On Saturday, the 2023 Virginia General Assembly regular legislative session came to an end, as we adjourned sine die. We will reconvene later this year for a veto session to address Governor Youngkin’s recommendations on passed legislation and a special session to address the Commonwealth’s budget.
I was honored to give the final opening prayer for the House of Delegates on our last day.
Budget Update
While the House and the Senate were unable to come together to present an amended budget to both chambers for passage, we did adopt a stop-gap budget that will ensure that the Commonwealth meets its financial obligations, such as:
- Provide $115.9 million in general funds in the fiscal year 2023 and $125.8 million in general funds in the fiscal year 2024 for the combined impact of K-12 technical adjustments related to average daily membership changes
- Provide $250 million in general funds in the fiscal year 2023 to the Virginia Retirement System to address unfunded liabilities
- Provide an additional $100.0 million in general funds in the fiscal year 2023 to the 2022 Capital Supplement Pool for cost overruns on previously authorized capital projects
- Appropriates $405.9 million in the fiscal year 2024 to the Rainy-Day Fund from the fiscal year 2022 revenue surplus to meet a portion of the Constitutionally required deposit
Budget conferees will continue to meet over the coming days to reconcile our differences and present a full budget for a final vote before going to Governor Youngkin for his review.
You can view every version of the state budget, as well as every budget amendment and conference report that has been submitted, at budget.lis.virginia.gov.
Legislative Round-Up
My bill (House Bill 1828) passed the General Assembly unanimously during this session. Again, this bill allows the Department of Conservation and Recreation to grant and convey an easement and right-of-way over Neabsco Beach Way at Leesylvania State Park to the River Mouth Corporation. The Senate version of this legislation was carried by my friend Senator Surovell (SB 1065).
In addition, I co-patroned several successful bills and resolutions. These include:
House Bill 2414 (Delegate Don Scott) will allow a disabled veteran or surviving spouse to apply for a real property tax exemption and receive a decision before purchasing a qualifying property.
House Bill 2387 (Delegate Alfonso Lopez) establishes a nonrefundable income tax credit for taxable years 2023 through 2027 for individuals who purchase one or more firearm safety devices.
House Bill 1419 (Delegate Kaye Kory) extends eligibility for the Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Program to the lineal and collateral descendants of persons who were residing in jurisdictions in Virginia in which the public schools were closed to avoid desegregation between 1954 and 1964 and whose educations were affected by the school closings.
As always, I am grateful for the support of the people of the 52nd District throughout this session. Please stay tuned for further updates on our progress in finalizing the budget over the next few weeks.
If you have any questions or comments about the General Assembly Session, please get in touch with my office at info@delegatetorian.com or 703-785-2224.