Richard L. Saslaw

This bill requires all health insurance policies offered in the state to provide coverage for contraceptive drugs and devices without any deductible or cost-sharing requirement. Health insurers were previously required to "offer and make available" such coverage, but this bill requires the coverage be "provided." At least one version of contraceptive drugs and devices must be covered at no cost, though insurers must also cover at no cost a drug or device if recommended by a healthcare provider based on an individual's "medical need." Oppose is the Limited Government Position as each and every health insurance mandate or price control on co-payments prevents an individual from selecting a plan with just basic or customized coverages to fit their specific needs. As a result, health insurers are forced to only offer costly plans loaded with coverages that most individuals do not need. This can result in lower-income or younger individuals choosing to purchase no insurance plan at all due to the high cost.

Hiking Health Insurance Premiums by Mandating Insurers Provide Contraceptive Drugs and Devices to Enrollees at No Cost or Co-Pay.

This bill authorizes local governments to issue bonds (debt) to build and run "entertainment arenas" for activities such as concerts and sporting events. The projects are said to be funded through sales tax revenue generated at the facility. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as building and managing entertainment facilities is not one of the limited functions of government. Additionally, this measure places taxpayers at risk via bond issuance, especially if such facility does not generate the expected amount of revenue. The private sector and free market is the best mechanism to determine the need and provide investment for entertainment facilities.

Growing the Size and Scope of Government and Indebting Taxpayers by Authorizing Government to Build "Entertainment Arenas" Funded through Sales Tax Revenue.

This bill increases the likelihood that a Court will authorize a firearm seizure under the state's existing "red flag" law, which allows an individual to submitan "ex-parte" (one-sided) petition to a court if the individual alleges the person is a danger to themselves or others. Specifically, the bill establishes a list of various factors (such as recent acquisition of a firearm or ammunition and other life history) a judge must consider when reviewing a petition. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the state's "red flag" program already lacks provisions that prevent nefarious individuals from abusing the system to harass or harm law-abiding individuals. These new provisions only make the program worse, further infringing Second Amendment protections and leaving individuals defenseless.

Seizing Firearms without Due Process by Further Worsening the State's "Red Flag" Law.

This bill establishes a new health insurance mandate concerning mental health. It requires all healthcare policies offered in the state to provide coverage for "mobile crisis response services" and "support and stabilization services provided in a residential crisis stabilization unit". Furthermore, the coverages provided for these services must be equal as in-office settings. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as each and every health insurance mandate or price control prevents an individual from selecting a plan with just basic or customized coverages to fit their specific needs. As a result, health insurers are forced to only offer costly plans loaded with coverages that most individuals do not need. This can result in lower-income or younger individuals choosing to purchase no insurance plan at all due to the high cost.

Hiking Insurance Premiums by Mandating all Insurance Plans Now Provide Coverage for "Mobile Crisis Response Services" Concerning Mental Health.

This bill allows property owners to sue and recover damages from local land use and zoning boards. The bill applies to cases where the enforcement action of a locality was "based upon a willful disregard for applicable law, regulation, or ordinance." Support is the Limited Government Position as draconian land use and zoning laws across the state - especially within Loudon County, VA - have infringed on the property rights of landowners and resulted in high housing costs due to the failures of government central planning. This measure serves as a step in the right direction by providing property owners some protection and ability to combat government overreach.

Ensuring Compensation for Property Owners who are Victim to Unlawful Actions by Land Use and Zoning Authorities. 

This bill allows public utility companies and broadband service providers to leave service and maintenance vehicles on private property without the consent of the property owner for up to 72 hours if being used for service or maintenance, as long as it doesn't block access to the property. Property owners are prohibited from having the vehicles removed during the 72 hour period. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill infringes on private property rights by allowing storage of vehicles on private property without the property owner's consent for an unreasonable amount of time.

Infringing Property Rights by Permitting Utility Companies to Store Vehicles on Land-Owners Property Without their Consent for an Unreasonable 72 Hour Period.

This bill prohibits the usage of aftermarket headlights that appear as a blue light on motor vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, and other personal mobility devices. Lawmakers cited concerns about glare from blue lights as the reason for the ban. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this excessive one-size-fits-all ban unduly infringes on the freedom of automotive enthusiasts to customize their vehicles as they wish. Such a significant government action should only be taken in cases of direct and significant safety implications, not on the basis of preventing a mere nuisance for certain motorists.

Weakening Automotive Freedom by Imposing an Overreaching Ban on Aftermarket Headlights which Appear as a Blue Light on Vehicles, Motorcycles, Bicycles and Scooters.

This bill extends the amount of time from 5 days to 14 days after rent is due that a landlord must wait to begin the legal process to evict a non-paying tenant. Under current law, the eviction process in Virginia takes roughly three to four months.  Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill weakens property rights and ultimately drives up housing costs for everyone by exposing landlords to greater levels of risk and expense due to tenant non-payment.

Weakening Property Rights and Further Delaying the Eviction Process by Extending from 5 Days to 14 Days the Amount of Time Before a Landlord May Seek Legal Remedies for Tenant Non-Payment.

This bill requires the Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission to include in their annual report the name of any judge that is determined to have violated the Canons of Judicial Conduct (ethics rules) and received disciplinary action. The specific violation along with the disciplinary action taken must also be publicly disclosed. Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure helps reduce corruption and conflicts of interest by strengthening transparency and accountability while helping ensure government is accountable to the people.

Strengthening Government Transparency through the Public Disclosure of Judges who Violate Ethics Rules.

This bill mandates minimum staffing levels for nursing homes and empowers the State Health Commissioner to impose sanctions, such as restrictions on admissions, and potentially revoke a facility's license for a violation of said sanctions. Oppose is the limited government position as this one-size-fits-all mandate drives up nursing home costs by increasing operating costs for facilities. Instead of imposing new, burdensome mandates, lawmakers should empower the free market to make nursing home care more affordable and accessible by reducing regulations and other anti-competitive measures.

Hiking Nursing Home Costs by Imposing New Government Mandates on Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Levels.

This bill expands the authority of the Clean Energy Advisory Board and directs the board to apply for federal funding under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to expand solar energy and energy efficiency projects. Additionally, the bill now authorizes grants and increases rebate payout amounts under the Low-to-Moderate Income Solar Fund and Program for solar energy installation and energy efficiency projects. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill further grows government interference in the energy market while significantly driving up taxpayer costs at both the state and federal level in order to advance a politicized environmental agenda.

Advancing a Politicized "Environmental Justice" Agenda by Further Empowering the Clean Energy Advisory Board and Directing More Taxpayer Funds to Solar and Greenhouse Gas Initiatives.

This bill creates the "Cloud Computing Cluster Infrastructure Grant Fund" to provide grants to companies that invest at least $50 billion and create at least 1,500 full-time jobs. Additionally, the bill allows for an extension of the sales and use tax exemption for computer equipment and enabling software used in data centers. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as all state and local tax codes should be constructed in a broadly applied manner with the lowest rates possible for everyone. The central planning and tax cronyism enacted under this measure provides special benefits and advantages to certain industries and individuals - such as Amazon and Jeff Bezos - while shifting tax burdens onto small business and other taxpayers.  Instead, lawmakers should instead provide a broad tax cut across all industries, which will allow the free market to provide far greater job and business growth.

Expanding Cronyism by Providing Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Corporate Welfare to Amazon and Jeff Bezos through the Extension of the Data Center Sales Tax Exemption.

This bill establishes the "Virginia Firearm Industry Standards of Responsible Conduct", which imposes onto firearm manufacturers several new "standards of responsible conduct" requirements and regulations. The bill then authorizes an individual to sue a manufacturer if they fail to comply with a regulation and an individual suffers damages (such as an injury or death from a third-party's unlawful usage of a firearm). Oppose is the Limited Government Position as James Madison and our nation's other founding fathers understood that the right to keep and bear arms is a crucial individual liberty and protects the citizenry against a tyrannical government. This measure is primarily designed to advance a gun-control agenda and drive firearm manufacturers out of business by subjecting them to frivolous litigation due to their customer's usage of their products - something they can't control.

Weakening Second Amendment Rights by Subjecting Firearm Manufactures to Frivolous Litigation Based on the Usage of Their Products by Criminals.

This bill allows individuals who have been incarcerated for a period of 15 years or more to petition to be released or have their sentence reduced. The bill applies to nearly all individuals and crimes except in cases such as first-degree murder, while also allowing for mandatory minimum sentences to be disregarded. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as arguably the most important function of government is maintaining national and local public safety, and disregarding jury sentences and releasing violent criminals with histories of rape and murder places communities at significant risk. Unfortunately, this bill represents one of many so-called criminal justice "reforms", which have led to skyrocketing crime rates and are being advanced in state legislatures by left-leaning billionaires through their funding of liberal - and even some conservative - advocacy organizations.

Threatening Public Safety by Providing Dangerous Criminals Involved with Murder, Rape and Violent Crime a "Second Look" to be Released or Sentences Reduced if they Have Served 15 Years.

This bill requires the State Corporation Commission to establish a "shared solar program" for Appalachian Power Customers. This program authorizes customers to purchase power through a subscription in a shared solar facility and contains a requirement that at least 30% of program participants be made up of low-income customers. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this program, like similar "net-metering" solar subsidy schemes, fail to account for the significant power transmission costs and other operational expenses incurred by utility companies. As a result, these costs are transferred onto all other power customers through higher electricity rates, placing unnecessary additional financial burdens onto businesses and families across the region.

Hiking Electricity Rates for Appalachian Power Customers through the Creation of a "Shared Solar Program".

This bill clarifies that an employer may appeal a decision by the Department of Taxation (DoT), stating that the DoT misclassified the employers' workers under state labor law. This may occur before the employer is officially debarred from public contracts with the state. Under prior law it was unclear if an employer had this right. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill strengthens due process while also potentially reducing taxpayer costs through increased competition in the procurement process. The private contracting agreements between employer and workers should not be a concern of the state in the first place, but this bill at least helps provide employers with an avenue to contest the government overreach.

Strengthening Due Process by Ensuring State Contractors Have an Opportunity to Appeal an Employee Misclassification Determination Before They Are Debarred from Public Contracts.

This bill creates the "Virginia Power Innovation Fund" to provide taxpayer funds for research and development of "innovative energy technologies." Additionally, the bill enacts a "Virginia Power Innovation Program" to develop a "Virginia nuclear innovation hub" and provide taxpayer-funded grants for purposes such as nuclear research and workforce development. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as taxpayer funds should not be utilized to advance government-favored energy projects. The free-market - not central planning by government bureaucrats - is the best mechanism to direct investment to the most promising and worthy energy projects.

Expanding Cronyism and Wasteful Spending through the Creation of a "Virginia Power Innovation Fund" to Dole out Grants for Government-Favored Energy Projects.

This bill extends any land use approvals (such as subdivision plats) that were approved by a locality as of July 1, 2020 to now be approved through July 1, 2025. The bill is intended to help property owners and developers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Support is the Limited Government Position as draconian land use and zoning laws across the state - especially within Loudon County, VA - have infringed on the property rights of landowners and resulted in high housing costs due to the failures of government central planning. This measure serves as a step in the right direction to ensure property owners who have received approval under these heavy-handed regimes are able to develop their land as they planned.

Protecting Property Rights by Extending the Local Land Use Approvals that Were Valid at the Start of the Pandemic.

This bill requires any landlord of an apartment complex who decides not to renew either 20 or more month-to-month tenancies (or more than 50% of their tenancies) to provide the tenants at least 60 days' notice. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this measure invokes even greater government interference into private contracting agreements while creating additional avenues for frivolous litigation.

Weakening Property Rights by Imposing a New Mandate on Apartment Complexes Requiring 60 Day Notice if They Wish to Not Renew Multiple Tenant Leases.

This bill prohibits an employer from seeking the previous wage or salary history of a prospective employee during the hiring process. Additionally, if an applicant voluntarily provides such information, an employer may be sued for basing any wage offerings off the salary history. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill imposes a new government mandate that infringes on the private contracting rights of employers and employees and subjects employers to new avenues of lawsuit abuse. It is also noteworthy that the federal government requires salary history from applicants in its employment application process.

Infringing Private Contracting Rights through New Government Mandates Preventing Employers from Seeking Previous Salary History of Prospective Employees.

This bill prohibits any person, other than manufacturers, dealers, and importers, from selling or purchasing an unfinished firearm frame or receiver if it does not have a serial number. This measure has the largest impact on individuals who construct their own home-made firearms and hobbyists who trade parts. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as James Madison and our nation's other founding fathers understood that the right to keep and bear arms is a crucial individual liberty and protects the citizenry against a tyrannical government. This measure imposes unnecessary barriers for lawful individuals wishing to exercise their Second Amendment rights, barriers that do nothing to deter criminals from engaging in unlawful behavior.

Infringing Second Amendment Rights through an Overreaching New Ban on So-Called "Ghost Guns" and Components which Limit the Ability of Hobbyists to Construct their Own Firearms.

This bill creates the "Virginia Business Ready Sites Acquisition Program" to acquire and develop land for private-sector "large-scale economic development projects." The bill requires that these companies pay employees the local prevailing wage. As passed, the bill included the Governor's recommended amendments. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as lawmakers should not further expand the size and scope of government to engage in "economic development". The free-market - not government central planning - is the best mechanism to foster business growth. Additionally, this cronyism enriches select corporations favored by government, while transferring tax burdens to other businesses and individuals by diluting the tax base.

Growing Government Central Planning Powers and Interference in the Private Sector Through a New Bureaucracy Known as the "Virginia Business Ready Sites Acquisition Program".

This bill allows the Attorney General to designate up to 30 members of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit as sworn investigators. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill improves the ability to investigate potential Medicaid fraud, which, combined with Medicare fraud, costs taxpayers across the nation more than $100 billion annually.

Strengthening Government Integrity by Increasing the Ability of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to Investigate Fraud Within the Welfare Program.

This bill allows localities to impose ordinances that prevent property owners from developing their land (commercial, industrial, and multifamily residential housing) unless the structures contain electric vehicle charging stations. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the free market - not government politicians and bureaucrats - are best equipped to determine the need, placement and amount of electric vehicle charging stations and infrastructure. This bill will lead to even more draconian land use and zoning laws across the state - such as Loudon County, VA - which infringe on the property rights of landowners.

Authorizing Localities to Further Infringe Property Rights through Electric Vehicle Charging Mandates as Part of Land use Approval for New Developments.

This bill allows property owners who successfully appeal a "stop work order" (an order to stop construction) issued by a locality to recover court costs and attorney and witness fees from the locality. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill helps combat and dissuade government overreach by holding government accountable for its overreach. Additionally, the bill helps lessen the financial burden placed on property owners due to the wrongful actions of government bureaucrats.

Combatting Government Overreach by Requiring Localities to Reimburse Property Owners Legal Costs for Successfully Challenging Stop Work Orders.

This bill creates the "Prescription Drug Affordability Board" to conduct "affordability" reviews of prescription medications and set price limits on any prescription drug determined to present an "affordability challenge" or "high out-of-pocket costs." Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the nation witnessed first-hand the disastrous consequences and cost of growing government regulatory power in healthcare (i.e. Obamacare). Imposing price controls and further growing government control will merely add "fuel to the fire". Lawmakers (especially at the federal level) should work to increase competition and advance a freer market through significant regulatory reduction within the industry - especially at the FDA.

Growing Government Control over Healthcare through the Creation of a New Board to Impose Price Controls on Prescription Drugs.

This bill removes the prohibition on carrying most concealed switchblade knives, thus allowing them to now be carried in the state. Support is the Limited Government Position as the bill strengthens individual liberties and the ability for individuals to protect themselves and others.

Strengthening Individual Liberties by Permitting Most Switchblade Knives to be Carried Concealed within the State.

This bill prohibits the Governor or any other governmental entity from issuing any emergency rule, regulation, or order that impose restrictions on places of worship that are more restrictive than restrictions placed on other businesses, organizations, or activities. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill protects the religious liberties of individuals during states of emergency. This is particularly necessary following the COVID-19 pandemic, in which many governors across the country restricted religious activities more severely than other types of gatherings.

Strengthening Religious Liberties by Ensuring Places of Worship are Not Subject to Any More Restrictive Government Emergency Order than Any Other Business.

This bill prohibits health insurers from adjusting premium rates based on tobacco usage, as was previously permitted, along with other relevant factors, such as age. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this measure - like all other health insurance mandates and price controls - prevents insurers from accurately assessing and pricing risk. As a result, health insurers are forced to only offer costly plans that are based on elevated risks and loaded with coverage most individuals do not need. This can result in lower-income or younger individuals choosing to purchase no insurance plan at all due to the high cost.

Hiking Health Insurance Premiums by Prohibiting Insurers from Adjusting Rates Based on Tobacco Usage.

This resolution amends the state's Constitution to provide localities the ability to grant property tax exemptions to "longtime, owner-occupied single-family homeowners with low income". Oppose is the Limited Government Position as these exemptions will dilute the tax base and result in lower revenue collections for localities. As a result, all other property owners will face tax hikes to make up for the lost revenue - thus making housing even less affordable for families.

Hiking Property Tax Rates through a Constitutional Amendment Allowing Localities to Dilute the Tax Base by Providing Exemptions to Select Individuals Based on Income or Low Financial Worth.

This bill creates a government-run Paid Family and Medical Leave program, which is funded through payroll taxes imposed on both employees and employers. The program provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave annually at a rate of 80% of the employees' average weekly wage. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this measure results in a pay cut for employees and further drives up hiring costs for employers. The private sector already offers numerous paid leave packages that employees and employers can purchase. This wealth transfer scheme forces individuals who don't want or need paid leave benefits to pay into a system that subsidizes the costs of individuals who want the paid leave. Instead of creating this state wealth transfer initiative, lawmakers should allow individuals to choose whether or not to purchase paid leave insurance through the private marketplace.

Hiking Employer and Employee Payroll Taxes by Forcing All Workers into a Government-Run Paid Leave Program.

This bill bans "assault firearms" and "large capacity" (more than 10 rounds) magazines manufactured on or after July 1, 2023. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as James Madison and our nation's other founding fathers understood that the right to keep and bear arms is a crucial individual liberty and protects the citizenry against a tyrannical government. Additionally, as congressionally mandated studies on the previous federal assault weapon ban concluded, the ban had no impact in curbing violent crime, as these bans do not deter criminals from continuing to engage in unlawful behavior.

Infringing Second Amendment Rights by Banning So-Called "Assault Firearms" and High-Capacity Magazines Manufactured After July 1, 2023.

This bill allows surgical assistants to immediately practice for up to 6 months following graduation from a training program while awaiting the results of a national certification examination. The bill also provides additional pathways for surgical technologists to satisfy educational requirements, including apprenticeship programs and hospital training programs. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill helps combat hospital staffing shortages by providing regulatory flexibility and reducing barriers to employment.

Combatting Hospital Staffing Shortages by Permitting Surgical Assistants to Begin Practice Immediately Following Graduation from a Training Program Under Certain Conditions.

This bill requires any landlord who owns more than four rental units to provide written notice to tenants of any increase in rent at least 60 days before the end of a rental agreement. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this measure invokes even greater government interference into private contracting agreements while creating additional avenues for frivolous litigation.

Infringing Private Contracting Rights through a New Government Mandate Requiring at Least 60 Days' Notice Prior to a Rent Increase for Residential Units.

This bill directs the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to adopt "limitations" on the ability of investor-owned utilities to disconnect services for nonpayment. Under the bill, utilities are forbidden from terminating service in cases where the Governor has declared a state of emergency due to a communicable disease public health threat, "during temperature weather extremes," or on a Friday, weekend, holiday, or the day before a holiday. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the rates utility companies charge are all set by the SCC and based on utility company operating costs. This measure further drives up operating costs by limiting the ability of utilities to disconnect for non-payment, thus leading to higher utility bills for all customers.

Hiking Utility Costs by Further Limiting the Ability of Utility Companies to Disconnect Services for Non-Payment

This bill accelerates the timeline that a public utility must construct an off-shore wind facility from 2034 to 2032. Additionally, the State Corporation Commission (SCC) must account for the projects "positive economic impacts and workforce development" when reviewing requests for cost recovery by a utility. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill unnecessarily hikes the costs of electricity for families and businesses in Virginia. Electricity procurement should be obtained from the most cost-effective sources to ensure the lowest costs for customers. Additionally, forcing the SCC to consider irrelevant factors in cost recovery merely enrich utility companies at the expense of customers.

Hiking Electricity Rates and Enriching Utility Companies by Accelerating Off-Shore Wind Construction.

This bill requires the Department of Social Services to develop an information sheet on SNAP welfare benefits and provide it to school boards. Each school board must ensure that both the information sheet and a free/reduced-price school meal application are sent home with each student at the beginning of the school year. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as lawmakers should not actively work to market and promote the growth of the welfare state. Such actions not only trap even more individuals into government dependency, but further crowd out the role of the charitable and private sector to care for such individuals and help them solve the underlying challenges to become self-sufficient - which government is abysmal at doing.

Growing Government Dependency and Welfare Promotion by Mandating Every School Student is Sent Home with an Application to Obtain Free or Reduced-Price Meals.

This bill creates the "Electric Vehicle Rural Infrastructure Program" to provide up to $25 million in grants annually to cover 70% of the costs for developers to install electric vehicle charging stations in "distressed localities" to benefit owners of electric vehicles. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as taxpayers should not be forced to fund the amenities of individuals who choose to purchase electric vehicles. It is a role of the private sector - not government - to fund such infrastructure, and this cronyism merely enriches select companies who construct these stations. The state must pursue every available avenue to reign in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Advancing a Politicized Electric Vehicle Agenda by Forcing Taxpayers to Provide $25 Million Annually to Select Developers for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.

This bill prevents businesses and organizations from offering disabled individuals employment opportunities that are below the state's $12 an hour minimum wage. Under the bill, the state's sub-minimum wage exceptions are eliminated, thus preventing anyone from performing services and being compensated less than $12 an hour. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill will likely decimate employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities as well as harm the ability of non-profit organizations to provide critical work-based social settings. The minimum wage - like all government price controls - prices individuals out of the market whose skills do not match the state's lofty wage and other employee benefit mandates.

Harming Social and Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities by Eliminating the Sub-Minimum Wage and Forcing them to Compete at the State's Lofty $12 Minimum Wage.

This bill expands the state's paid sick leave mandate to now include healthcare providers and grocery store employees, while also eliminating the requirement that an employee work at least 20 hours per week or 90 hours per month to be eligible. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this government interference drives up employment costs and may come at the expense of job opportunities, higher wages, and other employee benefits. Employers are already incentivized to provide the highest levels of benefits to their employees to retain their top talent and compete in the marketplace.

Reducing Employment Opportunities by Expanding Paid Sick Leave Mandates to Now Also Include Part-Time Healthcare and Grocery Workers.

This bill requires the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation regulatory boards to recognize occupational licenses and certificates held in other states to satisfy Virginia requirements. Support is the Limited Government Position as the private sector, via certifications, rating systems, and the free market, is much better equipped to provide consumer protection while also ensuring competition and low consumer costs. Most government licensing entities are overly restrictive and are largely advocated by special interests seeking to restrict competition in the marketplace.

Reducing Unnecessary and Excessive Barriers to Employment by Allowing the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation to Recognize Work Licenses from Other States.

This bill, known as the Affordable Energy Act, returns power to the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to review the base rates of utility companies, such as Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power, to ensure they are "just and reasonable". The bill is in response to studies that found the utility companies (government granted monopolies) have overcharged customers by nearly $2 billion. Support is the Limited Government Position as utility companies, which are granted government monopoly powers, should receive heavy review and scrutiny from regulators to ensure they are operating most efficiently and not enriching themselves at the expense of families and businesses through higher electricity rates.

Protecting Electricity Customers by Returning Power to the SCC to Review Rates and Provide Greater Oversight of Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power.

This bill prevents state employees and officers from downloading or accessing TikTok or other applications developed by ByteDance Ltd. or Tencent Holdings Ltd., both Chinese companies, on state devices or networks. Support is the Limited Government Position as the installation of such systems poses a significant and unnecessary threat to state and federal networks. Additionally, state employees should not be utilizing government equipment to access entertainment apps, such as TikTok.

Strengthening National Security by Banning TikTok and Other Chinese Government-Owned Applications from Being Accessed on State-Issued Devices or Networks.

This bill requires any person who possesses a firearm in a residence to store the firearm and ammunition in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet if there is someone residing in the home who is either under 18 or is prohibited from possessing a firearm. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this nanny-state and one size-fits-all mandate harms the ability of a responsible firearm owner to quickly defend themselves against an intruder.

Imposing Nanny-State Regulations on Firearm Storage which Weaken the Ability of Individuals to Defend Themselves Against Assailants.

This bill creates the "Precision Plastic Manufacturing Grant Fund" to provide up to $56 million in grants to the Denmark-based Lego company to help pay for its manufacturing and distribution facility in Chesterfield County. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this cronyism enriches a foreign-owned company at the expense of other small businesses and taxpayers. Instead of this government central planning scheme, lawmakers should have empowered the free market to provide much greater amounts of economic growth by lowering taxes for all companies through measures like HB 2138.

Expanding Cronyism and Enriching Woke Corporations by Providing $56 Million in Corporate Welfare to the Foreign-Owned Lego Company.

This bill allows localities to provide "regulatory flexibility" for an "urban green space," such as city parks, sports fields, and gardens, by allowing reduced permit fees and streamlined permit approval. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as, while reducing regulations is generally positive, this measure may incentivize localities to impose even more draconian regulations, then provide "relief" through this flexibility scheme. Lawmakers should not incentivize even greater central planning through this new tool that may be weaponized by radical environmental activists.

Worsening Government Central Planning Powers by Allowing Localities to Incentivize "Urban Green Spaces" Through Regulatory Flexibility.

This bill authorizes localities to establish "Business Improvement and Recruitment Districts" if approved by at least 50% of business owners. Businesses under the district would be forced to pay an additional tax for purposes of "economic development" and recruitment of other businesses to move to the area. Localities may establish a process by which businesses charged the tax may be eligible for a reduction in other taxes they may pay. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as lawmakers should not further expand the size and scope of government to engage in "economic development". The free-market - not government central planning - is the best mechanism to foster business growth. Additionally, this cronyism places additional unnecessary tax burdens on small businesses and potentially other taxpayers if localities dilute the tax base through other tax reductions for just the businesses within the district.

Expanding Cronyism and Government Central Planning Powers by Creating "Business Improvement Districts" which can Impose Additional Fees on Businesses for Promotion Activities.

This bill directs the Department of Social Services to provide additional information to food banks.  This information includes "outreach opportunities for providing food assistance" under the SNAP welfare program and details on how to enter into a contract with the Department to provide assistance. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as lawmakers should not actively work to market and promote the growth of the welfare state. Such actions not only trap even more individuals into government dependency, but further crowds out the charitable and private sector, reducing their ability to care for individuals in need. The private sector is best equipped to help solve the underlying challenges for individuals to become self-sufficient - which government is abysmal at doing.

Growing Government Dependency and Welfare Promotion by Mandating Food Banks Receive Information on SNAP Welfare Benefits Including Contracting with the State for Assistance.

This bill increases the amount of historic building rehabilitation tax credits that may be issued to one individual from $5 million to $10 million annually. Furthermore, if the property is located in a locality that has a "enterprise zone," an individual may receive an additional $10 million in subsidies. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as taxpayers should not be forced to pay for the renovation costs of privately-owned buildings that certain government officials deem "historic". Additionally, the free-market - not government central planning via "opportunity zones" - is the best mechanism to direct capital where it will provide the greatest return on investment. Instead of this tax cronyism, lawmakers should reduce zoning and regulatory barriers while improving public safety to spur redevelopment.

ILA

Richard L. Saslaw