At 12:01 AM this Monday, July 1, most of the legislation that passed during the 2024 General Assembly and signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin will go into effect.
Below are summaries of several of the changes to the law that will go into effect on July 1. Clicking on the bill link will take you to the Legislative Information System for the bill where you can find the full legislative text, fiscal impact estimates, summaries of the legislation, and every recorded vote that was taken on that bill, and links to companion legislation.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve our Commonwealth in the Virginia Senate.
Sincerely,
David Suetterlein
New Laws Effective July 1
Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Required
Ruff SB951 (2023) Senate 36-3 House 82-16 - I voted Yes
The option to pay a $500 fee to register an uninsured motor vehicle is repealed. This legislation passed during the 2023 General Assembly but had a delayed effective date.
Expanding Services to Intellectually Disabled Virginians
Suetterlein SB610 Senate 39-0 House 98-0 - I voted Yes, this was my bill
The duration to contract services for an intellectually disabled Virginian has been extended to 365 days. This was part of the policy changes needed to accompany Governor Youngkin's successful budget proposal to fully fund the Priority 1 Waivers.
New Local 15 MPH Speed Limits
Carr HB1071 House 53-46 Senate 23-17 - I voted No
Local governments have expanded authority to set 15 MPH speed limit zones in residential and commercial areas.
18 Years of Age Minimum for Marriage
Keys-Gamarra HB994 House 57-40 Senate 39-1 - I voted Yes
Only individuals over the age of 18 may be legally married.
Aligning Workforce Development with Private Sector Data
Suetterlein SB436 Senate 39-0 House 98-0, I voted Yes, this was my bill
This legislation makes several changes to Virginia's Workforce Development programs including using private sector employer data to prioritize high demand work force training programs and expanding the Apprentice Council.
"Right to Road Kill"
Wilt HB1025 House 98-0 Senate 37-3 - I voted Yes
Allows any deer, bear, turkey, or elk that appears to have been killed in a collision with a motor vehicle to be claimed by and awarded to any person.
Petersburg Casino Authorized
Aird SB628 Senate 32-8 House 80-19 - I voted No
The previously authorized casino in Richmond has been repealed after being defeated in two voter referenda and now Petersburg may seek a casino.
College Legacy Admissions Ban
VanValkenburg SB46 Senate 39-0 House 99-0 - I voted Yes
Virginia public colleges and universities are prohibited from giving preferential treatment in the admission process because of an applicant's familial relationship to a contributor.
Legality of To-Go Cocktails Made Permanent
Rouse SB635 Senate 40-0 House 82-16 - I voted Yes
The expiration of a temporary law passed soon after the emergence of COVID-19 that allowed the sale of mixed drinks for off-site consumption was repealed meaning businesses may continue selling them.
Failing Primary Candidates Cannot Refile for the General Election
Suetterlein SB109 Senate 30-10 House 89-11 - I voted Yes, this was my bill
Candidates cannot withdraw from a primary election after early voting has begun and then file as an independent or candidate of another party for the same office in the general election. This reverses an errant legal opinion and restores the Commonwealth's long understood policy on the subject. Delegate Joe McNamara carried the companion HB90.
New Penalty for Providing Firearm to Child Identified as Posing a Violent Threat
VanValkenbuerg SB44 Senate 27-13 House 55-45 - I voted Yes
It is now a class a class 5 felony for any parent or person responsible for the care of a child under the age 18 whose willful act of omission causes or enables that child to gain possession of a fire arm after having received a notice that child poses a violent threat or that adult knows the child has previously been convicted of adjudicated delinquent for a violent felony. This specific law was in response to Lucia Bremer's tragic death.
State Agencies to Posses Naloxone
Hope HB342 House 95-0 Senate 40-0 - I voted Yes
The Department of Health to develop a plan for the procurement and distribution of naloxone or other opioid antagonists to each state agency and for the possession of naloxone or other opioid antagonists.
NOTE: A list of the 824 bills signed into law by Governor Youngkin this year is available here. The vast majority are technical, local, or minor changes to existing law. A record 201 bills passed the 2024 General Assembly and were vetoed by the Governor. Most of these bills were highly partisan and many passed on strict party-line votes. A list of vetoed bills is available here.
Ruff SB951 (2023) Senate 36-3 House 82-16 - I voted Yes
The option to pay a $500 fee to register an uninsured motor vehicle is repealed. This legislation passed during the 2023 General Assembly but had a delayed effective date.
Expanding Services to Intellectually Disabled Virginians
Suetterlein SB610 Senate 39-0 House 98-0 - I voted Yes, this was my bill
The duration to contract services for an intellectually disabled Virginian has been extended to 365 days. This was part of the policy changes needed to accompany Governor Youngkin's successful budget proposal to fully fund the Priority 1 Waivers.
New Local 15 MPH Speed Limits
Carr HB1071 House 53-46 Senate 23-17 - I voted No
Local governments have expanded authority to set 15 MPH speed limit zones in residential and commercial areas.
18 Years of Age Minimum for Marriage
Keys-Gamarra HB994 House 57-40 Senate 39-1 - I voted Yes
Only individuals over the age of 18 may be legally married.
Aligning Workforce Development with Private Sector Data
Suetterlein SB436 Senate 39-0 House 98-0, I voted Yes, this was my bill
This legislation makes several changes to Virginia's Workforce Development programs including using private sector employer data to prioritize high demand work force training programs and expanding the Apprentice Council.
"Right to Road Kill"
Wilt HB1025 House 98-0 Senate 37-3 - I voted Yes
Allows any deer, bear, turkey, or elk that appears to have been killed in a collision with a motor vehicle to be claimed by and awarded to any person.
Petersburg Casino Authorized
Aird SB628 Senate 32-8 House 80-19 - I voted No
The previously authorized casino in Richmond has been repealed after being defeated in two voter referenda and now Petersburg may seek a casino.
College Legacy Admissions Ban
VanValkenburg SB46 Senate 39-0 House 99-0 - I voted Yes
Virginia public colleges and universities are prohibited from giving preferential treatment in the admission process because of an applicant's familial relationship to a contributor.
Legality of To-Go Cocktails Made Permanent
Rouse SB635 Senate 40-0 House 82-16 - I voted Yes
The expiration of a temporary law passed soon after the emergence of COVID-19 that allowed the sale of mixed drinks for off-site consumption was repealed meaning businesses may continue selling them.
Failing Primary Candidates Cannot Refile for the General Election
Suetterlein SB109 Senate 30-10 House 89-11 - I voted Yes, this was my bill
Candidates cannot withdraw from a primary election after early voting has begun and then file as an independent or candidate of another party for the same office in the general election. This reverses an errant legal opinion and restores the Commonwealth's long understood policy on the subject. Delegate Joe McNamara carried the companion HB90.
New Penalty for Providing Firearm to Child Identified as Posing a Violent Threat
VanValkenbuerg SB44 Senate 27-13 House 55-45 - I voted Yes
It is now a class a class 5 felony for any parent or person responsible for the care of a child under the age 18 whose willful act of omission causes or enables that child to gain possession of a fire arm after having received a notice that child poses a violent threat or that adult knows the child has previously been convicted of adjudicated delinquent for a violent felony. This specific law was in response to Lucia Bremer's tragic death.
State Agencies to Posses Naloxone
Hope HB342 House 95-0 Senate 40-0 - I voted Yes
The Department of Health to develop a plan for the procurement and distribution of naloxone or other opioid antagonists to each state agency and for the possession of naloxone or other opioid antagonists.
NOTE: A list of the 824 bills signed into law by Governor Youngkin this year is available here. The vast majority are technical, local, or minor changes to existing law. A record 201 bills passed the 2024 General Assembly and were vetoed by the Governor. Most of these bills were highly partisan and many passed on strict party-line votes. A list of vetoed bills is available here.
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