We are at the point in the session where the days run together and meetings are endless. Both the House and the Senate are furiously working toward the crossover: February 17th. As committees churn out the work to get finished, every elected official has two or three places they need to be at once. Even though it feels like we just began, the clock ticks faster by the day.
Affordability
The watch word of the session is affordability. I have heard from many constituents about their increased energy bills. We are working hard on legislation to address the significant cost of living challenges faced by most Virginians. For many years, I have known that our goal has to be about making Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise children in this country. As we move toward a cleaner energy production system, we must ensure the affordability and reliability of our existing electrical grid. To that end, there have been a number of bills introduced that are moving forward.
One of the quickest ways to grow our energy supply is to develop more solar. Senate Bill 347, which was introduced by Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg will ensure that solar projects are considered by localities and also sets forth strict guidelines, including setbacks and height restrictions, to minimize impacts should those projects be approved. This coupled with Senate Bill 443, which allows for the installation of battery storage on sites that already have an industrial solar facility, will allow us to shore up the grid and improve our ability to meet increased energy demand. Both of those bills have passed the Senate and are headed to the House of Delegates for consideration.
The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, which I chair, will be considering dozens of bills relating to energy and to data centers later next month. Throughout those discussions, the impact on consumers and residential prices will be front and center. So more on that to come.
This year, I introduced the Affordable Medicine Act, Senate Bill 271, which establishes the Prescription Drug Affordability Board. A companion bill is being championed by Delegate Karrie Delaney in the House. SB271 has moved through the Commerce and Labor Committee and a critical subcommittee of Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee and should be on the floor next week.
The Board is tasked with reviewing drug costs and to look for savings, but the bill this year does something unique compared to other states. The bill will bring relief over the next two years by setting upper price limits on 25 commonly used drugs that were negotiated at the federal level under the Inflation Reduction Act. This is promising legislation, and I expect to see continued negotiations. As you might recall, over the last two years Governor Youngkin vetoed this legislation. Governor Spanberger is more likely to look at this legislation favorably, but we all want to make certain the language is right and will produce cost savings for Virginians. I’m confident this bill will.
Community Safety
The news out of Minneapolis the past two weeks has been heartbreaking and infuriating. The United States government has been enforcing our immigration laws and deporting individuals who had entered this country illegally for decades. What we have not seen are these over-the-top tactics that do not respect the rule of law under the second Trump Administration. Three bills sponsored by Senator Saddam Salim moved forward in the process this past week in response to what we have seen in Virginia and beyond. Senate Bill 351 would require ICE to have a warrant and show identification for any arrests in courthouses. The bill also adds some protections against arrest for witnesses and other parties to a hearing. Senate Bill 352 limits the use of face coverings by law enforcement. The final bill, Senate Bill 783, would restrict any cooperation agreements between local law enforcement and ICE unless a list of requirements is met. It is still early in the process, but I think it is important for Virginians to know that we are doing what we can in Richmond to push back against some of the practices by this Administration that are actually making our communities less safe.
Bill Spotlight
Every year I carry legislation that is driven by issues faced by constituents. This year, I worked with Tanesha Hudson from Charlottesville because of her experience with a homeowner’s association. Despite the frigid temperatures and the icy sidewalks and roads, Tanesha traveled to Richmond to share her story and highlight the need for additional protections under Virginia’s Fair Housing Law. Senate Bill 803 made its way through subcommittee and moves into the full committee this week.
This past week also saw my bill, Senate Bill 272, to restrict guns on public colleges and universities clear its first hurdle. While every college already has a ban, it does not have the force of law. This became painfully clear after the horrific shootings at the University of Virginia in 2022 and the loss of Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis, Jr., and DeSean Perry. This bill, which was requested by law enforcement, was vetoed by the former governor the past two years. I am eager to get this bill, along with many other gun violence prevention measures – banning ghost guns and assault weapons, and requiring safe storage – to Governor Spanberger’s desk.
The exhibit space in the Capitol received some new additions, including a 3-D model of the Capitol constructed by a local artist with over 50,000 Lego bricks! It’s on display at the Capitol Building’s Visitor Center as a part of a recent exhibit on the General Assembly’s history and the building’s architecture. You can learn more about the Capitol’s new “People. Building. Democracy.” exhibit here. If you find yourself in Capitol Square, I’d highly recommend checking it out.
District 11 Updates
Although Session has taken me to Richmond, my constituents in district eleven remain top of mind. I have seen so much engagement from constituents – through emails, phone calls, and letters – about the matters that are important to them. The most pressing this issue throughout the district last week, though, has been the weather. As we dig ourselves out of the snow and get back to routine, it’s important to be aware of road hazards and cold weather safety guidelines. To stay up to date on the condition of your commute to work or school, check VDOT’s 511 travel and traffic information system. If you need help, please reach out to my office. I am working with Delegate Katrina Callsen and Delegate Amy Laufer to get any problems resolved as quickly as possible. I hope you and your families have been able to stay warm and safe as we’ve weathered this storm.
Today is day 19 of our 60-day session. While the days are long and chaotic, they go by so quickly. When I was a child, I was always told not to wish my time away because it passes quickly enough on its own. The older we get, the more we realize just how true that is. It’s hard to believe that only two people remain in the House of Delegates who served there during my time in the House, and I was there before both of them. My good friend and colleague, Senator Louise Lucas, was elected to the Senate the same year I was elected to the House. She is the only senator who has been in the Senate longer than me, but in truth, we started at the same time.
As always, it’s a privilege to serve you in the Senate of Virginia. I look forward to using these newsletters to keep you up to date on my work in the coming weeks. If you would like to visit the Capitol or the General Assembly Building, you can find information on tours and visiting hours here. If I can be of service or if you have questions or comments, please contact us at (804) 698-7511 or senatordeeds@senate.virginia.gov.
Sincerely,
