Spanberger signs bills to lower health, housing, energy costs

RICHMOND, Va. (WFXR) -- On Tuesday, March 31, Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) put her signature on bills set to crack down on rising prescription drug costs, increase the housing supply and protect Virginia ratepayers from increased energy costs.

Spanberger said these bills are designed to make healthcare, housing and energy more affordable, accessible and reliable for Virginians.

“No Virginian should ever have to choose between seeing their doctor, paying their rent or mortgage, or keeping their lights on. I am signing this legislation to respond to the real, pressing concerns I have heard from Virginia families across the Commonwealth about high costs — particularly at the pharmacy counter, in the housing market, and on their utility bills. I’m grateful to the lawmakers who made addressing rising costs a priority during this legislative session. We are holding pharmacy benefit managers accountable for hiking up drug costs, cutting red tape so more Virginians can find housing that fits their budget, and tackling the high energy costs Virginians are facing across the Commonwealth. Over the coming weeks, I look forward to taking further action to address rising healthcare, housing, and energy costs. As additional bills are sent to my desk, I will continue to sign them into law as we work to build a stronger, safer, and more affordable future for every Virginian.” Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D)

Spanberger said the following bills were signed into law with the goal of making healthcare more affordable and accessible:

• SB669 (Sen. Aaron Rouse) — Stopping predatory middlemen from hiking up the cost of prescription drugs passed unanimously. 
  • This legislation is identical to HB830, patroned Delegate Katrina Callsen, which will be signed by the governor once communicated.
• SB405 (Sen. L. Louise Lucas) — Increasing access to quality, affordable care by investing in and growing Virginia’s healthcare workforce, passed unanimously. 
  • This legislation is identical to HB815, patroned by Delegate Mark Downey, which will be signed by the governor once communicated.
• HB220 (Del. Patrick Hope), SB630 (Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy) — Eliminating additional fees on healthcare premiums, passed with bipartisan support.
• HB60 (Del. Jeion Ward) — Protecting Virginians' access to critical preventive healthcare, passed with bipartisan support.

Spanberger said the following bills were signed into law with the goal of increasing the affordability and accessibility of housing:

• HB1227 (Del. Josh Thomas), SB729 (Senator Michael Jones) — Leveraging the Commonwealth’s bonding authority to support the development of new affordable housing, passed with bipartisan support.
• SB628 (Sen. Mamie Locke) — Keeping Virginians in their homes by expanding the Virginia Eviction Reduction Program pilot program, passed with bipartisan support. 
  • This legislation is identical to HB527, patroned by Delegate Adele McClure, which will be signed by the governor once communicated.
• HB655 (Del. Michelle Lopes Maldonado), SB346 (Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg) — Boosting housing supply by making it easier to build manufactured homes, passed with bipartisan support.

Spanberger said the following bills were signed into law with the goal of addressing Virginian's high energy costs:

• HB1191 (Del. Irene Shin), SB377 (Senator Scott Surovell) — Permitting high energy use customers to invest in new energy infrastructure while protecting ratepayers from increased costs, passed unanimously.
• HB369 (Del. David Reid) — Encouraging investment in cutting-edge energy technology, like fusion and nuclear, passed with bipartisan support. 
  • This legislation is identical to SB598, patroned by Senator Creigh Deeds, which will be signed by the governor once communicated.
• SB505 (Creigh Deeds) — Evaluating how to best protect ratepayers from paying excessive costs due to market spikes in fuel costs., passed unanimously. 
  • This legislation is identical to HB1256, patroned by Delegate Irene Shin, which will be signed by the governor once communicated.
• HB562 (Del. David Reid) — Encouraging electric co-operatives to provide more reliable power for customers and help ease demand on the grid, passed with bipartisan support. 
  • This legislation is identical to SB487, patroned by Senator McPike, which will be signed by the governor once communicated.
• HB889 (Del. Irene Shin), SB497 (Senator Russet Perry) — Streamlining permitting of new high-voltage transmission infrastructure in existing utility and highway corridors, passed with bipartisan support.
• HB1225 (Del. Irene Shin), SB407 (Senator Jennifer Boysko) — Supporting the development of electric vehicle charging stations to expand access and reliability, passed with bipartisan support.

Spanberger said the following bills were signed into law with the goal of lowering costs for disabled Veterans and making filing taxes more affordable for Virginians:

• HB94 (Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker) — Expanding the exemption from annual vehicle registration fees for disabled Veterans, passed with bipartisan support.
• HB1180 (Del. Kimberly Pope Adams), SB591 (Senator Jeremy McPike) — Creating a free tax filing program for individuals to reduce the burden on working Virginians during tax season, passed unanimously.

The full list of legislation signed by Spanberger is available here.

Background to these bills from the Office of Governor Spanberger:

"In the opening months of her administration, Governor Spanberger has remained laser-focused on making life less expensive for Virginians. In December, Governor Spanberger announced the “Affordable Virginia Agenda” — her key legislative priorities with General Assembly leaders to lower housing, healthcare, and energy costs for Virginians."

"On her first day in office, Governor Spanberger signed her first executive orders to start building a stronger, more affordable future for all Virginians — including by directing her cabinet secretaries and all executive branch agencies to quickly identify ways to reduce costs for families. Last week, the Governor signed an executive order creating Virginia’s first Chief Energy Officer — a cabinet-level position focused on addressing rising energy costs for families and meeting the Commonwealth’s long-term energy needs."