Greetings, John!
This newsletter will update you on the latest news on what has been happening in the Capitol that will affect the 72nd district. For additional announcements and updates, I also recommend that you follow me on Facebook [[link removed]] and Twitter [[link removed]] .
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Congratulations to all the 2023 Henrico Democratic nominees that will be on the ballot this November. The Henrico Dems are fired up and ready to work hard this summer and fall to fight for policies that will make our community safer and stronger.
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Laws Effective July 1, 2023
Today is July 1st, which is my legislative staff’s favorite day of the year - it is the day that most of the 800 pieces of legislation we passed during the 2023 legislative session this winter go into effect. In Due Course is a publication highlighting selected legislation passed by the 2023 Regular Session of the General Assembly that is likely to affect the daily lives of the citizens of Virginia. The following legislation has been signed by the Governor and, for the most part, will go into effect today, Saturday, July 1.
* Universal Occupational Licensing (HB 2180 & SB 1213) will make it easier for individuals to qualify for a Virginia occupational license if they have met licensing standards in another state.
* Sexual Harassment and Non-Disclosure Agreements (HB 1895) will prevent employers from requiring employees to sign NDAs with the purpose of concealing a sexual harassment claim and voids any NDA that attempts to do so.
*Minimum Wage for Employees With Disabilities (HB 1924) requires employees with disabilities hired after July 1, 2023, to be paid the state minimum wage. Employees with disabilities hired before that date and subject to an exemption to the minimum wage will see a phased wage increase over the next seven years.
*Cannabis Advertising Restrictions (HB 2428 & SB 1233) prohibit advertising of cannabis and related products, including synthetic THC, unless those products are legal for sale in Virginia. Includes restrictions on advertising that targets minors.
* Jury Duty Pay (HB 2317 & SB 789) increases the jury duty allowance from $30 to $50 per day.
* Catalytic Converters (HB 2372 & SB 1135) create a presumption that someone not in the auto repair business who is in possession of a catalytic converter that has been removed from a motor vehicle is guilty of theft.
*Criminalizes False 911 Reports (HB 1572 & SB 1291) for persons who make false reports of an emergency can be charged with a felony if the emergency response results in serious harm or death.
*Notification of Bullying (HB 1592 & SB 1072) requires schools to inform parents within 24 hours if their child is involved in an alleged bullying incident.
*Absentee Ballots (HB 1948) removes the witness signature requirement on mail ballots and instead requires those voting by mail to provide the last four digits of their Social Security number.
* Firearm Safety Tax Credit (HB 2387) creates an income tax credit of up to $300 for the purchase of firearm safety devices, including gun safes and locks, for taxable years 2023 through 2027.
* Telemedicine (HB 1602 & SB 1418) removes the requirement that healthcare providers maintain a physical presence in the Commonwealth to be eligible to serve Medicaid patients.
* Hearing Aids for Children (SB 1003) requires health insurance providers to cover hearing aids for minors when recommended by a doctor.
* Tenant Rights (HB 1635) allows tenants to end their lease and receive a full refund of all deposits and rent paid if the premises contain serious health or safety risks that existed at the beginning of residency.
* Local Housing Policies (HB 2046 & SB 839) requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to conduct a housing needs assessment for the state every five years, along with a housing plan. Also requires localities to submit annual reports listing changes to housing policies.
*Towing Operator Fees (HB 1516) require towing and recovery operators to allow the owner of a towed vehicle to retrieve personal items without paying a fee.
*SCC Control of Dominion Energy Rates (HB 1770 & SB 1265) strengthens the State Corporation Commission's authority to review electric utilities' earnings and adjust rates paid by electric customers downward if utility earning exceeds established ranges. Previously, utilities could keep some profits that exceeded the upper range. The SCC authority takes effect for rate reviews starting in 2024.
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You can access In Due Course on the Division of Legislative Services website at [link removed] . Complete information on actions of the 2023 Regular Session is available on LIS [[link removed]] .
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I enjoyed visiting with folks from the Lakewood Retirement Community! A fantastic conversation about politics, policy, and the Commonwealth. Thanks for having me!
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Virginia’s Participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Earlier in June, the Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board officially voted 4-3 to pull Virginia out of the regional compact known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Virginia was the final state to join RGGI in 2020.
The State Air Pollution Control Board, as well as the State Water Control Board and the Virginia Waste Management Board, are composed of Virginia citizens appointed by the Governor. Board members are responsible for adopting many of Virginia's environmental regulations under Title 9 of the Virginia Administrative Code.
Virginia joined RGGI through legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Northam. The law (Virginia’s Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act) not only enabled the Commonwealth to join RGGI, but it also established the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF) which is directly funded through RGGI.
Within just a couple of years of Virginia’s participation, RGGI has established a track record of success in reducing carbon emissions in the state. Significantly, for those states participating in the compact before Virginia joined, RGGI cut climate polluting emissions in half during the past decade. Our communities are relying on the RGGI dollars to address flood resilience concerns and to deploy energy efficiency efforts. Over $230 million in investments have come to Virginia as a result of RGGI, and RGGI is the only dedicated source of state funding for our flood resilience efforts. The emissions reductions that result from RGGI are critical for Virginia so that we can meet our own, science-based goals as defined by the Virginia Clean Economy Act and our 2045 net-zero carbon emissions goals.
I am profoundly disappointed by the Youngkin administration’s move to pull Virginia out of RGGI which is mandated by state law. It is a dangerous precedent for this administration to brush aside laws it disagrees with. In September 2022, myself and 60 of my Democratic colleagues sent a letter to the Air Pollution Control Board opposing Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed regulatory route to remove Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Press about that letter can be found here [[link removed]] . Thank you to the over 6,600 Virginians who submitted their comments to the Board during the public comment period this spring.
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Delegate Rodney Willett and I enjoyed being at the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond’s Annual Meeting earlier in June. The Federation does such great work for our community and stands up against anti-semitism and racism. Noble work!
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RetirePath Virginia
Last week, Virginia 529 launched RetirePath Virginia [[link removed]] , the new state-facilitated automatic enrollment IRA program. Established by the General Assembly in 2021, RetirePath was designed to provide a workplace savings option for thousands of Virginia employees who do not currently have access to an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan. RetirePath is a simple way for employers to facilitate their employees’ retirement savings with no employer fees or fiduciary implications.
Today, more than 1 million private-sector Virginia workers are on their own when it comes to saving for retirement. Businesses can struggle with the administrative hurdles, fiduciary responsibilities, and costs that come with providing an employer-sponsored retirement savings option. RetirePath Virginia [[link removed]] is the Commonwealth’s solution to help increase access to retirement savings. Virginia529 manages this new savings program.
RetirePath gives eligible employers a simple way to help their employees save for the future. More than 8,000 Virginia businesses will receive a RetirePath registration notification this month. Virginia law requires eligible employers to either register and facilitate RetirePath [[link removed]] or offer their own qualified retirement plan.
Employee participation is voluntary and flexible. Virginians who are self-employed or don’t work for an employer registered with RetirePath can open an account [[link removed]] and save on their own. For more information, please visit [link removed] .
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On the anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision anniversary, I joined Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia and my Virginia Democratic colleagues to stand up for a woman’s right to choose and ban it clear that these rights in Virginia are on the ballot this November.
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USDA Summer Program Will Provide Meals at Sites Across Henrico County
Henrico County Public Schools will participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program, offering meals to children during the summer at 25 area sites. The federal program is administered in Henrico by the HCPS Department of School Nutrition Services, to help ensure that children receive nutritious meals when school is not in session.
After each scheduled meal service for children enrolled in summer programs is over, meal service will begin for others age 18 or younger who are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents and guardians are not eligible for the free meal service. Meals are not available to go and must be consumed onsite.
Food service will be from Monday through Thursday each week. All meal sites will be closed June 19 for the Juneteenth holiday, and July 4 in recognition of Independence Day. Breakfast will be served from 7-9 a.m. and lunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Specific breakfast and lunch times will vary depending on the location.
Service is on a first-come, first-served basis, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. There will be no discrimination in the administration of the meal service. Meals will be provided to children at the following sites:
Elementary school open sites
*George Baker Elementary School, 6651 Willson Road (June 12-July 27)
*Ruby Carver Elementary School, 1801 Lauderdale Drive (June 26-July 20)
*Chamberlayne Elementary School, 8200 St. Charles Road (June 12-July 27)
*Jackson Davis Elementary School, 8801 Nesslewood Drive (June 26-July 20)
*Dumbarton Elementary School, 9000 Hungary Spring Road (June 12-July 27)
*Harvie Elementary School, 3401 Harvie Road (June 12-July 27)
*Highland Springs Elementary School, 600 Pleasant St. (June 26-July 20)
*Elizabeth Holladay Elementary School, 7300 Galaxie Road (June 20-July 27)
*Anthony Mehfoud Elementary School, 8320 Buffin Road (June 26-July 20)
*Montrose Elementary School, 2820 Williamsburg Road (June 20-July 27)
*Pinchbeck Elementary School, 1275 Gaskins Road (June 12-July 27)
* Seven Pines Elementary School, 301 Beulah Road (June 26-July 20)
Middle and high school open sites
*Fairfield Middle School, 5121 Nine Mile Road (June 20-July 27)
*Douglas Freeman High School, 8701 Three Chopt Road (June 20-July 27)
* Henrico High School, 302 Azalea Ave. (June 20-July 26)
*Hermitage High School, 8301 Hungary Spring Road (June 12-29)
*Highland Springs High School, 200 S. Airport Drive (June 12-July 27)
*George Moody Middle School, 7800 Woodman Road (June 26-July 27)
*The Oak Avenue Complex,15 S. Oak Ave. (June 20-July 27)
*Quioccasin Middle School, 9400 Quioccasin Road (June 20-July 27)
*Varina High School, 7053 Messer Road (June 20-July 27)
*Virginia Randolph Education Center, 2204 Mountain Road (June 12-29)
Henrico Recreation and Parks open sites
*Dorey Park and Recreation Center, 2999 Darbytown Road (June 26-Aug. 3)
*Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, 1440 N. Laburnum Ave. (June 26-Aug. 3)
*The Springs Recreation Center, 302 Lee Ave. (June 26-Aug. 3)

For more information or questions, please visit Henrico County Public Schools School Nutrition page here [[link removed]] .
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I enjoyed visiting Encircle this week to discuss their programming for foster families, refugees, and people with developmental disabilities. They are such a great resource for our local community and the Commonwealth as a whole. Thank you for all you do!
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If you would like to reach out and discuss any of my legislative priorities, share an opinion, or send a scheduling request if you’d like me to come and share a legislative update at a community or organization meeting, please do not hesitate to contact me my office at [email protected]
Yours in service,
Schuyler VanValkenburg
Delegate, 72nd District
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