House Democrats pass 849 bills, 84% of them bipartisan
RICHMOND, VA – This morning, Virginia House Democrats held a post crossover press conference. Virginia House Democrats have proudly passed 849 bills – 225 of which build a more affordable Commonwealth by lowering the cost of buying and renting, reducing the cost of co-pays, medicine, doctor visits, and premiums, lowering utility bills, and expanding access to affordable child care. Additionally, 84% of bills were passed with bipartisan support.
“Republicans and right-wing media can spin the narrative all they want,” said Speaker Scott. “At the end of the day, Virginia families will be spending less on their rent, utility bills, health care, and child care because of legislation House Democrats passed– and that’s what really matters.”
“Virginia House Democrats have been laser-focused on lowering costs for Virginia families – and we’ve delivered,” said Leader Herring. “We’ve passed significant legislation that will lower the cost of basic necessities for Virginians.”
“Bills passed by House Democrats will allow Virginians to spend less on basic necessities and keep more money in their pockets,” said Chair Tran. “We came here to represent Virginians of all backgrounds, and we’re delivering real results they will see every time they check their bank account balance.”
Highlighted legislation passed by House Democrats:
Top priorities:
- HB1 (Ward) – Minimum wage; increases incrementally to $15.00 per hour by January 1, 2028.
- HB2 (Sickles) – Electric utilities; energy efficiency upgrades, report.
- HB3 (LeVere Bolling) – Income-Qualified Energy Efficiency and Weatherization Task Force; established, definitions, report.
- HB4 (Bennett-Parker) – Affordable housing; preservation, definitions, civil penalty.
- HB5 (Convirs-Fowler) – Employment; Paid sick leave, civil penalty.
- HB6 (Price) – Contraception; establishes right to obtain, applicability, enforcement.
Child care
- HB18 (McClure) – Employee Child Care Assistance Pilot Program; established, report.
- HB211 (Gardner) – Head start, etc., Head Start State Collaboration Office to develop for endorsement a report, etc.
- HB1208 (Sewell) – Public education; early childhood care and education; child care access calculation; report.
Energy
- HB397 (Herring) – Clean energy and community flood preparedness; market-based trading program.
Healthcare
- HB483 (Delaney) – Prescription Drug Affordability Board established; drug cost affordability review.
- HB484 (Shin) – Health insurance; ethics and fairness in carrier business practices; downcoded claims..
- HB618 (Shin) – Health insurance; reporting requirements.
- HB625 (Henson) – Health insurance; limit on cost-sharing payments for prescription drugs under certain plans.
- HB676 (Maldonado) – Health insurance; carrier business practices; electronic attachments.
- HB701 (Maldonado) – Health insurance; notice of adverse determinations and right to request external review.
- HB1207 (Sewell) – Paid family and medical leave insurance program; notice requirements; civil action.
- HB1214 (Delaney) – Health insurance; cost-sharing payments for insulin and diabetes equipment and supplies; limit.
Housing
- HB174 (Feggans) – Va. Residential Landlord & Tenant Act; early termination of rental agreement by military personnel.
- HB281 (Callsen) – Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; defense to action for possessions for nonpayment of rent.
- HB616 (Anthony) – Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; tenant records.
- HB837 (McClure) – Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; Eviction Diversion Program, alters eligibility.
- HB1005 (Tran) – Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; rental payment methods, prohibited fees.
- HB1078 (Hernandez) – Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; adverse action by landlord, tenant remedies.
- HB1093 (Hernandez) – Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, attorney fees capped.
- HB1325 (Maldonado) – Manufactured Home Lot Rental Act; landlord obligations.
- HB1408 (Schmidt) – Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, rental agreement noncompliance.
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