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Greetings, friends!
Despite the snow and ice, it was another busy week here at the General Assembly. I hope everyone survived and that we're able to get back to school, work, and routines as temperatures rise and more of the ice melts. Below, is some post-storm information that might be helpful, followed by a summary of what happened in the Capitol and updates on my legislative work.
For additional announcements and updates, please follow me on Facebook [[link removed]] , Instagram [[link removed]] , X/twitter [[link removed]] , and Bluesky [[link removed]] .
Post-Storm Information
As a reminder, Henrico County is one of two localities in the Commonwealth of Virginia that maintains its own roads. For an update on Henrico's plowing processes, watch this video. [[link removed]] Keep in mind that clearing ice from roads, sidewalks, and parking lots is exceedingly difficult!
If you haven't already, make sure you register for Henrico County Emergency Alerts here [henrico.gov/services/henrico-alert/] . Otherwise, follow Henrico County Government and Departments' social media channels here [[link removed]] .
Again, here are key phone numbers for Henrico County residents:
* Water/Sewer: 804-501-5025
* Downed Trees: 804-727-8300 (West End), 804-652-3975 (East End)
* Henrico County Police: 804-501-5000
* Dominion Energy: 866-366-4357
* Richmond City Gas Works: 804-646-4646
* Emergencies: 911
Highlights of my Third Week of Session
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On Monday, January 26th, immediately following the storm, the General Assembly was open as usual. No snow days for us!
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On Tuesday, January 27th, it was a joy to introduce from the Senate floor the first all girls Scouting Troop in the Richmond area,Tuckahoe’s Troop 799G! I love doing floor introductions!
My Legislative Updates
This session [[link removed]] , I've been assigned to the following committees: Education & Health, General Laws & Technology, Local Government, Rehabilitation & Social Services, and Rules. I serve as Chair of the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation & Social Services and Chair of the Public Education and Housing Sub-Committees.
For a full list of the bills I am carrying this session and to track their progress, search here [[link removed]] . In the meantime, below are updates on bills that saw action this past week.
Housing Bills:
- SB 349 [[link removed]] (Pre-lease Rent Fees): Regulates and restricts the fees landlords can charge to tenants prior to and during lease signing, and upon lease renewal. It adds additional transparency measures so applicants know what fees they have to pay before applying.
Status: Assigned to the Senate Committee on General Laws & Technology's Housing Subcommittee.
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Energy Bills:
- SB 347 [[link removed]] (Solar Siting): Establishes clear, reasonable criteria for local solar ordinances while still leaving the ultimate decision-making authority on individual projects to local governments.
Status: Passed the Senate (21-Y 17-N) and headed to the House after crossover! For media coverage of this bill, go here [[link removed]] .
Education Bills:
- SB 200 [[link removed]] (K12 Assessment Updates): Modifies some of the provisions set forth in HB 1957 from 2025 to overhaul K12 end-of-course assessment practices.
Status: Assigned to the Senate Committee on Education & Health’s Public Education Subcommittee.
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V oting & Elections Bills:
- SB 57 [[link removed]] (ERIC): Virginia would rejoin the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) to improve the accuracy of voter rolls, expand access to voter registration for all eligible Virginians, reduce election costs, and streamline the election process.
Status: Passed the Senate (21-Y 17-N) and headed to the House after crossover! For media coverage of this bill, go here [[link removed]] .
- SB 65 [[link removed]] (ELECT Deputy Roles): Makes the two deputies of the State Commissioner of Elections regular civil service positions, and not political appointees .
Status: Continued to next session by the Senate Committee on Privileges & Elections
- SB 176 [[link removed]] (Ranked Choice Voting): Expands the option to use ranked choice voting from only county board of supervisors and city council elections to any local governing body. The State Board of Elections will be required to provide standards and to approve vote tabulating software for use with existing voting systems in elections conducted by ranked choice voting.
Status: Reported from the Senate Committee on Privileges & Elections (8‑Y 5‑N 1‑A) and soon to be on third read on the Senate floor.
Other Bills:
- SB 301 [[link removed]] (Bank Account Garnishment Exemptions): Requires certain financial institutions to automatically exempt from garnishment (i) a minimum protected account balance, defined in the bill as the combined total of not more than $1,000 in a judgment debtor's account or across multiple accounts in the same financial institution, and (ii) a protected amount of certain benefit payments that have been deposited into the account via direct deposit or electronic deposit within the two months immediately preceding the day before a financial institution commences an account review.
Status: Re-referred from Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor to Courts of Justice (15‑Y 0‑N)
Looking to the future, if you would like to discuss any of my legislative priorities, share an opinion, request a meeting, or if you’d like for me to come and share a legislative update at an event, please do not hesitate to contact my office at: [email protected] [[email protected]] .
In the meantime, I hope everyone has a great Black History Month--here are some good resources from Henrico County [[link removed]]
Yours in service,
Schyuler VanValkenburg
Senator, 16th District
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VanValkenburg for Virginia
PO Box 28782
Richmond, VA 23228
United States
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