The members of the House of Delegates and state Senate are back in Richmond this week for the start of the 2022 Session of the Virginia General Assembly. This session, I aim to protect the incredible progress we have made for Virginia over the past two years and continue our work building a stronger, safer, and more equitable Commonwealth. As always, I am focused on helping to craft a forward-looking, fiscally responsible state budget for the next biennium. My legislative agenda prioritizes access to affordable housing, economic justice, equity, and taking action to address the needs of our Prince William County communities.
My Legislative Portfolio
I am carrying 13 bills and resolutions this session:
House Bill 814 directs the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity to annually review state agencies’ plans to enhance procurement from small, women- and minority-owned businesses. This policy proposal was developed by the Virginia Minority Business Commission, of which I serve as Chair.
House Bill 815 sets up a mentorship pilot program for start-up small, women- and minority-owned businesses. This policy proposal was developed by the Virginia Minority Business Commission.
House Bill 816 requires contractors bidding for state contracts under the Virginia Public Procurement Act to identify all involved subcontractors, a description of their work, and their estimated compensation. This policy proposal was developed by the Virginia Minority Business Commission.
House Bill 817 requires state agencies and localities to inquire into a bidder’s certification as a small, women- or minority-owned business (SWAM status) before entering into a contract with them. This policy proposal was developed by the Virginia Minority Business Commission.
House Bill 818 requires prime contractors to have paid all their subcontractors before any state agency provides final payment to the prime contractor, under the Virginia Public Procurement Act. This policy proposal was developed by the Virginia Minority Business Commission.
House Bill 819 establishes a pilot program within the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity to use the business, professional, and occupational license (BPOL) tax to collect data from businesses regarding their eligibility for certification as small, women- or minority-owned businesses. This policy proposal was developed by the Virginia Minority Business Commission.
House Bill 820 directs the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity to conduct a business disparity study every five years. This policy proposal was developed by the Virginia Minority Business Commission.
House Bill 821 adds a judge to the 31st Judicial Circuit, increasing the maximum number of judges in Prince William County’s Circuit Court from six to seven.
House Bill 822 modernizes the Town of Occoquan’s charter, including changing the election dates of town councilmembers and the mayor from May to November and changing their terms of office from two to four years.
House Bill 823 directs the Task Force on Maternal Health Data and Quality Measures to study a variety of issues related to maternal health disparities.
House Bill 824 extends the Virginia Housing Opportunity Tax Credit to building projects that create housing for special populations (for example, people with disability waivers, those in substance use recovery, and those who require behavioral health services).
House Bill 1142 improves my 2020 Virginia Community Policing Act by expanding the type of information collected by law enforcement during traffic stops.
House Joint Resolution 76 asks the Department of Rail and Public Transportation to study extending the Metro to Prince William County.
Virginia Mortgage Relief Program
I want to make sure you are aware of Virginia Housing’s Virginia Mortgage Relief Program (VMRP). The Commonwealth of Virginia was awarded $250 million in COVID-19 relief funds from the U.S. Treasury to support homeowners facing housing instability resulting from the pandemic. Virginia Housing’s VMRP is using these funds to assist eligible Virginians to help prevent and/or ease mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, and displacement of homeowners experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic.
To be eligible for VMRP assistance, an individual must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- The applicant must be a homeowner with a primary residence in Virginia;
- The applicant experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
- The applicant’s household must meet certain maximum income restrictions;
- The homeowner is seeking assistance with mortgage payments or other eligible housing-related costs; and
- Delinquency must be a result of missed payments due after January 21, 2020
To apply or learn more about VMRP, visit www.VirginiaMortgageRelief.com or call 833-687-8677 (833-OUR-VMRP), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you have any questions or comments about the General Assembly Session, please reach out to my office at info@delegatetorian.com or 703-785-2224.