2025 VA Legislative Scorecard

HB1736 proposed establishing the Virginia Center for Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention within the Department of Criminal Justice Services. This center would serve as the state's primary resource for "research," "best practices," and "strategies" aimed at reducing firearm violence through "community-based" programs.

The Virginia State House of Delegates passed HB1736 on February 18, 2025 by a vote of 52 to 43. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this bill unnecessarily expands government by creating a new state office whose underlying purpose appears to be an infringement on the Second Amendment-protected right to keep and bear arms. Rather than promoting public safety, the bill paves the way for increased regulation and oversight that could be used to restrict lawful gun ownership.

SB927 establishes the Virginia Sports Tourism Grant Program, administered by the Virginia Tourism Authority. The program provides grants to local entities—such as sports commissions, convention and visitors bureaus, and municipal departments—to develop and attract sports-tourism activities across the state. The goal is to boost economic development by increasing sports-related travel and events in Virginia. The bill requires the Tourism Authority to set guidelines for awarding grants and to report annually on the program's outcomes.

The Virginia State House of Delegates passed SB927 on February 13, 2025 by a vote of 90 to 7. We have assigned pluses to the nays because it expands the role of government into areas best left to the private sector by using taxpayer dollars to fund sports-tourism projects through grants. This is a clear example of corporate welfare that picks winners and losers, favoring politically connected industries or localities at the expense of others. Government should not be in the business of subsidizing tourism or entertainment ventures, as doing so distorts the free market and misuses public funds.

HB2193 restrict the deployment of the Virginia National Guard into active combat situations unless Congress has officially declared war or taken constitutional action to execute U.S. laws, repel invasions, or suppress insurrections. The bill defines "active duty combat" and aims to ensure that the National Guard is not sent into combat without explicit federal authorization. This legislation reflects concerns about the use of state military forces in overseas conflicts without formal congressional approval.

The Virginia State House of Delegates passed HB2193 on February 4, 2025 by a vote of 99 to 0. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because this would nullify unconstitutional federal deployments of the National Guard. A congressional declaration of war is constitutionally required to enter into a foreign conflict or for another constitutional reason, in accordance with Article I, Section 8, Clauses 11 and 15, of the U.S. Constitution.

HB2371 aimed to mandate that health-insurance plans covering outpatient prescription drugs also provide coverage for FDA-approved contraceptive drugs and devices, including over-the-counter options. The bill sought to eliminate cost-sharing requirements—such as copayments, coinsurance, or fees—for these contraceptives, thereby reducing financial barriers to access.

The Virginia State House of Delegates passed HB2371 on February 4, 2025 by a vote of 70 to 27. We have assigned pluses to the nays because no insurer should be forced to cover services that conflict with their principles, particularly contraceptives that may violate deeply held moral or religious beliefs. Mandating such coverage is a clear overreach of government power and undermines both religious liberty and free-market principles. The right to life is a foundational principle protected by the Constitution and affirmed in the Declaration of Independence. Decisions about insurance coverage should be left to the voluntary agreements between providers and consumers, not dictated by the state.

HB2113 proposed the creation of the Solar Interconnection Grant Program to provide competitive grants to public bodies, such as local governments and school boards, to help offset the costs of connecting solar-energy facilities to the electric grid. The program, managed by the Department of Energy's Division of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, would prioritize projects located on previously developed sites. It required the Division to establish guidelines for awarding grants and to report annually to the General Assembly.

The Virginia State House of Delegates passed HB2113 on February 4, 2025 by a vote of 68 to 30. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this legislation creates more government interference in the economy and advances the Globalist and Marxist climate-change agenda. Such bills bloat budgets, expand government, and lead to government picking winners and losers with taxpayer funds.