The Speaker's Update

This past week, Virginia House Democrats welcomed Abigail Spanberger to the General Assembly for a historic Joint Address. Governor Spanberger made one thing clear: she is ready to lead, and to govern, with affordability and stability at the center of her agenda.

House Democrats and I are excited to partner with her this session as we turn promises into action to make everyday life easier for Virginians.

Addressing Gun Violence in our Commonwealth

I spoke with high school students about the unfortunate reality of gun violence.

Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children. But this session we our addressing the gun violence epidemic and will pass common-sense gun safety legislation to protect families, children, and make communities safer.

Here is a list of gun violence prevention legislation proposed this session.

Safe Storage & Child Safety

Requires safe storage of firearms in homes with children
(HB871, SB348)
Requires schools to notify parents about safe firearm and medication storage
(HB201, SB109)
Creates penalties for leaving a firearm unattended in a motor vehicle
(HB110, SB496)

Keeping Guns Out of Dangerous Situations

Prohibits carrying loaded or assault-style firearms in public places
(SB727, SB312)
Bans assault weapons and large-capacity magazines
(HB217, SB749)
Restricts firearm access for individuals convicted of domestic violence or violent offenses
(HB19, SB160)
Prohibits firearm possession following hate crime convictions
(HB1015)
Prevents prohibited individuals from transferring firearms to others
(HB93, SB38)
Prohibits weapons in hospitals and institutions of higher education
(HB229, SB173, HB626, SB272)

Licensing, Accountability & Industry Standards

Requires firearms purchaser licensing
(HB1359, SB643)
Establishes firearms industry standards
(HB21, SB27)
Strengthens security requirements for firearm dealers
(HB702)
Cracks down on ghost guns and unserialized firearms
(HB40, SB323)
Establishes civil penalties for unsafe or illegal firearm practices

Prevention & Risk Reduction

Expands and improves Substantial Risk Orders (red flag laws)
(HB896, HB901, SB495)
Establishes a Substantial Risk Order Reporting System
(HB1096)
Requires threat assessment teams and training in schools and higher education
(HB1071)

Funding Prevention & Public Health

Establishes a Mass Violence Care Fund
(SB115)
Creates the Virginia Gun Violence Prevention Center
(HB475, HB969)
Creates a Virginia Firearm Give-Back Program and Fund
(HB700)
Implements targeted taxes on firearms, ammunition, suppressors, and manufacturers to fund prevention efforts
(HB907, HB919, HB1094, HB207)
Directs the Department of Health to lead suicide prevention efforts for at-risk populations
(HB48)

Affordable Childcare in Virginia

As a father, I understand that raising a child can be costly. And, as Speaker of the House, I believe we must live our values and lead by example.

With prices rising, affordable child care must be our top priority this session.

That’s why – working with our incredible parent legislators – we created the first-in-the-nation child care subsidy program for the House of Delegates. And this session we are going to make a massive step forward and pass legislation to ensure Virginians have access to quality, affordable child care.

I want to lead the nation on quality, affordable child care. We showed the country how we win elections – now we’re going to show the country how to govern.

Virginia Community Colleges are our Future

Speaker Don Scott Shares Remarks at the 60th Anniversary of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS)

Sixty years ago, Virginia made a bold decision to establish the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). And since then Virginia’s Community colleges have opened doors and built-on ramps to good jobs, to four-year degrees, to a strong middle class, to success for so many more Virginians.

Virginia cannot be the #1 state for education without our community colleges. Their work makes us the best in the Country.

Happy 60th anniversary!

A Historic Ruling

It is long overdue that we roll back the Jim Crow relic of felony disenfranchisement. And this week, a federal court made history.

The court ruled that Virginia’s lifetime voting ban for people with felony convictions violates federal law, marking a landmark decision that could restore voting rights to hundreds of thousands of Virginians, particularly Black residents who have been disproportionately impacted for generations.

The court established what we all knew to be true: multiple amendments of the Virginia Constitution purposefully discriminate against black Virginians and intentionally disenfranchised black voters. This injustice dates back to over a century ago, meaning the Virginia Constitution has violated federal law since the Civil War era.

What does this mean going forward?

Virginia can no longer bar people from voting for most modern felony convictions, including many drug offenses.
The court identified a very narrow list of crimes that qualified as felonies in 1870, sharply limiting who can legally be disenfranchised today.
The judge’s ruling covers all current and future Virginians denied the right to vote for convictions that do not meet that historical standard.
The court granted summary judgment for the plaintiffs and will issue an injunction blocking state election officials from enforcing the unlawful policy.