We have come to the end of the 2023 Virginia General Assembly Regular Session. This newsletter contains some personal updates and news relevant to the 93rd district. Keep reading to learn more about what happened in Richmond on the last week, our legislative priorities, and more!

Not Seeking Re-election

Serving the people of the Peninsula has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I’m also blessed with a wonderful family that includes my wife, Rebecca and three school-aged boys. Children grow up fast, and I want to spend the next years focused on them, so I’m not seeking re-election in the House of Delegates. Thank you to so many people who made my time in the General Assembly possible.

Passing Away of our Son Peter

It is with great sadness that I share the passing of our baby, Peter Gehron Mullin on February 22, 2023. In his brief time with us he brought a profound and irreplaceable joy. He was good and he was gentle and he was loved without ceasing. Rebecca, the boys and I have appreciate the love and support that so many people have sent our way it has made all the difference. Your prayers and thoughts have sustained and strengthened us during this most difficult time. We could not be more grateful.

The Last Week of Session in Review

Committee action ended on Monday, February 20th so voting happened exclusively on the floor. Nearly 100 bills were assigned to conference committees to hammer out any differences in House and Senate bills. While agreement was reached on nearly all bills, there are a number that remain in conference and have failed to pass. Of course each day before Sine Die we took final votes on bill before sending them to the Governor’s desk. Any alterations made by the Governor through his line-item veto will be voted on in a forthcoming reconvene session on April 12th. As of now it looks like we will need to go into at least a few days of overtime for both chambers to negotiate a deal on the budget bill before July 1st.

On Tuesday, February 21st we had our annual House Page Debate. It was so exciting to hear all the bills the pages had written and watch them debate on the House floor. We made sure Pages had milkshakes to help them get through the debate. After seeing all the work and effort these pages demonstrated, I can tell you Virginia has a bright future. We are so lucky to have such wonderful Pages helping us out in the General Assembly. If you know a young person who may be interested in being a Page in a future session please let us know.

This week the General Assembly met with candidates for judgeships across the Commonwealth. This is exceptionally important to anyone who practices law or has any dealings with the criminal justice system. These people will interpret the law, set future precedents, and determine the outcomes of cases. On Wednesday Feb. 22nd we elected these candidates. The two candidates relevant to our delegation are Judge Wade A. Bowie for the 9th Judicial District General District Court and Richard G. Collins, Jr., Esq. for the 9th Judicial District, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, they are exceptionally capable and will serve the Commonwealth well. 

Watch the INTERVIEWS

Team Mullin’s 2023 Legislative Priorities

All 5 of our bills that made it through the House have completed their journey through the Senate and are are on the Governor’s desk. He has until March 27th to amend, veto, or sign the legislation. We also introduced and passed a number of commending resolutions to celebrate things going on in the 93rd!

HB 1959– allows courts to move forward by means of a report instead of a hearing in those instances where someone has already been found unrestorably incompetent because of a persistent and irreversible medical condition.

-Passed the House (100-0)

-Reported from Senate Judiciary

-Passed the Senate (40-0)

HB 1961– protects victims of domestic abuse by allowing courts to award them control of cell phone or computer passwords. It also prevents electronic snooping on devices like Ring cameras by abusers.

-Passed the House (98-1)

-Reported from Senate Judiciary

-Passed the Senate (40-0)

HB 1962– changes the City of Newport News’ charter to make applying for relief with the board of review a prerequisite to filing for relief in the circuit court on real estate assessments.

-Passed the House (100-0)

-Reported from Senate Local Government (14-0)

-Passed Senate with Amendment (40-0)

-Amendment agreed to and adopted by House (98-0)

HB 1964– changes the City of Newport News’ charter amendment so that the city waterworks advertising requirements are the same as the rest of the city.

-Passed the House (96-0)

-Reported from Senate Local Government (13-0)

-Passed the Senate (40-0)

HB 1968– creates roadside markers commemorating places mentioned in the “Green Book,” which was a Jim Crow Era travel guide used by African Americans to find safe passage through areas of the South. 

-Passed the House (100-0)

-Reported from Senate Agriculture, Conservation & Natural Resources (15-Y 0-N)

-Passed Senate (39-0)

See a full list of our bills and resolutions HERE

Team Mullin’s Budget Amendments

Though we are still waiting for the House and Senate budget conferees to meet and agree on budget amendments this year, I am still proud to have almost $2 million in specific House budget amendments, many going to efforts directly impacting the 93rd District. 

Item 136 #16h Security Renovations in Newport News – $1.5 million school security improvements to immediately renovate Richneck Elementary and enclose classrooms that do not have walls and doors.

Item 386 #14h Preservation of Archaeological Evidence Near James Fort – $500,000 to prevent sea level rise and flooding at Jamestown Island and the historic archaeological work at James Fort.

Item 126 #2h Historic Study of the Green Book in Virginia– $100,000 to conduct and accelerate a study of “Green Book” sites being done across the Commonwealth.

See House & Senate Comparison HERE

Highlights From the Last Week

In the News:

Richmond: Facing $25 billion price tag, bid to help VA cities and counties build schools dies

Virginia Mercury: Virginia House GOP again blocks effort to get rid of same-sex marriage ban

WJLA: ‘Us parents need to know’: Va. Senate Dems kill transgender parental notification bill

Richmond Times Dispatch:  Bills to expand tenant rights die in Virginia House of Delegates 

AARP: House Subcommittee stops Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Prices for All Virginians

 Virginia Mercury: Bill to restore regulators’ authority to set electric rates headed to Youngkin

Richmond Times-Dispatch: McClellan makes historic leap to Congress

Daily Press: Del. Mike Mullin will not run for reelection

Associated Press: Virginia lawmakers pass Dominion energy rates bill, ‘skinny’ budget as General Assembly session ends

Daily Press: From housing to hemp, here’s what did and didn’t pass the VA General Assembly

As always, thank you for reading! Keep connected with our office by calling (757) 525-9526, emailing DelMMullin@house.virginia.gov, or @mikemullin4va on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. If my office can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Be well,

-Mike