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This week was crossover, which always comes at the half-way point of General Assembly Session. Crossover, which this year fell on Tuesday, February 12, is the day in which all House bills must be communicated to the Senate and all Senate bills to the House. This meant a lot of work on the House floor. The Session convened on Monday at ten a.m., and we did not finish debate and floor votes until just before eight p.m.
2008-2010 Budget On January 9 of this year, Governor Tim Kaine declared his dedication to further investing in Virginia’s K-12 education. However, Governor Kaine announced on February 12 that the budget shortfall was more than initially estimated and new estimates put the shortfall around $2 billion. He also announced on this day over $300 million of new spending items and over $220 million in cuts to K-12 education. This includes $5,052,220 in cuts to the counties that make up the Sixth District: $391,955 in Bland; $738,492 in Giles; $1,187,258 in Pulaski; $1,666,567 in Tazewell; and $1,067,948 in Wythe. I want all of my constituents to know that I am working hard to replace the $5 million.
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The House passed important legislation in that day-long session on Monday, including some bills that I co-patroned. Here is a breakdown of highlighted legislation: Education:
Delegate Rust’s HB 923, which my HB 566 was incorporated into, thus making me a co-patron, creates a permanent and perpetual School Construction Revolving Fund. This bill will assist local school districts in the construction and renovation of school buildings by leveraging public-private financing and will help build much-needed classrooms more expediently. HB 923 passed the House 96-2. HB 506, which passed unanimously, expands the Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program by giving scholarships to students pursuing a teaching degree in career and technical education. HB 137, another bill I co-patroned, permits local school boards to enter into contracts with textbook publishers and provide these contracted books free of charge to its’ students. This bill also states that any additional educational materials shall be provided to low-income students at reduced rates or free of charge. HB 1547 was a bi-partisan effort that greatly improves Capital Improvement Programs and plans for multiyear improvements. It also provides a general overview of all Capital Improvements that are needed throughout the Commonwealth, and allows for a more comprehensive and streamlined method for making these improvements. This bill was widely supported by both Republicans and Democrats and passed the House 99-0. Tax Reform:
HB 57 adds computers and computer equipment to the list of materials and supplies covered under the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday; I co-patroned this bill. HJR 4 allows the General Assembly to enact legislation that would give localities the power to exempt up to 20% of the value of residential or farm property when that property is the owner’s primary dwelling. Mental Health Reform:
HB 499, which I co-patroned, closes the gaps in mental health treatment that were exposed in the Virginia Tech tragedy last year, including the duration periods for outpatient treatment and Community Service Board oversight. I also co-patroned HB 559 and HB 560. HB 559 is a bill that changes Code language from “imminent danger” to “substantial likelihood of serious bodily harm; this allows the state to provide mental care earlier than before. HB 560 mandates that a member or representative of a Community Service Board attend mental health commitment hearings, which was something that did not happen in the case of the Virginia Tech killer. HB 815 makes it unlawful for a person who has been involuntarily committed to possess a handgun. Immigration:
HB 14, a bill I co-patroned and one that was hotly contested on the floor, prohibits illegal immigrants from attending Virginia public colleges and universities. It does not prohibit foreign students with valid student visas. This bill will protect benefits for in-state students. I also co-patroned HB 440, which denies the right of illegal aliens to post bail upon their arrest; permitting them to do so would allow them to slip through the government system. HB 926 suspends the Commonwealth-issued license of any business that employs illegal immigrants. This is a strict bill, but it passed the House unanimously. HB 1174, another bill I co-patroned, establishes an Office of Immigrant Assistance, rewarding and assisting immigrants who enter the United States legally. Payday Lending:
HB 12, which I outlined in last week’s column, passed the House 91-7. The revised bill puts in place loan fees and limits, establishes a 24-hour period between loans, expands the pay-back period, limits borrowers to no more than five loans annually, and caps the interest at 36%. Health Care Reform:
HB 85 establishes a program that allows pharmacies to collect unused prescription drugs and redistribute them to clinics that provide free health care. HB 894 requires all abortion clinics throughout the state to be licensed and to comply with the requirements currently in place for ambulatory surgery centers. Environment:
HB 1443 streamlines the permitting process fro alternative and renewable energy facilities. This bill will expedite this process and should encourage entrepreneurs to develop energy-generating facilities using alternative sources of fuel. Veterans and Military Affairs:
HB 475, which I co-patroned, requires that the Department of Veterans’ Services monitor the mental health of Virginia veterans and National Guard and Armed Forces Reserves members who are no longer on active duty. I co-patroned HB 524, which eases the process of obtaining in-state tuition for military service members who live in Virginia by eliminating the one-year residence mandate. Law Enforcement and Public Safety:
HB 719, which I co-patroned, increases the penalty for underage drinking and driving to a Class 1 misdemeanor, raising the penalty to equal that of underage possession. HB 931 sets the penalty for manufacturing, possessing, or distributing methamphetamine to the level of the penalties for cocaine. HB 223 prohibits anyone convicted of an offense that would limit their proximity to children from coming within 100 feet of a public recreation of community center. HB 1439 requires stricter notification and reporting procedures when a school employee is convicted of child abuse, including sexual molestation and any infraction involving drugs. HB 656, another one I co-patroned, increases the penalty for dogfighting, cockfighting, and all other animal fighting.
Transportation:
Republican Tim Hugo introduced, and I co-patroned, HB 1243, which repeals the abusive driver fees put in place last year. This law will take effect immediately upon the signature of the Governor. HB 111, which my HB 571 was incorporated into, greatly improves the Revenue Sharing Program and will better facilitate local and state partnerships for transportation construction projects.
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Since there are 100 members in the House of Delegates and 40 Senators, it is needless to say that the House files many more bills than does the Senate. There were over 3000 pieces of House legislation including resolutions and commendations, and a total of 1576 bills were filed in the House; 616 were passed. On the Senate side, 433 were passed out of 795. Crossover for me is also a time to think about all the bills that have gone through the House, and to reflect about the district I represent and whose best interests I strive to guard through these bills. Constituents from the Sixth District were at the Capitol this week, including Robbie Wyrick and Jimmy Smith, who came representing UAW and the Dublin Volvo plant. This past week was also a big week for hospital and health care representatives in Richmond. Giles Memorial Hospital CEO James Tyler came to our office on Tuesday with other area CEOs to discuss legislation of interest. Pulaski Community Hospital CEO Mark Rader was also here, along with his associates Katy Kirk, Sandy Emmett, and Clayton Jackson. If you are in Richmond, please feel free to come by our office in the General Assembly Building, and do not hesitate to send us your questions or comments. Delegate Anne B. Crockett-Stark, Sixth District
General Assembly Building – Room 819
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 698-1006
Fax: (804) 698-6706
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