This year, the Virginia session is only 60 days long, so hitting the ground running is crucial. Bills have already been introduced, committee assignments have been given, and my schedule is full of meetings.
I'm honored to serve on Committees for Courts of Justice, Education, Counties, Cities, Towns, and several subcommittees. I'm thrilled to represent and advocate for you in the General Assembly this session. My team and I have been working hard on our bills, considering our constituents' concerns and priorities, and striving to make a difference in Richmond.
As of now, the bills that I will be patroning this year are:
HB102- Court-appointed counsel raises the limitation of fees:
This legislation addresses the low payments that court-appointed attorneys receive when defending a case. Our court-appointed attorneys are working to protect individuals' constitutional right to counsel, and this bill will allow the first pay increase in over 20 years!
HB105- Resale Disclosure Act; resale certificate, fees.
A commonsense language fix within the Resale Disclosure Act. This bill was brought to me by a constituent whom this would directly impact.
HB281- Child day programs; use of office buildings; waiver of zoning requirements.
This bill allows office buildings to include childcare spaces. This helps working families and creates more mixed-use spaces.
HB383- Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; real estate board; continuing education.
This will strengthen realtor's training requirements to assist buyers better.
HB392- Virginia Petroleum Products Franchise Act; agreements between jobber/distributors and dealers.
Another consitunet brought this bill to my attention over the summer as it directly relates to their business and industry. As I continued to look into it, it impacts many businesses around the Commonwealth!
HB645- Parking spaces reserved for charging electric vehicles; signs.
HB645 helps clear up busy EV parking signs that can be difficult to read and understand.
HB719- Public high schools; research-based hazing prevention instruction.
This bill aims to expand hazing education to high school students. I am honored to collaborate on this legislation with the Love Like Adam Foundation and Senator Jennifer B. Boysko, who is working on the Senate version of this bill.
HB 1028 Affordable housing; assisted living facilities.
H.B 1028 is a bill that allows localities that have adopted an affordable housing program to require that affordable rental units be included in any proposed licensed assisted living facility. This will help make housing more accessible for individuals.
HB 1307 State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; survey; baccalaureate public institutions.
H.B. 1307 is a bill that is asking our Virginia public universities to review the application fees they charge students. This is a step towards making higher education more accessible for our students
