State parks; access for veterans; free entry and discounted services. Requires the Department of Conservation and Recreation to establish a Veteran's Passport that entitles the bearer to (i) enter state parks in the Commonwealth without the payment of a parking or admission fee and (ii) receive a 50 percent discount on camping and swimming fees, picnic shelter rentals, and other Department-provided equipment rentals. Current law provides that such free entry and discounted services are available only to veterans who have a service-connected disability rating of 100 percent and have been issued a Disabled Veteran's Passport by the Department.
Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act; prohibited practices; penalties. Creates the Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act to regulate the practices of persons seeking to receive compensation for preparing, presenting, prosecuting, advising, consulting, or assisting any individual regarding any veterans' benefits matter, as defined in the bill. The bill provides that a violation of its provisions constitutes a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. This bill is identical to HB 398.
Free use of toll facilities; certain disabled veterans. Authorizes the free use of all toll bridges, toll roads, and other toll facilities in the Commonwealth for drivers who have been rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as having a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability. The bill also replaces the current window sticker for certain persons exempted from tolls due to a disability with a specialized electronic toll collection device identifying such person as eligible for free passage.
Department of Conservation and Recreation; Disabled Veteran's Family Passport; free entry into state parks and discounted services. Directs the Department of Conservation and Recreation to establish a Disabled Veteran's Family Passport that entitles the bearer to enter state parks in the Commonwealth without the payment of a parking or admission fee. The bill provides that the Passport will be issued upon request to any immediate family member, as defined in the bill, of a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States who provides certain documentation to the Department. The bill authorizes the Department to require passport holders to re-certify such documentation no more than once every five years.
Department of Veterans Services; benefit awareness and access; program. Establishes an outreach program to ensure military service members transitioning from military to civilian life, veterans, members of the Virginia National Guard, residents of the Commonwealth in the Armed Forces Reserves, and their family members can easily access federal, state, and local benefits and other programs and services available to them. The bill requires the outcomes of such program to be published in the annual report submitted to the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Governor, and the General Assembly.
Special license plates in recognition of those lost or injured in military service; fees. Eliminates the annual registration fee and annual fee for one special license plate for any veteran who has been certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as having a service-connected disability. Existing law authorizes the waiver of such fees for one special license plate for any disabled veteran who has either lost, or lost the use of, a leg, arm, or hand, is blind, or is permanently and totally disabled as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or his unremarried surviving spouse. The bill also exempts special license plates for immediate family members of persons who have died in military service to their country from the annual fee assessed for special license plates.
Individual income tax; subtractions; military benefits. Removes the cap on military benefits that may be subtracted from Virginia taxable income for taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2026, allowing the total amount of such benefits to be subtracted from such income. Under current law, up to $40,000 of military benefits may be subtracted from Virginia taxable income.
Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services; powers and duties; online portal. Requires the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services to develop and maintain an online portal to connect veterans, members of the Virginia National Guard, and Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves who qualify for veteran status, and their immediate family members, to available resources, programs, and services in the Commonwealth and provide a means to submit electronic applications for such resources, programs, and services. The bill requires the online portal to collect, maintain, use, disseminate, and safeguard personal information in compliance with state and federal law.
Veterans' Services Protection Act; prohibited practices; penalty. Creates the Veterans' Services Protection Act to prohibit any person from receiving compensation for preparing, presenting, prosecuting, advising, consulting, or assisting any individual regarding any veterans' benefits matter, as defined in the bill, except as permitted under federal law. The bill provides that a violation of its provisions constitutes a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.
Department of Veterans Services; benefit awareness and access; program. Establishes an outreach program to ensure military service members transitioning from military to civilian life, veterans, members of the Virginia National Guard, residents of the Commonwealth in the Armed Forces Reserves, and their family members can easily access federal, state, and local benefits and other programs and services available to them. The bill requires the outcomes of such program to be published in the annual report submitted to the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Governor, and the General Assembly.
