Your first 2025 update from Richmond!
We are back!
The Virginia General Assembly’s 2025 session opened at noon on
January 8. We got off to an unusual start with the City of Richmond's
water outage, causing the General Assembly Building to be completely
closed until Monday, January 13. But, we are off and running now!
STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Governor Glenn Youngkin delivered his annual "State of the
Commonwealth" address. He highlighted economic gains, education
reforms, and public safety improvements. He also invited Carl and
Linda McMurray of Taylor's Valley to be his and First Lady Suzanne
Youngkin's guests at the address. During Hurricane Helene, Carl and
Linda's home was split in two by the flood waters and they were
separated - Linda in a 2nd story bedroom and Carl clinging to a bush
in the rushing water before they were each rescued. Thanks to the
Youngkins for hosting this amazing couple, married for 57 years, who
represent the resiliency of all Southwest Virginians!
SB 1281 - "THE AEP ACCOUNTABILITY ACT"
You and I have been experiencing skyrocketing electric bills from AEP
over the last several years. That's one thing I heard loud and clear
before I left home for Richmond several weeks ago. So, I filed a bill
to address it.
My bill changed over time and the one I presented to the Senate
Commerce & Labor Committee allowed localities to do something called
"Municipal Aggregation." Meaning, the local governing body votes on
whether they want to join their citizens together to purchase
electricity as a group. Customers would then have the option of
opting-in or out of the deal. One of 26 "competitive service
providers" (CSP) approved to operate in Virginia would submit bids for
the job. Once selected the CSP would transmit their electricity across
the current AEP lines. Customers would still receive a bill from
AEP, but the CSP selected to generate the power would have a line on
the bill for "generation."
SB 1281 was heard and debated for over an hour in committee. We had
136 written testimonies that folks from home sent to my office that
were provided to each committee member. Despite giving it my all,
the bill failed to report by a vote of 8-7 (the vote was whether to
"pass it by indefinitely", so 8 wanted it to fail and 7 wanted it to
pass).
This doesn't stop now. I will continue my efforts to advocate on
your behalf with AEP and in Richmond. There are several other bills
floating through the process that may make it through. My colleague
Sen. Mark Peake has SB 1076 [1] that I am a co-sponsor of that I will
keep you updated about.
I will not stop until AEP customers feel meaningful relief and the
company gets their rates more in-line with their competitors.
DEMOCRAT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Three proposed amendments to the Constitution of Virginia were
considered by the Senate. All three are sponsored by Democrats and
all three have significant issues. When amendments to our
Constitution are proposed, two General Assembly Sessions must pass
them, with an election in between. Then the measures will appear on
the following ballot for Virginians to make their voices heard. If
approved by voters, the amendments are adopted into the
Constitution. This is the first vote of the General Assembly.
SJ 247 [2]- ABORTION
This Amendment is the Democrats' attempt to enshrine abortion rights
into Virginia's Constitution. That alone was enough for me to decide
to vote against it. But, it's important to point out that this
language goes FAR beyond what current Virginia law allows for
abortions. This language would strip parents of their right to be a
part of their minor child's healthcare decisions, placing them into
the hands of strangers. The language only requires ONE physician to
approve a late-term/3rd trimester abortion when current Virginia law
requires THREE physicians to approve it. There are no provisions to
protect an infant born alive during an abortion procedure and no Hyde
amendment language, meaning state funds could be used for abortions.
Finally, there are no protections for religious-affiliated hospitals
and no conscience protections for religious hospitals or medical
providers.
SJ 248 [3] - AUTOMATIC RESTORATION OF FELONS' VOTING RIGHTS
This Amendment would remove the current process for the Governor to
restore the voting rights of felons, at his/her discretion. It
creates a process by which all felons automatically have their voting
rights restored following their incarceration, even before full
restitution is made. I am a firm believer in second chances - none
of us is a perfect man. However, we must hold accountable those who
commit felonies, ensuring they pay their debts. This Amendment does
not distinguish between those who commit non-violent vs. violent
felonies and I believe that is an important distinction.
SJ 249 [4] - SAME SEX MARRIAGE
This Amendment would rewrite the definition of marriage within the
Constitution of Virginia. The most notable issue is surrounding
religious protections. When we've discussed this language before, the
Democrats have included the following exception for clergy: "Religious
organizations and clergy acting in their religious capacity shall have
the right to refuse to perform any marriage." This language is NOT
included in the current Amendment and that is not ok. I am a firm
believer that marriage is between a man and a woman. But, if
Virginia is going to go down this path despite my vote, we must
provide protections for religious freedom and our faith
practitioners.
CLOSING
This year, the General Assembly is scheduled to be in session until
February 22. If you are visiting the Capitol during this year’s
session, please stop by our offices in Room 512 of the new General
Assembly Building. My staff, Angie Hall and Sarah Owen, are happy to
assist you with your visit. You can also let us know your views on
any of the issues before the General Assembly by emailing
[email protected] or calling (804) 698-7538.
The pace of a short session can be very quick. Six-and-a-half weeks
goes by very quickly when you have a lot of work to do! I will provide
another update following Crossover - the halfway point of Session
where the House and Senate swap bills. At that point I'll have a
clearer picture of legislation that is advancing and I'll also have an
update on the Senate's proposed budget.
Until then,
Senator Travis Hackworth
Virginia State Senator, District 5
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Richlands
VA
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United States of America
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