Finance Subcommittee #1

Monday, February 23, 2026·50m·▶ Watch / Listen

Finance Subcommittee #1 disposed of two bills procedurally — one deferred for the day and one re-referred to Appropriations — with both items decided by voice vote and no individual names recorded.

Key Actions

·SB96 – Income tax credit; braille labeling programNo Vote

+ 1 more action

Controversies

Confidentiality protections for the whistleblower's identity

Chair Watts raised the concern that the existing bill did not fully resolve whether a whistleblower's identity could be revealed, including potentially under FOIA, and requested that legislative counsel work up clarifying amendment language with the Department of Taxation. The Department of Taxation representative acknowledged that while code section 58.13 generally governs secrecy, language specifically protecting whistleblower identities from FOIA disclosure could be added. Legislative counsel agreed to develop the language, proposing it be adopted in concept as a substitute.

Notable Quotes

“The problem is we don't have a similar program at the state level. So if you blow the whistle on a state level tax cheat, there's no ability to get any kind of reward.”
Senator Surovell — Senator Surovell explaining the gap in Virginia law that SB224 is meant to fill, contrasting Virginia's lack of a state-level program with the existing federal whistleblower reward program.

+ 3 more quotes

Votes

SB96 go by for the dayPassed

SB834 re-referred to Appropriations CommitteePassed

SB224 report with substitute and refer to Appropriations — moved by Delegate GardnerPassed

Yes (1)individual names not recorded beyond the count of 8

Unlock the full summary

Subscribe to see all key actions, controversies, quotes, and what's next.

TranscriptPreview

All right. Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to Subcommittee one. First meeting post crossover. We have a short docket today, but first, let's take our attendance. All right, Perfect attendance. So just three bills on the docket. I know. The Senate just adjourned, so we're waiting for a senator. But just a couple of housekeeping things to begin with. First, Senator Rome's SB 96 is going to go by for the day at the request of the patron. Is there a motion? So move. Second has been moved and seconded. The SB96 go by for the day. All in support will say aye. Any opposed? Okay, that bill has gone by for the day. And then SB834 from Senator Jones, that's going to be re referred to the Appropriations Committee. So move Second. Okay, it's been moved and seconded that we're going to re refer that to Appropriations Committee. All in support will say aye. Any opposed? Okay, then we have one single solitary bill from Senator Suravel and we will wait patiently until he arrives, so the committee will be at ease. I'm the only bill in your docket. Huh? Wow. Okay. I feel privileged here. Sorry. I love…

Subscribe to unlock the full transcript, summary, and search across all Virginia committee hearings.