I would like to take the opportunity to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas this week! In the midst of what seems to be so much turmoil on the national and international stage, I cannot think of a better time to focus on faith, family, and the other things that matter most in our lives. The celebration of Christmas is a special time of reflection for hope and peace on Earth as the day of Jesus’s birth, and I wish nothing but the best for you and your family as you worship, celebrate and spend much needed time with loved ones that ground you to what is important.
We are only a few short weeks away from the beginning of the 2026 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Session, and it has been an extremely busy time as legislators submit thousands of ideas for new legislation. While I continue to finalize my legislative agenda in advance of the upcoming filing deadline – which is at the end of this month – I have submitted drafts of legislation seeking to resolve several issues brought to me by constituents. Once in final form, these bills will be visible for all to see on the website lis.virginia.gov, but in the meantime, I wanted to give you a sneak peek at some of the topics I plan to tackle in the 2026 Legislative Session.
One of the bills I plan to submit is one that I have carried in the past – legislation that would extend enhanced state retirement benefits to animal control officers and E-911 dispatchers. We all know that animal control officers and E-911 dispatchers often encounter very stressful and traumatic situations while serving our communities, but in state code, they do not qualify for the same enhanced retirement benefits as other law enforcement officers. I value the contributions our animal control and E-911 officers make as it relates to our public safety, and I again will attempt to correct this in state code to recognize and reward those who selflessly serve our communities.
Another bill I am working on would seek to enhance public safety by creating additional penalties for motorists who flee from police. There has been an increase in recent years in those who attempt to elude police during otherwise routine traffic stops, and this shows a blatant disregard for public safety. Many chases must be forcibly stopped by the deployment of spike strips and/or techniques that endanger law enforcement officers and law-abiding motorists alike, such as Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuvers. Legislation that I am currently drafting would create new criminal penalties for motorists who must be forcibly stopped by these technologies/maneuvers, which I hope will have the end result of making our roadways safer.
I plan on carrying a bill that would increase the penalties for voluntary manslaughter. In addition, I will submit legislation that decreases the application fee for your Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP), legislation that will strengthen the Western Virginia Public Education Consortium, a bill that will clarify the process for those applying for a CHP so applicants know it can be done online, legislation that would allow ATVs/UTVs to use certain public roads in the 42nd House District to enhance outdoor tourism, and more.
While the fate of any of these proposals is far from certain – due to the overwhelming Democratic majority in the House of Delegates – that will not prevent me from working hard toward passing these commonsense proposals.
As the Delegate representing the 42nd House District in the Virginia General Assembly, your concerns are my greatest priority. If ever I may be of assistance to you and your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at DelJBallard@House.Virginia.Gov. You can also follow me on Twitter @JasonBallardVA or like my Facebook page, Jason Ballard for Delegate, to keep up to date with what I am doing in Richmond and in our community on your behalf.
