Spanberger Signs First Bills Targeting Healthcare, Housing and Energy Costs

Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed her first group of bills into law, focusing on lowering costs for healthcare, housing, and energy across Virginia.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs her first slate of bills as governor in Richmond.

The measures aim to address everyday expenses many families face, from prescription drugs to rent and utility bills. Spanberger said the new laws respond directly to concerns she has heard from residents across the state.

“No Virginian should ever have to choose between seeing their doctor, paying their rent or mortgage, or keeping their lights on,” Spanberger said.

Among the most notable changes is new oversight of pharmacy benefit managers, also known as PBMs. These companies act as middlemen between insurers and drug companies. Lawmakers say the new law will help prevent them from driving up the cost of prescription medications.

The governor also approved legislation to strengthen Virginia’s healthcare workforce. Supporters say the move will expand access to care and help reduce shortages in hospitals and clinics.

Other healthcare-related measures eliminate certain insurance premium fees and protect access to preventive services.

Housing affordability is another key focus of the legislation. Several of the newly signed bills are designed to increase the supply of homes and help residents stay in their current housing.

One measure allows the state to use its bonding authority to support new affordable housing projects. Another expands a program that helps prevent evictions, while additional legislation makes it easier to build manufactured homes.

On energy, the new laws seek to balance growing demand with consumer protections. One bill allows large energy users to invest in infrastructure without passing costs on to other ratepayers. Others encourage new technologies, improve grid reliability, and expand access to electric vehicle charging.

Lawmakers also approved steps to study and limit sudden spikes in fuel costs that can raise utility bills.

Beyond those areas, Spanberger signed legislation to expand fee exemptions for disabled veterans and to create a free tax-filing program for individuals.

The package reflects what the governor has called her “Affordable Virginia Agenda,” a set of priorities introduced early in her administration to tackle rising costs.

“We are holding pharmacy benefit managers accountable for hiking up drug costs, cutting red tape so more Virginians can find housing that fits their budget, and tackling the high energy costs Virginians are facing,” Spanberger said.

Spanberger said more action could follow as additional bills reach her desk in the coming weeks.

The following bills, signed by Governor Spanberger, are intended to improve access to healthcare and address costs in Virginia:

• SB669 (Senator Aaron Rouse) — Stopping predatory middlemen from hiking up the cost of prescription drugs. Passed unanimously. This legislation is identical to HB830, patroned by Delegate Katrina Callsen, which will be signed by the Governor once communicated.
•  SB405 (Senator L. Louise Lucas) — Increasing access to quality, affordable care by investing in and growing Virginia’s healthcare workforce. Passed unanimously. This legislation is identical to HB815, patroned by Delegate Mark Downey, which will be signed by the Governor once communicated.
• HB220 (Delegate Patrick Hope), SB630 (Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy) — Eliminating additional fees on healthcare premiums. Passed with bipartisan support.
• HB60 (Delegate Jeion Ward) — Protecting Virginians’ access to critical preventive healthcare. Passed with bipartisan support.

The following bills, signed by Governor Spanberger, are intended to increase housing availability and address costs in Virginia:

• HB1227 (Delegate Josh Thomas), SB729 (Senator Michael Jones) — Leveraging the Commonwealth’s bonding authority to support the development of new affordable housing. Passed with bipartisan support.
• SB628 (Senator Mamie Locke) — Keeping Virginians in their homes by expanding the Virginia Eviction Reduction Program pilot program. Passed with bipartisan support. This legislation is identical to HB527, patroned by Delegate Adele McClure, which will be signed by the Governor once communicated.
• HB655 (Delegate Michelle Lopes Maldonado), SB346 (Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg) — Boosting housing supply by making it easier to build manufactured homes. Passed with bipartisan support.

The following bills, signed by Governor Spanberger, are intended to address energy costs across the Commonwealth:

• HB1191 (Delegate Irene Shin), SB377 (Senator Scott Surovell) — Permitting high energy use customers to invest in new energy infrastructure while protecting ratepayers from increased costs. Passed unanimously.
• HB369 (Delegate David Reid) — Encouraging investment in cutting-edge energy technology, like fusion and nuclear. Passed with bipartisan support. This legislation is identical to SB598, patroned by Senator Creigh Deeds, which will be signed by the Governor once communicated. 
• SB505 (Senator Creigh Deeds) — Evaluating how to best protect ratepayers from paying excessive costs due to market spikes in fuel costs. Passed unanimously. This legislation is identical to HB1256, patroned by Delegate Irene Shin, which will be signed by the Governor once communicated.
• HB562 (Delegate David Reid) — Encouraging electric co-operatives to provide more reliable power for customers and help ease demand on the grid. Passed with bipartisan support. This legislation is identical to SB487, patroned by Senator McPike, which will be signed by the Governor once communicated.
• HB889 (Delegate Irene Shin), SB497 (Senator Russet Perry) — Streamlining permitting of new high-voltage transmission infrastructure in existing utility and highway corridors. Passed with bipartisan support.
• HB1225 (Delegate Irene Shin), SB407 (Senator Jennifer Boysko) — Supporting the development of electric vehicle charging stations to expand access and reliability. Passed with bipartisan support.

The following bills, signed by Governor Spanberger, are intended to reduce costs for disabled veterans and make tax filing more accessible in Virginia:

• HB94 (Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker) — Expanding the exemption from annual vehicle registration fees for disabled Veterans. Passed with bipartisan support.
• HB1180 (Delegate Kimberly Pope Adams), SB591 (Senator Jeremy McPike) — Creating a free tax filing program for individuals to reduce the burden on working Virginians during tax season. Passed unanimously.

The full list of legislation approved by Governor Spanberger is available here.