Rip's Session Report - Week Seven
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Governor Spanberger covered a range of important issues like immigration, healthcare, and affordability— all that have been undermined by the current administration.
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I am proud to work alongside a strong leader who prioritizes the people of the Commonwealth and serves all Virginians.
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As always, my team and I are here to support you. Do not hesitate to reach out to us by using the link below.
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HB 903 creates performance based regulations (PBRs) to ensure our utilities are working in the best interest of Virginia rate payers.
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Both the House and the Senate announced their budget amendments, reflecting the priorities of each body.
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SB 756 passed through multiple committees this week and will soon be voted on on the floor of the House of Delegates
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In response to actions from the White House, my colleagues and I passed a mid-decade redistricting amendment that Virginians will have the opportunity to vote on this coming April.
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6th District Constituents in Richmond!
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Please feel free to stop by Team Sullivan Headquarters in Room 908 of the General Assembly Building.
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6th District Constituents: Church of Latter Day Saints
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Legislative Highlight:
HB 903 Performance Based Regulation Bill
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The current incentives for utilities, like Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power, encourage spending money to make more money — resulting in increasing costs for ratepayers.
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Energy costs in Virginia are rising and are predicted to continue to increase. This session one of my main priorities is keeping utility bill costs from skyrocketing.
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A key solution to addressing increasing energy prices is to incentivize utility companies in ways that benefit them and rate payers. By incentivizing "good behavior" with performance based regulations (PBRs), the state can actively work with utilities to use rate payers' money more effectively and reduce Virginian's electric bills.
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These incentives don't encourage efficient outcomes. Rather, they incentivize building more expensive generation, which Virginians end up paying for whether they are needed or not. In the current system, there is little incentive for utilities to profit from "good behavior", such as being more energy efficient and acting in a way that least impacts rate payers.
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If we want utilities to act in Virginians' best interest, we must change the utilities’ incentives. Performance based regulations are a key way to do that.
Performance based regulations are utility regulatory frameworks designed to connect financial incentives to specific measurable goals, such as affordability and clean energy initiatives.
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HB 903 directs the State Corporation Commission to design multiple different kinds of PBRs focused on improving electric utility performance throughout Virginia.
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As we look at ways to ensure a more affordable Commonwealth for all Virginians, we must incentivize our utilities in the right ways.
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Virginia Budget Amendments
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Virginia operates on a two- year budget system, in which a new budget is proposed during even-numbered years. After the Governor has introduced his/her budget, the General Assembly gets an opportunity to make amendments to that introduced budget.
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After the House and the Senate introduce their own budget amendments, they must agree on a single set of budget amendments that are sent to the Governor for review.
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Though budget policy is some of the most impactful work that the General Assembly does, understandably it can be difficult to follow.
If you are interested in learning about the recently passed budget amendments, I would encourage you to read through TCI's summary overview of the budget amendments both chambers have made.
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The Commonwealth Institute hosted a budget breakdown webinar earlier this week. If you are interested in better understanding the Virginia state budget, I'd encourage you to watch the webinar.
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Fairfax Casino Update: SB 756 Passes Through House Committees, To Be Considered by Full House of Delegates
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Major updates this week with the Casino Bill: SB 756 was heard in the House General Laws Committee and the House Appropriations Committee.
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As the bill was heard, Delegate Paul Krizek – the Chair of the Committee– made significant amendments to the bill, which included changing the referendum process, increasing funding going to Fairfax, and much more that would have made this bill better for the citizens of Fairfax.
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Unfortunately, as the legislation was heard by the House Appropriations Committee, much of what was changed about the bill was taken out. That version of the bill passed House Appropriations 18-4, and will be considered on the House floor this coming week.
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While I do not serve on the House General Laws Committee or the House Appropriations Committee and could not speak to the legislation, I appreciated Delegate Cia Price's comments on the bill.
The fact is that our Board of Supervisors and community do not want this, and I am still disappointed that this legislation has made it this far with both of those facts so crystal clear.
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Watch Delegate Price's Comments on SB 756
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I remain strongly opposed to SB 756. There are many more steps in this process and my team and I will do our best to keep you updated.
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Virginia Mid-Decade Redistricting
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Photo courtesy Virginia Legislative Information System
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One of the most discussed issues in this General Assembly session has been our moving forward with a mid-decade redistricting effort. I want to express a few of my own thoughts on the topic, while also ensuring that you have important information about how this may impact you and what you can expect moving forward.
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Proposed Congressional District 11 Map
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As we move forward with this process, I want to make sure you all know about the potential changes in the districts for folks living in the 6th District (McLean, Great Falls, parts of Vienna and Falls Church).
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Under the proposed map, the 6th District would fall completely within the proposed 11th Congressional District. Congressman Walkinshaw has announced his intention to run in the 11th this Fall.
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HB 807: Dominion Shared Solar Bill
Senate Commerce and Labor
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HB 327: Commonwealth Health Reinsurance Bill
Senate Commerce and Labor
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HB 304: Allowance of Assumable Mortgages
Senate Commerce and Labor
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HB 809: Appalachian Power Shared Solar Bill
Senate Commerce and Labor
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HB 55: Loud Muffler Detection Bill
Senate Commerce and Labor
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Introducing VA 21 Students
In The House Gallery
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Please feel free to check out my newsletters from previous weeks!
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That's all for our Week Seven Newsletter. Be sure to tune in as my team and I will continue to send weekly newsletters to keep you informed of everything going on in Richmond.
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As always, please let me know if there is anything my office or I can do to support you. Please feel free to email us or stop by our office in Richmond!
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I’ll see you around the neighborhood.
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Office of Delegate Rip Sullivan
PO Box 994
McLean, VA 22101
United States
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