This Week From Del. Matt Fariss

Last week we reached Crossover in the Virginia Assembly, known as the last day for a bill to pass out of the chamber in which it was introduced and move forward for consideration in the opposite chamber. Of the 1,593 House Bills introduced, 766 have been sent to the Senate. Of the 898 Senate Bills introduced, 578 have been sent to the House. This week’s newsletter highlights notable House legislation heading to the Senate.

After more than two-years of following patchwork COVID-19 protocols that have resulted in tremendous loss of learning, it’s time for Virginia to put students first once again. Notable legislation that has passed the House includes HB 4, which rolls back a 2020 law that made reporting of some serious crimes, including sexual battery, in schools to law enforcement optional. HB 873 ensures school resource officers are present in every public school. HB 340 ensures that our high school students have multiple options to achieve an advanced diploma. HB 563 creates a school construction fund to help local governments rebuild crumbling schools.

Additionally, Senate Bill 739, the bill to end mask mandates in Virginia’s public schools, is now the law of the land thanks to Governor Youngkin, as he signed the bill into law on February 16th. The law is in effect now, but it contains a grace period for schools to come into compliance until March 1st.

Virginians are facing staggering price increases on everything from gasoline, to groceries, to housing and shelter and other essentials. As it stands, inflation rates have reached a 40-year high. This session, the majority has passed legislation designed to put cash back in the pocket of the taxpayer. Notable legislation heading to the Senate includes HB 90, which repeals the grocery tax, giving families an automatic 2.5 percent discount when they go shopping. HB 118 repeals legislation that would cost Virginians $800 a year more on their electric bills. HB 472 doubles the Standard Deduction for Virginia income tax filers, letting Virginians keep more of their own hard-earned paychecks. HB 935 provides tax rebates of $300 to every filer, $600 to joint filers.

There’s more to this in the current issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Support local journalism by purchasing the issue at a local newsstand or subscribing at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to receive the print edition or view the full article in the e-edition version.