Delegate May Nivar

Eid Mubarak to those who celebrate!

It’s a wrap! It has been an honor to represent the 57th District during my first General Assembly session. Thank you to everyone who trusted me to be your voice in Richmond. After the General Assembly returns on April 22 for the reconvened session to review the Governor’s amendments and vetoes, I’ll begin hosting town halls across the district to share what we accomplished this year and to hear directly from you. In the meantime, my office is here to help. If you need assistance with a state agency or want to share your thoughts on legislation, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Stay tuned! Delmnivar@house.virginia.gov (804) 698-1057

Observed on March 8, International Women’s Day honors the global movements that transformed hope into progress and possibility into change. Let's keep advocating, uplifting, and leading!

I was honored to serve as the keynote speaker at J.R. Tucker High School’s Second Annual Model United Nations Conference and to observe students navigating real-world issues through diplomacy and negotiation. From committee rooms to a student-run snack cart raising funds for Richmond's Habitat for Humanity, these young people are already practicing the values of diplomacy, service, and leadership.

Great news! I’m proud to deliver practical and people-focused solutions. Two more of my bills have now officially passed the General Assembly and will be heading to the Governor’s desk.

Proud to stand amongst other history-making women who have personally inspired my own journey into public service in Virginia. Happy Women's History Month! From left to right: Del. Kathy Tran, Governor Abigail Spanberger, Del. May Nivar, Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi, and Congresswoman Jenn McClellan

Exciting news, my first bills have officially passed the General Assembly and are now headed to the Governor’s desk. This is just the beginning. I’m proud of the work we’ve done so far, and there’s much more ahead for our community and our Commonwealth.

Gratitude to the India Association of Virginia for a festive (rescheduled) 77th India Republic Day celebration; one that embodies our collective commitment and participation in democracy, diversity, and equality.

Grateful to attend the OCA-CVC Lunar New Year celebration at J.R. Tucker High School yesterday. It was an honor to help present youth leadership scholarship awards, enjoy the incredible performances, and connect with many community organizations doing important work across our region, including Henrico Fire about the importance of having an emergency escape plan at home. It was also meaningful to connect with members of the Virginia Asian Advisory Board, which I was proud to serve on for four years under Governor Northam. Events like this reflect the strength, leadership, and vibrant culture of our community. Happy Lunar New Year!

As Ramadan begins, I wish those who celebrate a peaceful and blessed month. May this time bring reflection, gratitude, and togetherness to you and your loved ones. Ramadan Mubarak!

Honored to rise on the House floor to recognize Lunar New Year, a time for renewal and hope; and a reflection on the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions that have shaped our Commonwealth. Wishing everyone celebrating a joyful, prosperous, and healthy new year.

Wishing everyone a joyful Lunar New Year! May the Year of the Horse bring strength, renewal, and goodwill to all!

Nelson visited the State Capitol for today's @RichmondSPCA & @bestfriends Best Friends Valentine’s Event. Consider a rescue as your next bestie 💓

HB 1113 is ready to cross over to the Senate! As student mental health needs continue to rise, my bill helps reduce barriers to care by ensuring school‑based services are accessible and effective for a wide range of student needs—including language and communication needs, family circumstances, and cultural differences—while keeping decision‑making at the local level. No matter where a student comes from or what language they speak at home, every family deserves to know their child can access mental‑health support they can understand and trust.

HB 1114 passed the House unanimously this week and is ready to cross over to the Senate. Why does this bill matter? Many of our law‑enforcement officers also serve in the National Guard or Reserves. But Virginia only provides 168 hours of paid military leave — far less than what many annual training requirements demand. That means officers often have to use their own vacation time to meet mandatory federal service. My bill fixes this by guaranteeing paid leave for the full period of required military duty. It ensures officers can serve their community and their country without financial strain. This would also bring them in line with the support Virginia already provides to firefighters.

I’m excited to share some good news. Three of my bills passed the House of Delegates with overwhelming bipartisan support. Each of these bills is about helping people work, cutting unnecessary red tape, and making government work a little better. HB 1117 helps skilled workers like plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians who move to Virginia start working sooner. Instead of waiting three years, they can qualify after having held their license for one year, so we can fill jobs faster and support growing communities. HB 1305 gives licensing boards a fair, commonsense option for small, first-time mistakes. If someone fixes the issue, the case can be dismissed instead of treating it like serious misconduct. HB 1119 removes an outdated paperwork requirement related to certain guardianship orders, making the process simpler and more efficient. These are practical, bipartisan steps that support workers, protect standards, and make government more efficient.

I’m glad to share progress on my several of my bills. This week, three of my bills passed unanimously out of committee, each focused on helping skilled professionals and supporting affordability in Virginia and cutting red tape. HB 1117 allows qualified plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, and other licensed tradespeople from out of state to start working in Virginia after one year instead of the current three-year wait. HB 1305 gives licensing boards a commonsense option for minor, first-time issues, letting them pause a case, set conditions, and dismiss it once the issue is corrected, rather than imposing penalties meant for serious misconduct. HB 1119 removes the requirement for clerks to send certain guardianship orders to the state Medicaid agency. These bills help skilled workers get to work and stay working in Virginia, without lowering standards or compromising public safety.