AFP-VA Applauds Gov. Youngkin’s Signatures, Vetoes on Key Legislation  

Mar 25, 2025 by AFP

Richmond, VA – After yesterday’s deadline for the governor to act on bills from the Virginia legislature, Americans for Prosperity – Virginia (AFP-VA) is applauding Gov. Youngkin’s decisions on both signing and vetoing key legislation. These actions aim to safeguard the well-being of Virginians, promote economic growth, minimize unnecessary government overreach, and create more opportunities in housing, healthcare, and employment. AFP-VA celebrates these hard-fought wins and applauds the governor’s dedication to preserving local control and enhancing government efficiency.  

AFP – VA State Director Tim Parrish released the following statement:  

“By embracing fusion energy, reforming housing red tape, and cutting unnecessary regulations, Governor Youngkin is positioning Virginia to lead in innovation, energy abundance, and economic growth—all while ensuring that local governments maintain the flexibility to serve their communities effectively.  

“AFP-VA has fought long and hard for dozens of policies that will benefit the Commonwealth, including economic prosperity, affordable healthcare, and small business support, and we’re ecstatic to see these reforms come to fruition this session.”  

 AFP-VA applauds Governor Glenn Youngkin for the following actions:  

  1. Support for Fusion Energy: AFP praises Youngkin’s embrace of fusion energy with HB1779 and SB1338, viewing this as a positive step toward keeping Virginia at the forefront of technology, offering reliable and affordable energy, and contributing to economic growth and energy abundance. By adding fusion to the VCEA, Virginia is not only diversifying its energy portfolio but also sending a strong signal to innovators and investors that the Commonwealth is open for business in the advanced energy sector. 
  2. Prescription Drugs: AFP applauds Governor Youngkin for vetoing HB1724, which would have led to drug shortages by lacking market safeguards. While there is a need for affordable drugs, the bill would have hurt patient welfare in Virginia. AFP continues to advocate for supply-side reforms that lower both demand and costs.  
  3. Support for Housing Legislation: AFP is pleased that SB974, a bill to streamline the subdivision ordinance process and cut red tape around housing development, was signed into law by Governor Youngkin. The legislation aims to make homeownership more accessible by reducing unnecessary costs and increasing the supply of affordable housing, particularly in underserved areas. 
  4. Expedited Healthcare Access in Underserved Areas: Gov. Youngkin signed HB2119 and SB1203, which aim to expedite the Certificate of Public Need process, helping healthcare providers deliver services in medically underserved areas. This reform will reduce red tape and improve affordable healthcare access in these regions. 
  5. Real-Life Experience and Employment: AFP supports SB1014 and HB1611, which codify Youngkin’s Executive Order to ensure Virginians can apply for public sector jobs even without a college degree, as long as they have relevant experience. AFP has been pushing this change for the past two years. 
  6. Opposition to Overregulation of AI: Governor Youngkin vetoed HB2094, HB2479, and SB775, which would have imposed unnecessary regulations on artificial intelligence, stifling economic freedom and innovation in Virginia. 
  7. Collective Bargaining: AFP commends Youngkin for vetoing HB 2764, a bill that would have mandated collective bargaining for public sector workers. If signed into law, this bill would have removed local control from communities, forcing a one-size-fits-all approach. AFP supports local decision-making and accountability.  
  8. Support for Public Safety and Probation Reform: AFP applauds HB2252 and SB936, codifying elements of Gov. Youngkin’s Executive Order 36 which incentivizes compliance for probationers and reduces recidivism by helping those on probation access essential services like housing, healthcare, and employment. The goal is to focus resources on higher-risk offenders while helping compliant ones successfully complete probation sooner.  
  9. Tax Refunds: AFP-VA applauds the decision to provide one-time tax refunds to Virginians, returning excess funds to taxpayers who need immediate relief. 
  10. Remote Patient Monitoring: Gov. Youngkin signed SB843 into law, promoting remote patient monitoring, allowing patients to receive care at home instead of in a hospital. The benefits include improved healthcare outcomes, lower costs, and better access to care. 
  11. Minimum Wage and Paid Family Leave: Governor Youngkin vetoed bills that would have implemented a statewide minimum wage increase and paid family leave mandates. These top-down mandates would have hurt small businesses, leading to higher operational costs and reducing employment opportunities. 

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