This is the first time I have submitted a comment. Virginians have many needs, and it costs money to address them. Federal cuts make it harder for Virginia to provide healthcare, address emergencies, protect our planet, educate our kids, and enable our residents to safely and (reasonably) quickly travel to work, family, and social activities I urge the Assembly to pass progressive and equitable tax reforms that close loopholes and ensure the wealthy pay their fair share of programs that benefit us all. Right now the top 1% pay the least in taxes as a percentage of their income. This is obviously unfair! I am not thrilled to pay taxes, but I am willing to help fund services for all and a bit more for the needy. I am not OK with providing more to the wealthiest. I urge the General Assembly to pass HB 243, HB 378, HB 978, and HB 979 as critical tax reforms that help ensure the wealthy pay their fair share and will fund vital government programs that support all Virginians.

HB 1135, HB 1351, HB 188, HB 243, HB 334, HB 341, HB 378, hb 550, HB 557, HB 563, HB 720, HB 784, HB 897, HB 919, HB 946, HB 959, HB 961, HB 978, SB 400, SB 763. I oppose all of these bills.

I strongly support a more progressive and fair tax system. As the Federal government guts services, Virginia needs new sources of revenue if we want to maintain our school lunch programs, rural hospitals, green infrastructure investment, and effective emergency response programs. Currently our taxes cap out at $17,000, putting the burden on those who can least afford to pay. I urge you to invest in Virginia, and pass the Fair Share Tax reforms.

OPPOSED to these bills!!!

Federal cuts endanger Virginia emergency preparedness, green energy support, healthcare access, education, and transportation infrastructure. I urge the Assembly to pass progressive and equitable tax reforms that close loopholes and ensure the wealthy pay their fair share. Right now the top 1% pay the least in taxes as a percentage of their income. I urge the General Assembly to pass HB 243, HB 378, HB 978, and HB 979 as critical tax reforms that help ensure the wealthy pay their fair share and will fund vital government programs that support all Virginians.

Federal cuts endanger Virginia emergency preparedness, green energy support, healthcare access, education, and transportation infrastructure. I urge the Assembly to pass progressive and equitable tax reforms that close loopholes and ensure the wealthy pay their fair share. Right now the top 1% pay the least in taxes as a percentage of their income. I urge the General Assembly to pass HB 243, HB 378, HB 978, and HB 979 as critical tax reforms that help ensure the wealthy pay their fair share and will fund vital government programs that support all Virginians.

Abjectly opposed to ANY new taxes for ANY reason. We have an overabundance of money in this state as it is and are taxed enough.

We need a more equitable tax code that addresses loopholes and ensures the wealth pay their fair share. Too many corporations underpay their workers and force them to rely on public services to make ends meet. I strongly support HB-243 that ensures that corporations pay all the externality costs associated with their predatory exploitation of low-wage workers.

As a Virginia resident and voter, I am writing to let you know that I strongly oppose HB243, HB 978, HB188, and HB 979. Virginians are already burdened with high taxes and high cost of living. These bills will only further punish those paying taxes in this state and will likely drive taxpayers, including those with very high incomes, to other states with lower tax burdens. Please reconsider. The prior administration left the state with a surplus. Increased taxes should not be needed to meet the needs of the state.

This bill seems to only be put into place to stop poor people from exercising their rights, this is very concerning especially since suppressors are used for hearing protection.

To the finance subcommittee, my name is Walker Blackston. I am an actor and screenwriter based in Arlington and owner of a film collective in the region with 20 members and growing, and I support HB 400. It will help grow Virginia’s film industry and economy, an area of much needed growth as we are outpaced by much smaller states with smaller budgets and fewer landscapes to be proud of and see on the big screen. We have a film hungry community, eager to work and bring in bigger projects and jobs to the area that could help diversify the reasons for bringing others to our state beyond governmental work. I know that my wife and I frequently consider moving our funds, taxes and business to areas such as Atlanta, New Orleans, or Richmond, simply for its more direct benefits to the film community, and we speak for many working remotely with no other ties to the region. I hope you will consider my testimony among others in support of bill and its value. Thanks for your time, Walker Blackston

Hello. I work in the film/television production industry as an executive producer and writer. I fully support HB 400 and hope you will work to pass it. I am confident it will help grow Virginia’s film industry and economy and reduce the number productions moving out of state seeking more attractive environments. Thanks you, David O'Donnell

Good afternoon, My wife and I would highly encourage you to support HB400. In addition to being actors in Virginia, we are also film producers and support (acting, crew, producing) to other VA film productions as well. Research from JLARC, DLI, and other sources suggests for every tax dollar spent supporting HB400, there is a return ingest of up to $13 from direct, indirect, and broader investment--money injected back into the Virginia economy. Adoption of HB400 would support local employment across the state, purchases of VA goods/services, and would be paid for by increased tax revenue. Please support.

My name is Kristen Daugherty. I grew up in Virginia and love it here. I’ve been working in film and TV since 2015, getting two Bachelor’s degrees and a Master’s degree in between. I’m an Independent Producer and Production Manager, seeking to bring projects to audiences that empower, inspire, and move people in the way that movies and shows can do. The entertainment industry, itself, is known to have incredible impact on its surrounding territories and economy because of all the external businesses that just one single project can support. I support HB400 because it will not only help grow Virginia’s film industry and its economy, but also because I am proud to be from Virginia. This bill will allow projects to come to or originate in Virginia and give our filmmakers the ability to work and thrive in our economy. Without it, projects will choose other states to work in and our workforce, and all of its economic and cultural contributions, will have to follow the work. I hope to show the prowess of our state, capabilities of its people, and all that Virginia has to offer. I hope to employee people and bring wealth to small businesses. I support HB400.

​I am Jacqueline Jones from Mechanicsville, VA. I work in the film industry as an actor and I am writing in support of HB 400. It will help grow Virginia’s film industry and economy. Thank you!

The City of Richmond supports this bill and believes this program will continue to benefit the film industry in Central Virginia and across the Commonwealth. With appreciation for the patron.

My name is Jeanne Bishop. I’m a longtime Virginia resident and worker in the film industry as a Costumer and Set Dresser. I strongly support HB400 and appreciate Delegate Herring’s hard work on this bill and support of our Virginia Film Industry. I’ve seen the positive impact it’s made on local businesses and crew. Our livelihood depends on this film incentive to draw work to our great State. Many other states with no where near the numbers of skilled and experienced crew (West Va for an example) have far more in incentives than we do. So much money is put into the state economy during production. Please vote yes on HB400. Thank you.

Please support HB400 and give the thousands of Virginians who work in the motion picture industry a fighting chance to grow our industry and compete with our neighboring states.

I've worked in film here in Virginia for 10 years as a picture car coordinator. I'm responsible for finding cars, bikes and vehicles for productions. I'm also responsible for painting, or changing the way that they look or operate, which requires a lot of outsourced help. Please understand that bill HB400 is critical for not just us in the film industry, but also equally critical for those that don't work directly in the film industry. Many businesses experience a major influx of work/ services provided or products sold when there are productions in town. This is why when I call my usual vendors, they are happy and more than eager to deal with us, because they know we will be spending a lot of money with them. New vendors that have not experienced the rush of revenue that comes to town are equally grateful. I think it is most important to understand that film in Virginia, my home, is needed to keep Virginians working and bringing revenue for the Commonwealth.

Hello, my name is Rachel Sargeant. I have worked in the film industry since 2013 as an actress, photo double for a principal actress in The Walking Dead World Beyond, and Stand-In for several of the shows filming in Virginia, and I support HB 400. It will help grow Virginia’s film industry and economy. The VA Film industry has provided incredible opportunities for many individuals to continue to live and work in the Virginia Film Industry and international connections within the global film community. More recently because of my film experience in Virginia I was able to stand-in for Shira Haas on Marvel’s Captain America Brave New World when the production came to Washington D.C. Several of my friends from Virginia Film worked on the crew and cast. Incredible! Being active in Virginia Film for over a decade I have seen first hand the growth and opportunities of my friends many of whom have become eligible to join SAG-AFTRA and IATSE and continue to work as film actors and crew in VA. This was only possible due to our engagement within the VA film industry on Mercy Street, Dopesick, TURN, The Walking Dead, Swagger, and Golden. I have traveled all over the state to work on these productions. We also have growing number of independent films being created in communities all around our state! I joined the Virginia Production Alliance (VPA) in 2017 and have been able to participate in many professional development and film performance events since then. The VPA and Casting Directors of our major productions recognize the talent that is here in VA and continue to provide training, development, and networking to support our growing industry in VA. Virginia Colleges and Universities provide exceptional opportunities for training theatre and film graduates. I have also enjoyed working on university student films in VA and with the students & graduates who have been able to stay in VA and work on the larger productions. Please continue to support and build our Film Industry in Virginia so that we can continue to work here in beautiful Virginia. So many professionals in the global film industry have expressed how much the love coming here to film, but we need your support to continue to provide those opportunities and growth in Virginia. My favorite place to be on set is right here in Virginia.

I am Elizabeth Brown. I pursue work in the Virginia film industry and I support HB 400. It will help grow Virginia’s film industry, economy, and talent.

I work in the film industry, and I support HB 400. It will help grow Virginia’s film industry and economy.

Hello and thank you for this opportunity. I support HB400. I live in North Chesterfield and have worked in Virginia's film industry since 2000. My wife and I both owe our livelihood to the productions that come to our state. We have the history, the locations, crew and infrastructure any production needs. The loss of Virginias film industry will be a loss for Virginia! Please support our extremely hardworking and talented crew members by supporting HB400.

I am Lindsey Paulette. I work in the film industry as Production Coordinator, Makeup Artist, and Director. I own and operate my own film production company in Richmond, Virginia. I support HB400. It will help grow Virginia's film industry and economy.

My name is Ramona L. Taylor and serve as a the current President of the Virginia Production Alliance (VPA). I am an award winning filmmaker, screenwriter, and the owner of two production companies. I have worked in the industry as a script supervisor on several local and national projects including, Walking Dead, Turn, Point of Honor and Virginia Lottery commercials. I support this bill and am joined by the VPA membership, which includes filmmakers, artists, and business owners (large and small) across the State , that support this bill as well.

I am Miles Hopkins. I work in the film industry as a film production company and studio owner, and I support HB 400. It will help grow Virginia’s film industry and economy.

The increase to the tax credit for film and digital media is an absolute necessity for the job market. Other examples of this can be seen in Georgia, New York, LA, etc. This bill not only helps artists and actors, but also bring jobs and opportunity to film crews, location rentals, supply companies, food and beverage services, hotel and other service providers, along with giving the state the reputation of an artistic haven, bringing culture, tourism, and other adjacent sources of revenue.

Support Virginia’s vital film industry by supporting House Bill 400! House Bill 400 seeks to extend the tax credit's sunset date and requests a modest funding increase and I encourage Virginia's delegates to take action. These incentives make Virginia more economically competitive by retaining the workforce, and creating a long-term marketplace for success in the film industry. I am a professional actor who lives in Arlington and for far too long, almost all of the auditions I've had have been in Atlanta, New York or Philadelphia. We have a vibrant, accomplished, professional and large industry base here in Virginia - both in front of the camera talent like me, as well as behind the camera - including directors, camera and sound operators, editors and more. We need to make sure Virginia is competitive in the South and Mid-Atlantic to grow our jobs and economy. Thank you.

I am asking for your vote for HB400. I am a SAG-AFTRA member. Before the last administration, I made a very decent income from being an actor in Virginia. Since the funding is nonexistent, my income has dwindled and is not acceptable. Virginia once had a significant impact on the film industry. Some productions to mention were: Good Lord Bird, Harriett, Swagger, Dopesick, Walking Dead, Fellow Travelers, Gravediggers, Tapawingo, Succession, and Atlantis. Please provide the funding for this bill so that Virginia will bring work back to the industry and state.

The creatives, artists, actors, and crew members of the film industry need this bill to be passed in order to have a sustainable career in Virginia. With the growing tax incentives outside of our state, it has forced many freelancers like myself to book jobs in cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. If you ask many of us, we would much rather forego long travels and work here, within Virginia. Supporting this bill will not only help our film ecosystem, but also drive significant local economic growth by supporting neighboring businesses. Please vote in favor of HB400, our careers depend on it. Thank you!

So very necessary for middle income actors, crew, etc in Virginia. A must for continued work in our state. Films showcase our beautiful state and employ so many non industry people. It’s a WIN WIN for all

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A vote in favor of this bill is a vote to boost Virginia's economy in significant ways. When a film or television production comes to a city, it can generate a meaningful economic ripple effect by bringing in outside spending and supporting local jobs and businesses. Productions typically spend locally on hotels, short-term housing, catering, restaurants, transportation, fuel, permits, security, equipment rentals, and location fees, often totaling hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars over a short period. They also hire local crew, performers, and support staff, creating paid work and helping develop a skilled regional workforce. Beyond the set, cast and crew spend money like residents—dining out, shopping, and using local services—which boosts small businesses. Over time, consistent production activity can encourage growth in studios, rental houses, post-production services, and training programs, strengthening the local creative economy. Additionally, films and shows can raise a city’s visibility, sometimes leading to tourism tied to filming locations, while governments may see increased tax revenue from related sales, lodging, and income. Altogether, screen productions function as a high-value visitor industry that can deliver both short-term spending and longer-term industry development. Please vote in favor of this bill.

Virginia is rife with available resources that would make us an East Coast Mecca. VA Actors have to travel to Atlanta, West Virginia, even Flordia for work, sometimes even relocating, taking there VA tax dollars with them. As an actor who was in the Miami market for 20 years, incentives produced a lot work till politics drove the work to Atlanta. Georgia’s inventive have produced billions of dollars for its economy. We could be the next state as a destination for production companies, driving economic impact beyond what tourism is brining in.

Please extend these credits. It’s difficult to find film wok in VA—we must compete with other states and bring these important projects to the commonwealth.

I am in favor of all these bills specifically. Thank you.

Hello and thank you for your time. My name is Victoria Petrone and I have worked in the film industry for 12+ years and would love to be able to continue to do so, in the state of Virginia. The past few years have been very difficult as work has increasingly slowed down, not only for those in the industry but the surrounding businesses that benefit from large scale productions coming to our great city and state. Richmond was once a place that was booming with new opportunities and future creative projects that allowed everyone from all walks of life to support themselves and families. By extending the tax credits, we have a better chance of doing what we love for our careers and livelihood right here in Virginia. If this should not pass, many of us will be forced to find new careers or possibly have to uproot our families. Please support this bill.

I urge you to pass HB400. The extension of the sunset is vital to the continuation of film work here in the Commonwealth. Many people are dependent on film production for their livelihood bring a local tax base to Virginia. I urge you to support HB400 Thank you Tom Barrett

I am an actor, screenwriter, producer, and musician and Virginia has been my home for most of my life. Virginia is also what got my foot in the door to the film industry, not Hollywood, and I would not be where I am in my film career if it wasn’t for Virginia’s film industry! With that being said, Virginia has so much to offer when it comes to film, both in the talent that hails from here and its numerous locations! As of right now, those locations have been gathering dust and the talent has been leaving from Virginia due to the lack of opportunities. I stand with HB400 to allow talent to stay in their home state while building their careers and to allow economic opportunity to come to Virginia through productions that use a multitude of in-state services (hotels, restaurants, Virginia businesses and locations, etc). Virginia is truly for film lovers!

We need to support HB400. Without the support of HB400 we will lose our livelihoods in Virginia and be forced to move out of state for work. Film incentives bring so much to the local economy! This is our last chance, please take this seriously and support to keep film and its workers in Virginia. Thank you

I am currently a student at Virginia Commonwealth University studying cinema. Once I graduate, I want to be able to find work in the state I was born and raised in. Increasing the tax credit will ensure that more work will be brought to Virginia, keeping me here and able to do what I'm passionate about. Otherwise, I will have to move to find work.

My name is Alex Bond and I’m a freelance professional in the media production industry. The tax credits provided by the state for films produced in Virginia are vital to ensure that me, my colleagues, my friends, and my family are able to sustain ourselves financially, while creating art that serves our community. I cannot understate the value movies have to the local community as a shining example of how a diverse group of people can work together to make something bigger than themselves. It’s a testament to the importance of collaboration, problem solving, and resilience to adversity as a collective. In addition, the motion picture production industry is a financial boon to the Virginia economy. Local retailers see significantly increased revenue throughout production (through lodging, restaurants, bars, etc) while productions of significant exposure provide increased revenue in tourism efforts, ever reminding those outside the state what we have to offer. Thanks to tax credits, productions can spend more of their budget on hard-working Virginia laborers, further stimulating our local economy. Increased tax credits provide more opportunities for motion pictures to be produced in Virginia and improve the livelihood of our state at large. I request the committee pass HB400, so our state’s production industry can continue to thrive and become a pivotal piece to the motion picture production industry.

I have been a part of the Virginia film community since 1992 and I remember a time when there was so much film work here that I didn't even have to leave the RVA for 3 years to find a production to work on. I remember when our friends from Atlanta came here to work because we had the productions! Many productions from all over the country came here to work. You don't have to imagine what that did for our economy, the history is there, you can see it for yourself. Our technicians are second to none, but if there's no work for us many choose to take their skills elsewhere so that they can build a life for themselves. This bill would keep Virginians employed in the Commonwealth, in their chosen industry. Now combine that with money coming from out of state and it's a win win! Hotels are filled, restaurants get frequented , vehicles get rented, anything that you can think of gets touched financially. Lower unemployment, more opportunities! West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina are already being looked at by production companies as well as New Jersey! Please just give us a fighting chance! We would rather be working here, at home! Thank you!

My name is Scott Miller, and I support HB400. I am a Richmond, VA resident, working in the local film industry. Thanks to the motion picture tax credit, I've made a career in film and television as a set lighting technician. If the tax credit expires, I will be forced to train for another career, or move to another state. Virginia is my home, and HB400 will allow me to continue to live and work in my home state.

Hi, my name is Brian Sarvis and I am a small business owner in Virginia. My business provides grip and electrical services for motion pictures, television and commercial advertisements. The tax incentives for Virginia are essential for keeping productions coming into the state and spending millions of dollars to help not only my business, but hundreds of other small businesses and employ IATSE workers in Virginia. The film industry is how a lot of people in Virginia make there living and the tax incentives are huge part of what helps make that a reality.

Please support HB400! The states all throughout the Southeast that surround Virginia are taking work away from us in droves because we're barely able to compete. Virginia has some of the most amazing locations and an incredible, professional film industry workforce, and currently, we're not able to take full advantage. By extending the tax incentives, or ultimately expanding them, there is no question that Virginia will benefit economically. In the face of federal cuts to our workforce, we need every opportunity we can get to continue to build and HB400 will help us to do that. Also, by targeting distressed areas of the state for increased incentive allocations, HB400 would not only attract films but also invest in areas far too often neglected.

Thanks for taking the time to review comments. I am a member of the Directors Guild of America and lifelong resident of VA. We cannot stay competitive in VA with this bill. Film and TV productions are chasing incentives across the country and the world. Many uniquely VA stories written by VA authors are being filmed out of state because of a lack of a robust incentive. Check out "Blacktop Highway" and "Demon Copperhead" productions. Please support this bill and help the local residents stay in the business and keep working. Thank You.

I am writing to ask you to support HB 400, which would increase the cap on the Motion Picture Production Tax Credit and extend its sunset date to 2031. Virginia has a rich history and beautiful locations that are perfect for film and television, but we often lose productions to neighboring states with more competitive incentives. By raising the tax credit cap to $8.5 million, this bill will help bring more jobs to the Commonwealth, support our local small businesses that service these productions, and keep our economy growing. Please vote YES on HB 400 to help Virginia remain a competitive destination for the film industry.

My name is Elliott Bales and I am the owner of Stalking Horse Productions LLC, a small business in Arlington County, and a professional actor for the last 16 years following a 26 year career in the US Army. I started my business here last year because I know the workforce we have in the film industry here in Virginia. All of the investment in our first film project last year was spent here in Virginia. But as an actor, I have had to work in all of the neighboring states and Georgia because our legislature has failed our industry year after year. The Commonwealth's investment in this industry, which constitutes ~4.5% of the US GDP, has lagged behind nearly every state in the union that has an incentive program. Last year was no exception, as voices in the chamber put this issue off again until this year, resulting in the loss of major productions with businesses and workers taking their tax dollars elsewhere. I have multiple projects in process to produce over the next five years, but without the continuation and growth of this incentive, I will be forced to take it where my investment is welcomed and supported. As an actor, I know this community and it is as professional and competent as they come in any place I have worked. Why then, would our legislature not lead us to surge ahead and seize the opportunity that is so lucartive for our state, returning ~$13 of business activity and taxes for every $1 refunded to productions after their work is done? At a minimum, I urge Virginia's leadership to extend the sunset and extend the tax incentives outlined in HB 400. There will be much more work to do if we actually want to have a share and keep building an industry that is one of the few to have a trade surplus in the US. Let's let America know that Virginia is open for film business where it is more affordable than a NY or LA, and that we intend to grow our market share to rival every other state in the region.

Hello, my name is Katie Culligan, and I am a professional actor and creator based in McLean, Virginia. I am also the founder and moderator of the Mid-Atlantic Screen Artists Forum, a community where screen artists from across the region come together to support one another and speak honestly about the state of our industry. In these conversations, one theme comes up again and again: the greatest obstacle facing Virginia’s actors and filmmakers is not a lack of talent, training, or professionalism—it is the lack of work. So many of us want to build sustainable careers here at home, yet year after year we are forced to watch production leave the state, taking jobs and opportunities with it. This is personal for me and for the many creatives I represent. We live here. We raise our families here. We want to tell stories here. Virginia has everything needed to support a thriving film and television industry—beautiful and diverse locations, strong infrastructure, and a deeply committed creative workforce ready to contribute. I respectfully urge you to support this bill, which would help bring production back to Virginia, create jobs, and allow artists like me to continue doing meaningful work in the community we love.

I am writing in support of bill HB400 to support the growth of the film industry in the beautiful Commonwealth of Virginia. Incentives help to entice studios to produce film projects that provide good paying jobs to Virginian constituents and boost local businesses and the overall economy across the state and in the localities where filming takes place.

Dear Legislators, Please support HB400 Please increase the Motion Picture tax credit. It is the life blood of the film industry in Virginia.

As a friend to several technical and creative film production artists, I have heard tales of the ups and downs of Virginia having missed out on productions that might have filmed largely in our state. While there is great competition for production dollars from not only other states, but other nations, the tax credits are clearly an investment - one that returns dollars input to local economies, potential for creative momentum that builds and gathers more creativity, reputation for skilled, capable crews, and the inviting glow of a friendly economic environment. Dividends that compound over time.

Funding these bills increases the chance of long term film work within the state of VA. The last few years have seen a weak and non competitive television and film incentive for productions to come and invest in this community. With fights for film worker's rights, threats of AI replacing jobs , and conglomerate studio mergers, US film work even more competitive. Productions have been choosing to out source to work to european countries it makes the pool of work even smaller. We have a strong and talented community of film workers and technicians in this state and we are looking forward to your vote to pass this bill and bring us the work we need and want here. Fund the Arts. Fund bringing work to your constituents. Fund economic growth to VA. Thanks for your time.

As an active producer of new media content moving toward a 10-20 million dollar contract currently designated to work on location in Richmond Virginia from December 2028 until December 2031, I respectfully request all involve lawmakers to consider extending the sunset for Virginia tax credits and increase the aggregate as much as possible to encourage further film and television production in the state. Film, television, and new media production provides hundreds of in-state local jobs as well as delivers significant income to local businesses for equipment rentals, catering, accommodations, and other necessary items even down to smaller purchases in wardrobe and make up. Trailer rental, renting of spaces in which to shoot on location, plus revenue involved in being allowed to shoot in public locations are all significant sources of income that should be considered seriously. With the reduction of above the line tax incentives in California, meaning incentives for salaries for actors, stunt people, directors, and producers, many production companies are looking to create projects that can be shot outside of California.. Virginia is of tremendous value for historical purposes to many production companies across the United States. Our particular project is a book adaptation series that takes place in Richmond. We would much prefer to spend our money here in the state than go elsewhere because the tax credits have disappeared. Thank you for your consideration. Jen Furlong, CEO Masterful Person Company

I live in Richmond, and I work in the film industry. My livelihood depends on an increase in these incentives! I am 42 years old, and I have worked in film for nearly 20 years. I need more film opportunities here to survive! Thank you very much for your time.

I would love to have more work opportunities as an actor and artist in Virginia. Virginia is a great state for film production.

Please support the continuation of tax incentives for Virginia production. Film production in Virginia sup[orts not only actors, but also many local businesses that provide food, transportation, porta-potties --- all the makings of a film that don't get acknowledged bythose who view them. Many of these are small businesses in small communities and counties. I grew up in Richmond and went to Mary Washington College (at the time), and have numerous relatives in the Old Dominion, so I have a vested interested in ensuring that film production contributes to the well-being of the State and my family.

Please support HB400 and continue nurturing the film & TV industry in VA. I am an actor based in VA. In addition to income tax from initial production compensation, I also pay taxes on residuals from some productions for years to come.

Good morning. My name is John Judy and I am a long-time professional actor and a resident of Northern Virginia since 2009. I'm writing to urge the passage of bill HB400 in order to incentivize more TV and film production in our commonwealth. I have worked all over the DMV region and, while Maryland and DC are nice, I would much rather see the financial gains from my business be realized where we live. Virginia is a vital artistic region which can compete with any other in the country if given the institutional support to do so. HB400 would provide that support and bring immense benefits to the Virginia TV-Film community and its affiliated industries. Thank-you for your time.

Good morning. My name is John Judy and I am a long-time professional actor and a resident of Northern Virginia since 2009. I'm writing to urge the passage of bill HB400 in order to incentivize more TV and film production in our commonwealth. I have worked all over the DMV region and, while Maryland and DC are nice, I would much rather see the financial gains from my business be realized where we live. Virginia is a vital artistic region which can compete with any other in the country if given the institutional support to do so. HB400 would provide that support and bring immense benefits to the Virginia TV-Film community and its affiliated industries. Thank-you for your time.

As a film worker, my livelihood depends on these bills. Once I turn 26 I will need to be in a union to have healthcare. If union jobs don’t come to Virginia, I’ll be forced to leave my home state.

I love the film industry that I started working in over 40 years ago. I've lived in Hollywood and Orlando, I like Virginia but would move to wherever the show goes. Its a beautiful, diverse and historic place with potential for a wide variety of projects . Milder weather than many other production states or Canada.

I respectfully urge you to support the passage of HB 400, which would create competitive financial incentives for film and television production in the Commonwealth. Strategic investment in this sector would allow Virginia to better leverage its diverse locations, skilled workforce, and existing infrastructure. Despite these advantages, productions frequently choose neighboring states that offer established tax credits. As a working actor and film professional based in Virginia, I have seen how the lack of incentives limits job creation and drives talent out of state. Passage of HB 400 would attract new productions, stimulate economic activity, and support workforce retention, allowing professionals like myself to continue working and investing in the communities where we are rooted.

As a recently graduated film student, it’s very important to have a say in the state of the filmmaking community and to speak up for bills like this that will help mine and others’ livelihoods. Please pass this bill to extend sunset and increase the tax incentive. Sincerely, A struggling freelance filmmaker

Please pass Bill 400 to save film jobs for your constituents. I work in northern VA, Henrico and Richmond when films come to the area. Workers from the greater DMV area also work in Virginia so we are trying to maintain a good regional work base here for NY and Hollywood producers and directors. Extending the tax incentives will ensure future work for local and regional actors, performers and crew. And that ripples throughout the Virginia economy. We need the jobs from film. Please pass 400!

I would love to keep and bring in more commercials, film and tv. Thank you

Please support HB400. Protect and support the future of film production in VA. Families depend on this work.

Along with my fellow actors and film and TV professionals, we ask that you support the passing of HB 400. Virginia has such a versatile landscape for filming of which should be utilized much more than I've witnessed. While some film has come through over the years, I see so much more happening in other states. I've been resisting moving elsewhere for opportunities, but am at a time in my life that this is more doable. I am hoping with tax credits and advantages to shoot in VA, more productions will come to our state and I can remain where I've been rooted with family.

For 35 years I have called Virginia home while working throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic region of the US as a professional film/tv/VoiceOver actor. A large part of what has made that viable has been having the opportunity, on occasion, to work close to home. For me, that's included work on high budget projects Gods and Generals, Minority Report, Dopesick, The Good Lord Bird, Loving, Turn, Iron Jawed Angels, Virus, Lovestruck... but also hundreds of local radio and television commercials, corporate educational films, and short films. The cast and crew base for those "smaller" projects exists because of the opportunities to work on those with higher profiles and larger budgets. As work has migrated to other states over the last 15 years, we've watched friends who were industry stalwarts move away to follow that work. Those of us that remain do so awaiting the return of opportunities to VA. At the center of that expectation is the continued existence of the Commonwealth's film production tax credits. Please vote to extend the sunset of our film incentives program by supporting the passage of HB 400. It's far easier to keep it on the books than it will be to recreate a program that has been allowed to expire. In addition, for 20 years I have been the owner and instructor of The Actors; Place, Inc. where, in that time, over 1500 aspiring actors have come through my doors to learn the technique and business acumen that defines being a professional actor. One of the first questions they ask is "can I really do this, can I really be a professional actor, in VIRGINIA?" Up to this point, the answer has been "yes" because of the potential that film incentives will make VA an economically attractive location for production. Without that potential, without incentives that allow the Commonwealth to compete economically against other states, acting professionally while being based in Virginia is not something I can affirm is possible. Acting is my profession. It is a definable, teachable, skill that not only creates the possibility of generating income for its practitioners, but enriches lives and instills lessons are applicable well beyond the frame of the lens. The loss of film incentives in Virginia means having to bring the advanced level of training that I offer to communities elsewhere - to places where our industry is more likely to thrive. On behalf of my students, my fellow film community members, and myself, please do not allow our incentives to sunset. https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0282436/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_2_nm_2_in_0_q_keith%2520flippen

We are asking for support on this bill as freelancers and creators that live off of these incentives. These incentives keep us alive and in these hard times we need all the help we can get. Please support this bill.

As both an independent creator from Richmond, VA and a freelancer on various projects that have come through the city, our livelihood depends on incentives like these. We need support for this as bringing productions into Virginia creates jobs for filmmakers.

VCU’s cinema program is what kept me in Virginia when bigger film hubs were calling to me. After graduating, the film production work available in my home state kept me here again. If you take away our incentives you take away the livelihood of myself and hundreds of other production workers who love to live and work in our beautiful state. Work has already been scarce due to our incentives not matching those of our direct competitors. To remove our incentives, would wipe us out altogether. If you’re not in the film industry, you may not understand how much money film work brings into the state. When the allure of our tax incentives brings big productions to town they are bringing life changing amounts of money with them. They are hiring Virginia locals, staying in our hotels, catering with local restaurants, buying production supplies from local stores, renting out local businesses, and drawing attention to our state upon the release of the finished films. Film production is good for residents, businesses, and tourism. Please do not force the film production workers of Virginia to move out of state in search of work because we can’t afford to support ourselves here. We live and work in Virginia because we love it here but as everyone in our industry understands, you have to follow the work even if path forces you to leave the place you love. Keeping incentives keeps film professionals working and supports our local economy.

I am a Virginia resident and I am trying my best to work in film and television production full-time in Virginia. Not Georgia, New York, Canada or California, but Virginia, and that would not be possible without Virginia Production Incentives. I would like to encourage your support of HB400 which would increase film tax incentives for VA. I am a member of SAG-AFTRA and I had the opportunity to work on many great productions that have filmed in VA such as TURN: Washington Spies and Wonder Woman 1984. We were also lucky to have Dopesick, Swagger, and GoodLord Bird film here as well which was fantastic and employed many Viriginians as actors and crew. The only way it was possible to entice these projects to VA was because of offering production incentives. The film incentives contribute to our economy in Virginia. The additional monies that pour into the Commonwealth through local business, support restaurants, hotels, dry cleaning to utilities for studios and production offices, the list goes on and on. The incentives in film showcase our State to the world and fuels tourism from the beach to the mountain. Use examples specific to your working experience here, if possible. The film industry also trains lots of people for a high skill industry and helps to develop Virginia’s workforce. The Virginia film industry is developing a bumper crop of skilled crew. This makes Virginia a turnkey operation for filmmakers while also providing mentoring for new filmmakers (from school or just entering the industry) This is an important time in Virginia’s film industry, with the demand for content at an all-time high. I love Virginia and I want to live here, but I have to make the hard choice about whether I should move to a more tax incentive friendly state like Georgia. I hope this letter illustrates the importance of Virginia Production Incentives to not only those who work in film and television, but the many individuals and businesses who provide goods and services well beyond “action!” and “cut!” Regards, Kelly Schwartz McLean, VA

As an actor, continuing to incentivize motion picture filming in the Commonwealth of Virginia brings jobs to our state, and shows the nation and even the world how beautiful Virginia is. Please continue to help this important industry thrive in our state. Thank you.

Good morning, distinguished Committee members, I write to you today in support of an issue that will play a vital role in reinvigorating the Virginia film industry, bringing jobs and revenue back to the Commonwealth. I am one of hundreds of workers in Virginia who benefited directly – and indirectly – in years past from Virginia’s support of television and movie production. Passing HB 598, the Film Industry Communities Zone; Local Designation legislation, is critical to the future of Virginia’s economy and helping workers like me. Consider my own story as a camera assistant. A few years ago, movies and television productions routinely came to Virginia. People like me enjoyed well-paying jobs that benefited ourselves and our communities in Virginia. But much has changed since Virginia’s film incentives lapsed. Workers like me must routinely leave Virginia to find work and practice our trade. Tonight, for instance, I am writing this while working in North Carolina, where I just wrapped a day of film production for a Netflix series. While I have been fortunate to still live in Richmond, many of my colleagues have been forced to move to North Carolina and other states to make a living. Skilled artists and technicians who love our state have moved away reluctantly – to follow the work and earn a living. This is a loss for Virginia on many different levels. There is an immediate economic impact. For example, today I saw hundreds of workers in North Carolina – not Virginia – earning good money and spending it in the local community. These are jobs and revenue that a few years ago could have been in Virginia. With this proposed legislation, this well-paying industry could once again return. Movie and film production could become much more common in the Commonwealth. The revenue impact of movie production snowballs throughout a community and the state. The impacts are far-reaching. Beyond tax issues, the potential tourism advertisement that comes from Virginia film goes completely muted without an incentivized reason to bring productions here. A lack of a visible film output in Virginia misses valuable opportunities to bring more public attention to the Commonwealth, with real world economic impact from both tourism and industry. The industry also directly drives the livelihoods, wages, and healthcare of those workers. Film production work often leads to union participation, which in turn subsidizes employee healthcare. However, union healthcare is dependent on participation. As industry opportunities diminish in the Commonwealth, film workers face rising costs of public healthcare options or risk losing their healthcare entirely. Healthcare achieved through union production lessens the burden of public cost health on state taxpayers while at the same time helping Virginia workers. To tie these thoughts together, tonight I write to you from North Carolina as one single member out of a production crew of hundreds of people. Crews of this size earn impressive wages, which are taxed by the state before they are spent on goods and services in the local economy. Instead of this happening in North Carolina, this should be happening in Virginia – and this legislation can help make that happen.

I’d like to ask for your support on HB400. As a union actor in the western half of the Commonwealth of Virginia there are very few opportunities to work on film and television projects. Our beautiful state has so many possible filming locations, from the highest mountains to rolling foothills and beachfront locations, but without the tax incentives major productions simply won’t choose to do business here. From historical battlegrounds to modern and futuristic/sci-fi production styles, Virginia could be bringing in so many more film and television jobs. Please support HB400 so we can start participating more in the industry and benefitting from these larger scale productions.

As a Director of Photography within the Film Industry for the past 40 years, I have worked on numerous films almost entirely shot elsewhere. Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, United Kingdom, South Africa to name a few. The primary reason being the tax incentives afforded to the production companies. 99% of the crews are always locals whom pay their mortgages, car payments, etc. There is no question that Virginia would be a sought after location as proven in the past, we just need to make it more inviting financially.

As a Virginia-based freelancer with 25 years in the film industry, I ask for your support to increase and extend the state's motion picture tax credits. I also own a small business that supports the motion picture industry (camera rentals), and I have seen a sharp decline in production over the past few years. A large part of this is because of competition from neighboring states that have a much larger incentive package. Virginia has incredible locations, professional crew, and all of the infrastructure and resources needed to make any scale production a success. Now we just need to level the playing field by increasing and extending our incentive program.

Please support HB400. The film industry in Virginia is brimming with talent eager to work in their home state and brimming with potential for quality films and television who would like to film here but have to go elsewhere to make the budget work. Virginia is losing business to neighboring states. The film industry spends top dollar on hotels, restaurants, lumber, and so many other small local businesses, helping all levels of the economy. Please extend the sunset and increase tax incentives in the Virginia film industry.

Please support HB400 to extend the sunset of our Virginia Tax Incentives program. Without this extension we will lose the industry and our livelihoods. Full stop. Our contributions to local small businesses and our ability to educate the new class of college graduates in this industry disappear. My career and my husband's career will run away to neighboring states who have these programs. Please help us keep our jobs! Thank you for your time.

I work in the film industry and my livelihood depends on the boost these incentives give our industry. Please support it! Thank you!

Hello and thanks for the opportunity to comment on HB400. I live here in Richmond VA and have worked in the film industry since 2008. I love my job and the talented crew members I have the privilege to work with. It takes all kinds to make a movie or television program. Sadly I hear too many of our talented workforce talking of relocating or getting out of the industry due to lack of work. Please support Virginias current and future workers by supporting HB 400. Virginia has so much to offer! Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on HB 400. I live in Richmond, VA and have worked on motion picture productions for twenty years alongside hundreds of hard-working local technicians, tradesmen, artists, coordinators, assistants, drivers, office staff, and other workers. Sadly, our once thriving industry is now stagnant because Virginia can’t compete with nearby states. Jobs, a talented workforce, recent graduates and dollars that could have been spent here are forced to go elsewhere. It’s disheartening when a movie or TV show that is set in Virginia is filmed in a nearby state because that state offers more sustainable tax credits. Virginia has EVERYTHING other states have (great crew, stunning locations, supportive small businesses, etc.); the only thing we lack is the legislation to support our industry. Please help put Virginia BACK on the list of economically viable places to bring film and television production. Please support Virginia’s current AND future workers and businesses by supporting HB 400. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Please consider extending the tax incentives for the state of Virginia. We need to bring back tv shows and features to this state. We have a rich community of crew members who depend on these jobs for their livelihood. Plus, the filmmaking industry brings quite a bit of money to the local economy for housing, food, and local entertainment.

Please support HB400. This bill is essential to maintaining the film industry in the Commonwealth for all of the film industry workers who rely on this industry for our livelihoods. This bill supports us- everyday Virginians making a living and the local small businesses who see a boon to their profits. Thank you for considering this. Sincerely, Alicia Ayoub Location Manager and Scout

Chair Hernandez, The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce supports the following bills: HB1135 HB1133 HB946 HB504 The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce opposes the following bill: - HB897 Thank you for your time. Kind Regards, Theo Stamatis Government Relations Manager Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce 703.314.3519 tstamatis@loudounchamber.org

HB 1135, HB 1351, HB 188, HB 243, HB 334, HB 341, HB 378, hb 550, HB 557, HB 563, HB 720, HB 784, HB 897, HB 919, HB 946, HB 959, HB 961, HB 978, SB 400, SB 763. I oppose all of these bills.

My name is Kristen Daugherty. I grew up in Virginia and love it here. I’ve been working in film and TV since 2015, getting two Bachelor’s degrees and a Master’s degree in between. I’m an Independent Producer and Production Manager, seeking to bring projects to audiences that empower, inspire, and move people in the way that movies and shows can do. The entertainment industry, itself, is known to have incredible impact on its surrounding territories and economy because of all the external businesses that just one single project can support. I support HB400 because it will not only help grow Virginia’s film industry and its economy, but also because I am proud to be from Virginia. This bill will allow projects to come to or originate in Virginia and give our filmmakers the ability to work and thrive in our economy. Without it, projects will choose other states to work in and our workforce, and all of its economic and cultural contributions, will have to follow the work. I hope to show the prowess of our state, capabilities of its people, and all that Virginia has to offer. I hope to employee people and bring wealth to small businesses. I support HB400.

I am writing in support of HB641 bill for The Virginia’s Great Outdoors Act so that our outdoor spaces will be protected and properly funded. If more data centers are to be built in Virginia, they must to everything in their power to protect the environment they are negatively affecting.

I am writing to express my strong support for House Bill 641, which would ensure that data centers contribute fairly to the environmental protections Virginia urgently needs. Virginia’s rapid expansion of data centers brings significant economic growth, but it also comes with real environmental costs — including increased energy demand, water use, and impacts on surrounding communities and ecosystems. HB 641 is an important step toward balancing innovation with responsibility by directing new revenue toward protecting our natural resources and addressing environmental strain. This issue is deeply personal to me. I live along the James River and spend time in the James River Parks System every week with my young daughter. These parks and waterways are not just scenic amenities — they are part of our daily lives, our health, and our shared Virginia heritage. Protecting them for future generations must be a priority as development accelerates across the Commonwealth. House Bill 641 represents a commonsense approach: if data centers benefit from Virginia’s infrastructure and communities, they should also help fund the environmental safeguards necessary to sustain them. Thank you for your leadership and for considering my support. I hope you will vote in favor of HB 641.

I ask that you vote for HB641 to support Virginia's beautiful wild spaces that benefit all Virginians.

Please support this bill, help us continue to enjoy the great outdoors!

Virginia would benefit greatly from this bill and I support it! Virginia State Parks not only enrich the lives of Virginians like myself, they also draw tourism and, therefore support our economy! Please pass this bill!

Here in Virginia, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to recreate outdoors on public lands such as our state parks, natural forests, lakes, and rivers. Virginia’s Great Outdoors Act (HB641) would provide much-needed funding to keep these resources available for all to enjoy. Please protect our lands by supporting this bill!

I support this bill. We’re lucky to live where we do. This bill would greatly benefit us in the Commonwealth. The outdoors is vital to our physical health, mental health, and to our local environment. We need to protect our beautiful outdoor spaces at all costs.

State parks absorb pressure that would otherwise land on roads, healthcare systems, and local governments. They protect watersheds that supply drinking water, provide low-cost recreation for families who can’t afford private alternatives, and sustain rural economies through tourism, jobs, and small businesses. Stable, dedicated funding means parks can plan responsibly instead of deferring maintenance until it becomes an emergency. As a resident who hikes, camps, and raises children here, I want them to inherit trails that are safe, accessible, and resilient.

I ask that you support this bill to give help to our State Park and other outdoor facilities. Thank you very much! Erica Vincent

I respectfully request that you provide the funds necessary to provide continuous financing to support outdoor spaces for the public.

I ask your support HB 641, the Virginia’s Great Outdoors Act, which would provide dedicated funding to protect our lands and waters, improve public access to the outdoors, and invest in parks, trails , and public lands. As a physical therapist I know how important physical exercise is and Virginia's public lands offer so many opportunities for movement and healthy habits outside in nature! Thank you for your consideration

I am a Trail Ambassador representing an amazing nonprofit organization called Girls Who Hike Virginia. As a proud member of this organization for the past 4 years and a lifelong lover of the outdoors I support the passing of HB641. Our State Parks provide much needed spaces for recreation. I have witnessed first hand what the outdoors and recreation can do for a person’s mental, physical, and emotional health. Today, more than ever, our society needs recreation to keep healthy and our local state parks provide the foundation to do so. A healthy person participates in a healthier community and breeds a healthier society. Help us keep the our spaces in state parks to maintain our health and fellowship with the outdoors.

I strongly support HB 641, the Virginia’s Great Outdoors Act, because it provides a responsible and forward-looking way to invest in the long-term conservation of Virginia’s natural lands. By dedicating funding from large-scale data center development to land preservation, this bill helps protect forests, farmland, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation spaces that are vital to our communities and economy. HB 641 ensures that as Virginia grows, we also safeguard the natural resources that define our Commonwealth and enhance quality of life for current and future generations.

I am writing today to ask you to support Virginia’s Great Outdoors Act (HB641), which would provide dedicated funding to protect our lands and waters, improve public access to the outdoors, and invest in parks, trails, and public lands. We must take action to protect valuable natural and historic resources for current and future generations before they are permanently lost. HB641 would address the conservation and outdoor recreation needs of the Commonwealth and help more Virginians access and enjoy the great outdoors. Please support this bill!

Our outdoor spaces are vital to the health and wellbeing of all communities in Virginia and should be protected at all cost.

I support this bill to provide more funding to our outdoor spaces. More access and funding for the outdoors benefits everyone. This bill would help support that. Thanks for your time and all you do!

This bill is common sense decency for our Commonwealth. Need I remind y'all what a commonwealth means? It means you are here to serve us. We are never going to let you forget that. Virginia has faced an unprecedented exploitation of resources in the last five years in a rapid scale. The last time this land was destructed in such a giant way, was back in the horrid colonial times when the disgraceful King of England had the sacred indigenous land reshaped for his profits. At least we can sow, harvest, and eat food from the result of that loss of wild lands which that greed once caused... Now, I am a farmer so I hope you all realize this, but some surely don't: Data centers will not feed us in the future, especially not, if they take most of our clean fresh water with low PPM of PFAS and just evaporate it. Look at it this way! You'll be a little less complicit to evil if you vote for the VA Great Outdoors Act. A tax on data centers to benefit nature is your way of enabling a little less evil than just letting the data centers keep on stealing our state's income. We the people are paying the price through the millions in tax breaks they have already gotten away with due to your negligence and probably corruption. We are going to need a lot of money for public lands when all the byproduct problems begin to multiply due to the horrible unregulated corporate industries y'all already allowed with very little research or guardrails to come into this state ( like PFAS via low industrial regulations and biosolids). Please, stop enabling the raping of Virginia. Yes. Rape. That is genuinely what will happen if you vote no on the VA Great Outdoors Act. I can say that... because I was raped at age 13 and I am not afraid, like our own government is, to call out rapists when I see them.

Support the amazing outdoor spaces VA has to offer!

This bill is common sense decency for our Commonwealth. Need I remind y'all what a commonwealth means? It means you are here to serve us. We are never going to let you forget that. Virginia has faced an unprecedented exploitation of resources in the last five years in a rapid scale. The last time this land was destructed in such a giant way, was back in the horrid colonial times when the disgraceful King of England had the sacred indigenous land reshaped for his profits. At least we can sow, harvest, and eat food from the result of that loss of wild lands which that greed once caused... Now, I am a farmer so I hope you all realize this, but some surely don't: Data centers will not feed us in the future, especially not, if they take most of our clean fresh water with low PPM of PFAS and just evaporate it. Look at it this way! You'll be a little less complicit to evil if you vote for the VA Great Outdoors Act. A tax on data centers to benefit nature is your way of enabling a little less evil than just letting the data centers keep on stealing our state's income. We the people are paying the price through the millions in tax breaks they have already gotten away with due to your negligence and probably corruption. We are going to need a lot of money for public lands when all the byproduct problems begin to multiply due to the horrible unregulated corporate industries y'all already allowed with very little research or guardrails to come into this state ( like PFAS via low industrial regulations and biosolids). Please, stop enabling the raping of Virginia. Yes. Rape. That is genuinely what will happen if you vote no on the VA Great Outdoors Act. I can say that... because I was raped at age 13 and I am not afraid, like our own government is, to call out rapists when I see them.

Our Virginia State Park system is a gift for ALL Virginians. What other state in this country can tell its residents that each and every one of them has a beautiful recreational opportunity at a VSP within an hour of their house?! Please pass this bill, keep our parks funded consistently and reliably, keep growing our park system so that more and more of us can enjoy them. Thank you.

I strongly support HB 641 because Virginia’s natural spaces and outdoor rec opportunities are worth investing in. This bill would create a dedicated fund for conserving parks, trails, wildlife corridors, and open land — stuff literally everyone benefits from. It ensures that huge data centers, which take up tons of land and resources, contribute to protecting our environment and outdoor access. More funding for nature means cleaner water, safer trails, stronger local tourism, and better outdoor spaces for current and future generations. Please move HB 641 forward! 

If northern Virginia is going to host the world’s data infrastructure, that growth should directly pay for protecting Virginia’s land! I support this bill that invests in preserving what makes Virginia a great place to live—now and for future generations.

The monies generated from this tax will be essential in maintaining the preservation and protection of lands within our state parks and natural areas. These funds will help ensure that current Virginia residents and future generations are able to get outdoors and be able to enjoy our parks and natural areas.

I support HB641 Virginia's Great Outdoors Act. It is crucial for the health of Virginians and will increase revenue for our Commonwealth.

Virginia's Great Outdoor Act is a crucial piece of legislation for the outdoor spaces our beautifully diverse state has to offer. I volunteer with a nonprofit, Girls Who Hike Virginia, that aims to connect, educate, and empower women in the outdoors. As the main coordinator in Girls Who Hike Virginia's Adopt-a-Trail partnership with Virginia State Parks, I am seeing firsthand how desperately our parks need help. At each of the 20 Virginia State Parks that we have active Adopt-a-Trail partnerships with, the Chief Rangers of Visitor Experience and Volunteer Coordinators constantly speak of how grateful they are we're there to help fill the gap in staffing available to consistently maintenance the trails that millions of people visit every year. Not only do Virginia State Parks have a huge economic impact on the areas of the state they serve (see attachment), they provide outdoor spaces for health and wellness benefits as well. Being outside in a safe, well cared for space like our Virginia State Parks can reduce stress and anxiety, boost Vitamin D, and build social connections that are so incredibly important for mental well-being. Data centers across the state are already contributing to municipalities building new schools. Why shouldn't they contribute to the outdoor spaces in their communities as well? Please, please, please support HB641! The attached file is an economic impact study from 2024 on the impact Virginia State Parks make on local economies.

I’m writing in support of HB641. Funding our state parks is a no-brainer. Money invested in our parks benefits all Virginians by creating and maintaining beautiful, well kept spaces that encourage health recreation and brings in tourism. As a state park enthusiast and a hiking club ambassador I ask that this bill be passed.

Active Prince William and the Greater Prince William Trails Coalition strongly SUPPORT HB641 because state investments in land conservation and outdoor recreation infrastructure and programs are vital to Virginia's economic vitality and quality of life. We especially support allocating $25M/yr to DCR to improve recreational trails and $25M/yr to VDOT's State Trails Office to advance long-distance multiuse trails ............................................................................................................................................................................................. Virginia has long under-invested in land conservation and outdoor recreation infrastructure because it has lacked a dedicated and dependable funding source for these vital activities. These are cost-effective investments that will pay for themselves through greater state visitation and tourism and increased jobs in the recreation and hospitality sectors. ............................................................................................................................................................................................ HB641 would establish a new data center land preservation tax at the rate of $3 per square foot of each data center facility footprint (with small facilities exempted) and would allocate at least $250 million/year of the revenues for various land protection and preservation purposes. ............................................................................................................................................................................................. Reasons to Support HB641: ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 1) Taxing the land covered by data center buildings follows a proven model for funding conservation. For example, the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund is derived primarily from federal off-shore oil and gas leases. 2) Data centers have a nexus with land and water; not just the buildings themselves but the infrastructure needed across VA to support them. 3) This is a manageable cost of doing business for these multi-billion-dollar companies. 4) All Virginians are paying for VA data centers, but only those in the host localities benefit from the local tax revenues. This is a way to spread the benefit of hosting this industry to all, particularly in regions that will likely never be able to or want to host data centers. 5) Virginia Great Outdoors Act would help pay for park, trail, and conservation projects throughout VA, enhancing quality of life and attracting businesses and visitors. ............................................................................................................................................................................................. Thank you for considering this much-needed and long-delayed initiative.

I strongly support HB641 and Virginia’s investment in shared-use paths and trail infrastructure. Across the Commonwealth, communities along existing trail corridors have seen clear economic, transportation, and quality-of-life benefits. Trails support local tourism, encourage outdoor activity, and provide safer options for people to walk and bike. In the New River Valley, a major regional project underway is connecting the Huckleberry Trail to trail systems in Radford and Roanoke. This connection would link communities, support local economies, and create a continuous corridor that benefits both recreation and everyday transportation. The New River Valley Bicycle Association represents Blacksburg, Radford, and Christiansburg, where much of this trail network is located, and we regularly see the positive impact trails have on our region. HB641 would help Virginia keep pace with other states that are investing in trail infrastructure as a smart, long-term strategy. These investments strengthen communities, improve safety, and enhance access across the Commonwealth.

I am writing to ask you to support HB641, both for its strong economic return on investment and for the safety of people who walk and bike. My friends, many others, and I bicycle throughout Virginia, staying and dining in communities such as Roanoke, Pulaski, Galax, Farmville, and Danville. Other states are investing in facilities that promote bicycle tourism, and it is past time for Virginia to make similar investments. Infrastructure such as the New River Trail not only supports tourism but also provides a safe place to walk and ride while enjoying the outdoors in Virginia. Near my home in Alexandria, I bicycle for transportation—for example, to get to medical appointments—and HB641’s proposed trail funding would enable VDOT to fix broken connections, including those in Fairfax County’s bicycle network.

My name is Gem Bingol, I live in Leesburg and I support HB641 and HB897 and ask for your support as well. Thank you.

My name is Kaleigh Leager, and I am the Assistant Manager, Mid-Atlantic States for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). I am writing to you today in support of House Bill 641 (HB 641) – Great Outdoors Act. The passage of this legislation will create a conservation tax on data centers 25,000 ft2 or larger, which will provide crucial funding for the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) to carry out their vitally important mission of conserving fish, wildlife, and their habitats, that are not only enjoyed and utilized by sportsmen and women, but all residents and visitors of the Commonwealth.

As an organization focused on protecting safe movement pathways for both wildlife and people, Wildlands Network supports the Virginia Great Outdoors Act and the proposed $1 million for wildlife crossings and corridors. Wildlife-vehicle collisions are a preventable and costly threat to Virginians. The Commonwealth consistently ranks in the top 10 nationally for the most crashes, which cost the state over $533 million annually, averaging $60,000 per large-animal collision in emergency response, medical care, vehicle damage, insurance, and roadway impacts. Strategically placed wildlife crossings dramatically reduce these costs. A pilot project along I-64 reduced deer collisions by 96 percent and paid for itself in under two years. Few infrastructure investments deliver comparable return on investment in such a short time. Wildlife corridors also protect the value of prior state investments. Virginia has invested heavily in land conservation, farmland preservation, public lands, and habitat restoration. Without connectivity, these efforts function as isolated assets. Corridors allow them to operate as a system, reducing roadway conflicts, limiting future mitigation costs, and preserving ecosystem services that would otherwise require expensive solutions. Allocating state funds for crossings also improves infrastructure resilience and unlocks federal funding. Larger underpasses and culverts, which allow for wildlife movement, are less prone to blockage or failure during extreme weather. Dedicated funding in the VGOA will enable Virginia to implement shovel-ready projects and compete more effectively for federal transportation and resilience dollars. I urge the Committee to support the Virginia Great Outdoors Act and the $1 million allocation for wildlife crossings and corridors. This is a fiscally responsible investment that reduces long-term costs, strengthens infrastructure, and maximizes the impact of existing conservation funding.

Wild Virginia would like to express our support for HB 641: Virginia's Great Outdoors Act. In addition to helping fund a backlog of maintenance for our state owned parks and conservation lands, HB 641 also aims to direct funds towards critical wildlife corridors and associated wildlife crossing infrastructure priorities outlined in the existing Wildlife Corridor Action Plan. These projects ensure safety for motorists and wildlife in a state ranked within the top 10 nationally for wildlife vehicle collisions. As a former state agency wildlife biologist and land manager of over 9 years in SC and NC, I can assure you the funds created through HB 641 would be welcomed by the state agencies who face limited resources regularly. HB 641 ensures public lands can be enjoyed to their fullest extent now and for generations to come. When our public lands are managed to their fullest potential wildlife benefit, as they utilize these lands as part of their home ranges in an otherwise very fragmented landscape. Given these reasons and more, Wild Virginia respectfully urges you to support HB 641, thank you.

Environment Virginia is a non-profit organization with thousands of members across Virginia. Robust, dedicated funding for conservation and outdoor recreation is a top priority for us and our members. We thank Delegate Krizek for introducing HB 641, the Virginia’s Great Outdoors Act, and express our support for it. Virginia is home to incredible natural beauty and endless opportunities to have fun outdoors. Unfortunately, current funding for conservation is severely lacking. State parks alone face a backlog of $388 million in maintenance projects and many conservation programs face unstable funding through the state budget’s general fund. In order for Virginia to experience the full benefits of its conservation efforts and state park system, consistent funding is needed. Well funded parks and preservation programs are essential to maintaining trails and facilities, funding educational programs, attracting visitors and protecting more places. Virginia’s Great Outdoors Act is the solution. It will provide historic funding for a range of conservation programs including state park operations, deferred maintenance on public lands, the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, wildlife crossings, trails, new public lands and more. More funding for conservation means more protected wildlife, more lightly-touched, iconic landscapes and more opportunities to get out and experience the great outdoors. It also means strengthening the immeasurable benefits of protecting nature, including clean air, clean water, healthy people and a strong economy. To secure funding for these programs, this bill creates a new tax on data centers of $3 per square foot per year. The data center industry has significant impacts on land and water use, and this will require them to support conservation of the land and natural resources they consume. Significant, dedicated funding is essential to protecting and improving Virginia’s parks and natural ecosystems. We urge you to support HB 641 and invest in conservation so that current and future generations can continue to experience Virginia’s great outdoors.

HB 1135, HB 1351, HB 188, HB 243, HB 334, HB 341, HB 378, hb 550, HB 557, HB 563, HB 720, HB 784, HB 897, HB 919, HB 946, HB 959, HB 961, HB 978, SB 400, SB 763. I oppose all of these bills.

Support for HB760 - New Home Tax Credit Owens Corning strongly supports HB 760, legislation that establishes a voluntary, first‑in‑the‑nation state tax credit for the construction and purchase of new, energy‑efficient homes. At a time when housing affordability is under increasing pressure, this bill provides a practical, market‑based tool to help builders offer high‑performance homes without pricing out working families. HB 760 addresses a real and growing cost gap. Building to nationally recognized, voluntary energy‑efficiency standards increases construction costs, and the recent elimination of the federal 45L tax credit for builders removed a critical incentive that helped offset those expenses. This legislation helps restore that lost support at the state level, enabling builders to continue offering energy‑efficient options while keeping homes attainable for buyers. The benefits extend directly to homeowners. Energy‑efficient homes reduce monthly utility costs from the start, helping families manage rising electricity prices and improving long‑term affordability. At the same time, the bill supports grid reliability by reducing peak energy demand and strengthens the Commonwealth’s economy by driving local investment, job creation, and tax revenue. Importantly, HB 760 is fully voluntary and market‑driven. It does not impose new mandates or building requirements; instead, it preserves choice for builders and buyers while positioning the Commonwealth as a national leader in smart, affordable housing policy. For these reasons, Owens Corning respectfully urges support for HB 760.

HB 1135, HB 1351, HB 188, HB 243, HB 334, HB 341, HB 378, hb 550, HB 557, HB 563, HB 720, HB 784, HB 897, HB 919, HB 946, HB 959, HB 961, HB 978, SB 400, SB 763. I oppose all of these bills.

HB 1135, HB 1351, HB 188, HB 243, HB 334, HB 341, HB 378, hb 550, HB 557, HB 563, HB 720, HB 784, HB 897, HB 919, HB 946, HB 959, HB 961, HB 978, SB 400, SB 763. I oppose all of these bills.

Chair Hernandez, The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce supports the following bills: HB1135 HB1133 HB946 HB504 The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce opposes the following bill: - HB897 Thank you for your time. Kind Regards, Theo Stamatis Government Relations Manager Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce 703.314.3519 tstamatis@loudounchamber.org

I'm Nathan Soules, a founding member of Zero Carbon Virginia, and I live in Leesburg, VA. ZCV supports HB897, HB1132, and HB1133. The growing impact of data centers on our grid is too large to ignore. As the JLARC study on data centers found, it would be “very difficult” to build enough electric infrastructure to support unconstrained demand for data centers. HB897 leverages the tax exemption given to data centers to incentivize use of clean energy. Replacing diesel and gas generators with cleaner alternatives reduces greenhouse gas emissions and local impacts on noise and air quality. Requiring purchase of RECs helps Virginia stay on track with the goals of the VCEA’s RPS. Efficiency standards will help reduce electricity demand. Last year, many of the clean energy incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act were rolled back. HB1132 and HB1133 both help to mitigate the loss of those federal incentives. This helps Virginia continue to meet its VCEA targets and preserve jobs in the growing solar and energy storage industries. Investment in these low cost technologies will ultimately lower costs for rate payers. Residential solar and energy storage can reduce the need for additional electric transmission and generation, particularly if coordinated with a virtual power plant. Utility-scale solar and energy storage are critical for the transition away from fossil fuel generation.

My name is Gem Bingol, I live in Leesburg and I support HB641 and HB897 and ask for your support as well. Thank you.

Data centers have taken extensive advantage of the sales and use tax exemption. We can’t afford to keep subsidizing them as they use up our power and water. This bill requires the data centers to give something back and add to the grid to get the tax credit. There are multiple technologies available to these data centers, including energy storage and renewables, even storage of biofuels, which is not fossil carbon. This will help stop the tax giveaway and benefit all Virginia families

HB 1135, HB 1351, HB 188, HB 243, HB 334, HB 341, HB 378, hb 550, HB 557, HB 563, HB 720, HB 784, HB 897, HB 919, HB 946, HB 959, HB 961, HB 978, SB 400, SB 763. I oppose all of these bills.

Chair Hernandez, The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce supports the following bills: HB1135 HB1133 HB946 HB504 The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce opposes the following bill: - HB897 Thank you for your time. Kind Regards, Theo Stamatis Government Relations Manager Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce 703.314.3519 tstamatis@loudounchamber.org

HB 1135, HB 1351, HB 188, HB 243, HB 334, HB 341, HB 378, hb 550, HB 557, HB 563, HB 720, HB 784, HB 897, HB 919, HB 946, HB 959, HB 961, HB 978, SB 400, SB 763. I oppose all of these bills.

Qcells and Goodleap testify in support of HB 1132, which would allow Virginia localities to use a portion of data center tax revenues to deploy solar and storage in local communities. As one of the largest solar manufacturers investing in U.S. domestic production, Qcells see HB 1132 as a pragmatic way to translate Virginia’s data center growth into bill savings for residents through the deployment of solar and storage. By explicitly tying a portion of data center tax receipts to customer-facing clean energy investments, communities impacted by data centers will have more opportunities to add distributed solar and storage to their residences—giving them long-term protection from energy bill increases. Not only can deployment of rooftop solar and storage help families and businesses with energy affordability, it can also be scaled quickly, in months not years. As more households are able to deploy solar and storage communities are benefitting from reduced peak load and avoided transmission costs, bill savings that can be reinvested in their local economies, and jobs created by supporting American manufacturing and installation. Qcells stands ready to deploy our American made solar panels in local communities to deliver savings to residents. We respectfully urge the Appropriations Committee to support HB 1132 and the General Assembly to enact it into law. The bill offers Virginia a fiscally responsible way to harness data center growth to expand access to affordable energy, especially for low- and moderate-income households. Qcells and Goodleap stand ready to work with local governments, utilities, and community organizations to ensure that the programs enabled by HB 1132 deliver tangible benefits to Virginia families and support a resilient, domestically supplied energy economy in the Commonwealth.

I'm Nathan Soules, a founding member of Zero Carbon Virginia, and I live in Leesburg, VA. ZCV supports HB897, HB1132, and HB1133. The growing impact of data centers on our grid is too large to ignore. As the JLARC study on data centers found, it would be “very difficult” to build enough electric infrastructure to support unconstrained demand for data centers. HB897 leverages the tax exemption given to data centers to incentivize use of clean energy. Replacing diesel and gas generators with cleaner alternatives reduces greenhouse gas emissions and local impacts on noise and air quality. Requiring purchase of RECs helps Virginia stay on track with the goals of the VCEA’s RPS. Efficiency standards will help reduce electricity demand. Last year, many of the clean energy incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act were rolled back. HB1132 and HB1133 both help to mitigate the loss of those federal incentives. This helps Virginia continue to meet its VCEA targets and preserve jobs in the growing solar and energy storage industries. Investment in these low cost technologies will ultimately lower costs for rate payers. Residential solar and energy storage can reduce the need for additional electric transmission and generation, particularly if coordinated with a virtual power plant. Utility-scale solar and energy storage are critical for the transition away from fossil fuel generation.

Chair Hernandez, The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce supports the following bills: HB1135 HB1133 HB946 HB504 The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce opposes the following bill: - HB897 Thank you for your time. Kind Regards, Theo Stamatis Government Relations Manager Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce 703.314.3519 tstamatis@loudounchamber.org

I'm Nathan Soules, a founding member of Zero Carbon Virginia, and I live in Leesburg, VA. ZCV supports HB897, HB1132, and HB1133. The growing impact of data centers on our grid is too large to ignore. As the JLARC study on data centers found, it would be “very difficult” to build enough electric infrastructure to support unconstrained demand for data centers. HB897 leverages the tax exemption given to data centers to incentivize use of clean energy. Replacing diesel and gas generators with cleaner alternatives reduces greenhouse gas emissions and local impacts on noise and air quality. Requiring purchase of RECs helps Virginia stay on track with the goals of the VCEA’s RPS. Efficiency standards will help reduce electricity demand. Last year, many of the clean energy incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act were rolled back. HB1132 and HB1133 both help to mitigate the loss of those federal incentives. This helps Virginia continue to meet its VCEA targets and preserve jobs in the growing solar and energy storage industries. Investment in these low cost technologies will ultimately lower costs for rate payers. Residential solar and energy storage can reduce the need for additional electric transmission and generation, particularly if coordinated with a virtual power plant. Utility-scale solar and energy storage are critical for the transition away from fossil fuel generation.

I oppose this bill. The general assembly should not give tax breaks to solar developers. The majority of rural taxpayers are against utility scale solar being sited on agricultural and timberland. Corporations and wealthy individuals do not deserve tax breaks at the expense of the lower and middle class citizens. This tax break is being proposed at the same time as the General Assembly is proposing new taxes on working Virginians: Taxes on Amazon deliveries, haircuts, lawn care services, oil changes, gym membership, tire rotation, Plumbing services, and other general services. a better way to give a solar tax break would provide a tax break for every Virginian to put solar panels on their roof and tax breaks for businesses to put solar panels on their roofs and parking lots.

HB 1135, HB 1351, HB 188, HB 243, HB 334, HB 341, HB 378, hb 550, HB 557, HB 563, HB 720, HB 784, HB 897, HB 919, HB 946, HB 959, HB 961, HB 978, SB 400, SB 763. I oppose all of these bills.

Chair Hernandez, The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce supports the following bills: HB1135 HB1133 HB946 HB504 The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce opposes the following bill: - HB897 Thank you for your time. Kind Regards, Theo Stamatis Government Relations Manager Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce 703.314.3519 tstamatis@loudounchamber.org

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) supports HB1461. NOVA and all Virginia community colleges are ready to scale up semiconductor workforce programs, but we need industry partners with local facilities to make these programs viable and relevant. The semiconductor ITC will catalyze such investments that create this virtuous cycle. I urge you to support HB 1461 / SB 786. This legislation will position Virginia to compete for transformative economic investments while ensuring that our community college students have direct access to the career opportunities those investments create.