Senate finance subcommittee advances dam-safety bill, defers several tax-credit measures and debates EV charging, film incentives and braille labeling

At a meeting of the Senate Finance subcommittee in Richmond, senators voted to advance a dam-safety bill and a handful of administrative measures, while deferring several proposed tax credits and incentive changes until later sessions or until further review.

The panel unanimously agreed to a dam-safety package from Senator David French that reduces the matching requirement for private dam owners seeking state assistance and clarifies cooperation between the Department of Conservation and Recreation and local governments to prevent dam failures. "This bill will make it easier for private dam owners to access the funds and assistance they need to maintain their dams and keep them safe," French said. DCR Director Matt Wills told the committee DCR supports the measure and stood ready to answer questions.

Lawmakers spent most of the morning considering a long list of bills that would create or expand tax credits and incentives. Because the committee follows a standing practice of not advancing new or expanded income tax credits in a nonbudget year, many of those measures were passed by for the day (deferred) rather than approved. Sponsors and supporters used the hearing to outline goals and raise concerns that the items would be considered when the budget is adopted in an even-numbered year.

Electric-vehicle infrastructure: Sponsor Senator Ayers described Senate Bill 1225 as an effort "to ensure that we can increase access to electric vehicles and the necessary infrastructure for our distressed communities as well as our rural communities." The bill would create a grant fund to cover up to 70% of the cost of installing EV charging stations in distressed and rural localities. Representatives of environmental and business groups — including Thomas Turner of the Conservancy for Clean Energy, Blair St. Lejerg Olsen of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, and Tommy Herbert of the Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association — testified in support. The committee moved to pass the bill by for the day under…