2025 Democratic State Victories
We are fortunate in Loudoun that we are represented in the Virginia General Assembly by an accomplished group of legislators. Our state House team – Delegates David Reid, Atoosa Reaser, Marty Martinez and JJ Singh – alongside their Senate counterparts – Senators Russet Perry and Kannan Srinivasan – worked hard during the early 2025 session in Richmond to write and pass legilsation in support of Loudoun families. These bills tackled a variety of issues surrounding veterans issues, health care, clean energy, firearm safety, schools, and more.
Let’s take a look at some of those hard-earned victories. (Names in parenthesis are the bill’s sponsor.)
HB1766: Increases the unemployment compensation weekly benefit by $50. [Note: The original bill requested a weekly increase of $100. Gov. Youngkin reduced that to $50.] (Martinez)
HB1819: Improves C-PACE financing to expand access for clean energy public-private financing. (Reid)
HB 1820: Establishes a study to acquire funding and technology necessary to improve emergency communication for first responders. (Reid)
HB1821: Allows large energy consumers to claim credit under the Accelerated Renewable Buyers Program by using battery energy storage systems. (Reid)
HB 1822: Encourages use of advanced conductors that raise the amount of electricity within transmission lines that are already established. (Reid)
HB 1912: Increases thresholds to help those administering small estates. (Reaser)
HB 1936: Creates an index of all required training for public school teachers. (Reaser)
HB 1945: Allows public school students to attend private telehealth appointments during school hours and on school grounds. (Reaser)
HB 2053: Ensures teacher prep programs are training future teachers with tools they need to meet requirements of the Virginia Literacy Act.
HB 2055/HB 2679: Directs schools to inform parents of at-risk students about safe firearm storage laws, suicide prevention and safe medication storage. (Reaser)
HB 2594: Requires the establishment of statewide best practices for security. (Signh)
HB 2595: Expands incentives for safe storage of firearms by issuing a tax credit. (Singh)
HB 2678: Removes red tape for court-mandated division of assets after a divorce. (Singh)HB 2736: Extends the incentives to hire veterans to include military spouses. (Reaser)
HB 2754: Streamlines Medicaid enrollment for returning citizens. (Singh)
HB 2774: Mandates 24-hour notification after school-connected overdoses. (Singh)
On the Senate side, these bills were signed into law:
SB 884: Allows victims of abuse to end their lease early if they have a temporary protective order. (Perry)
SB 885: Increases oversight and transparency of state behavioral health facilities. (Perry)
SB 890: Ensures our agriculture commodities boards represent the makeup of our farmers in Virginia. (Perry)
SB 901: Ensures fair pay for court appointed counsel and public defenders. (Perry)
SB1041: Establishes the Virginia Forensic Nursing Advisory Council to will advise on protocols for sexual assault forensic examiners. (Perry)SB1356: Requires landlords to provide at least one free method of payment for rent and security deposits. (Srinivasan)
SB 1370: Models best practices for school divisions to partner with providers to deliver counseling services via telehealth. (Srinivasan)
SB 1371: Prohibits dormancy and inactivity fees from being assessed on gift cards. (Srinivasan)
SB 1389: Allows Virginians to get the $300 tax credit for gun safes and locks purchased from multiple retailers, not just a single retailer. (Srinivasan)
SB 1391: Addresses the need for more advocacy for the children of active duty service members on the Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education. (Srinivasan.)
SB 1484: Allows the Virginia Department of Health to establish fees for nursing home licensing and inspection. (Srinivasan)
In addition, Delegate Singh proposed a budget item to support affordable access to higher education, calling for $55 million in increased funding to invest in the next generation. The final budget includes the full $55 million, with funding distributed to 16 public colleges and universities, as well as the Virginia Community College System. [Budget Amendment 240.10#]
This fall, we have the chance to flip all three statewide offices and expand our majorities in both the House and Senate, setting the stage for a truly transformative 2026 legislative session.
Thank you to our hard-working legislators, and to all of you who helped elect them. Now let’s get started on that trifecta!