however, struggle to make ends meet. I was pleased to introduce this bill to merge two existing agencies into the Office of Working Lands Preservation. This will take advantage of economies of scale and help better support the both agriculture and forestry. WHAT AN HONOR! Speaking of farmland preservation, I was honored to receive the 2024 Distinguished Friend of Agribusiness Award at the Virginia Agribusiness Council’s 52nd Annual Legislative Banquet. I’ve always considered agriculture to be an extension of my love for the environment. They are inextricably linked to a respect and love of land and water. Pretty cool for a kid who grew up in suburban Fairfax! Please do not hesitate to contact me during session if you have thoughts about one of those 1,546 bills we are debating! I look forward to seeing you at my February 3 Town Hall meeting.
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Good communication makes good neighbors! I am proud to represent George Mason University in the House of Delegates. At the same time, it is very important to ensure that growth at GMU is done in collaboration and harmony with the surrounding communities.
George Mason University will host a virtual community meeting on Monday, January 29, from 6:30 to 8:00 to present a West Campus update for community feedback, comments, and questions. While everyone is invited to join, the meeting will be of specific interest to communities surrounding West Campus (the sports fields west of Ox Road and north of Braddock Road). The update will include members of the Washington Freedom and details on a proposed temporary stadium that would bring cricket to the region. The plan would also improve the university's baseball program facilities. Attendees can use the following link and do not need to pre-register to attend the virtual discussion. Please enter the Zoom meeting with your video off and mics muted. Questions and comments will be shared through the chat feature. https://gmu.zoom.us/j/98656812165 The Zoom meeting can accommodate up to 1,000 attendees. If you are not able to join the meeting, it will be recorded and posted to construction.gmu.edu. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions. Happy New Year and warmest wishes from the Bulova family!
The 2024 General Assembly session is right around the corner. On January 10 at high noon, we will convene in Richmond and continue a tradition started 405 years ago in Jamestown. This year is a long-session (60 days). Typically, between 2,000 and 3,000 bills are introduced for debate. This is also the year when Virginia adopts its biennial budget. FAIRFAX DELEGATION PUBLIC FORUM You can help shape this year's session by sharing what is important to you. The easiest way to reach me is by email at [email protected]. I greatly value the diversity of expertise and perspectives of my constituents. In addition, the Fairfax Delegation to the General Assembly will hold its annual public forum this Saturday. The forum is limited to Fairfax residents (both County and City) speaking for themselves and/or a community-based organization. Speakers are allotted up to three minutes. Date: Saturday, January 6 Time: Starts at 9:00 a.m. Location: Fairfax County Government Center Those wishing to speak must register online no later than noon on Thursday, January 4. Click here for more details, including how to register and watch remotely. GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET In Virginia, the Governor gets the first crack at the budget, which is introduced as House Bill 30. In addition, he has an opportunity to recommend changes to the current budget as House Bill 29 - known as the "Caboose Bill." As the old adage goes, "The Governor proposes and the Legislature disposes." In practice, though, the Governor's proposed budget sets the stage for debate by the General Assembly, which then votes on amendments to the budget bill. The Governor unveiled his budget (HB29 and HB30) to the Joint Money Committees on December 20. You can find a detailed presentation on the proposed budget here. In addition to his spending plan, the Governor has proposed several tax structure changes - including a 12% cut in income taxes across the board. This would be partially offset by increasing the sales tax and expanding it to cover more goods and services (such as digital downloads). While Virginia's tax structure is definitely ripe for reform, the concern here is replacing the modestly progressive income tax with one that is regressive. This has a greater impact on low and moderate income families. While there are things to like and dislike about the proposed budget, the one I really like is the "Building Blocks for Virginia Families" initiative. During the pandemic, the federal government provided Virginia with funding to expand access to quality early childhood education programs. That funding is set to expire, creating the potential for thousands of families to lose critical support. Early childhood education has largely been a bi-partisan issue and I am glad that the budget proposes $437 million to ensure that Virginia does not take a giant leap backward. Perhaps the biggest disappointment is that the budget includes ZERO dollars to shore up Metro - which could be forced to make draconian cuts without action by Virginia, Maryland, and DC. There are many reasons for the Metro shortfall, and operational reforms and efficiencies must be implemented as part of any funding package. However, Metro is too important to our region to put at risk. Securing additional funding will be one of our region's highest priorities. Other focus areas include K-12 education, mental health, Medicaid spending, natural resources, workforce development, and flood resilience. Check out this Virginia Mercury article for a good summation of the Governor's proposed budget. TOWN HALL SAVE THE DATE Mark your calendar for my annual Town Hall meeting on Saturday, February 3 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Fairfax City Hall. We will be joined by Senator Saddam Salim and go over major issues and the status of our own legislative initiatives. Watch for additional details. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the House of Delegates! As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback! As baseball legend Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” While the General Assembly convened last Wednesday to vote on the long-delayed budget (I voted yes), the Governor could still propose amendments or even veto provisions. Today, the Governor signed the Budget Bill (HB6001) as passed by the General Assembly. Meaning that it is truly over, for now.
While the press has covered many of the higher-level items of the budget, I know my constituents enjoy getting into the details! But before I do that, a couple of other items. House and Senate Page Program Attention parents! Each year, students from across Virginia become part of the General Assembly family by participating in the Senate and House Page programs. This is a unique opportunity for our future leaders to get a first-hand look at how government works and build friendships that last a lifetime. Applicants must be 13 or 14 years old on the first day of session (second Wednesday of January). Click here for more information and the application process. The deadline is October 16. Don’t hesitate to contact me if I can help answer any questions. Redistricting I’ve proudly represented the 37th District in the House of Delegates since 2006. As many of you know, the recent redistricting process resulted in new boundaries and district numbers. Most of 37th District is now in the new 11th District. The new 11th District consists of the City of Fairfax and the current 37th District precincts of University, Villa, Monument, Mosby #1, and Eagle View #1. New precincts include Hunters Branch, Blake, Oakton, Flint Hill #2, Difficult Run, Oaktree Crossing, Penderbrook, Island Pond, and Centrepoint. I am thrilled to be running for re-election in the new 11th District and look forward to meeting my new constituents. I am, however, very sorry to lose my Centreville precincts and areas south of Braddock Road, including Middleridge, Country Club View, and Fairfax Club Estates. Should I be fortunate enough to be re-elected, please consider yourselves honorary constituents. Visit Who’s My Legislator to find out how redistricting affected your community. Budget Package The primary disagreement between the House and Senate (and Governor) revolved around tax policy. The final budget includes:
In terms of expenditures, the adopted budget takes a cautious view of the fiscal environment and assumes that revenue growth will likely slow. As a result, the focus is on one-time initiatives over increasing ongoing programs or creating new programs. Approximately $3.5B is directed toward non-recurring activities while $1.1 billion goes toward ongoing programs. I think this is a prudent approach.
Click here for a useful document by the Commonwealth Institute that compares the final budget to proposed budgets by the Governor, House, and Senate. You can also download a presentation by the House Appropriations staff that provides a great overview by policy area. Summer Homework – Legislative Commissions Although we are a part-time legislature, General Assembly members are appointed to various commissions that meet throughout the year. This allows us to focus on specific issues and develop recommendations for action outside of the pressure of the regular session. Here are a few highlights of the commissions on which I serve:
As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, I am happy to share with you the new laws that go into effect in Virginia today.
Each January, 140 representatives of the people (100 delegates and 40 senators) gather in Richmond to propose, debate, and vote on legislation. This year, 1,906 bills were introduced. Of those, 804 were ultimately signed into law. I am pleased that nine of my bills made it to the Governor’s desk. These include:
HB2317 – Jury Duty Pay. Increases the jury duty allowance from $30 to $50 per day. HB1517 – Automatic Renewals. For any free trial lasting more than 30 days, requires the customer to be notified of their option to cancel the free trial within 30 days of the end of the trial period. HB1770 – Control of Energy Rates. Strengthens the State Corporation Commission’s ability to review the earnings of electric utilities and to adjust rates paid by customers if they exceed a fair rate of return. HB1572 – “Swatting.” Makes it a felony to knowingly make a false emergency communication (i.e., 911) that results in serious bodily injury or death. Swatting is the term used when a fake emergency is called into law enforcement with the purpose of eliciting a mass law enforcement response. HB1682 – Fentanyl/Weapon of Terrorism. Adds any mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl to the state definition of “weapon of terrorism.” This increases the penalty for manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl to a Class 4 felony. HB2330 – Public Transportation Safety. Creates new penalties to protect public transportation drivers who are the victims of assault and/or battery. In addition to other penalties, a conviction includes a ban from public transportation for at least six months. HB2372 – Catalytic Converters. Creates a presumption that possession of a catalytic converter removed from a vehicle by someone not in the auto repair or salvage business is guilty of theft. The penalty is a Class 6 felony. HB2298 – Stiletto Knives. Removes switchblade knives and adds stiletto knives to the list of concealed weapons that may not be carried in public. HB2387 – Firearm Safety Tax Credit. Establishes a $300 tax credit for years 2023 through 2027 for the purchase of firearm safety devices (gun safes, locks, etc.). The total program may not exceed $5 million in any given year. HB2007 – Freedom of Information Act. Requires public bodies to post fee and pricing information for a Freedom of Information Act request on their website or in a written policy. HB1446 – Nursing Home Standards. Effective July 1, 2025, establishes nursing staffing requirements for certified nursing facilities and imposes sanctions on facilities that do not comply. SB1221 – Assisted Living Facilities. Directs the Board of Social Services to establish minimum liability insurance requirements for assisted living facilities. HB2028 – Guardianships. Requires a guardian to visit an incapacitated person at least three times per year and at least once every 120 days. HB1602 – Telemedicine. Removes the requirement that a health care provider must maintain a physical presence in Virginia to serve Medicaid patients. HB2274 – Pharmacist Scope of Practice. Allows pharmacists to initiate treatment and administer controlled substances for group A Streptococcus, influenza, COVID-19, and urinary tract infection. SB1003 – Hearing Aids for Minors. Requires health insurers to cover the cost of hearing aids and related services for children 18 years or younger when recommended by an otolaryngologist. HB1895 – Nondisclosure and Sexual Harassment. Prohibits an employer from requiring a nondisclosure or confidentiality agreement with the purpose of concealing the details of a sexual harassment claim. SB1040 – Social Security Numbers. Prohibits an employer from using an employee’s social security number, or any derivative of, as part of an employee’s identification number or access badge or card. HB2082 – Rental Keys and Key Codes. Requires large rental property companies (200 units or more) to require any applicant for employment that will have access to keys to go through a pre-employment criminal history records check. SB1455 – Curfews. Enables the chief law-enforcement officer of a locality to enact a curfew under certain circumstances during a civil disturbance. The curfew may not last longer than 24 hours without approval from the local governing body. HB2294 – THC in Hemp Products. Limits the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that can be included in a hemp product to 0.3%, with certain exceptions when the amount of CBD is at least 25 times greater than the amount of THC. The law also creates a regulated hemp product retail facility registration process to oversee the new law. HB2428 – Cannabis Advertising. Prohibits advertising any cannabis product or product containing synthetic THC or similar product that may not be legally sold in Virginia. The law also prohibits advertising from targeting minors, being placed near schools, referencing intoxicating effects, etc. SB855 – Blue Headlights. Prohibits the use of blue headlights on vehicles. SB951 – Uninsured Motorists. Effective July 1, 2024, repeals the option to register as an uninsured motorist and to instead pay a fee. All motorists will now be required to obtain insurance. HB1516 – Towing. Prohibits a towing operator from refusing to allow the owner of a towed vehicle from accessing and recovering personal items without first paying the towing fee. HB1932 – Move Over on Hazard Lights. Requires drivers to make a lane change or reduce speed when passing stationary vehicles that have activated hazard warning signal flashers, caution signs, or flares. HB1388 – National Guard Passport. Directs the Department of Conservation and Recreation to establish a program allowing members of the Virginia National Guard to enter state parks without paying a fee. HB1592 – Bullying. Requires a school to notify the parent of any student who is involved in an alleged bullying incident within 24 hours. Current law only requires notification within five school days. SB1175 – Virginia Literacy Act. Expands the Virginia Literacy Act in several ways, including requiring each local school board to provide reading intervention services to students who demonstrate substantial deficiencies based on SOL or other screening tests. HB1592 – Teacher Arrests. Requires state law enforcement agencies to notify school systems within 48 hours of the arrest of a school employee for a felony or a Class 1 misdemeanor. SB1453 – Defibrillators. Requires the placement of an automated external defibrillator in every public school. Under current law, schools have the option to place defibrillators but are not required to do so. SB1515 – Pornography Age Verification. Requires pornographic websites (defined as having more than one-third of its content focused on sexual conduct) to implement an age verification system to prevent children under the age of 18 from accessing the site. HB1948 – Absentee Voting. Removes the witness requirement for absentee ballots and replaces it with providing the last four digits of a social security number and birth year. Having trouble sleeping at night? There are 770 more bills to go! The Division of Legislative Services 2023 Session Summary provides a complete list of bills introduced by subject area and whether they passed, failed, or were carried over. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have thoughts or questions. It is an honor to represent you. Have a safe and happy 4th of July! Thanks to everyone who came out to my Town Hall meeting earlier this month. We had a great turn out and lots of good discussion. If you missed it, the event can be viewed in its entirety on CityScreen-12.
They don’t call it a short session for nothing! The past two weeks have flown by. February 7 was “cross-over,” which is traditionally the busiest day of the session. Cross-over is the half-way point where the House and Senate must complete work on their own bills. During a roughly eight-hour span we acted on over 145 bills. These included everything from very simple bills to extremely complicated subjects such as digital tokens and decentralized autonomous organizations (HB1784). Click here for a quick explanation in case you are similarly challenged in this area! Budget Negotiations On February 9, the House and Senate acted on their respective versions of the budget. Since Virginia has a biennial budget process, this year we are amending the two-year budget adopted last year. The Governor introduces the initial amendments, and then the House and Senate add and subtract accordingly. Both budgets have plenty to like – and some things to dislike. Here are just a few of the major differences in the three budgets (Governor’s original and the House and Senate changes):
You can find a good side-by-side comparison of the budgets by the Commonwealth Institute. A detailed overview by the House Appropriations Committee staff can be found here. The budget bill is now in conference where differences between the House and Senate versions are being worked out. I am looking forward to reviewing the final recommendations. Unsung Hero Bills Workforce Development This week, the General Assembly passed legislation to create a new Department of Workforce Development and Advancement (HB2195). The Department will be responsible for administering workforce development programs and overseeing a coordinated approach to program evaluation and data sharing. In 2019, the Southern Regional Education Board (on which I serve as an advisory member) published “Unprepared and Unaware.” The document was a wakeup call that states need to not only focus more on workforce development – but also shift to highly adaptable programs that can keep up with wildly shifting workforce needs. The report notes that up to 44% of current manual work activities in the Unites States could be automated by 2030 and that “by 2030, between 3% and 14% of the global workforce will need to be able to perform a completely different job function than the one they did in 2016.” While Virginia has made significant investments in workforce development, these programs are scattered among several different agencies. This new legislation will ensure that Virginia has an overall strategy for dealing with shifting technologies and market forces. That said, it is important to get this right! Simply consolidating programs, without linking them to industry experts in the field, can do more harm than good. But after many iterations, this bi-partisan effort was passed on a nearly unanimous vote. Blue Lights! Once upon a time, if a car was coming toward you and you were being blinded, it meant that the person forgot to turn off their high beams. Today, being blinded by an oncoming car is just as likely to come from purposefully installed “blue lights.” While these xenon (as opposed to halogen) bulbs can certainly light up the road, they are also a safety hazard for everyone else. There is a scientific reason for this. Not only are the bulbs brighter, but the blue wavelength achieves greater penetration into the retina, which results in more glare than other colors. The same phenomenon happens with blue holiday lights. They are pretty – but it is hard to look at them for a long period of time. SB855 prohibits aftermarket modifications that make headlights appear as a blue light. The bill passed the House 87Y-11N and is now headed to the Governor. Now that session is wrapping up, I am happy to attend community meetings to provide an overview of issues debated and to get your feedback. If you are interested, please reach out to my legislative assistant, Rama Van Pelt, at [email protected] or (703) 310-6752. The first two and a half weeks of the General Assembly session have been a whirlwind of activity. Floor sessions are now getting longer as legislation starts to report out of the committees. Thanks to the many constituents who visited me in Richmond to advocate for (and against) a wide range of issues.
I am excited to be holding my annual Town Hall meeting next Saturday, February 4 from 9-11 a.m. at Fairfax City Hall. We will be joined by Senator Chap Petersen. The meeting will include an overview of major issues, the status of our legislative initiatives, and lots of time for Q&A. This past week I spoke on the House floor against HB1485, which would undermine key legislation passed in 2020 to ensure that Virginia meets its Chesapeake Bay restoration targets. The 2020 legislation set a deadline of 2026 for larger agricultural operations to implement nutrient management plans and fence livestock out of streams. HB1485 would move that target to 2030, placing Virginia at risk of not meeting U.S. EPA mandates and risking penalties that would most likely target urban areas like Northern Virginia. While the bill passed on a 52Y-47N vote, I am hopeful that it will either be defeated or significantly amended in the Senate. Update on My Legislation So far, three of my bills have made it through committee, including one that has now passed the House and is on its way to the Senate.
Unsung Hero Bill – Nursing Home Standards While there is no shortage of controversial bills that are highlighted in the news, I like to highlight good bills that often don’t get the attention they deserve. One of these deals with minimum staffing standards for nursing homes. This issue has been debated in the General Assembly for as long as I’ve served in the House. Virginia is one of only 12 states with no laws setting minimum standards. According to a report from the This may finally be the year that we pass minimum standards! HB1446 sets minimum hourly standards for daily care per resident and imposes administrative sanctions on those out of compliance. The bill is up for debate on the House floor this Monday. Raise the Red Flag Bill – Short-Term Rentals There are also sleepy bills that could have a big impact on our community if passed. Such is the case with HB2271 dealing with short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.). When short-term rentals started to become popular in the early 2010s, the General Assembly debated whether to regulate them at the state-level or to empower localities to regulate them based on local needs. The latter argument won out with legislation in 2017. Many localities, including Fairfax County, spent years working with stakeholders to adopt local ordinances. HB2271 would circumvent these local ordinances if the property is managed by a real estate salesperson licensed by the Real Estate Board. When originally conceived, short-term rentals were presented as a way for a property owner to make some extra money by periodically renting out a room or renting a home out over a weekend. HB2271 would nullify many of these local rules. Specifically, localities would no longer be able to limit the number of days that a home could be rented out or be able to require that the property be primarily occupied by the owner. That basically turns short-term rentals into small hotels. I have nothing against short-term rentals, but I do have a serious concern about commercializing our neighborhoods. The bill is still in committee where I hope it will stay. Please do not hesitate to send me a note if you want more information on a particular issue or want to advocate for or against legislation. I hope to see you at my Town Hall meeting next Saturday! And we are off! The 2023 General Assembly session sprang to life on January 11 with the crack of the gavel. Thus began our 46-day sprint to consider 1,800+ bills and several hundred proposed amendments to the biennial budget.
Mark your calendar for my annual Town Hall meeting on Saturday, February 4, from 9-11 a.m. This is one of my favorite traditions and I’m excited that we will be returning to Fairfax City Hall. The meeting will include an overview of major issues and then lots of time for robust Q&A. Thank you to everyone who emailed in response to my last newsletter, where I invited feedback on the Governor’s budget amendments and other priorities. I am still working through responses – but please know that I have read them all and greatly appreciate the input. I also want to share a more comprehensive overview of the Governor’s proposed amendments by our House Appropriations Committee for those who are interested in more details. My Legislation This year I have introduced 14 bills dealing with a wide range of issues. Below are a few highlights. Click here for the full list.
Thank you to the many constituents who came down to Richmond this week to visit and advocate for a wide range of issues. It is an honor to serve you in the General Assembly! Happy New Year! I hope you and your loved ones have a joyful and prosperous 2023.
It is hard to believe that at high noon on January 11 we will gavel in for the 2023 General Assembly session. Odd years are “short” sessions, meaning we will complete (hopefully) our business in 46 days. Virginia packs a lot into these short sessions. On average, over 2,000 bills are introduced. In addition, General Assembly members and the Governor have an opportunity to propose amendments to Virginia’s biennial budget. You can help shape this year’s session by sharing what is important to you. The easiest way is to email me. I greatly value the diversity of expertise and perspectives of my constituents. Hearing from you helps me to make more informed decisions. Send me a note anytime at info@davidbulova.com. In addition, you can participate in two upcoming forums designed to receive community feedback. Public Hearings on Proposed Budget Amendments The House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations committees will hold virtual public hearings on the Governor’s proposed budget amendments (see below for details). There are four hearings, including one specifically for Northern Virginia. Speakers are asked to limit comments to three minutes or less.
Those wishing to speak must register on Wednesday, January 4. Visit hac.virginia.gov to register and for more information. If you are unable to attend, you may submit comments electronically. The public hearings will be livestreamed on the Virginia General Assembly web site. Fairfax Delegation Public Forum The Fairfax Delegation to the General Assembly will also hold its annual public forum. The forum is limited to Fairfax residents speaking for themselves and/or a community-based organization. Speakers are allotted three minutes on a first-come first-served basis.
Those wishing to speak must register by noon on Thursday, January 5. More information (including how to register and how to watch remotely) can be found here. Governor Youngkin’s Proposed Budget Last month, Governor Youngkin presented his proposed budget amendments for consideration by the General Assembly. You can read his proposed budget at this link or you can watch the Governor’s remarks here. In addition, we received a report on the economic outlook from the Secretary of Finance. The key takeaway is “caution.” While FY2022 ended on a revenue high note, the budget assumes a recession beginning at the end of Q3 of FY 2023 and lasting two to three quarters. In addition to the Governor, each member of the House and Senate may also introduce amendments. It is then ultimately up to the General Assembly to pass a budget. As often quoted in state capitals everywhere “The Governor proposes; the legislature disposes.” Below is a summary of amendments proposed by the Governor. As always, there are things I agree with and disagree with – with the devil often being in the details. And, just because something is a good idea, it doesn’t make it a priority. In Virginia, we must balance the budget every year.
New Laws – Grocery Tax Decrease Most laws passed by the General Assembly go into effect July 1. However, some laws have delayed enactments for a variety of reasons. This is the case for a decrease in the grocery tax, which went from 2.5% to 1% effective January 1. The tax cut includes food for home consumption and specific personal hygiene items. Click here for a full list of eligible items. The 1.5% that was eliminated is the state’s portion of the grocery tax. The General Assembly left in place the 1% local sales tax that goes fund local programs. It is an honor to represent you in the General Assembly! Watch for updates on my legislation and our annual Town Hall meeting in early February. I hope you are staying cool in this summer weather! While I personally love the heat, it can also be dangerous. Heat was a factor in 1,577 deaths nationally in 2021, so please make sure to take care of yourself and check on vulnerable neighbors.
Annual Sales Tax Holiday If you are like the Bulova family, your kids are getting ready to go back to school in just a few weeks. And, if your kids are like Grayson Bulova (our rising 9th grader), they may have grown a couple extra inches over the summer! This weekend you can save money on back-to-school supplies and clothing during Virginia’s annual sales tax holiday. The holiday begins Friday, August 5 and goes through Sunday, August 7. Don’t have children? You can also enjoy tax free shopping on hurricane and emergency preparedness supplies as well as certain ENERGY STAR and WaterSense products. Details can be found at Virginia Sales Tax Holiday. It’s a great time to stock up on gear for the new school year, plan for emergency situations, or simply invest in energy efficiency to save money for the long haul. General Assembly Tax Reforms Speaking of taxes, the General Assembly made several changes to tax policy that will go into effect for Tax Year 2023. Not too long ago, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Virginia had to cut its budget by $2.8 billion in the face of severe revenue shortfalls. Fortunately, our historically conservative budgeting process, in combination with a significant infusion of federal dollars, allowed us to weather the financial storm. Two years later, revenues are far outpacing forecasts – with FY2022 ending in a $2 billion surplus. We do need to be careful not to get ahead of ourselves by creating new programs that can’t be sustained in the long term or by over-cutting taxes in a way that structurally unbalances our budget. However, the situation presents a rare opportunity to make much needed structural adjustments to our tax system. It also comes at a time when Virginians are hurting with the impacts of high inflation. In the end, I believe the General Assembly struck a good balance between one-time rebates (which do not create a long-term obligation) and changes to our tax system. Here is an overview of the major items. State Tax Rebate Checks. Everyone who paid state income taxes for Tax Year 2021 is eligible for a rebate check. Single filers will receive up to $250 and couples filing jointly will get up to $500. Checks will be distributed in October. Click here for details. A rebate program provides the most flexibility since it can be used on gas, food, clothing, or any other items. Tax Policy Changes. In addition to one-time rebates, the General Assembly made several permanent changes to tax policy:
In all, these changes are expected to reduce the average family’s tax burden by more than $1,000 in Tax Year 2023. In addition to tax reforms, we were able to make significant one-time expenditures to help ensure that our budget is structurally balanced and to address long-standing needs. This includes $750 million to stabilize the Virginia Retirement System, $499 million to further bolster the revenue stabilization fund, and $2.5 billion to implement previously authorized but unfunded infrastructure improvements and deferred maintenance that otherwise would have been funded with debt. A Problem – Legislating Through the Budget One of the things I love about Virginia’s legislative process is the “one-object rule.” This is enshrined in the Virginia Constitution and means that each bill can only address one issue. As a result, most bills are only a couple of paragraphs or pages long. The system creates transparency by ensuring legislators and voters know exactly what is being voted on. This makes us patently different than what happens in Washington, where massive omnibus bills are often the norm. The budget is supposed to abide by this rule and deal only with appropriations-related items. That doesn’t mean there isn’t language directing how money should be used. That is totally appropriate. But it does mean we should avoid creating new laws through the budget bill. While the General Assembly has not always lived up to the spirit of this rule, the most recent budget presents a caution flag that we need to take very seriously. As noted in this Virginian-Pilot article, the budget includes several items that should have been debated as separate bills. And in fact, some of them were debated – and defeated – during the regular session. This includes language on casinos, criminal justice reform, and marijuana possession – just to name a few. Since the final budget is negotiated by a conference committee and is an up-or-down vote, legislating through the budget means the public is denied an opportunity to weigh in. We need to do better in the future. House and Senate Page Programs The House and Senate Page Programs are now accepting applications for the 2023 General Assembly session! These are fantastic learning experiences where students have an opportunity to gain valuable civic and professional experience by working directly with legislators and legislative staff. Applicants must be 13 or 14 years old by January 11, 2023 and in good academic standing. The position is paid, and pages live in Richmond during session (they come home on weekends). The program ends with a mock session where pages introduce, debate, and vote on legislative initiatives on the House and Senate floors. Click here for more information and let me know if I can answer any questions. It is an honor to serve you! Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance. |
AuthorDavid Bulova, proudly representing the 11th House District in Virginia Archives
April 2025
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