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As Virginia’s 2025 legislative session approaches its conclusion, state lawmakers are working to advance proposals involving solar power, underage vaping, elections, affordable housing, veterans’ benefits and prescription drug costs.
Sen. Adam Ebbin said several measures have generated significant interest from constituents, including legislation addressing costly upgrades required to connect new solar installations to the electrical grid.
Solar Projects Face Unexpected Grid Costs
Ebbin’s SB 1058 would direct the State Corporation Commission to establish a cost-sharing program for infrastructure upgrades needed to connect new solar facilities.
Alexandria’s new Minnie Howard Campus and Douglas MacArthur Elementary School encountered unexpected costs of $1.3 million and $105,000, respectively, after Dominion Energy assessed expenses associated with connecting their solar installations to the grid.
The legislation would distribute upgrade costs among new solar projects connected to the same substation. The approach is intended to help smaller developments proceed while ensuring that they contribute to maintaining and improving the system. Del. Kathy Tran of Fairfax is carrying the House version, HB 2266.
Another proposal, HB 1791 from Del. Rip Sullivan of Fairfax, would establish the Electric Vehicle Rural Infrastructure Program and Fund. Developers installing electric-vehicle charging stations in rural communities could apply for state grants, potentially improving access to state parks and other rural destinations as electric-vehicle use grows.
Bill Targets Underage Tobacco and Vape Sales
SB 1060, introduced by Ebbin, would permit authorities to confiscate tobacco and vaping products from underage people while increasing random inspections aimed at preventing sales to minors. Del. Patrick Hope of Arlington is sponsoring the House counterpart, HB 1946.
Work on the legislation involved the Department of Taxation, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority and convenience-store representatives. Inspections can cost as much as $174 per location when expenses such as ABC agent overtime, transportation and participation by young people assisting law enforcement are included.
Casino Referendum Proposal Draws Hundreds of Emails
More than 400 constituents contacted Ebbin about SB 982, a measure from Sen. Scott Surovell of Fairfax that would have allowed the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to hold a referendum on a proposed Tysons Corner casino.
Ebbin spoke and voted against the proposal. He said the county board had not requested it, the proposed licensing-fee and tax-revenue arrangement was unfavorable to Fairfax County, and the legislation would not have permitted an independent county assessment of the best location for the casino and its planned conference center, entertainment venue and hotel.
Ranked Choice Voting Could Expand Locally
Ebbin also backed SB 1009 from Sen. Saddam Salim of Fairfax, which would allow elections for any local governing body to use ranked choice voting.
Under that system, voters rank candidates by preference. If no candidate initially receives a majority, the lowest-performing contender is eliminated and those ballots are reassigned according to voters’ next choices. The process continues until a winner emerges.
Nonprofit Housing Projects Could Receive Faster Approval
HB 2153, introduced by Del. Betsy Carr of Richmond, would give local governments additional tools to support affordable housing developed by nonprofit organizations.
Localities could waive certain zoning restrictions, lower administrative fees and accelerate site-plan reviews for qualifying projects. Housing created under the legislation would have to remain affordable for at least 15 years.
Veterans Protection Bill Falls Short
Ebbin and Sen. Bryce Reeves of Orange introduced SB 1222 to limit charges imposed on veterans who hire private application services when seeking upgrades to their Department of Veterans Affairs benefits.
The measure would have required clear disclosures about veterans’ rights, prohibited overseas call centers and barred solicitation during the benefits-application process. The bipartisan proposal failed to advance through the House Rules Committee, ending its consideration for the session. Ebbin said he plans to continue pursuing the protections next year.
Prescription Drug Board Proposed
Del. Karrie Delaney of Fairfax introduced HB 1724 to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board tasked with reviewing drug affordability and recommending ways to reduce costs.
The board could propose limits on drug-payment amounts involving state-regulated programs. Nonprofit organizations under contract with the Department of Health would also face additional requirements to disclose prescription-drug pricing information to the board. Ebbin, who cosponsored the proposal in previous years, said prescription costs remain too high for Virginians.