NEW LAWS, SPECIAL SESSION & AROUND THE DISTRICT

New Laws in Effect

Annually on July 1, new laws go into effect from the preceding legislative session. These new Virginia laws range from every possible topic and issue imaginable. To easily review these laws, the Division of Legislative Services provides an updated version of their publication In Due Course with each new law categorized in one place.

Official Photos by Christian Martinez, Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin

We’re pleased that several of our bills have been signed and have gone into effect as well. Specifically, SB483 which ensures indoor vertical farm operations are treated the same as equipment used in traditional farm operations. Emerging industries like Plenty in Chesterfield and Beanstalk Farms in Manassas now benefit from this legislation and allow for a significant expansion of their investment in this cutting-edge industry. A few others we were pleased to see pass include:

SB484: Establishes the Community Builders Pilot Program for the purpose of reducing youth involvement in behaviors that lead to gun violence and increasing community engagement among public school students.
SB488: Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to seek federal authority through the necessary state plan amendments under Titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to modify the program rules for certain 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services Medicaid Waiver.
SB645: Sets out a procedure for determining when localities are in fiscal distress, as defined in the bill, and when state intervention may be necessary.

Furthermore, this is also when the budget goes into effect and all of the funding requests that were approved become available for use.

Special attention should also be paid to the new farm law that addresses past misuse of the unlicensed farm use vehicle that’s now in effect. The following vehicles claiming the Virginia Farm Use Exemption must obtain a permanent placard from your local DMV or DMV Select: (i) Pickup trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR); (GVWR) less than or equal to 7,500 pounds (ii) Panel trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) less than or equal to 7,500 pounds. AND (iii) SUVs with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Find out more about these changes here!

Special Session on VMSDEP

On July 18, the Virginia General Assembly returned to Richmond for a Special Session to address the many concerns raised regarding the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP). VMSDEP, which has been operational for nearly 94 years, is intended primarily to provide college tuition to children of active-duty service members killed or made permanently disabled while serving. After numerous expansions over time, costs have significantly skyrocketed. The program now includes coverage for stepchildren, dependents (the spouse and/or children, in this case) of veterans killed or disabled due to any service-related injury, meaning it didn’t have to be a conflict-related injury or death.

With the action taken during the Special Session earlier budget language was fully repealed and now $90 million will be provided from the fiscal year 2024 surplus to offset the costs of the program — contributing to $65 million each year of the 2024-2026 biennium. This is in addition to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) studying how to ensure the program’s long-term viability.

As the daughter of a naval veteran and now representing Fort Gregg-Adams and a district generally with a sizable population of veterans, we recognized firsthand and understand the expense felt by those in service. As we move forward on this issue, we will continue to work alongside the leadership in the General Assembly to ensure the position of those in SD-13 is well represented.

Updates to the Community & Events Around the District

Hopefully you’ve had an opportunity to join us at one of the many community events we’ve provided legislative updates at. Since May we’ve participated in tens of events and spent time discussing our legislative success and new laws that will have an impact moving forward. A few include:
The first regional meeting of the Virginia Association of Counties, which took place on May 3 in Prince George County, where counties from VACo regions 1 and 4 met at the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing.
Participating on the legislative panel for the Henrico Bar Association.

All throughout the district we have witnessed so many advancing in their educational journey by earning their high school diplomas or GED credential. It was particularly special to address the graduation ceremonies for the class of 2024 at Charles City County High School and personally commend the graduates of the Southside Adult Continuing Education GED ceremony.

Surry’s VA250 Committee Launch of Heritage Trail

Quiyoughcohannock Indian Tribe Principal Chief Rosa Holmes Turner, left, shows Senator Aird a warrior lance at a kickoff ceremony to celebrate the launch of Surry County’s cultural trail highlighting the Black and Indigenous history, (Photo courtesy of Stephen Faleski).

Established in 2020 to commemorate Virginia’s role in the 250th anniversary of American independence, the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) aims to form a more perfect union by educating Virginians about their history and civic duty and sharing diverse narratives that capture Virginia’s complete story and role in shaping the nation. Commemoration related events are already happening throughout Virginia and we were excited to attend the launch of Surry’s Heritage Trail as part of these commemorative events.
The Surry County VA250 Local Committee officially launched the Surry County Cultural Trail: Celebrating the Stories of African and Indigenous Communities, which had been in the works for over a year. The project presents the sites, history, experiences, and contributions of the African descendants and Indigenous People who have lived in Surry County from the 1600’s to today, in the form of a self-guided driving trail. Read more about the tour here.

Goodr Mobile Grocery Store

Dozens of individuals and families celebrated the ribbon cutting of the brand new Goodr Mobile Grocery Store, which will serve the residents of Petersburg with free and healthy food options and work toward combating the food desert in the City. The Goodr model is critical in a community where food insecurity continues to be a major challenge. As they bring their pop-up grocery experience directly into communities to allow families easy access to food for free, keep up with their schedule and when they will be available here.

Read more about the ribbon cutting ceremony here.

Lamb Healing Arts Groundbreaking

For years the **Hopewell Lamb Center for Arts and Healing** has been serving the community through their programs for holistic wellness. We joined them for their groundbreaking ceremony–beginning the journey to give them a permanent location to offer their services from.

The Lamb Center for Arts and Healing has been serving the community of Hopewell since 2016 with free healing and art programs that serve more than 7,000 people annually. The acquisition of a permanent operational space is going to prove to be transformational for their continued progress, and I am excited to see the work they will accomplish. Read more about the groundbreaking ceremony here.

META Community Action Grants

Meta's annual Data Center Community Action Grants program provides direct funding to schools, registered nonprofits and community organizations in locations where they have an operational data center. It was exciting to participate in this year’s program celebrating the community award winners who are dedicated to improving the life of those living in Henrico by enhancing the power of technology to use for community benefit, connecting people online or off, and investing in local science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

Parks and Recreation Month

Summers are made for making new memories and experiences together while fully appreciating the outdoors. We hope you can do the same, especially if you have children on summer break. In that spirit, July is Parks and Recreation Month and communities throughout the district are home to some of the best parks and recreation teams! Take some time to review the upcoming events around you and enjoy what remains of what has already been a beautiful summer!

Summer Office Hours

To allow the team time to rest and reset, our offices were closed for summer break through July 22, 2024. All communications received during this time will be responded to and we are grateful for your understanding while we do so. We continue to otherwise be accessible via email at senatoraird@senate.virginia.gov or by phone at 804-698-7513.

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