General Assembly Week 1: What Alexandria's lawmakers voted on, introduced

The Alexandria Brief is tracking legislation from the four state lawmakers who represent portions of Alexandria: Sen. Adam Ebbin (SD-39), Del. Charniele Herring (HD-4), Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (HD-5), and Del. Alfonso Lopez (HD-3).

Here’s what happened in Week 1.

Key votes

The General Assembly advanced four constitutional amendments to a statewide referendum expected in April:

Herring and Bennett-Parker co-patroned the redistricting and marriage equality amendments. Lopez co-patroned the reproductive rights, voting rights, and marriage equality amendments. The Alexandria Brief has reached out to Lopez for comment on his decision not to vote on redistricting.

Alexandria lawmakers back constitutional amendments on redistricting, reproductive rights

Alexandria’s state legislators voted this week to advance four constitutional amendments to a statewide referendum expected in April, including a controversial proposal allowing lawmakers to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts mid-decade.

The Alexandria BriefRyan Belmore

Bills to watch

Here are some bills introduced by Alexandria-area lawmakers this week:

Housing & landlord-tenant

• HB4 (Bennett-Parker): Affordable housing preservation
• HB95 (Bennett-Parker): Landlord remedies for noncompliance
• HB379 (Bennett-Parker): Rental application fees and deposits

Education

• HB96 (Bennett-Parker): Free school breakfast for all students
• HB912 (Lopez): Protects students from immigration-status discrimination
• HB913 (Lopez): Reverses recent Superintendent of Public Instruction actions

Firearms

• HB93 (Bennett-Parker): Firearms transfers to prohibited persons
• HB916 (Lopez): Concealed handgun permit competence requirements
• HB919 (Lopez): Firearms and ammunition tax

Workers & employment

• HB627 (Herring): Bans non-compete agreements for health care workers
• HB949 (Lopez): Non-compete agreement restrictions
• HB1319 (Ebbin, chief co-patron): Unemployment benefits duration
• HB1320 (Ebbin, chief co-patron): Increase weekly unemployment benefit

Energy & environment

• HB397 (Herring): Clean energy and flood preparedness
• HB914 (Lopez): Local Environmental Impact Fund
• HB377 (Bennett-Parker): Building code energy efficiency

Immigration

• HB915 (Lopez): Tax extension during federal government shutdown

Other

• HB400 (Herring): Motion picture production tax credit increase
• SB129 (Ebbin): Fantasy sports regulation and taxation

What’s next

Gov. Abigail Spanberger was inaugurated today. She will address a joint session of the General Assembly on Monday. Lawmakers will continue committee work next week.

Key dates

• Jan. 17: Spanberger inauguration
• Jan. 19: Spanberger addresses joint session
• Jan. 20: House District 5 firehouse primary
• Jan. 23: Last day to submit legislation
• Feb. 10: Senate District 39 and House District 5 special elections
• Feb. 12 (approx.): Crossover deadline
• Feb. 18: Ebbin, Bennett-Parker resignations take effect
• Feb. 26: Deadline for each chamber to act on its budget proposal
• March 9: Last day for committee action
• March 14: Session adjourns sine die
• April (TBD): Constitutional amendments referendum
• April 22: Reconvened session