The Torian Report: General Assembly Session Update Week 2

The City of Richmond resolved the unforeseen water supply disruptions over the weekend. On Monday, January 13th, we returned to the Capitol in full swing for a packed General Assembly session. 

Throughout the week, bills were introduced and referred to their appropriate House committees and subcommittees for review, starting the legislative process. I hope you will follow along with me during this session to stay up to date with what my office accomplished during this busy time in Richmond.

State Budget Progress

It is an honor to serve as the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. As chair, it is customary that I carry the House Budget Bill, or HB1600. This week, members of the House of Delegates submitted their budget amendment requests to the committee, which are now available to view online. A budget amendment is a formal change or addition proposed to the biennial budget that allows for modifications to address new priorities or policies, correct errors, or respond to changing financial conditions. 

To view the budget amendments requests, please click HERE.

In three meetings this week, the committee received a budget briefing, reviewed presentations from state officials, and reviewed bills. I look forward to updating you on our work to ensure we have a budget that works for all Virginians.

To view live streams and recordings of the committee meetings, please click HERE.

For more information on the State Budget and the committee., please click HERE.

Legislative Progress

My HB 2358 and HB 2359 were referred to the House Appropriations Committee, and HB 2361 was referred to the Committee on Courts of Justice on January 8th. 

My Legislation

HB1600 – Amends the state’s budget that was passed during Special Session I, which appropriates public revenues until the end of the 2026 fiscal year (June 30, 2026).

HB2358 – Establishes the Current and Mature Semiconductor Technology Grant Fund. If passed, this legislation will allow Micron to expand its semiconductor manufacturing facility in Manassas. It will create many jobs and substantially impact Prince William County and the City of Manassas. 

HB2359 – Authorizes issuance of bonds in an amount up to $206,085,243 for revenue-producing capital projects at James Madison University and The College of William and Mary in Virginia.

HB2361 – Increases the maximum number of authorized general district court judges in the Thirty-first Judicial District in Prince William County from five to six, as recommended by the Committee on District Courts.

This week, I also signed on as a Chief Co-Patron to House Joint Resolution 2 and House Bill 1922 and House Bill 2738.

House Joint Resolution 2 (Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker) would eliminate the Jim Crow-era restrictions on the right to vote in our state constitution. It provides that every person who meets the qualifications for voting set forth in the Constitution of Virginia shall have the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth and that such right shall not be abridged by law. This resolution passed the House floor on Tuesday and is awaiting action by the Senate.

House Bill 1922 (Delegate Jeion Ward) establishes the Small SWaM Business Procurement Enhancement Program, which aims to increase the number of certified small SWaM businesses to 42 percent statewide.

House Bill 2738 (Delegate Mark Sickles), requires health insurance coverage to provide coverage for mental health and substance use disorder benefits for children, adolescents, and adults and requires such coverage to apply the definitions of “generally accepted standards of mental health or substance use disorder care” and “medically necessary”.

L. Douglas Wilder Celebration

On Friday, the General Assembly honored the life and legacy of Governor L. Douglas Wilder on his 94th birthday. I was honored to lead the Center Aisle and present the resolution that commended him for his lifelong achievements and dedication to public services. 

Governor Wilder first entered politics in 1969, when he ran in a special election for the Virginia State Senate. He became the first African American State Senator since Reconstruction, serving over a decade in the General Assembly.  In 1985, Wilder was elected as the first African American Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. During his historic election, I received my Master of Divinity from the School of Theology at Virginia Union University, the same university Wilder received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (1951). 

In 1989, Wilder ran for governor, and on January 13th, 1990, he made history again as Virginia’s sixty-sixth Governor (1990 – 1994) and the first elected African American Governor in the United States. Governor Wilder continued public service as Mayor of Richmond from 2004 to 2008.

To view the commending resolution for Governor Wilder, please click HERE.

Conversations and Collaboration

This week was busy and productive, packed with meetings and committee work. Every year during the legislative session, groups, organizations, and advocates come to share their thoughts and concerns, making this a vital time for collaboration and engagement.

I had the opportunity to meet with a diverse range of organizations and institutions committed to advancing Virginia’s future. Staff and I met with representatives from the Virginia Higher Education Business Council,  James Madison University, Norfolk State University, the Virginia Lottery, and many others.

In addition to House Appropriations Committee meetings, I also serve on the House Committee on General Laws, which held two meetings this week. The General Laws Committee has five subcommittees, including the ABC/Gaming Subcommittee, which I am a member of. This subcommittee met on Tuesday and reviewed legislation that will later be considered by the full committee.

Constituent Corner

I have received many calls, emails, and meeting requests from constituents of the 24th District regarding topics impacting them.  Input from my constituents is always greatly valued and will be taken into account when considering the bills. If you are a constituent of mine, please visit my office in the General Assembly Building. 

On Thursday, January 17, it was a privilege to introduce CASA on the floor, an organization dedicated to immigrant advocacy

CASA has over 11,000 members in Virginia, many of whom live in my district.

In every session, I can offer commending resolutions to honor residents for their outstanding contributions to our community. If you would like to recommend someone, please send your nominations to delltorian@house.virginia.gov. Your submission must include the nominee’s full name and a description of their contributions. 

If you have any questions or comments about the General Assembly Session or would like to contact my office directly with input or feedback on legislation, please find my office information below.