House Appropriations Committee reports seven Senate bills, approves reserve-fund and revenue-planning changes

The Virginia House Appropriations Committee voted to report seven Senate bills to the full House, advancing measures that range from licensing and mental-health training to changes in fiscal planning for the Commonwealth.

The committee moved all seven measures by roll-call votes; most were unanimous. The measures include a bill to direct the secretary of health and human resources to create oversight and credentialing guidelines for recovery residences and allow provisional certification by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; a bill establishing licensure criteria for anesthesiologist assistants; a substitute to transfer current judges and provide for newly elected judges beginning July 1, 2026; a National Guard grant-program bill identical to House Bill 1595; a measure to incentivize participation in the Commonwealth Mental Health First Aid Program; and two budget/fiscal bills that change reserve-fund language and require multiple revenue assumptions in the state six-year plan.

The committee reported Senate Bill 838 by Senator Van Valkenburg, which would direct the secretary of health and human resources to convene a work…