Youngkin takes action on first set of bills, signs several he says will make Va. more business-friendly

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) has signed his first slate of bills passed by the General Assembly in 2025 into law. 

One bill expands the state’s Business Ready Sites Program to make it easier for smaller localities to receive grant funding through the program. 

“Because not everybody has 100 acres available for a company, but they may have 25,” Youngkin said.

Plus, Youngkin announced he would sign identical bills designating fusion energy as clean energy. 

“Which is the bill that brings Commonwealth Fusion Systems to Virginia to build the first-ever, commercial scale fusion power plant,” Youngkin said.

Democrats like Senator Ghazala Hashmi (D-Richmond) approved of Youngkin’s decision to sign the bipartisan bills.

“I was happy to hear that the Governor is moving forward on signing some key legislation that’s been carried by our Democratic caucuses,” Hashmi told 8News.

However, Hashmi added she’s concerned that Youngkin hasn’t shown any indication that he’ll sign bills Democrats say will help Virginia’s workers.

“What we didn’t hear is a focus on the issues that really impact Virginia’s workers. Legislation such as paid family sick leave, raising the minimum wage, assuring that there are child care options and protections for so many working families,” Hashmi said.

Youngkin has until March 24 to consider the remaining 800-plus bills still remaining on his desk.