The Association of Energy Conservation Professionals serves as the trade association representing Virginia's weatherization network, including 14 nonprofit weatherization agencies and dozens of private weatherization and trade contractors that provide home repairs, energy efficiency upgrades, and other innovative energy solutions for Virginia's low-income and disadvantaged communities. The patrons of both HB2 and HB3 have very thoughtfully and intentionally engaged Virginia's weatherization network and taken our feedback into consideration for both bills. The feedback we provided for both bills would reduce unintended administrative burden for the weatherization service providers, and create more robust outcomes that would support the weatherization network in the near and long term, so we can better serve vulnerable Virginians with our services. AECP supports both HB2 and HB3. Thank you for your time.

The Association of Energy Conservation Professionals serves as the trade association representing Virginia's weatherization network, including 14 nonprofit weatherization agencies and dozens of private weatherization and trade contractors that provide home repairs, energy efficiency upgrades, and other innovative energy solutions for Virginia's low-income and disadvantaged communities. The patrons of both HB2 and HB3 have very thoughtfully and intentionally engaged Virginia's weatherization network and taken our feedback into consideration for both bills. The feedback we provided for both bills would reduce unintended administrative burden for the weatherization service providers, and create more robust outcomes that would support the weatherization network in the near and long term, so we can better serve vulnerable Virginians with our services. AECP supports both HB2 and HB3. Thank you for your time.

HB3 Why do we have to pay for another "group" to tell people they get free money to fix their homes? Why should I have to work 3x as hard for what little I get, because someone else isn't willing to work? HB67 Offshore wind isn't going anywhere. Why are we having this? This is useless. HB74 How about we can recover the costs of lobbying out of the executives' pay. The SCC keeps approving garbage, and if VEPCO was required to be as watched as the regular people are, and with public reporting for all their fraud and abuse, we'd have lower rates (removing the clean energy money sucking mandates). Stop taking VEPCO's money, you're paid off just like a crook and then vote for it. HB120 The SCC is supposed to protect us!! We don't need MORE layers of govt doing the same thing. Either the SCC is doing it or it isn't. It is not, so get rid of it.

HB3 Why do we have to pay for another "group" to tell people they get free money to fix their homes? Why should I have to work 3x as hard for what little I get, because someone else isn't willing to work? HB67 Offshore wind isn't going anywhere. Why are we having this? This is useless. HB74 How about we can recover the costs of lobbying out of the executives' pay. The SCC keeps approving garbage, and if VEPCO was required to be as watched as the regular people are, and with public reporting for all their fraud and abuse, we'd have lower rates (removing the clean energy money sucking mandates). Stop taking VEPCO's money, you're paid off just like a crook and then vote for it. HB120 The SCC is supposed to protect us!! We don't need MORE layers of govt doing the same thing. Either the SCC is doing it or it isn't. It is not, so get rid of it.

Comments Document

Chair Maldonado and Members of the Subcommittee: On behalf of the International Franchise Association (IFA), which represents over 12,000 franchisees, franchisors, and suppliers nationwide, including thousands of small business owners across the Commonwealth, we write to respectfully oppose House Bill 69 as written. Franchising is a cornerstone of Virginia’s economy and one of the most effective pathways to small business ownership. Today, Virginia is a top ten state for franchise growth, with more than 24,000 local franchise locations supporting approximately 256,000 jobs and generating roughly $26 billion in annual economic output. Franchise ownership has proven especially important for veterans, women, people of color, and first-time entrepreneurs seeking a proven model to achieve upward economic mobility. While we appreciate the patron’s intent to protect small business owners, HB 69 as written would have the unintended consequence of destabilizing the franchise model in Virginia. As drafted, the bill goes further than any other state by broadly prohibiting post-term non-compete provisions in franchise agreements and even restricting their use in settlement agreements, except where approved by a court. These provisions are not merely contractual formalities; they are essential tools that allow franchise systems to protect shared brand standards, training investments, and proprietary know-how that benefit all franchisees within a system. Eliminating reasonable post-term restrictions does not reduce conflict—it increases it. By limiting parties’ ability to resolve disputes through negotiated settlements, HB 69 would incentivize prolonged and costly litigation, draining resources from small business franchisees and delaying resolutions that could otherwise preserve local jobs and community-based businesses. This outcome is neither worker-friendly nor small business–friendly. Importantly, many franchisees themselves support narrowly tailored non-compete provisions to prevent former operators from using the franchise system’s confidential methods, marketing strategies, and customer relationships to unfairly compete in the same local market. National guidance from state securities regulators recognizes that post-term non-competes can be appropriate when they are reasonable in scope, duration, and geography. HB 69, however, adopts a blanket approach that would make Virginia an outlier and discourage responsible franchise investment in the Commonwealth. For these reasons, IFA respectfully requests that the subcommittee oppose HB 69 as written. That said, we want to be clear: we are committed to working constructively with the bill’s sponsor and members of the General Assembly to ensure that any legislation in this area “does no harm” to Virginia’s booming franchise sector. We believe Virginia can protect entrepreneurs and workers while preserving a balanced legal framework that supports franchising, innovation, and continued economic growth. We look forward to engaging with you to develop a more narrowly tailored approach that maintains Virginia’s position as one of the best states in the nation for franchise ownership and job creation. Respectfully, Matthew W. Kagel Senior Director, State & Local Government Relations International Franchise Association mkagel@franchise.org

Comments Document

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on House Bill 220 sponsored by Delegate Hope which prohibits insurance companies from using an individual’s tobacco use in setting premium rates. The American Lung Association strongly supports this bill as an integral way to support people who use tobacco who want to quit.

Comments Document

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on House Bill 220 sponsored by Delegate Hope which prohibits insurance companies from using an individual’s tobacco use in setting premium rates. The American Lung Association strongly supports this bill as an integral way to support people who use tobacco who want to quit.

Why should the non smoker subsidize the high bills for the risk they choose to take on?

Formal Support for HB 242, HB 420, and HB 422 (Utility Consumer Protections) ​Dear Members of the Committee: ​I am writing to express my strong support for the suite of utility consumer protection bills currently before this committee: HB 242, HB 420, and HB 422. As a resident of Caroline County and a candidate for the Board of Supervisors, I am advocating for these measures to bring much-needed predictability and transparency to our local utility costs. ​HB 242: Stability for Fixed-Income Families ​Many residents in my district utilize "budget plans" to manage their monthly household expenses. When a utility increases these payments mid-cycle without sufficient notice, it creates an immediate financial crisis for those on fixed incomes. HB 242’s requirement for a 30-day written notice and a limit of one increase per 12-month period is a common-sense protection that ensures families aren't blindsided by their basic service costs. ​HB 422: Preventing Rate-Hike Fatigue ​Water and sewer services are non-negotiable essentials. Frequent, year-over-year rate applications make it impossible for families and small businesses to plan their long-term budgets. By establishing a three-year window between general rate increase applications, HB 422 provides a necessary "cooling off" period and encourages utilities to manage their infrastructure costs more efficiently rather than passing them immediately to the consumer. ​HB 420: Ensuring Transparency in Mergers & Sales ​When a utility company is sold or merged, the resulting "synergy savings" should benefit the ratepayers as much as the shareholders. By empowering the SCC to reopen rate cases if a sale occurs within 24 months of an increase, HB 420 ensures that corporate transitions do not become a vehicle for hidden profit at the expense of the public. ​Conclusion: These bills are not just about numbers; they are about the financial dignity of Virginians. We need a utility system that prioritizes stability over volatility. I urge the committee to Report all three bills. ​Respectfully, ​Nicholas J. Broughan Caroline County Resident Candidate for Board of Supervisors, Western Caroline

Residents and businesses should not have to pay the price for data centers' appetites for resources. The SWVA DCTA supports this bill, which will protect the customers that are most vulnerable to a price hike that may result from data center electricity consumption.

RE: HB 242 The City of Portsmouth is generally in favor of this bill, but would like to see the language added to include a qualification in the reduction limitations as follows: B. No public utility shall, for any residential customer who is enrolled in a budget plan or similar billing option, increase or reduce the amount of such customer's monthly payment more than once within any 12-month period, or without notifying the customer in writing at least 30 days before such increase or reduction takes effect.

The SWVA DCTA supports HB242. Given the risk data center electricity usage poses to the costs for regular energy customers, in the event of a rate hike we want the most vulnerable of them to be cushioned from the impacts.

Drive Electric RVA supports HB 324, which would create a fund to support the development of electric vehicle charging stations in rural and low-income communities. By providing incentives to build fueling infrastructure in these communities, this bill would broaden access to EV technology. Otherwise, many people will be left out of the EV revolution that is happening in Virginia as the major changing station operators focus their attention on metro areas with dense concentrations of retail and high-income consumers.