House Finance Committee votes 12-9 to report bill removing state tax exemption for Virginia Division of United Daughters of the Confederacy

Delegate Askew presented HB 1699 to the House Finance Committee, asking members to advance the bill to the next stage.

"We have for you again a bill that we passed, through the House last year. A bill that seeks to eliminate the exemption from state recordation taxes, for the Virginia Division of the United Daughters Confederacy," Askew said. He told the committee the bill would remove tax designation for real and personal property owned by the Virginia Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the general organization of the UDC, and that a substitute added several other organizations last year, including the Confederate Memorial Library Society and the G.B. Stewart Burplace Preservation Trust.

Askew framed the proposal as a fiscal fairness issue rather than an attempt to restrict organizations' existence. "This bill, you know, does not challenge any organization's right to exist. It's not about free speech taking down monuments, or which version of history is accurate. It's about fairness in the financial priorities of this Commonwealth," he said, and urged the committee to pass the bill so the Commonwealth could allocate resources "to fund schools, participate in workforce development programs or mental health programs."

The chair reminded members that the committee had heard the same bill the prior year and that the change would not prevent localities from granting exemptions if they choose.

There were no members of the public who registered to speak for or against the measure during the committee meeting. A member moved to report the bill and another seconded. The clerk opened the roll for a recorded vote; HB 1699 was reported by the committee by a vote of 12 to 9.

The bill will proceed in the legislative process after being reported by the committee. The transcript shows no amendments taken at this meeting and no public testimony.