Comments Document

Please find Chamber of Progress' letter of opposition attached.

SUPPORT - Short term rentals are required by law to abide by local ordinances governing registration, taxation, safety and other concerns. When a property is found to be out of compliance, the lack of any meaningful consequence can make it difficult to provide a consistent framework and enforcement of local ordinances. The ability to have a property "delisted" provides an effective sanction that can prompt STRs to comply or risk loss of revenue. Standardizing compliance ensures equity in administering local STR ordinances. This bill will provide a very helpful tool for localities to use in regulating local short term rental properties.

My name is Andrew Cohen, a resident of Virginia Beach. I chair the Virginia Beach Short-Term Rental Enforcement Task Force that Virginia Beach City Council appointed in early 2024 to make recommendations to improve STR registration and enforcement of our STR ordinances. We strongly support this bill. // Virginia Beach City Council accepted the recommendation of our Task Force to request this bill to give localities the authority to compel STR platforms to remove listings for non-compliant properties. As of last week, there were over 700 STRs listed in Virginia Beach alone that do not have an STR permits. But under current law, operators of non-compliant properties continue to list those properties despite local enforcement actions. // Exacerbating this problem, operators of non-compliant STRs continue to list their properties until local officials can find those listings, recognize the non-compliance, and notify the operator. Local enforcement processes can take several months, during which these STRs continue to make bookings and operate illegally. In those months before enforcement can be adjudicated, operators can simply remove their non-compliant listings and replace them later with new listings, for which local officials must begin the enforcement process again, creating a revolving door for repeat offenders. // Current law does not allow localities to take timely action against unpermitted STRs that continue to operate illegally. This bill would give localities an authority that they desperately need to effectively curtail unpermitted STRs. // Our Task Force thanks Delegate Convirs-Fowler and Delegate Martinez for introducing this bill, and we ask you to report it.

I am writing to ask you to support HB 1984. Data centers should not be near parks, schools and residential areas - they should be in industrial areas. Many communities across Virginia are having an issue with noise from data centers during construction, and then after they are up and running. At the Great Oak Community in Prince William County, for example, data center construction noise and noise from the cooling system can easily be heard 2000' feet away from the data centers being built/operated there. They have been working with Amazon to try to get noise levels from the cooling systems decreased for over two years and they are still having issues. It is disruptive to the whole community, which has been there for 30+ years. Emissions from the diesel generators is another issue - this should not be happening anywhere near parks, schools or housing areas. We need more data center reform! Thank you.

I urge you to support the bills to help protest our lifestyle as we accept the benefits of being on the forefront of AI implementation.

Dear Members of Subcommittee #3: I am in support of Bill Number 1984 and ask that vote in favor of it's forwarding to the full committee for their consideration. The bill is asking that when data centers are sited, that they be approved only for areas one-quarter mile or more from federal, state, or local parks, schools, and property zoned or used for residential use. I live in data center alley in Ashburn, VA. I can assure you that they are constantly noisy with an ongoing hum day and night, seven days a week. Additionally, and ever more importantly, when they need to use the diesel powered railroad car sized generators, they exude dangeous gases. No one, especially children, should be exposes to such gases known to cause health issues. Thank you for your support of bill HB 1984.

Please leave these decisions up to local government. Due to terrain and other considerations, placing these restrictions on Wise County would almost eliminate our ability to attract a Data Center. We currently have one data center that would not be here if these restrictions were in place. It has not been detrimental to the quality of life here. There are issues in Northern Virginia that are not relevant to Southwest Virginia. Please do not penalize us while addressing their issues.

Please consider the importance of distance of data centers to residential communities as the existing data centers have residences who are encountering issues with the low hum of adjacent to their homes, some as far as two miles away. Here in Leesburg, a site was approved that is less than a tenth a lime away to our residential community. We are concerned the impact of our quality of life and use of our external space. The low hum also affects pets, not just people. This particular site is also adjacent to the Tuscarora Creek that flows into the Potomac and the Chesapeake. This was brought up to both the Leesburg Planning Committee and Town Council but neither had any concerns. They also approved the site with no water or electrical resources required for the site. Hoping they will now refer to the JLARC report. It is apparent Virginia will continue to grow the data centers industry and with your leadership, it can be done with solid guidelines to ensure we can better co-exist in this beautiful state. Thank you for your efforts for solutions that keep residents and Mother Earth in mind.

I fully endorse HB1984 - Siting of data centers; parks, schools, and residential areas. Requires that any local government land use application required for the siting of a data center, as defined in the bill, be approved only for areas that are one-quarter mile or more from federal, state, or local parks, schools, and property zoned or used for residential use. Those of us in communities threatened by data center development near schools, day care centers and residential area, such as is the case in Culpeper, reject this development because of well-documented facts related to negative impacts on health, lowered property values and significant levels of consistent loud noise, all of which lower the quality of life for taxpayers. In fact, the scientific evidence regarding negative impacts on health continue to grow. In the case of Culpeper, proposed data center sitings threaten the sanctity of a National Cemetery in which 14,000 souls lie. The proposed sitings are a few hundred feet from this hallowed ground. if allowed to be built, these souls WILL NOT rest in peace, and those, like me, who come to pay our respects, will not be able to do so in an appropriate solemn setting. This is not a local matter -- it is a matter for the State in its commitment to honor those who have served Virginia and our country. As such, we see it essential to pass HB1984 to protect Virginia citizens -- past and present -- from an indignity, and to protect the health and property of current taxpayers. Thank you.

HB 1987 call for greater transparency of the relationship between the applicant and the approving authority in land use cases. This can only promote good government. It is the absence of such transparency that enables influence peddling, obscures inappropriate negotiations and undermines trust in government. I urge your support of HB1987.

Transparency in government is essential to maintain public trust, accountability, and integrity in decision-making. When elected officials are open about their actions and potential influences, citizens can have confidence that policies and decisions are being made in the public’s best interest rather than for personal gain or the benefit of special interests. Requiring governing bodies to disclose conflicts of interest, including donations from developers and other entities, promotes honesty and helps prevent corruption. Supporting a bill that mandates these disclosures ensures a fairer, more ethical government where decisions reflect community priorities, not the influence of money. This is a critical step in protecting democracy, fostering public engagement, and ensuring responsible development that serves everyone.

Approve HB2129. I offer my full support of this bill directed at panhandlers and those that give them (non-taxed) money and other items. The current tolerance and lack of oversight to this issue is a question of citizen safety and security. I personally am in fear, when stopped at an intersection where there is a person asking for handouts. They appear to be mentally unstable, and all it would take is for one of them to snap, and attack or harm a Good Samaritan while their window is open. Or vice versa the situation. There are many social programs in place to help individuals in need, and these "panhandlers" often are ingenuous in their financial despair. I hope this bill is passed to discourage this disgusting practice that threatens the safety of every man, woman, and child trapped at an intersection.

The addition of a fine in this bill for individuals is not solving the issue of panhandling, and creates more economic disparity among individuals who are already struggling to make ends meet - hence why they would be panhandling. Not only is this bill a disgrace, but it does not actually solve the solution of panhandling on streets nor does it help towards combatting poverty in our communities. Instead, it will levy fines from individuals who can't pay their fines and does not direct them to the resources that they may need. Instead, the patron of this bill should study a way to provide directions towards resources for those who are panhandling and struggling with poverty. Henrico county & Richmond City have signage that provides phone numbers and websites - perhaps providing these and where the closest library and public computer access locations are would help get people off the streets and towards the resources that they need. This is bill is not a solution - it is a disgrace and an attack to people already struggling.

I urge the committee to oppose HB2289 as it puts communities in peril, disregarding neighborhoods and the safety of children. I also urge opposition as we are in the beginning stages of an alarming trend to convert now regulated investment homes that were being used with the intention of short term rentals such as airbnbs to convert from short term rentals to sober living homes because well why would an investor want to operate their business model that is now being regulated, taxed, and scrutinized when they can convert to a sober living home model that allows them to circumvent the laws we put in place not just for the everyday homeowner or landlords but also for SRTs while generating more profit than their SRTs were. Why would an investor not be tempted by the honey that is unregulated, unlicensed, protected by federal government funded by taxpayers profitable business model? Investors rarely live in the communities they invest in, so perhaps it is them that liv e by the nimbyism they claim as their defense against us perturbed residents who love our community. Please vote no.

Let's be clear on what we are defining as a sober living home. These are not just homes that people opt to live in to fight their battle with addiction. A sober living homes as recognized by Virginia is also a pipeline that goes as such - drug use, arrest, initial court date, release to "sober living home" while awaiting another court date. While the gesture is noble, this pipeline was created because judges did not want to see overdoses amongst those awaiting their court cases, the reality is it not only skews the definition of sober living home, but it could also be causing more danger by a: grouping more struggling drug addicts together and b subjecting the neighborhood these homes are set up in to absorb a large number of non law abiding folks who are battling their struggles and all that comes with that - mental struggles, unemployment, loitering, poor decision making and unhealthy acquaintances. Subjecting neighborhoods to homes set up like this with less regulation than even the standard tenant living arrangement is nonsensical. Sober living homes should be subjected to the same, actually more stringent, laws and regulations as all of us renting or owning our homes. Please vote no and help keep our neighborhoods safe.

We have operators and profiteers accusing us residents of not seeing the progress or not wanting to see the progress that comes with sober living home arrangements. The reality is we experience the progress every day, and it is not positive progress, as these homes do not come into the neighborhood peacefully and silently. Instead they come with police calls, fights, guests loitering and urinating on the sidewalk, indecent exposure, drug overdoses and even murders etc. So please, spare that rhetoric. I see the progress every day now, and so does my 14 year old daughter. We now get to see the drug addicts who are awaiting trial, their friends who get to hang outside the homes because they aren't allowed inside the dwellings, their penises, their urine, their trash, their disrespect for the community, we're definitely seeing it. Acting like the people in the sober living homes are law abiding healthy, good decision making respectful individuals is disingenuous at best so why do they get to have special provisions in place when those of us merely trying to raise our families and participate in our community are punished by people whose only real investment is how much money can they make off these homes. Yes we need to provide services to these folks battling their addiction and awaiting trial, but disregarding a residential neighborhood, zoning and coding laws is not the way to go about it as is evident through even the regulations we've imposed on airbnbs which are the closest resemblance on the market at present to a sober living home. How is it we've taxed and regulated airbnbs but for whatever reason we think sober living homes should have to forego the provisions set in place for residential communities and tenants trying to rent their home to the everyday individual. Again, this is not to bash or critique those struggling with addiction. This is about using common sense and real-life examples that tell us time and time again the perils that come with addiction and grouping an exorbitant amount of folks in one home while skirting laws and regulations set in place to keep homes and neighborhoods safe even when sobriety is not in question. There's nothing knee jerking about wanting to uphold common sense laws to protect neighborhoods. What is knee jerking is waking up one day and hearing your kid say mom I think there's a drug house across the street and now I don't feel safe in my house because I'm seeing drug use, loitering, grown men's penises and fights. And yes I have pictures for evidence. I would say that subjecting our youth, and frankly anyone, to said behaviour in the name of profit is knee jerking. Please help us maintain the integrity of our neighborhoods and keep our neighborhoods safe by voting no to HB2289

Mr. Chairman and members of the committee: My name is Tom Jackson, and I am the lead organizer of the Virginia Recovery Advocacy Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the creation and funding of evidence-based solutions to the overdose, substance use, and mental health crises citizens of the Commonwealth and the people we love face daily. I am also a person in long-term recovery from substance use and mental health challenges since 1991, as well as a Registered Peer Recovery Specialist, and an authorized trainer of the next generation of peer specialists. I also was a house manager and a program manager at two CSB Recovery Programs for over 10 years. As Tom Insel, the former director of the National Institute of Mental Health, wrote in his recent book Healing, the fastest way to sustained recovery is finding the three Ps: People, Place and Purpose. And the most significant part of Place is a safe, evidence-based, recovery-friendly place to live. This is also evidenced by the fact that ASAM, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, added certified recovery residences as an official recovery service in 2024. As I read the other comments I am sad and angry about how little progress we have made countering the ignorance, prejudice and discrimination that drips from their words and that people feel free to say things about us in public they would never say about other groups of people. However, there's no better ambassador that a well-run residence in a neighborhood. There are good operators and bad operators, and there are other bills and a study group proposed that address some of the issues these neighbors have. Perhaps combining them would ultimately be the best approach. NIMBYism is partly responsible for the overall housing crisis the country faces. This bill attempts to lessen that impact on housing for some of Virginia's most vulnerable citizens. While It doesn't directly address some of the complaints about specific residences mentioned above, it will make more recovery housing available overall and competition in the market will help the good survive and the others not. Thank you.

Reject vote for bill B2289. I am a grandparent who cares for her grandchildren. We MUST keep our children safe in our community avoiding encounters with erratic individuals who could potentially harm them. These houses are dangerous. They open the doors to expose our children to witness more violence that they already have to face everyday. Enough is enough. We want to live in a safe community. We want to feel secure. We in our community Jackson Ward urge you to reject this motion for our children’s sake. Listen to our voices.

Testimony at the 01/31/2025 Counties Cities and Towns – Subcommittee #3meeting I am requesting a reject vote for bill HB2289. Special note: In Jackson Ward, at 504 ½ Saint James Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, a drug group home has been put in place without notification to the neighbors, the house has undergone significant structural work, rewiring, new plumbing to bring it to the sale of the property and all the work has been completed. No building permits or special use permits have been registered for this address since well before the sale of the property. The realtor and the current owner have collaborated to circumvent all required building permits and inspections. The group home residents are at risk of harm without the proper city certifications that will ensure safety and wellbeing for the residents living in the group home and the attached residents/neighbors living at 504 St James Street address. Bill HB2289 is a flawed bill and it will allow such abuses of the building code laws that help keep us all safe. Kindly reject this bill and investigate the inappropriate house renovation that is taking place at 504 ½ St James Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Thank you for the opportunity to have a voice in our city governance.

I write to express strong opposition to the proposed bill, HB 2289, that seeks to undermine the authority of cities and localities in regulating recovery homes. While I wholeheartedly support the intentions behind the bill, including the critical need for recovery support and housing, I urge you to consider the implications of this legislation on our communities. Recovery homes play a vital role in supporting individuals on their journey toward sobriety and reintegration into society. They provide a safe environment where residents can focus on their recovery, gain life skills, and rebuild their lives. However, these homes come with an extra burden of care and responsibility that cannot be overlooked. The absence of specific, concrete guidelines governing their operation can lead to dire consequences for both residents and neighboring communities. We want to share a troubling example that highlights the need for local oversight. Recently, a group recovery home was established at in historic Jackson Ward. According to the realtor who oversaw the sale of the property to its current owner in December 2022, the house was literally down to the studs at the time and “needed new wiring, plumbing, gas lines, etc.” It was nowhere near habitable, and the work necessary to make it so was significant. But by the time the renovation was complete in 2023, not one permit was ever obtained. Not one. In this case, the owner of the property demonstrated a clear disregard for the regulations set forth by the city, prioritizing their own financial interests over those of future residents and the surrounding neighborhood. Moreover, realtor representing the current owner reported to us that they intended to have 8 to 11 recovering residents with 1 to 2 supervising residents, which could mean a total of 13 people living in a 1,600-square-foot-home. Clearly, the quality of life and promotion of recovery is not the motivating factor here. This lack of accountability jeopardizes the safety of those living in the recovery home. Local governance is essential in ensuring that recovery homes operate within established guidelines that prioritize the health and safety of residents and neighbors alike. HB 2289 entirely undermines any means for establishing accountability. And, yes, we know that HB 2289 only extends exemptions for houses with 8 or fewer people. But the exact number of people isn't the issue. Quality of life and quality of care are. Recovery homes are not residences in the same way that single-family homes or apartment buildings are. Their residents are living through a tough and tenuous time in their lives. They should indeed have extra protections, among which are an extra burden of proof of safety, extra requirements for ADA compliance when needed, and extra privacy protections with guarantees of adequate personal space. HB 2289 does the opposite. On the one hand, it states that recovery homes are exempt from normal occupancy requirements. But on the other, it undermines that special status by classifying them in all other ways as residences, providing a shield for operators as well as for property owners for whom the only measurable rewards are financial. This is not only nonsensical, it is counterproductive to the beneficial objectives of these residences. Again, I urge a vote against HB 2289.

I am a Virginia resident that has been living next to a so called “recovery house” for nearly a year. In the time since I have experienced numerous adverse consequences due to general neglect and poor management of these facilities. I have witnessed open drug use and a party house like atmosphere where undertrained staff use recreational drugs with recently incarcerated individuals. My family has been subject to frequent disturbances by erratic individuals, including witnessing violence, screaming, overhearing violent threats, and witnessing repeated overdoses next to our home, often bringing EMTs and police to our block. We have had people come directly from prison to our front door on numerous occasions, while we had elderly family members and small children in our home, and have even had these individuals go so far as to attempt to enter our home and property, despite signage and other methods clarifying that we are a private residence. Furthermore, our property has been routinely disrespected via trespassing and litter, as well as break ins into our cars. When we purchased our home we received no warning about nature of our neighboring house as a recovery center. These programs seem to be little more than a means for connected individuals to make money off of the tragic circumstances of others and do not provide adequate facilities to keep these people away from drugs or considerations for neighbors, and attract criminals and drug addicts to residential spaces. I urge you to reject this motion and to keep Virginia families safe from being unwillingly subjected to living next door to a place that attracts and houses drug addicts and criminals. Recent reporting has shown that not only are these so called facilities rife for abuse and exploitation but that they often are essentially used as kick back schemes for relatives and friends of influential people in local government. This failed experiment in private for-profit recovery housing funded by state money has not only harmed my family and my investment in my home, but also clearly does not provide a safe place for recovery and all too often enable drug use and recidivism via general neglect and access to neighborhoods where drug trafficking occurs. Vote no on this bill.

From John Shinholser, retired: In Support of HB2289 Sober homes have been around for centuries, as have the arguments for and against them, along with the NIMBYs (not in my backyard). I opened my first sober home in 1985, and since then, I have opened, owned, or operated just short of a hundred sober homes and provided technical assistance to hundreds more. I’m still learning things, even with 40 years of experience in and around the sober home industry. Of course, there will always be challenges within the “system” that reflect the nature of mental illness and substance use disorders (addiction and alcoholism). The most important thing to know is that the people operating and running these homes are often those in recovery themselves. This is a very special workforce that should be valued, praised, and respected for performing the most difficult tasks that nobody else can or will do. This creates a unique and incredible, valuable workforce—one that has been scientifically proven to be the most critical component for long-term successful recovery. Just as important is understanding that sober homes provide the desperately needed capacity to solve our state's recovery capacity issues. Virginia’s primary provider of living spaces for our “newcomer” addict and alcoholic population has traditionally been correctional institutions since the late 1980s. Currently, it costs taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Science has proven that this (correctional facility) is the worst housing situation, and sober homes are the optimal solution. There are over 2,000 recovery beds in the Richmond metro area alone. Data shows that over 70 percent of the occupants had a choice between a recovery/sober home or a tax-funded option that averages $34,000 a year at taxpayers’ expense. The quick math makes it clear that it’s a $47,600,000 annual saving to taxpayers, not to mention the lives saved and the families healed. Obviously, this system of care is not a 100% cure for our addiction epidemic, and not every participant has the best outcome, but it is “hands-down” the best we have for our current crises. The vast majority of sober homes in Virginia are operated by “mom-and-pop” 12 steppers, religious ministries, and kind philanthropists who want to help this population overcome their illness and become better citizens of our society. Sober homes are not only highly successful, but there is also no substitute for them; they are vital and necessary. Although Virginia is still in the midst of an addiction epidemic, we are finally making progress, thanks in large part to the growth and expansion of sober homes. The growing pains we have all seen or experienced are just that: growing pains. The worst thing policymakers can do is have a knee-jerk reaction and throw the baby out with the bathwater. This is happening, and this bill helps limit and prevent a catastrophe. Furthermore, positive changes and regulations are rapidly developing, and they are evolving as we speak. All are heading in a more ethical, transparent, and effective direction. This bill adds a vital layer of protection for all of us; even though some of us can’t see or don’t want to see the progress, it is real, and it’s happening. I urge this committee to pass HB2289 Thank you: John Shinholser, McShin Foundation co-founder and president, retired.

Please vote no on HB2289. The Parham Papers, has exposed a system driven by greed, intimidation, and secrecy. My daughter died 4 yrs ago when she was supposed to be a recovery house. She was court ordered there as a condition of her bond. After dropping her off at the organization, she told them her cellmate had covid and she was sneezing. The recovery house took her to Patient First where she tested positive. They called me, stating she test positive, she can't stay here, you have to go get her - they left her at Patient First alone. Seven days later, I found my daughter overdosed on her bedroom floor. The issue with Powhatan is unfortunate, but predictable considering the well-known issues within the houses and the lack of oversight by VARR. I would go as far to say, VARR and owners created this issue and has harmed the community, as their focus is for more govt money and control. Dr. Sarah Scarbrough's claim of this being a case of "not in my backyard" is disingenuous at best. One of Sarah's own houses, due to having a house manager with little recovery time, murdered another resident, but details are protected by an NDA. Henrico residents have been outstanding in the support of the residents - it's the owner they take issue with and his lack of oversight over David Rook's own house. comment from Parham Papers on Sarah's house: This men’s house has ONE bathroom and 10 beds. TEN. I know this for a fact for I have had a resident that was there at one time. How did this house get VARR certified and it NOT be in the 6 to 1 bed to full bathroom ratio? VARR consistently ignores the NARR standards and the oversight little to none. House owners have had recent relapses (hence why Sarah is Pres of VARR), but there's allegedly current drug use by house owners. House owners dispense left behind schedule 3 drugs and is given to other participates. House owners have now expanded to operating IOP (intensive outpatient programs) and then demand their residents attend their program, while other owners receive kickbacks. The Henrico neighbors did not protest before the house opened. The neighbors did not know this was a recovery house; they assumed it was just being rented. According to The Parham Papers - all money has NOT been accounted for. VARR does not share any documentation on investigations - period. In fact, Del Carrie Coyner made it legal to kick anyone out of a house - for ANY reason. These tenants have NO rights. (Hence the intimidation) Comment from The Parham Papers: "As an operator who is VARR certified, the “Professional Code” thing – There is no way in hell would I obey that. Accountability is a core tenement in recovery. They are saying no matter how corrupt they are in their behavior, I’m to keep my mouth shut about it. Silence means acceptance. NO, I DO NOT ACCEPT CORRUPT PRACTICES. I will NOT compromise my morals to condone their unethical behavior. I know other operators who feel the same way I do. They would not touch VARR with a barge pole. I’m trying to follow the law so I’m forced to deal with VARR. I wish like hell I didn’t have to deal with them for it makes me feel disgusting. I can speak for many other operators when I say: When the law is changed and VARR is removed from the certification process as well as the grant process, it will be a good day." ***************Pay attention to the section on Sen. Bagby's brother! YES - houses are needed. But oversight and accountability are NOT occurring.

“either with or without one or more resident or nonresident staff persons, as residential occupancy by a single family and that no conditions more restrictive than those imposed on residences occupied by persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption shall be imposed on such certified recovery residence.” These facilities need staff to manage resident concerns that invariably arise in this type of setting. Staff should also be available in the event a community member has a concern. In no way does the rental property across the street from me (which is now obviously being run as a “recovery house” resemble a single family situation. The owner lives out of state, someone rented the home, to the best of my knowledge whoever is renting it is operating a business and subletting to residents for a fee (I’m assuming it is not free). When the weather was warmer, people came and went frequently. There were evenings that men were unable to get into the house and were pacing on the lawn and in the street out front. There have been arguments out front, men leaving with trash bags full of what I guess are their belongings, it is a transient situation that anyone observing it would NOT describe as a single family situation. At the least, it’s an unregistered business openly operating on a residential street.

This Bill should be denied. Having these houses in neighborhoods is not conducive to safe family environments. We have one in my neighborhood and tenants are rude, loud and aggressive towards neighbors. Vehicles come and go at all hours and at high rates of speed for a neighborhood. Some of them will walk up an down the street cursing and yelling at anyone that is outside. We've had Chester police, fire and EMS here on numerous occasions. The most recent was involving one of the tenants trying to set fire to his room. This bill specifies that the tenants will not have to have 24/7 supervision. How is this a good idea given the situations these folks are in? Again, I urge the committee to deny this bill.

Please deny this bill. Localities are already experiencing problems with supervised residential homes. Having little to no supervision will exasperate Localities police, fire and EMT support. Creating longer response time and staff shortages for other residences in need.

Please stop turning Virginia into another California, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Illinois. They are a mess because of leftist agenda. So many people have left Northern Virginia for the same reasons. Why are some of you still using illogical policies? The middle class has been destroyed by the leftist government. Why don’t you stop the hurtful agenda and work with all American citizens and the administration instead of trying to divide us again. This is why many find today’s progressive policies irresponsible. By the way, who allowed our monuments, statues , and businesses to be destroyed? Who wanted to defund the police? It was not the common sense law abiding citizens and leaders. Equality, Liberty for all Virginia.

The magnitude of President Trump's net federal spending followed by President Biden breaking war and supply chain inflation while increasing employment despite interest rate hikes working at cross purposes has overturned the dominant economics of the 50 60 and 70's, the achievement of which President Biden has said he is proudest. Modern Money Theory (MMT) remains as the preeminent explanation of how monetary economies work. Harrisonburg uses 5 billion gallons of water, half of that nonresidential, half, a billion gallons, is three poultry operations. Our single data center doesn't break the 1% threshold into the top 5 users. I have long advocated that we should separate our pristine drinking water from our industrial water. We now have seen that federal infrastructure funding was possible to do this, and to have compensated Richmond to catch up on its deferred maintenance: had we known to plan for it. We thus hope this bill could be expanded to include drinking water quality and to cover all large non-residential water uses.

I ask you to support HB3277. Water is a valuable resource, and we need to be assessing the environmental impact of water-based cooling methods on the environment and coming up with alternative environmentally friendly methods. We need more guardrails on data centers in Virginia! Thank you.

I urge you to support the bills to help protest our lifestyle as we accept the benefits of being on the forefront of AI implementation.

Dear Subcommittee #3 Members: Please vote in favor of releasing this important data center related bill, HB2377, to the full committee for consideration for moving it forward to the full House Of Delegates. It is important that given the huge amounts of water required for heating and cooling of data centers that the most efficient ways of determining water use are used. It is also important that officials, and thus localities, know the amount of water that the data centers require. Thank you for voting in support of this bill being sent forward to the full committee.

I'm writing to support HB2377 - Comprehensive plan; data centers; water usage. Requires every locality to incorporate into its comprehensive plan provisions that prioritize and evaluate alternative methods of cooling, such as air cooling, geothermal cooling, or other innovative technologies that minimize water usage, particularly in the context of approving or siting data centers or similar land uses. The bill provides that the comprehensive plan shall include methods of assessing the environmental impact of water-based cooling methods and requires that alternative methods to minimize water usage are thoroughly considered before local approval of data centers or similar land uses that are reliant on significant water resources for cooling purposes. With each passing year, our aquifers and water supplies experience increased pressure due to the changing climate. The natural water resources in Virginia, particularly east of the Appalachian Mountains, always has been questionable, which is why our forefathers took measures to create lakes and apply prudent water management practices. Fast forward to the last quarter of the 20th century and the explosion in computing that requires immense amounts of water for cooling. As the epicenter of data centers for the entire world, Virginia does not have the natural water resources to continue to support the industry without some common sense guidelines and procedures such as HB2377. Localities have the tools at their disposal via comprehensive plans, yet the "light bulb" hasn't come on for them to incorporate language into these plans that protects precious natural water resources. This bill shows them how, and compels them to do so. Save Culpeper encourages to pass this bill to protect the citizens you serve. Thank you.

We must protect our homeless citizens and treat them as they are: citizens of the United States. No more wrongful sweeps, destroying their tents, stealing their medications, identifying cards and personal belongings. To criminalize them with such hatred for simply existing and to throw them into a private for profit prison where they work pennies on the dollar to accumulate bills for their 'stay' to which they then owe even more money is just plain shameful. Reforms must be made for our communities. People over profit.

Protect our unhoused Virginians, please! They are human and deserve to exist with stability and support from us!

Please vote YES! This is imperative to the benefit of our community as a whole. No good will come to people effected by this proposal.

My name is Allan Coberly, and I live in RVA . I am writing to urge your support for HB2602, which will protect our unhoused neighbors from incarceration for sleeping in public. Every Virginian deserves a safe place to sleep and every human can use a helping hand at some time in life, a hand that isn't a raised fist or a wagging finger. Please vote YES on HB2602. Thank you.

Our unhoused members need to be supported not arrested for simply existing without an address. Instead of spending tax payer money on jailing our neighbors, we need to spend money to uplift them and give them the resources they need to succeed and secure housing.

Hello, I am a community member of Fredericksburg, and it is very important to not just our unhoused neighbors in our community, to be supported through humane, kind ways, while navigating to find stability, but it should matter to you, and to all of us as people, who are just trying to live and do the best they can. If we truly want to live in a just and loving world with one another, and to leave something behind for our children and the younger generations to experience, we must ask ourselves: am I proud and truly happy with the choices I've made, and what they contribute back into our communities? Then please support this bill, and continue to keep advocating and standing behind positive, just, and compassionate actions. Keep love in Virginia, thank you.

I urge our representatives to vote YES to HB2602 and invest in the lives of our unhoused neighbors. There is no reason to penalize public sleeping for the unhoused population, let alone with jail time, which serves only to further a vicious incarceration cycle that many of our unhoused neighbors fall into, further preventing them from overcoming their already dire circumstances. No person enjoys or strives to sleep on the street, and especially not in the weather extremes we experiences throughout 2024. There is also a significant percentage of the unhoused population that are disenfranchised and/or disabled, a significant portion that are veterans, and a significant portion of them who are parents. I see no reason not to vote YES to protect these already vulnerable people from being penalized for simply existing in the only space that they have left to occupy under their circumstances.

I want to talk about an issue that is threatening not just individuals experiencing homelessness, but the very fabric of our communities: the criminalization of homelessness. If we were to adopt a bill that criminalizes homelessness, we are CHOOSING to punish people for simply surviving; for sleeping in public spaces, when no other place is available, for asking for help, or carrying their belongings. Instead of confronting systemic issues like unaffordable housing, low wages, and inadequate mental health services, we are choosing to turn our backs on the most vulnerable people in our communities. This approach not only fails to solve homelessness but also damages our communities in so many ways, way too many to list, so I will pull out three. First, it erodes community trust. When we criminalize homelessness, we send a message that those without a home are disposable. This fosters division, discrimination, and stigmatization, driving a wedge between housed and unhoused people. Communities thrive on empathy and connection; not fear and exclusion. Secondly, it wastes resources. Cities spend millions of dollars enforcing anti-homelessness laws, on police, courts, and jails. These funds could instead go toward housing-first initiatives, shelters, crisis programs, mental health care, and job training programs that are proven to reduce homelessness and its long-term costs. Lastly, it perpetuates cycles of poverty. Fines and arrests for “crimes” like sleeping on benches or panhandling create criminal records. These records make it nearly impossible for people to secure employment, housing, or education, trapping them in homelessness and poverty. But there is another way. There is always another way. A Human centered way. Signing HB2602 will help our community ensure that we are able to keep our unhoused community out of jail for just trying to survive. Housing-first programs, supportive services, and policy changes that address the root causes of homelessness can transform lives. Communities that invest in these solutions don’t just house people; they foster safety, stability, and dignity for everyone. It is important for us to remain a safe community for everyone who lives here and strive to help those experiencing homelessness just as much as we would help anyone else. Homelessness is not a crime. It’s a call to action; a challenge for all of us to build communities where no one is left behind. A community where housing equity exists. This is why I strongly urge you to VOTE YES on HB2602!

My name is Tiffany Haynes, and I am a constituent from Henrico County. I am writing to urge your support for HB2602, which will protect our unhoused neighbors from incarceration for sleeping in public. Every Virginian deserves a safe place to sleep, yet too many of our neighbors are forced to live in their cars or on the streets because they have nowhere else to go. Criminalizing homelessness does not solve the issue—it only deepens the crisis. Instead, we need policies that provide real solutions, not punishment. I have personally experienced housing insecurity after transitioning from the Virginia foster care system with my three-year-old son. Many of my peers who are or were involved with the foster care system will or have experienced housing insecurity. Over the years in my personal time I’ve spent a lot of my time supporting my peers by advocating for their needs and building their capacity to advocate for themselves; finding and accessing resources and supports; connecting them to the community to build their network; and looking for employment and housing so that they can self-sustain. I've also contributed to the development of research and data around youth homelessness and housing instability. I know personally the impacts of not having housing security as well as from helping and advocating for my peers. Foster youth particularly, are more likely to experience homelessness within the first 12 months of transitioning out and oftentimes are less likely to have familial support and connections. They also face high barriers to accessing housing that will meet their needs. Enforcing a policy that will police and incarcerate young people and individuals transitioning from systems seems cruel, inhumane, and counterproductive. A direct impact of incarcerating people experiencing housing insecurity is creating more barriers to secure economic and housing stability due to their criminal record. An alternative would be to streamline access to housing, fund and make available opportunities for economic mobility, and provide resources to aid individual's needs. Please vote YES on HB2602.

My Name is Dmitri Blair and I am an Outreach worker in the City of Richmond. I am urging your support for HB2602, which will protect our neighbors sleeping outside from unnecessary incarceration for sleeping in public. The criminalization of folks who are seeking survival during these circumstances, can not and will not solve the housing crisis that our city has been in. As a resident of this city who has experienced homelessness, both as a child and in my adult life, I understand the fear of not knowing where I will sleep next. Now, after a year as an Outreach worker, I have gotten the opportunity to ask those outside: "What do you need to have stable housing?" Their needs were human. Human responses like: "A place of employment to just give me a chance" and "I just need a reminder to take my medication every day" are just two examples of clients that I have worked with in the last year. We need real policies to address their barriers to accessing proper housing. We also need consistent and reliable resources to support our community and create a safety net to protect those at risk of sleeping outside another night. Please vote YES in support of HB2602.

My name is Dr. Alex Wagaman, and I am a constituent from Richmond and a social worker. I am writing to urge your support for HB2602, which will protect our unhoused neighbors from incarceration for sleeping in public. Every Virginian deserves a safe place to sleep, yet too many of our neighbors are forced to live in their cars or on the streets because they have nowhere else to go. In the most recent Point-In-Time Count data released by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development last month, Virginia counted (on a single night) over 7,000 people experiencing literal homelessness, yet we only have approximately 4,500 emergency shelter beds in the state. Many people who are unhoused in our state do not have an emergency housing option, even if they wanted to go to a shelter. In my experience working with youth and young adults experiencing homelessness, many youth are scared to go to shelters with adults. They fear being assaulted or harassed, which can have long-term effects on their wellbeing. Unfortunately, only two communities in Virginia have youth-specific shelters. So instead, young people choose to sleep in their car or outside until they can find a more stable place to live. Arresting and incarcerating unhoused people is not the solution to homelessness. It is a waste of taxpayer dollars that will just exacerbate the problem. Please vote YES on HB2602. Thank you for your consideration, Alex Wagaman

My name is Briany Cruz, and I am a constituent here in Richmond,VA. I am writing to urge your support for HB2602, which will protect our unhoused neighbors from incarceration for sleeping in public. Every Virginian deserves a safe place to sleep, yet too many of our neighbors are forced to live in their cars or on the streets because they have nowhere else to go. Criminalizing homelessness does not solve the issue—it only deepens the crisis. Instead, we need policies that provide real solutions, not punishment. Please vote YES on HB2602.

My name is Madeline King, and I am a constituent from Richmond, Virginia. I am writing to urge your support for HB2602, which will protect our unhoused neighbors from incarceration for sleeping in public. Every Virginian deserves a safe place to sleep, yet too many of our neighbors are forced to live in their cars or on the streets because they have nowhere else to go. Criminalizing homelessness does not solve the issue—it only deepens the crisis. Instead, we need policies that provide real solutions, not punishment. When I was six years old, my mother and siblings and I left our home to flee domestic violence. We spent the next couple years sleeping on couches and bouncing between different relatives' houses until we were able to find a new stable living arrangement. My family was lucky to have relatives and friends who could help us out during this time and keep my siblings and I together, but that is not the case for many. Please vote YES on HB2602.

My name is Camryn Bosko, and I am a constituent from Richmond. I am writing to urge your support for HB2602, which will protect our unhoused neighbors from incarceration for sleeping in public. Every Virginian deserves a safe place to sleep, yet too many of our neighbors are forced to live in their cars or on the streets because they have nowhere else to go. Criminalizing homelessness does not solve the issue—it only deepens the crisis. Instead, we need policies that provide real solutions, not punishment. [Insert personal story: Have you or someone you know faced housing insecurity? Have you worked with unhoused individuals who were penalized instead of helped? How would this bill improve your community?] Please vote YES on HB2602.

My name is Kimberly Embe , and I am a social worker, constituent, and former houseless (homeless) youth from Richmond city. I am writing to urge your support for HB2602, which will protect our unhoused neighbors from incarceration for sleeping in public. Every Virginian deserves a safe place to sleep, yet too many of our neighbors are forced to live in their cars or on the streets because they have nowhere else to go. Criminalizing homelessness does not solve the issue—it only deepens the crisis. Instead, we need policies that provide real solutions, not punishment. I began experiencing homelessness at the age of 17 years old, after being abruptly kicked out of my home. During the beginning of my experience, I struggled with feelings of stigma and embarrassment that prevented me from asking others for support. Even to the detriment of my own academic, mental, and overall well being I was determined to not let others know what I was going through. Fortunately, over time I was able to open up to others that allowed me to receive the help and support needed to go on. Seven years later, I am now a licensed clinical social worker, business owner, and mother! I have no doubt in my mind that my story would have ended much differently (and tragically) had I been made to fear criminal persecution in addition to the societal judgment around my housing insecurity. This bill is much more than a political matter, but one of basic human decency and compassion. When I was going through my own experiences of housing insecurity it was my community that helped get me through, and I have faith that this same community will be able to get many others through similar struggles of homelessness. This starts with you all now. Please do the right thing and vote yes to HB2602.

Homeless people are the members of our community who have the least power and the most enormous problems. It is criminal that they can be arrested and incarcerated simply for sleeping in a public place — given that they typically have no other place to do so. I support this bill.

My name is Silver, and I am a community member from Lowell, AR. I am writing to urge your support for HB2602, which will protect our unhoused neighbors from incarceration for sleeping in public. Every Virginian deserves a safe place to sleep, yet too many of our neighbors are forced to live in their cars or on the streets because they have nowhere else to go. Criminalizing homelessness does not solve the issue—it only deepens the crisis. Instead, we need policies that provide real solutions, not punishment. I have faced housing insecurity on and off in my life mostly due to disabilities that are often directly correlated with childhood complex trauma. It's common knowledge that being disabled makes it much harder to get income, as support is rather lacking, especially for those who are not seniors. How would you feel if you knew that something that was completely out of your control and hurt you severely was most of the reason that your life isn't as good as others? It's very common for trauma victims to blame themselves as is, why give them any more reason to do so? Please vote YES on HB2602.

Homelessness is often a time period in someone’s life. Someone experience one of their lows in a system that has failed them. Government is for the people, and throwing human beings who are experience this low in jail does not solve the problem. Instead we should be focusing on rapid rehousing, affordable housing, food resources and expanding temporary shelters especially for those who don’t have priority access right now.

Hello, I am writing to urge the subcommittee to support HB2602. It is unconscionable to ban the most fundamental aspects of human life - to merely exist in space ! - when no alternative is provided. If localities are troubled by the sight or suggestion of homelessness, than they have a moral obligation to address the problem of homelessness at its root cause - cost of housing - rather than to criminalize existence. The proposed bill is thoughtfully written as to allow localities legal space to determine their own solutions to the problem of homelessness in reasonable, humane, pro-social ways. Nor does it block the enforcement of public safety laws in the event of fundamentally unsafe behavior. In a nutshell, this bill focuses on the fundamental guarantees of society, without unintended consequences or broad generalizations. It cannot be a crime to simply exist in the state of Virginia when one has no where else to go.

My name is Brian Knox and I am a community member from Richmond. I’m am writing to urge your support for HB2602, which will protect our unhoused neighbors from incarceration for sleeping in public. Every Virginian deserves a safe place to sleep, yet too many of our neighbors are forced to live in their cars or on the streets because they have nowhere else to go. Criminalizing homelessness does not solve the issue—it only deepens the crisis. Instead, we need policies that provide real solutions, not punishment. I have been homeless before and homeless people need help not prosecution. Please vote YES on HB2602.

Our unhoused population should be provided resources and assistance instead of punishment for a circumstance that is most likely out of their control. Almost anyone could be in their position if living paycheck to paycheck and without a support system. Being unhoused can make finding a job almost impossible due to a lack of access to interview clothes, phone, consistent address. Adding a criminal charge will not help and will actually harm. Making it illegal to be unhoused will not stop the issue it will just hide it from the people who don't want to look Gwyneth a Limber, MS. LPC

I am writing in support of HB2602. As a longtime librarian I have worked with many unhoused people who are just trying to make it through the day. They are human beings who have been dealt a bad hand. The idea of criminalizing these folks sleeping in their cars or camping--in other words, making it a crime for them to try not to freeze to death--is horrifying. Please pass HB2602 as the very least we can do for these people.

To the Committee, Homelessness is not a crime, nor should sleeping outside or in a vehicle be criminalized. Please vote yes on this bill.

Greetings, My name is Andrew Brown and I am a community member from Manassas. I am writing to provide positive support for HB2602, which will protect our unhoused neighbors from incarceration for sleeping in public. Every Virginian deserves a safe place to sleep, yet too many of our neighbors are forced to live outside because they have nowhere else to go. Criminalizing homelessness does not solve the issue—it only punishes people who are already struggling to survive. Instead, we need policies that provide help to those in need instead of punishing them. I have volunteered to work in soup kitchens and other organizations that help the unhoused. They have been, on the whole, polite, respectful, and grateful for the help they receive. They are people who need our support and not criminals who should end up in jail. Please vote YES on HB2602. Respectfully, Andrew Brown

Please vote to pass HB2602. My name is Kenneth Fassel, and I am a member of the Annandale community. I am writing to urge your support for HB2602, which will protect our unhoused neighbors from incarceration for sleeping in public. Every Virginian deserves a safe place to sleep, yet too many of our neighbors are forced to live in their cars or on the streets because they have nowhere else to go. Criminalizing homelessness does not solve the issue—it only deepens the crisis. Instead, we need policies that provide real solutions, not punishment.

My name is Sean Lovelace and I am a constituent from Richmond. I am writing to urge your support for HB2602, which will protect our unhoused neighbors from incarceration for sleeping in public. Every Virginian deserves a safe place to sleep, yet too many of our neighbors are forced to live in their cars or on the streets because they have nowhere else to go. Criminalizing homelessness does not solve the issue—it only deepens the crisis. Instead, we need policies that provide real solutions, not punishment. Currently in Richmond there are not enough beds in the shelters for not just individuals, but entire families without a place to sleep in the midst of bitingly cold temperatures. Having known far too many folks in Richmond who’ve spent time in their lives homeless I am urging you to protect my fellow citizens from a care Al state that would wrongly punish them for just trying to survive! Please vote YES on HB2602.

Good morning, As a constituent in Richmond, I urge you to vote YES on HB2602. Virginians struggling with housing security need help, not punishment. Thank you, Maya White-Lurie

It is morally reprehensible that we criminalize sleeping outside. Please vote yes on HB2602.

I support HB2602. If an unhoused person is doing no harm/committing no crime/breaking no laws, there is no reason for them to be detained for sleeping in a public outdoor space or in a legally parked vehicle. People need to move past their discomfort and understand that unhoused individuals are a sign of failings. Being homeless should not be treated as a crime.