Virginia Senate advances block of bills and approves measures on solar rules, ERIC, compost authority, admissions tax and insurance reforms

The Virginia Senate voted on a wide range of bills Jan. 30, placing an uncontested block on final passage and approving several standalone measures after floor explanations.

Uncontested block
The Senate placed its uncontested calendar in a block (Senate bills listed on the clerk's reading), the motion to move the package passed and the block of bills on the uncontested calendar passed by recorded tally (Ayes 38, Noes 0).

Solar regulation (Senate Bill 347)
The senator from Western Henrico described Senate Bill 347 as addressing local regulation of solar facilities by doing three things: "The first thing it does is it puts a ban on bans," preventing localities from imposing outright bans on solar projects; creating optional standards localities may adopt; and directing the State Corporation Commission to collect data on projects. He said localities retain discretion to approve or deny individual projects. The bill passed on a recorded vote, Ayes 21, Noes 17.

Rejoining ERIC (Senate Bill 57)
Senate Bill 57 would return the Commonwealth to participation in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC). The sponsor called it consistent with prior policy and moved for passage; the Senate approved the bill (Ayes 21, Noes 17).

Organic-waste authority and school requirements (Senate Bill 226)
Senate Bill 226 grants localities authority under Dillon Rule to require large organic-waste generators to segregate food waste for composting or biomethanization and requires that new school construction be designed for waste segregation. The senator from Rockingham criticized the mandatory aspects and called it "a garbage bill," while the sponsor said the bill mainly provides authority and that the only mandate is for new school construction. The Senate passed the bill (Ayes 21, Noes 17).

Admissions tax for two Tidewater counties (Senate Bill 400)
Senate Bill 400 restores York County and James City County’s ability to levy an admissions tax targeted at major tourism venues (sponsor cited Busch Gardens and Water Country). The sponsor said the tax would allow localities to capture revenue from visitors to lower local property and personal property taxes. The bill passed (Ayes 25, Noes 12).

Motion picture tax credit (Senate Bill 612)
Senate Bill 612 would extend the sunset for the state’s motion-picture production tax credit by four years. The senator from Washington moved for passage and the measure passed on the recorded tally announced (Ayes 23, Noes 15).

Insurance reporting and reforms
Senate Bill 652 directs the State Corporation Commission’s Bureau of Insurance to include customer-satisfaction (CSAT) data in annual reports; it passed unanimously on the roll announced (Ayes 37, Noes 0). Senate Bill 693 prohibits using consumer credit information as the sole basis for motor-vehicle insurance rate-setting; after a reconsideration and re-vote for record accuracy, the bill passed (Ayes 36, Noes 1).

What’s next
Many bills were engrossed and advanced to third reading after committee substitutes and committee amendments were agreed to on the floor. The Senate recessed to allow a P&E desk meeting and adjourned until noon Monday.

Votes at a glance (selected)
- Uncontested block: Ayes 38, Noes 0
- SB 347 (solar regulation): Ayes 21, Noes 17
- SB 57 (ERIC): Ayes 21, Noes 17
- SB 226 (organic-waste/schools): Ayes 21, Noes 17
- SB 400 (admissions tax): Ayes 25, Noes 12
- SB 612 (film tax incentive extension): Ayes 23, Noes 15
- SB 652 (insurance CSAT report): Ayes 37, Noes 0
- SB 693 (credit info ban as sole basis): Ayes 36, Noes 1