The Senate of Virginia voted 21-17 on Feb. 7, 2025, to pass House Bill 1699, described on the floor as a measure "relating to tax exemptions, Confederate organizations." Senator John Lucas (D-Portsmouth) moved the passage of the bill.

The bill was advanced on a roll-call vote after the clerk announced the tally: "Ayes 21, no 17." Senator Lucas moved simply, "Madam president, I move that the bill pass." The transcript records no extended floor debate on HB 1699 before the chamber voted.

The outcome followed an earlier series of procedural actions. The Senate placed a block of House bills on final passage and agreed to multiple committee substitutes without recorded individual roll-call debates. After the clerk read the block of bills, the clerk recorded the voice-roll tally as "Ayes 39, no 0," and the chair announced that "The bills in the block pass." Senator Sarraville (Eastern Fairfax County) moved to place the House bills on final passage in the block; Senator Lucas and others moved committee substitutes for several bills and the chamber agreed by voice vote.

Floor activity earlier in the session included motions to waive the reading of the journal and to dispense with reading communications from the House. The clerk recorded those tallies as well (for example, a motion to waive the reading of the journal recorded "Ayes 31, no 8" and a subsequent waiver of the House communication recorded "Ayes 35, no 3").

Senators used the morning hour for introductions and announcements. In floor remarks after the votes, Senator Sarraville warned senators that the coming week is deadline-driven in the short session: he noted Tuesday is the deadline for revenue bills to reach the finance committee and described plans for judicial interviews the week of Feb. 17. Those scheduling comments were delivered as floor announcements rather than formal motions.

The Senate adjourned with the motion that it stand adjourned until 12 noon Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. The clerk announced the adjournment following a voice vote in favor of the motion.

Votes at a glance

- House Bill 1699 — "a bill relating to tax exemptions, Confederate organizations": Passed, roll-call vote 21-17 (clerk: "Ayes 21, no 17"). Moved by Senator Lucas (Portsmouth).

- Block vote — House bills placed on final passage (read as a block covering House bills listed on the uncontested calendar, pages 1–5, audio references to bills "House bill 1603 through House bill 2595"): Passed in block, recorded tally "Ayes 39, no 0." Several committee substitutes were agreed to by voice vote prior to block passage.

What changed and next steps

The chamber record lists HB 1699 by title only (relating to tax exemptions for Confederate organizations); the transcript does not include bill text, committee reports beyond "reported from the Committee on Finance and Appropriations," or sponsor floor statements explaining provisions. Following passage in the Senate, the bill’s further status (enrollment, concurrence by the other chamber, or enactment steps) was not recorded in the available transcript.

Because the transcript records limited debate on HB 1699, the Senate action reported here is limited to the recorded motion and vote totals.