Annual General Assembly Update 2026
SSV President Sue Liberman welcomed the large crowd and recognized SSV Board members. She then introduced the General Assembly Update guests:
—VA Senator Creigh Deeds, 11th District, Chair of the Commerce and Labor Committee, member of Courts and Justice Committee, member of the Finance and Appropriations Committee, member of the Privileges and Elections Committee and member of the Rules Committee. He also serves on the Federal Impact committee.
https://apps.senate.virginia.gov/Senator/memberpage.php?id=S62;
—VA Delegate Amy Laufer, 55th District, member of the Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, Education Committee and Finance Committee. She also works on gun safety and women’s health issues. https://apps.house.virginia.gov/members/H0371
–VA Delegate Katrina Callsen, 54th District. member of the Finance Committee, Courts of Justice Committee, Privileges and Elections Committee and General Laws Committee. She also works on kindship guardianship. https://house.vga.virginia.gov/members/H0354
Senator Deeds shared that the Virginia General Assembly is the first and oldest General Assembly in the country, dating from July 30, 1619. For the first time since 2001, the GA has yet to pass a budget, with two big issues: data centers and energy demands. Data centers account for 84% of Virginia’s capital investment over the past years, providing local governments with $1+ billion in local tax revenue. The current data center sales tax exemption is costing Virginia much more than estimated in 2008. There is disagreement on continuation of the sales tax exemption, and how to pay for the demands on energy by data centers.
Delegate Laufer noted the passage of the redistricting legislation and the second passage of three constitutional amendments, now to be on the November ballot. She shared her work on gun violence prevention, worker’s rights in the public sector, right to contraception. Eleven of her bills were passed by both the Senate and House, with only one vetoed to date.
Delegate Callsen shared her satisfaction that the kindship guardianship bill passed, and, her work on legislation that will allow adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates.
Audience questions touched on these issues:
—Guns on college campuses was a regulation and is now a code, allowing law enforcement to respond
–Can no longer carry assault rifles in public
–Recreational cannabis laws to allow retail sales still in discussion. THC strength one of the concerns.
–VA Supreme Court ruling to overturn the voter’s approval of redistricting based on technicality – definition of “election.” Does the election start at early voting or is the election on election day. The VA Attorney General is appealing the VA Supreme Court decision to the US Supreme Court.
–ICE detention centers in Virginia. How can citizens be aware of proposals.
–Public education and parent choice vouchers.
–Voting Rights Act ruling by US Supreme Court
–Three Constitutional amendments for reproductive freedom, returning voting rights to those with felony convictions, and marriage equality.
–Regional energy sales and purchase, and use of imported energy for data centers. Currently, data centers are not paying for the energy they need/use. The cost is being spread across all energy users.Strengthening the independence of the State Corporation Commission will provide more oversight on energy.
It was noted that the Governor has until May 22 to veto or sign a bill. Any bill not vetoed or signed will become law. So, two ways to have a bill become law: Signed by Governor or not signed nor vetoed.
President Liberman again thanked our General Assembly delegation for presenting this annual program to SSV.