Senate Finance Committee reports dozens of tax and budget bills, tables several for budget consideration

The Senate Finance Committee in Richmond considered more than 50 bills related to taxation, budget language and program changes and either reported them to the full Senate or passed them by indefinitely for consideration in the budget.

The committee reported many bills without extended debate, including tax exemptions, fee changes and regulatory conforming bills. Several bills were passed by indefinitely (PBI) or tabled for consideration in the budget; a smaller set of bills attracted recorded opposition in roll-call votes.

Why this matters: The committee’s recommendations send bills to the full Senate or remove them from active consideration this session. ‘Passed by indefinitely’ items often mean the issue will be addressed in budget negotiations rather than through stand‑alone legislation.

Votes at a glance (bill — brief description — committee action — roll tally): - HB 1600 — Substitute to adopt Senate amendments on the budget (substitute motion) — approved — Ayes 13, Noes 0. - HB 1698 — Retail sales and use tax exemption for prescription medications purchased by veterinarians — approved — Ayes 13, Noes 0. - HB 2681 — Study of net operating losses; convene work group — tabled (passed by indefinitely to be considered in the budget) — Ayes 13, Noes 0. - HB 2157 — Richard Bland College governance (conform to Senate bill) — approved — Ayes 13, Noes 0. - HB 1682 — Surplus line broker tax;…