General Assembly Archives - Page 2 of 9

Published February 17, 2025 at 10:49AM

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Fredericksburg

Legislation Update: What Your State Senators Are Working on This Session

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published January 31, 2025 at 2:30PM | Updated February 13, 2025 at 10:49AM

Virignia State Capitol

Virginia’s General Assembly convened on January 8 for the start of its 30-day session; to keep readers informed on their local representatives’ efforts, we’ve reviewed some of their bills and votes. Virginia shares bills, votes, and schedules online through the Legislative Information System.

Virginia has 40 Senators who serve 4-year terms.

Originals

Subcommittee Rejects Bill to Regulate Data Centers Near Schools, Parks

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 27, 2025 at 6:16AM | Updated January 31, 2025 at 1:39PM

Village Place Technology Park in Gainesville, approved by the Prince William Board of County Supervisors in 2022

The Virginia House of Delegates Subcommittee of the Cities, Counties, and Towns Committee rejected a bill that sought to regulate the siting of data centers near schools, parks, and residential areas. Delegate Ian Lovejoy (R-22, Prince William County) presented HB1984, which would have required local government approval for data center developments only if they were located at least a quarter mile away from such properties. The subcommittee voted 8-0 to “lay the bill on the table,” effectively killing it.

The vote dealt a setback to those advocating for tighter regulation of Virginia’s rapidly growing data center industry. Data centers, which house servers and infrastructure critical for cloud computing and internet services, have been a source of contention due to their noise, construction impacts, and potential encroachment on residential and community spaces.

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Originals

Virginia House Subcommittee Votes Down Bill Addressing Homelessness in Vehicles

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 27, 2025 at 6:16AM | Updated January 31, 2025 at 1:39PM

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today! Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.

Originals

Dumfries Charter Amendments Advance

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 27, 2025 at 6:15AM | Updated January 31, 2025 at 1:39PM

Dumfries is Virginia's oldest continually chartered town.

On January 24, 2025, the Virginia House of Delegates Cities, Counties, and Towns Committee reviewed several critical bills advanced. A charter amendment for the Town of Dumfries was unanimous, while a proposal to protect unhoused individuals seeking shelter in vehicles was rejected.

Delegate Candi Mundon King (D-Stafford, Woodbridge) introduced House Bill 2352, which proposes significant updates to the charter of Dumfries in Prince William County. The bill seeks to modernize the town’s governance structure and clarify its administrative framework. After receiving an 8–0 recommendation from the subcommittee, the committee voted 19–0 to report the bill to the full House of Delegates.

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News

Contraception protections advance in Virginia amid renewed debate

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 24, 2025 at 3:25PM

House Bill 1716, introduced by Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News, passed the House of Delegates on Thursday, while a companion bill from Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, cleared the Senate Education and Health Committee.

Last year, similar bills passed both chambers with bipartisan support but were ultimately vetoed by Youngkin.

News

Three Constitutional Amendments Move Forward in Virginia Senate

By The Center Square

Published January 23, 2025 at 2:46PM | Updated January 23, 2025 at 4:26PM

Virignia State Capitol

By Sarah Roderick Fitch

(The Center Square) – Three amendments are one step closer to being enshrined in the Virginia Constitution after passing the Senate on Tuesday. These amendments address abortion rights, marriage equality, and the restoration of voting rights for formerly incarcerated felons.

Originals

Panhandling Debate Sparks Mixed Opinions Among Stafford Supervisors

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 22, 2025 at 10:42PM | Updated January 25, 2025 at 11:17AM

A debate over proposed legislation targeting panhandling in road medians sparked a spirited discussion among Stafford County Supervisors during their January 21 meeting. The proposed bill, sponsored by Delegate Paul Milde (R-64, Stafford County), seeks to impose fines on motorists and pedestrians who exchange items in roadway medians to improve safety and reduce traffic disruptions.

The legislation was also a topic of discussion on the Potomac Local News Podcast, where Milde elaborated on his rationale behind the bill in an interview with Publisher Uriah Kiser.
During the podcast, Milde emphasized the safety and traffic issues posed by panhandling in medians.

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Schools

Lawmakers Target Misuse of ‘Homeless’ Designation in High School Sports Recruitment

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 22, 2025 at 9:30AM | Updated January 22, 2025 at 10:32AM

The legislation narrowly advanced to the full House on an 11-10 party-line vote in the House Education Committee. No lawmakers spoke on the bill ahead of the vote.

The bill comes in the wake of multiple controversies involving high school sports programs. In November, the Virginia High School League (VHSL) found Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria violated its eligibility rules for transferring by allowing multiple students to play on its football team.”

News

Local Va. senator pitches bill to relieve Digital Gateway landowners of their higher tax bills

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 21, 2025 at 10:03AM

McPike

Prince William Times – “Landowners who want to sell their properties for the Prince William Digital Gateway data center development and are suing Prince William County over their higher real estate tax bills were recently dealt a blow in court when a judge ruled against their case.

But they might have a Plan B, thanks to a bill sponsored by state Sen. Jeremy McPike.”