Marriage Equality Amendment and Other Legislation Advance

My 2025 Legislative Updates
Our first full week in session started off with a flurry of snowflakes and bills. The Virginia Senate Privileges and Elections Committee reported out my Marriage Equality Constitutional Amendment with bipartisan support (SJ 249).


I continue in my role as chair of the first Virginia Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology, with over a hundred bills to consider during this 2025 session. My bills include SB 1042, which would make it easier to become a Certified Public Accountant, and SB 1043, which would ensure sixty days notice when a landlord does not renew a tenant’s lease. Both reported out of the committee. On Friday, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee recommended passage of SB 880- a ban on the public carrying of assault weapons and SB 881, regarding restrictions on ‘ghost guns.’ 


On Monday, January 20th, we had a productive day of bills. The Virginia Committee on Justice considered SB 1053, addressing deepfake fraud and SB 1060, which would allow for the confiscation of tobacco and vapes possessed by minors. Also on Monday, the Virginia Committee of Commerce and Labor considered SB 1056, which would increase weekly unemployment maximum benefits, and SB 1057, which would raise the limits for unemployment compensation when working a part time job. We also considered SB 1280 in the Gaming Subcommittee of the General Laws Committee. This bill would ensure the posting of the problem gambling help line in places where gambling occurs.    
 
Constituent Visits
We had many productive discussions with constituents last week. 

I had a good meeting with Virginia community health leaders, including Dr. Basim Khan, who leads Neighborhood Health Services, to discuss continued healthcare access in medically underserved communities. Serving over 400,000 patients in 2023, Virginia’s health centers provide high-quality, comprehensive primary care for 1 in every 21 Virginians. 

I was glad to have met with local constituent activists from Students Demand Action and Moms Demand Action for their lobby day. We are working this session to do more to address gun violence.

I also met with the American Association of University Women of Virginia. I appreciate their advocacy and for coming to visit me in Richmond, advancing gender equity in the Commonwealth. 

I met with the Virginia Society of Public Accountants for their CPA Assembly Day. I am thankful for all the work CPAs perform and will continue to work with them in the future. 

Thank you for the continued opportunity to serve.