On Saturday, the 2025 Virginia General Assembly’s regular legislative session ended as we adjourned sine die. We will reconvene later this year, on April 2nd, for a veto session to address Governor Youngkin’s recommendations on passed legislation and the Commonwealth’s biennial budget.
Budget Update
I am pleased to announce that we crafted a state budget that preserves our shared priorities in all levels of education, health and human resources, public safety, and providing for working-class Virginia families. I thank my colleagues in the House and Senate, as well as the House Appropriations staff, for their tireless work on this budget. Below are some of the key takeaways from what is included:
Education
- Increases support for school construction by $150 million across this year and next for a total of $310 million in school construction grants this biennium.
- $1,000 bonus in June 2025 for teacher, guidance counselor, librarian, instructional aide, principal, and assistant principal positions.
- $25 million towards a public-private early childhood care and education partnership to share the costs of childcare slots between parents, employers, and the Commonwealth.
- $500,000 for the development of a modern high-quality state SOL assessment system.
- Additional $20 million for the ongoing collaboration between Virginia’s Historically Black College and Universities (Norfolk State University, Virginia State University, Hampton University, and Virginia Union University.
- $26.8 million for increase student financial assistance, including:
- $15 million for in-state undergraduate financial aid to public colleges and universities.
- $10 million for the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG)
- $1.8 million for a VTAG supplement award of up to $2,000 at federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HIS).
Economy/Working Families
- Authorizes a tax rebate of $200 for individuals and $400 for joint filers to be issued by October 15, 2025.
- Increased the refundable portion of the Earned Income tax Credit (EITC) to 20% of the federal credit and provide on-going tax relief to lower income individuals.
- $83 million for a 1.5% bonus for state and state supported local employees on July 1, 2025.
- Includes a 6% salary adjustment for E-911 dispatchers employed within sheriff offices.
- $20 million for a pilot program that will provide direct rental assistance to families in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, so the cost of housing does not exceed 30% of a person’s income.
- $15 million for a new grant program for first-time homebuyers to receive a grant of up to $10,000 to offset the cost of homeownership.
- Increased the capacity of the Virginia Housing Trust Fund to support the creation or preservation of affordable housing.
- $50 million to help citizens in Southwest Virginia repair and rebuild their homes due to Hurricane Helene and prepare for future occurrences of flooding.
Health/Mental Health
- $8.7 million to hire additional support coordinators at local Community Services Boards (CSBs) to ensure individuals receiving a DD waiver get timely access to services.
- $6 million to support 10 additional MARCUS Alert sites.
- $1.1 million to bolster the behavioral health workforce.
- $750,000 for services to local agencies on aging to assist in providing community services to elderly Virginians.
- $400,000 to expand a Fairfax County pilot program that reduces the risk of social isolation among older Virginians.
- $1.6 million to fund Medicaid services for individuals with brain injuries.
- $10 million to provide operating support to nursing homes throughout the Commonwealth.
Public Safety
- Additional $5.9 million to support grants for local community violence intervention programs.
- $3.5 million in additional funds to support sexual assault and domestic violence victim agencies and victim witness programs.
- Removes proposed language that would withhold funding from local law enforcements agencies if they do not comply with new requirements related to federal immigration enforcement.
- Extends the workers compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, or depressive disorder to 2 years for law enforcement personnel and firefighters.
Natural Resources/Infrastructure
- The budget fully funds agricultural best management practices for the biennium.
- $40 million for the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund.
- $11 million in one-time support for historic and cultural attractions across the Commonwealth in preparation for VA250.
- $20 million in additional funding to address State Park maintenance needs.
- $250 million for drinking water grants to localities to upgrade or replace existing drinking water infrastructure.
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
House Bill 2358 passed the General Assembly this session. The legislation establishes the Current and Mature Semiconductor Technology Grant Fund. If signed, 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.
My bill, House Bill 2359, passed the General Assembly unanimously during this session. Again, this bill authorizes the issuance of bonds up to $206,085,243 for revenue-producing capital projects at James Madison University and The College of William and Mary in Virginia. My colleague Senator L. Louise Lucas (SB 1221) carried the Senate version of this legislation.
House Bill 2361 that increases the number of authorized general district court judges in the Thirty-first Judicial District in Prince William County from five to six, was rolled into Delegate Patrick Hope’s House Bill 2729. His legislation adds 11 additional judgeships to address Circuit and General District Courts workloads and wait times. Del. Hope’s bills passed the House and Senate and are now awaiting action by the Governor.
In addition, I chief co-patroned and co-patroned several successful bills and resolutions. These include:
House Bill 1716 (Delegate Marcia Price) this bill would establish a right to obtain contraceptives and engage in contraception. This bill creates a cause of action that may be instituted against anyone who infringes on such a right.
House Bill 1723 (Delegate Marcia Price) requires the Department of Social Services to convene a work group to evaluate methods to improve access and maximize participation in federal public assistance programs relating to assistance with food access and improving food security.
House Bill 1736 (Delegate Marcia Price) creates the Virginia Center for Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention within the Department of Criminal Justice Services. The Center will serve as the primary resource for research, best practices, and strategies for the implementation of firearm violence intervention, community-based intervention, and group violence intervention programs designed to reduce violence in communities.
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 2520 (Delegate Joshua Cole) establishes the Sexual Offense Prevention and Response Program within the Department of Military Affairs.
House Bill 2531 (Delegate Briana Sewell) requires the Virginia Employment Commission to establish and administer a paid family and medical leave insurance program with benefits beginning January 1, 2028.
House Bill 2736 (Delegate Atoosa Reaser) Creates a comprehensive program developed by the Department of Veterans Services to reduce unemployment among veterans extends to military spouses.
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.
House Bill 2764 (Delegate Kathy Tran) repeals the existing prohibition on collective bargaining by public employees.
As always, I am grateful for the support of the people of the 24th District throughout this session.
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.