Sen. Richard Stuart

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 18) that formally commends the "Walk for Peace" event. It does not create any new laws or affect any individuals or groups through policy changes. The resolution was unanimously passed by the Senate via voice vote on January 29, 2026, and serves only as a symbolic expression of support for the event. As a procedural resolution, it has no legal effect or concrete policy impact.

Virginia Conservation Easement Act; demographic information on certain conservation easement owners; report. Requires the Department of Conservation and Recreation to submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly containing demographic information about each owner of a conservation easement in the Commonwealth that is funded with public funds. The bill requires such information to include (i) the owner's age, gender, ethnicity, household income, and geographic location; (ii) the type of conservation entity the owner formed under the laws of the Commonwealth; and (iii) if an owner is a part of a Indian tribe, the identity of such tribe. The bill requires the Department to submit the initial report by November 1, 2026, and annually by November 1 of each year thereafter.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJ 42) is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late Honorable Thomas Selby Ellis III. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, programs, or individuals. The resolution was passed unanimously by both the Senate (January 22, 2026) and House (January 26, 2026) to commemorate his life and service. It serves as a formal expression of respect and recognition, consistent with standard legislative tributes.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution (SJ 51) that formally commends the Rappahannock High School football team for their achievements. It does not create new laws, alter policies, or affect any individuals or groups beyond expressing legislative appreciation. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers via voice vote and is now awaiting final enactment as a symbolic gesture. No concrete policy changes or mechanisms are involved.

Maddy summarySB 710 would make Virginia's current elevated standard deduction for income tax permanent, removing a scheduled expiration date. This directly affects Virginia taxpayers who use the standard deduction instead of itemizing deductions, primarily middle- and lower-income filers. The bill's key provision eliminates the "sunset" provision that would have caused the higher deduction amount to revert to a lower level after a set date. As a result, eligible taxpayers would continue to benefit from the elevated deduction amount without needing future legislative action.

Wiccocomico Pinn lineage of Northumberland County. Commends the Wiccocomico Pinn lineage of Northumberland County; recognizes documented leadership, descendant families, and land continuity; and honors the contributions of Gail Janeen Smith Toliver, the Northern Neck Indigenous Heritage Council, and the Northern Neck Indigenous Heritage Foundation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJ 24) is a ceremonial resolution honoring John S. Cheadle, a person recognized by the legislature. It does not create new laws, impose requirements, or affect any specific group or policy. The resolution passed both the Senate (January 15, 2026) and House (January 19, 2026) and was formally recorded as passed. It serves solely to formally celebrate and recognize John S. Cheadle's life, with no substantive legislative impact.

Electric utilities; construction and development of renewable energy facilities; powers of State Air Pollution Control Board; powers of State Corporation Commission. Repeals provisions (i) requiring the State Air Pollution Control Board to adopt regulations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from any electricity generating unit in the Commonwealth and authorizing the Board to establish an auction program for energy allowances; (ii) prohibiting the State Corporation Commission from approving any new utility-owned generation facilities that emit carbon dioxide as a by-product of energy generation under certain circumstances; (iii) declaring that statutory allowances for energy derived from sunlight, onshore wind, offshore wind, and storage facilities are in the public interest; and (iv) relating to the development of solar and wind generation and energy storage capacity, development of offshore wind capacity, and generation of electricity from renewable and zero-carbon sources. The bill provides that planning and development activities for new nuclear generation facilities are in the public interest.

Income tax; standard deduction and earned income tax credit. Removes the sunset from and makes permanent the standard deduction amounts of $8,750 for single individuals and $17,500 for married individuals filing jointly. Under current law, the standard deduction is scheduled to revert to $3,000 for single individuals and $6,000 for married individuals filing jointly after taxable year 2026. The bill also removes the sunset from and makes permanent the increase in Virginia's refundable earned income tax credit from 15 percent to 20 percent of the allowable federal earned income tax credit. Under current law, the Virginia refundable earned income tax credit expires in taxable year 2027 and Virginia's nonrefundable earned income tax credit, which has no expiration date, is equal to 20 percent of the federal credit.

Sales and use tax; food purchased for human consumption and essential personal hygiene products. Eliminates the remaining one percent local sales and use tax that is imposed on food purchased for human consumption and essential personal hygiene products. Under current law, no other sales and use tax is applied to such products. The bill requires an equivalent amount of revenue to be distributed to cities and counties on a monthly basis in compensation for the lost tax revenue. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027.