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Labor and Commerce Committee certifies Jamal T. Hudson for State Corporation Commission
Summary
The House Labor and Commerce Committee certified Jamal T. Hudson for a six-year term on the Virginia State Corporation Commission after Hudson outlined his commitment to a record-based approach and commissioners described regulatory priorities including data-center demand and health exchange challenges.
The House Labor and Commerce Committee certified Jamal T. Hudson to be elected to the Virginia State Corporation Commission for a six-year term after a brief presentation and member questions during a 2026 committee session.
Hudson told the committee he is "honored to appear" and asked for the panel's recommendation to return as a judge of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, saying he will continue to "apply the law and regulations faithfully" and base decisions on the record and applicable law.
The endorsement came after members thanked Hudson for filling duties while the commission was short-staffed. In response to questions, Hudson said the commission treats public testimony seriously, noting it reads written comments, holds local public hearings and reviews filed testimony when deciding cases.
Why it matters: The State Corporation Commission regulates utilities, insurance, banks and securities, and its rulings shape costs and service reliability for Virginia consumers. Samuel Towell, chair of the commission, told the committee the SEC is focused on electricity-system planning amid rapid growth — "the great majority of that forecast demand is attributable to data centers" — and has created a new high-load rate class (GS5) for customers using more than 25 megawatts to address cost-shifting concerns. He also discussed the Health Benefit Exchange and warned that the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits has produced headwinds for the state's marketplace.
Following the presentations and questions, a member moved and a second agreed to certify Hudson; the motion passed by voice vote with no opposition reported.
Committee members asked for more specific, shareable information about insurance-rule changes and how members and constituents can contact SEC staff. Towell pointed lawmakers to the commission's legislative engagement staff to coordinate follow-up and further technical briefings.
The committee then proceeded to other agenda items.
