Virginia Senate Republican Caucus

Senate Democrats today exercised an extreme power grab when they passed a committee resolution reducing Republican clout on a number of influential committees.  The committee assignments were altered as a result of the changes in the membership of the Senate following the elections of Sen. Ken Stolle as Virginia Beach Sheriff and Sen. Ken Cuccinelli as Attorney General of Virginia.

The new committee assignments change the make up of the budget-writing Senate Finance Committee from 9 Democrats and 7 Republicans to 9 Democrats and 6 Republicans as the seat vacated by Sen. Stolle was left unfilled.  On the Courts of Justice Committee that vets judges and handles matters related to criminal and civil law, the make up was changed from 8 Democrats and 7 Republicans to 10 Democrats and 5 Republicans.  The seats vacated by Stolle and Cuccinelli were filled by Democrats Don McEachin and Chap Petersen.  The Commerce and Labor Committee that addresses business and utility issues moved from 8 Democrats and 7 Republicans to 9 Democrats and 6 Republicans.  The seat vacated by Sen. Stolle was filled by Democrat Creigh Deeds.

The Rules of the Senate require proportional representation so that the party controls the same percentage of seats on committees that they control in the chamber.  Based on this committee resolution, Democrats control four more seats than they are allotted under the rules of the Senate. 

A number of Republican Senators expressed their distaste with the actions of the majority while the resolution was being considered on the Senate floor.  A video showing the highlights of these speeches by Senators Tommy Norment (James City), William Wampler (Bristol), and Mark Obenshain (Harrisonburg) is attached.

Senator Jill H. Vogel (Fauquier) has introduced SB 626 to create a bipartisan commission to conduct Virginia's redistricting processes.  The legislation would establish a seven-member temporary commission to prepare districts for the House of Delegates, the Senate, and Congress every ten years. 

Sen. Vogel headlined a press conference advocating the legislation on January 25.  The following are media hits from that press conference:

• WVIR-TV (NBC 12)
• The Virginian-Pilot
• The Washington Post

The largest attended Capitol news conference of the 2010 Session highlighted what I consider the most important task our state government faces, namely getting our people back to work.   Unemployment in Virginia is much, much more than a statistic.  It is neighbors, friends or family members who are denied the opportunity to provide for themselves or their families.

At first glance it might seem odd that we would consider additional spending in one section of the budget while cutting spending in all others.  However, as a lifelong businessman I know that there are times we have to spend money to make money.  Likewise, to create new jobs in Virginia we have to make smart, strategic investments.

When Governor McDonnell faced a room full of reporters and guests to lay out his jobs and opportunities plan, the first bill he cited was my Senate Bill 475.  This measure will target the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to projects that are known to create jobs, involve private capital investment, and result in additional state and local tax revenue.  Three more of my bills are in the plan as well.

By itself this bill would have limited impact.  But when coupled with the other 29 bills in the package, it will build a framework for accelerated economic recovery for Virginia.  Under the McDonnell plan, funding for the Opportunity Fund will double; and this bill will state unequivocally that the businesses it attracts must boost employment and tax revenue.

Estimates are that the overall plan will spur the creation of 29,000 new jobs in the upcoming budget cycle and produce $311 million in new revenue over the next five years.  Estimates are not guarantees.  But I am confident that these figures from our state government were made employing the highest degree of professionalism.  

The Virginia General Assembly is not the U.S. Congress.  At the news conference were members of both political parties, from all across the state, of diverse ideological persuasion, and ranging from the most senior member to several newly elected freshmen.  This is an Administration and legislature seeking what is best for all Virginians, especially those hurt by our weak economy.

Over the years Virginia built a reputation as the Best State for Business.  But that reputation does not put bread on the table for the 250 neighbors of ours who just lost their jobs at the J.C. Penney Call Center in Chesterfield, or others like them.  We can use our reputation to attract the attention of potential businesses.  But it will take sharpened tools in our toolbox to turn attention and interest into jobs.

The Governor’s plan does more than attract new “big business.”  It helps small and medium sized firms expand, targets new business with only 25 employees in areas of economic distress, and offers help for military veterans starting a new business.  I am pleased to carry Senate Bill 472 that will accomplish the first two of these goals.

Tourism and film production garner particular attention in the Governor’s plan and rightfully so.  The return on investments in tourism is more immediate than almost any other sector of the economy.  And the 5:1 ratio of return on investment is as high as we can expect from any state spending.

Over the years I have championed greater investment in our film industry.   We need more movies such as “John Adams” filmed in Virginia.  As for tourism, my Senate Bill 237 will designate the portion of wine liter tax ─ those taxes already being collected that are attributable to the sale of wine produced by a farm winery ─ shall be used to promote Virginia wine and wine tourism.        As severe as our budget constraints are, Virginia cannot stand idly by and be at the mercy of federal economic policy.  Virginia has been the leader in so many ways over the years.  It is my hope and goal that 2010 be the year we lead the nation in developing a plan to put our willing workers back on the payroll.

Defeated Bill a Commonsense Approach to
Ensuring the Continued Integrity of Elections

RICHMOND—Today, Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) questioned the partisan effort of the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections to act to ensure the continued integrity of the electoral process in Virginia. “Voter identification requirements are a commonsense way to ensure that elections are free and fair,” said Obenshain, whose Senate Bill 134 was passed by indefinitely in committee on a 6-5 party line vote. “Fraudulent or erroneously counted ballots reduce the impact of legitimately-cast votes and are unfair to everyone involved.”

“Opponents of this measure like to counter voter identification requirements by pointing out how few people are prosecuted for voter fraud, but this misses the point,” said Obenshain. “Firstly, because we currently allow people to vote without showing any form of identification, we have no way to even detect voter fraud. Secondly, how many fraudulently cast ballots must there be for us to take simple steps to ensure the integrity of our elections?”

“Some like to insist that there isn't a problem,” said Obenshain, “but that's naïve. A John Hopkins University Study identified 1,500 deceased Marylanders who had ‘voted' in recent elections, and one county in New Mexico found seventy-five registrants at a single address. Right here in Virginia, campaign headquarters, vacant lots, and non-existent addresses have all been listed on many registration forms.”

Obenshain's voter identification bill would require voters to show some form of identification at the polls, and expands the list of identifying documents to include utility bills, bank statements, paychecks, and government checks. Currently, individuals who fail to bring identification may vote by signing a statement in lieu of showing identification.

“Right now, even if the registrar somehow discovered that a voter wasn't who he claimed on Election Day, there's nothing they could do; there would be no way to find and remove a ballot even if it was later determined to be fraudulently cast,” said Obenshain. “Had my bill passed, those who arrived at their polling place without any form of identification could cast a provisional ballot, which would be counted if they were able to demonstrate their identification before the certification of election results.”

The Supreme Court has upheld similar laws in other states, and by adding alternative forms of identification, Obenshain's bill ensures that no eligible voter is disenfranchised by the inability to produce the forms of identification required under current law. In 2005, the bipartisan Carter-Baker Panel, headed by former president Jimmy Carter and former secretary of State James Baker, recommended identification requirements stricter than the ones contained in this legislation.

“This is not about making it harder to vote or keeping anyone from voting,” Obenshain added. “It's about making sure that every legitimate vote counts, and that those votes are not diluted by voter fraud.”

“I was disappointed by the partisan nature of the opposition to this initiative, but not surprised,” said Obenshain. “Whether they wish to admit it or not, though, voter fraud is an issue, and simple, commonsense safeguards like these will go a long way to ensure that our elections remain above reproach.”

Senator Obenshain represents the twenty-sixth district in the Virginia Senate. The district includes the city of Harrisonburg and the counties of Warren, Shenandoah, Page, Rappahannock and Rockingham (part).

Today Virginia State Senator Steve Newman introduced a Senate Resolution asking the United States Department of Justice to deny the original transfer request by the Commonwealth of Virginia to send Jens Soering to his native country Germany. 

He has asked Senate members to give him unanimous consent to introduce the resolution, which the Senate granted. The language of the resolution opposes the decision by the Kaine Administration to release Jens Soering in to German custody and asks that Soering remain in the custody of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The entire draft of the resolution is attached. 

Senator Newman has also sent a letter to United States Attorney General Eric Holder asking him to deny the original transfer request and further state his support for the recent appeal by the Commonwealth that the application for Jens Soering be denied. 

In his letter to the U.S. Attorney General on Wednesday, January 27, 2010, Senator Newman stated: "The possibility of transferring Mr. Soering, who is currently serving a life sentence, to Germany where he is likely to receive parole in as little as two years is of serious concern to me and my constituents. It has opened up past wounds for those who lived through this tragedy, including the Haysom and Benedict families. 

What makes this turn of events even more troublesome is the fact that the administration did not consult with those involved in the original case, including the investigators or the victims' family before making the decision. Only after the decision had been made was the family informed. 

Mr. Louis P. Benedict, brother of Nancy Haysom, has said that he is "surprised, dumbfounded, and completely taken aback" to learn of Governor Kaine's decision. 

Jens Soering was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder in 1990, for the killing of Derek and Nancy Haysom in 1985. For these crimes he received two life sentences from the Bedford County Circuit Court. 

On January 15,2010, it was announced that former Governor Kaine sent a letter to United States Attorney General Eric Holder agreeing to the transfer of Jens Soering to a German prison. 

At the request of the Haysom and Benedict families and his local constituents, Senator Newman has asked the Virginia Attorney General and Governor Robert F. McDonnell to request that the application made by Governor Timothy M. Kaine be rescinded.

The Virginia Conservative Caucus today unveiled its 2010 legislative agenda featuring over 53 pieces of legislation.  The agenda focused on three themes: "Encouraging Job Creation, Progress & Opportunity", "Strengthening & Protecting Families", and "Limiting Government & Defending Freedom."

Senator Mark Obenshain (Harrisonburg), co-chair of the Conservative Caucus, noted that "Conservatives in Virginia are committed to advancing a positive agenda of economic growth, fiscal restraint, public safety and family values.  The agenda we are unveiling today addresses the concerns we hear every day from people across the Commonwealth.  It is an agenda of real solutions to real problems.  It is about stimulating the economy, not overburdening it with taxes and regulations.  Our agenda is Virginia's agenda: economic opportunity, strong families, and safe communities."

Senate Republicans had a number of pieces of legislation included on the agenda.  Among them were:

Encouraging Job Creation, Progress & Opportunity

• SB 671 (McDougle) - Eliminates Virginia's corporate income tax
• SB 133 (Obenshain) - Creates a tax credit for donations to public school foundations and scholarships
• SB 601 (Wagner) - Apportions royalties Virginia might receive from offshore drilling
• SB 129 (Stosch) - Fiscally incentivizes companies that manufacture or assemble green energy equipment
• SB 310 (Martin) - Increases the amount of the credit an individual can take for long-term care insurance

Strengthening & Protecting Families

• SB 7 (Obenshain) - Includes accessories in the capital murder statute; Redefines the "triggerman rule"
• SB 520 (Norment) - Adds auxiliary officers to the capital murder statute
• SB 602 (Newman & Hurt) - Specifies the point of a child's independent and separate existence

Limiting Government & Defending Freedom

• SB 334 (Hanger) - Allows a person with a concealed carry permit to carry into a restaurant or club; prohibits consumption
• SB 283 (Quayle), SB 311 (Martin), & SB 417 (Vogel) - Provides that a resident of the Commonwealth shall not be required to obtain or maintain a policy of individual health insurance coverage
• SB 5 (Smith) - Requires posting of the budget & amendments to the General Assembly website for at least 72 hours before a vote is taken
• SJ 100 (Newman) & SJ 137 (Norment) - Requires the General Assembly to maintain permanent and separate transportation funds
• SJ 17 (Martin) - Urges Congress to recognize state sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment

To learn more about the Virginia Conservative Caucus and review their full legislative agenda, you can visit the Caucus website at http://vaconservativecaucus.org/

Today, Senate Democrats exercised a partisan power play by using procedural tactics to defeat two bills sponsored by Republican legislators on party-line votes.  The Senate voted to re-refer Senate Bills 601 and 102 to the Committee on Finance with a recommendation that they be carried over for the year.  Senate Bill 601, patroned by Sen. Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach), dealt with the allocation of future offshore drilling royalties.  Senate Bill 102, patroned by Sen. Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover), would reverse the years in which the state budget is approved to bring the budgeting process more in line with the term of Virginia’s governors. 

“Today’s actions clearly demonstrate the lack of vision the Senate Democrats have for Virginia,” commented Wagner.  “Bills that were reported from the Finance Committee with bipartisan majorities just last week are being killed in purely partisan fashion without the courtesy of true up or down votes.  Such flip-flopping is no way to govern the Commonwealth.”

Wagner’s bill, which was included in Governor Bob McDonnell’s legislative package, would allocate funds received from future off-shore drilling royalties.  As introduced, the bill would allocate 80% of such royalties to the Transportation Trust Fund.  On Monday, the Senate adopted an amendment that would instead allocate 70% of such royalties to the General Fund and the remaining 30% between localities and the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium.  The vote to adopt the amendment was largely along party lines.

“On Monday, the Democrats voted to change the original purpose of my bill,” Wagner noted.  “While I did not support their amendment, I decided the underlying purpose of the bill was important enough to go forward.  How they could go from turning the bill into something they preferred to outright defeating their own concept is beyond me.

“While the royalties allocated by this legislation are not yet a reality, we need to be prepared when we start receiving them,” Wagner noted.  “Thanks to the recent actions of Senators Warner and Webb, these royalties are closer than ever to being realized.  This legislation served two important purposes – encouraging greater energy independence in America and allocating revenue that would truly help Virginia to build and maintain its infrastructure.  To derail such important legislation for purely partisan ends is not responsible governance.”

Immediately after the Senate’s action on Senate Bill 601, the Senate considered McDougle’s Senate Bill 102.  McDougle’s legislation would alter the timing of Virginia’s budgeting process so that a biennial budget would be adopted in odd-numbered years and revised in even-numbered years.  The lengths of General Assembly sessions would be altered accordingly.  This legislation was introduced by McDougle during the 2009 session also.  It has been considered by the General Assembly as far back as 2005 – when the concept passed unanimously in the Senate.  While the Governor has expressed support for the measure, it was not on his legislative agenda.  The vote to re-refer the bill to Committee was also on a party-line vote with Sen. Chuck Colgan (D – Prince William) crossing the aisle to vote with Republicans against the motion.

“This year is the perfect year to pass this legislation,” McDougle commented.  “The current struggle over the budget has only been exacerbated by the fact that the introduced budget we have before us was written by a Governor who is no longer in office and is based on priorities vastly different from those of our current Governor.  For weeks, we have heard the Senate Democrats call for leadership on the budget.  Yet when given an opportunity to show leadership themselves, the members of the majority party balked.

“This legislation was not partisan, was focused on good governance, and was a recommendation of the Wilder Commission,” noted McDougle.  “There is no reason why a Governor should propose a budget during their last month in office when they will not be present to guide the bill through the General Assembly or to govern within the constraints of the budget they proposed.  That is why I introduced this legislation last year.  And that is why the Senate passed it unanimously in 2005.  I cannot imagine what has changed so drastically in five years that the bill has gone from being unanimously supported to being killed through procedural nuances.”

Senate Republicans today highlighted their successes as the General Assembly reached its symbolic midway point of Crossover.  Starting today, the Senate can only consider bills sent over from the House of Delegates and those bills passed by the Senate will be before the House.

“Senate Republicans have a true interest in moving Virginia forward,” noted Senate Republican Leader Thomas K. Norment, Jr. (James City).  “Over the past month, we have worked together and with our colleagues across the aisle to advance legislation that is in the best interest of Virginians.  As a minority party, our success depends on our ability to garner bipartisan support for our legislation.  We have done so and will continue to do so as we begin working on the House bills coming before us.”

Legislation advanced by Senate Republicans focused on a variety of issues: jobs & economic development, public safety, transportation, military & veterans affairs, ethics reform, government reform & transparency, health care, and energy.  Below is a partial list of accomplishments by Republican Senators:

Jobs & Economic Development

SB 323 (Sen. Ruff – Mecklenburg) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

Changes the title of the Secretary of Education to the Secretary of Education & Workforce Development to highlight the additional responsibility given to this Secretariat.

SB 472 (Sen. Watkins – Powhatan) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

Reduces the number of full-time jobs needed to qualify for the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit from 100 to 50, or from 50 to 25 in enterprise zones.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

SB 475 (Sen. Watkins – Powhatan) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

Provides that grants and loans from the Governor’s Development Opportunity Fund be awarded based on job creation, private capital investment, and additional tax revenue expected to accrue to the state or localities.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

SB 623 (Sen. Hanger – Augusta) Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)

Allows tax credits for the creation of “green” jobs.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

SB 658 (Sen. Ruff – Mecklenburg) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

Directs the Department of General Services to develop a program that offers state procurement contracts to small businesses located in historically underutilized business zones (HUB Zones).  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

SB 733 (Sen. McWaters – Virginia Beach & Sen. Vogel – Fauquier) Passed Senate (38-Y 2-N)

Creates a tax credit against state license tax liability on certain insurance companies for investments in Virginia small business investment companies.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

Public Safety

SB 486 (Sen. Hurt – Pittsylvania) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

Requires the Department of Juvenile Justice to provide information to law-enforcement relating to involvement in or investigations of criminal street gangs.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

SB 495 (Sen. Hurt – Pittsylvania) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

Stipulates that in determining subsequent DUI offenses, convictions under “substantially similar” laws of other states or the federal government should be included in determining the number of prior convictions.

SB 520 (Sen. Norment – James City) Passed Senate (26-Y 14-N)

Adds murder of auxiliary police officers or auxiliary deputy sheriffs to the capital murder statute.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

SB 531 (Sen. McDougle – Hanover) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

Increases fees that an attorney for the Commonwealth may receive for felony or misdemeanor cases upon conviction in circuit court.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

SB 602 (Sen. Newman – Lynchburg & Sen. Hurt – Pittsylvania) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

In determining cases of homicide and child abuse, the determination of a separate existence of an infant from its mother shall not depend solely on whether the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta detached.

SB 679 (Sen. Hanger – Augusta) Passed Senate (36-Y 4-N)

Establishes a restorative justice program for offenders and victims.

Transportation

SB 537 (Sen. Newman – Lynchburg) Passed Senate (29-Y 11-N)

Increases the speed limits to 70 mph on highways that currently have 65 mph speed limits.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

Military & Veterans’ Affairs

SB 55 (Sen. Martin – Chesterfield) Passed Senate (39-Y 1-N)

Allows voters entitled to vote absentee due to active duty military service, service in the merchant marines, or temporary residence outside of the United States and the dependents of such voters to use the federal write-in absentee ballot to voce in state and local elections, as well as federal elections.

SB 243 (Sen. Watkins – Powhatan) Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)

Exempts active duty military personnel who are residents and on leave from having to obtain a basic fishing license.

SB 455 (Sen. Hurt – Pittsylvania) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

Exempts veterans from the handling fee charged by the Department of Business Assistance when establishing a small business through the one-stop small business permitting program.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

SB 613 (Sen. Wampler – Bristol) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

Allows members of the Virginia National Guard called to state active duty by the Governor to continue their health care coverage, at the member’s expense.

SB 696 (Sen. McWaters – Virginia Beach) Passed Senate (38-Y 2-N)

Allows active-duty military personnel in uniform to use HOV lanes in Hampton Roads regardless of the number of passengers.

SJ 13 (Sen. Stuart – Westmoreland & Sen. Puller – Fairfax) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

Constitutional amendment to allow the General Assembly to exempt from property taxes any real property that is the principle residence of a veteran (or their widow or widower) who is determined to have a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability.

Ethics Reform

SB 186 (Sen. Norment – James City, Sen. Smith – Botetourt, & Sen. Northam – Norfolk) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

Makes changes to adjudication of ethics complaints by establishing the General Assembly Ethics Review Panel and making public any proceedings beyond preliminary hearings.

SB 506 (Sen. Smith – Botetourt) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

Prohibits bidders or offerors, their controlling persons, or persons acting on their behalf, who have submitted bids or proposals for public contracts worth $5 million or more from contributing to a Governor, their campaign committee, inaugural committee, or PAC.

SB 512 (Sen. Norment – James City & Sen. Smith – Botetourt) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

Requires legislators to disclose on their Statement of Economic Interest any salary they or members of their immediate families earn from state or local governments or advisory agencies.

SJ 147 (Sen. Norment – James City) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

Establishes a joint committee of the General Assembly and the Senate and House Ethics Advisory Panels to evaluate the adequacy of the current General Assembly Conflicts of Interests Acts and the method for adjudicating complaints.

Government Reform & Transparency

SB 236 (Sen. Stosch – Henrico, Sen. McDougle – Hanover, & Sen. Howell – Fairfax) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

Restructures the way information technology services are structured and governed in Virginia to streamline services and ensure greater accountability.

SB 515 (Sen. Norment – James City) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)

Requires the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees to issue reports with the budget conference report specifically identifying any non-state appropriation, any item in the conference report not included in the House or Senate budget, and any item that represents a piece of legislation that failed during session.

Health Care

SB 283 (Sen. Quayle – Suffolk) Passed Senate (23-Y 17-N)

SB 311 (Sen. Martin – Chesterfield) Passed Senate (23-Y 17-N)

SB 417 (Sen. Vogel – Fauquier) Passed Senate (23-Y 17-N)

Provides that no resident of the Commonwealth shall be required to maintain an insurance policy.

SB 622 (Sen. Wampler – Bristol) Passed Senate (39-Y 1-N)

Prohibits dental insurance plans from establishing a rate that a dentist or oral surgeon is required to accept for services unless the services are covered under the dental plan.

Energy

SB 394 (Sen. Wagner – Virginia Beach) Passed Senate (33-Y 6-N)

Sets the Commonwealth’s policy to support exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas resources 50 miles or more off Virginia’s coast.

Senate Republicans today highlighted their successes as the General Assembly adjourned the 2010 session sine die.  In addition to addressing a budget shortfall in excess of $4 billion, Senate Republicans focused on issues of importance to Virginia’s families and businesses during the 2010 session. 

 “During a 61-day session, Senate Republicans have achieved great successes for the people of Virginia,” noted Senate Republican Leader Thomas K. Norment, Jr.  “Although we are a minority caucus, we have been able to achieve bipartisan support for many of our proposals by focusing on issues that people care about and policies that are truly in the best interest of Virginia.

 “The budget dominated this year’s session,” Norment continued.  “In the end, we managed to close the budget shortfall, invest significantly in job creation and economic development, and do so without raising taxes on the people of Virginia.  The final budget was a strong compromise that will position Virginia for a strong recovery from the current economic recession.”

 Legislation advanced by Senate Republicans this session focused on a variety of issues: jobs & economic development, public safety, transportation, military & veterans affairs, ethics reform, government reform & transparency, health care, energy, and education.  Below is a partial list of accomplishments by Republican Senators:

 Jobs & Economic Development

 SB 323 (Sen. Ruff – Mecklenburg) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)          Killed in House Committee

Changes the title of the Secretary of Education to the Secretary of Education & Workforce Development to highlight the additional responsibility given to this Secretariat.

 SB 472 (Sen. Watkins – Powhatan) Passed Senate (37-Y 0-N)          Passed House (99-Y 0-N)

Reduces the number of full-time jobs needed to qualify for the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit from 100 to 50, or from 50 to 25 in enterprise zones.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

 SB 475 (Sen. Watkins – Powhatan) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)          Passed House (98-Y 0-N)

Provides that grants and loans from the Governor’s Development Opportunity Fund be awarded based on job creation, private capital investment, and additional tax revenue expected to accrue to the state or localities.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

 SB 623 (Sen. Hanger – Augusta) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)          Passed House (96-Y 1-N)

Allows tax credits for the creation of “green” jobs.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

 SB 658 (Sen. Ruff – Mecklenburg) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)          Killed in House Subcommittee

Directs the Department of General Services to develop a program that offers state procurement contracts to small businesses located in historically underutilized business zones (HUB Zones).  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

SB 733 (Sen. McWaters – Virginia Beach & Sen. Vogel – Fauquier) Passed Senate (38-Y 2-N)     Continued to 2011 in House Committee

Creates a tax credit against state license tax liability on certain insurance companies for investments in Virginia small business investment companies.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

 SB 739 (Sen. Stosch – Henrico) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)     Passed House (90-Y 1-N 1-A)

Expands the use of grants from the Governor’s Development Opportunity Fund to allow such grants to be used for the construction or build-out of privately owned buildings to allow Virginia to more aggressively pursue companies looking to construct headquarters and operations centers in Virginia.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

 Public Safety

SB 486 (Sen. Hurt – Pittsylvania) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)          Passed House (95-Y 0-N)

Requires the Department of Juvenile Justice to provide information to law-enforcement relating to involvement in or investigations of criminal street gangs.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

SB 495 (Sen. Hurt – Pittsylvania) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)          Conference Committee failed to reach agreement

Stipulates that in determining subsequent DUI offenses, convictions under “substantially similar” laws of other states or the federal government should be included in determining the number of prior convictions.

SB 520 (Sen. Norment – James City) Passed Senate (26-Y 14-N)          Passed House (75-Y 18-N)

Adds murder of auxiliary police officers or auxiliary deputy sheriffs to the capital murder statute.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

SB 531 (Sen. McDougle – Hanover) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)          Killed in House Subcommittee

Increases fees that an attorney for the Commonwealth may receive for felony or misdemeanor cases upon conviction in circuit court.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

SB 602 (Sen. Newman – Lynchburg & Sen. Hurt – Pittsylvania) Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)          Passed House (96-Y 0-N)

The fact that an umbilical cord has not been cut or that the placenta remains attached should not be considered when determining if an infant has achieved an independent and separate existence

SB 679 (Sen. Hanger – Augusta) Passed Senate (36-Y 4-N)          Killed in House Subcommittee

Establishes a restorative justice program for offenders and victims.

Transportation

SB 537 (Sen. Newman – Lynchburg) Passed Senate (29-Y 11-N)          Passed House (76-Y 22-N)

Increases the speed limits to 70 mph on highways that currently have 65 mph speed limits.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

Military & Veterans’ Affairs

SB 55 (Sen. Martin – Chesterfield) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)        Passed House (97-Y 0-N)

Allows voters entitled to vote absentee due to active duty military service, service in the merchant marines, or temporary residence outside of the United States and the dependents of such voters to use the federal write-in absentee ballot to voce in state and local elections, as well as federal elections.

SB 243 (Sen. Watkins – Powhatan) Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N)          Passed House (99-Y 0-N)

Exempts active duty military personnel who are residents and on leave from having to obtain a basic fishing license.

SB 455 (Sen. Hurt – Pittsylvania) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)          Passed House (98-Y 0-N)

Exempts veterans from the handling fee charged by the Department of Business Assistance when establishing a small business through the one-stop small business permitting program.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

SB 613 (Sen. Wampler – Bristol) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)          Passed House (99-Y 0-N)

Allows members of the Virginia National Guard called to state active duty by the Governor to continue their health care coverage, at the member’s expense.

SB 696 (Sen. McWaters – Virginia Beach) Passed Senate (38-Y 2-N)          Passed House (96-Y 0-N)

Allows active-duty military personnel in uniform to use HOV lanes in Hampton Roads regardless of the number of passengers.

SJ 13 (Sen. Stuart – Westmoreland & Sen. Puller – Fairfax) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)          Passed House (99-Y 0-N)

Constitutional amendment to allow the General Assembly to exempt from property taxes any real property that is the principle residence of a veteran (or their widow or widower) who is determined to have a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability.

Ethics Reform

SB 186 (Sen. Norment – James City, Sen. Smith – Botetourt, & Sen. Northam – Norfolk) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)          Continued to 2011 in House Committee

Makes changes to adjudication of ethics complaints by establishing the General Assembly Ethics Review Panel and making public any proceedings beyond preliminary hearings.

SB 506 (Sen. Smith – Botetourt) Passed Senate (34-Y 6-N)          Passed House (97-Y 0-N)

Prohibits the Governor, his PAC, or any pertinent Secretaries from knowingly soliciting or accepting contributions, gifts, or other items worth more than $50 from any bidders or offerors, their controlling persons, or persons acting on their behalf, who have submitted bids or proposals for public contracts worth $5 million.

SB 512 (Sen. Norment – James City & Sen. Smith – Botetourt) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)          Passed House (96-Y 0-N)

Requires legislators to disclose on their Statement of Economic Interest any salary they or members of their immediate families earn from state or local governments or advisory agencies.

SJ 147 (Sen. Norment – James City) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)          Killed in House Subcommittee

Establishes a joint committee of the General Assembly and the Senate and House Ethics Advisory Panels to evaluate the adequacy of the current General Assembly Conflicts of Interests Acts and the method for adjudicating complaints.

Government Reform & Transparency

SB 236 (Sen. Stosch – Henrico, Sen. McDougle – Hanover, & Sen. Howell – Fairfax) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)          Passed House (96-Y 0-N)

Restructures the way information technology services are structured and governed in Virginia to streamline services and ensure greater accountability.

SB 515 (Sen. Norment – James City) Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)          Left in House Appropriations

Requires the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees to issue reports with the budget conference report specifically identifying any non-state appropriation, any item in the conference report not included in the House or Senate budget, and any item that represents a piece of legislation that failed during session.

Health Care

SB 283 (Sen. Quayle – Suffolk) Passed Senate (23-Y 17-N)          Passed House (67-Y 29-N)

SB 311 (Sen. Martin – Chesterfield) Passed Senate (23-Y 17-N)          Passed House (67-Y 28-N)

SB 417 (Sen. Vogel – Fauquier) Passed Senate (23-Y 17-N)          Passed House (66-Y 29-N)

Provides that no resident of the Commonwealth shall be required to maintain an insurance policy.

SB 622 (Sen. Wampler – Bristol) Passed Senate (39-Y 1-N)          Passed House (92-Y 4-N)

Prohibits dental insurance plans from establishing a rate that a dentist or oral surgeon is required to accept for services unless the services are covered under the dental plan.

Energy

SB 394 (Sen. Wagner – Virginia Beach) Passed Senate (39-Y 1-N)          Passed House (68-Y 28-N)

Sets the Commonwealth’s policy to support exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas resources 50 miles or more off Virginia’s coast.

Education

SB736 (Sen. Newman – Lynchburg) Passed Senate (25-Y 15-N)          Passed House (73-Y 22-N)

Allows for the establishment of college partnership laboratory schools by any public college that operates a teacher education program.  Schools will be public schools established by contract between college board and the Board of Education.  Teachers shall be employees of the college and licensed by the Board of Education.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

SB737 (Sen. Newman – Lynchburg) Passed Senate (27-Y 12-N 1-A)          Passed House (62-Y 34-N)

Requires charter school applicant to submit charter application to state Board of Education for review based on Board’s criteria before being submitted to local school board.  If application is denied, the applicant may seek technical assistance from the Superintendent of Public Instruction and petition for reconsideration of the decision.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

SB 738 (Sen. Newman – Lynchburg) Passed Senate (35-Y 5-N)          Passed House (78-Y 18-N)

Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop and the Board of Education to approve criteria for approving multi-division providers of online courses and virtual school programs.  Allows local school boards to enter into contracts with approved private or non-profit organizations to provide such courses and programs.  This bill was included in Governor McDonnell’s legislative package.

# # #

                On July 1, 2010, nearly 900 new laws passed during this year’s General Assembly session will take effect.  Among that legislation are dozens of bills sponsored by members of the Senate Republican Caucus.

                 “While the focus of this year’s session was rightfully on the budget, the General Assembly managed to pass many positive bills focused on an array of policy areas,” commented Senate Republican Leader Thomas K. Norment, Jr. (James City).  “Members of the Senate Republican Caucus carried bills this session focused on job creation, economic development, education, transportation, public safety, and many other policy areas.  In fact, the legislation that is the basis for Virginia’s lawsuit against the federal healthcare bill was first passed as a policy proposed by Senate Republicans.”

                 Below are some highlights of key bills patroned by each member of the Senate Republican Caucus that will take effect on Thursday.

• Senator Harry Blevins (Chesapeake)
  • SB 8 – Sets up certification program for pyrotechnicians and firework operators and requires a certified person be present when fireworks displays are conducted.
  • SB 201 – Requires the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission (JLARC) to conduct an operational and performance audit of Virginia’s transportation programs.
• Senator Emmett Hanger (Augusta)
  • SB 334 – Allows persons with concealed handgun permits to carry concealed weapons into restaurants or bars so long as they do not consume alcohol.
  • SB 623 – Allows tax credits for the creation of “green” jobs.
• Senator Robert Hurt (Pittsylvania)
  • SB 455 – Exempts veterans from the handling fee charged by the Department of Business Assistance when establishing a small business through the one-stop small business permitting program. 
  • SB 486 – Requires the Department of Juvenile Justice to provide information to law-enforcement relating to involvement in or investigations of criminal street gangs. 
• Senator Steve Martin (Chesterfield)
  • SB 55 – Allows voters entitled to vote absentee due to active duty military service, service in the merchant marines, or temporary residence outside of the United States and the dependents of such voters to use the federal write-in absentee ballot to voce in state and local elections, as well as federal elections.
  • SB 311 – Provides that no resident of the Commonwealth shall be required to maintain an insurance policy.
• Senator Ryan McDougle (Hanover)
  • SB 128 – Allows for trading of NOx and SO2 credits and prohibits the Air Pollution Control Board from preventing businesses in certain regions of the state from purchasing such credits from other facilities.
  • SB 670 – Requires prisoners who owe fines, court costs, and other penalties to contribute part of their pay from work programs to relieving this obligation.
• Senator Jeff McWaters (Virginia Beach)
  • SB 696 – Allows active-duty military personnel in uniform to use HOV lanes in Hampton Roads regardless of the number of passengers.
• Senator Steve Newman (Lynchburg)
  • SB 537 – Allows for increases in the speed limit to 70 mph on highways that currently have 65 mph speed limits. 
  • SB 602 – The fact that an umbilical cord has not been cut or that the placenta remains attached should not be considered when determining if an infant has achieved an independent and separate existence
  • SB 736 – Allows for the establishment of college partnership laboratory schools by any public college that operates a teacher education program.  Schools will be public schools established by contract between the college’s board and the Board of Education.  Teachers shall be employees of the college and licensed by the Board of Education. 
  • SB 737 – Requires charter school applicant to submit charter application to state Board of Education for review based on Board’s criteria before being submitted to local school board.  If application is denied, the applicant may seek technical assistance from the Superintendent of Public Instruction and petition for reconsideration of the decision. 
  • SB  738 – Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop and the Board of Education to approve criteria for approving multi-division providers of online courses and virtual school programs.  Allows local school boards to enter into contracts with approved private or non-profit organizations to provide such courses and programs. 
• Senator Tommy Norment (James City)
  • SB 512 – Requires legislators to disclose on their Statement of Economic Interest any salary they or members of their immediate families earn from state or local governments or advisory agencies.
  • SB 520 – Adds murder of auxiliary police officers or auxiliary deputy sheriffs to the capital murder statute
• Senator Mark Obenshain
  • SB 352 – Allows for delayed implementation of statutes and regulations for school accreditation that were not already in effect as of June 30, 2008.
• Senator Fred Quayle
  • SB 283 – Provides that no resident of the Commonwealth shall be required to maintain an insurance policy.
• Senator Frank Ruff
  • SB 656 – Adds personal property and real property improvements used primarily to manufacture a product from renewable energy as a separate classification of property for local property tax purposes.
• Senator Ralph Smith (Botetourt)
  • SB 506 – Prohibits the Governor, his PAC, or any pertinent Secretaries from knowingly soliciting or accepting contributions, gifts, or other items worth more than $50 from any bidders or offerors, their controlling persons, or persons acting on their behalf, who have submitted bids or proposals for public contracts worth $5 million.
• Senator Walter Stosch (Henrico)
  • SB 739 – Expands the use of grants from the Governor’s Development Opportunity Fund to allow such grants to be used for the construction or build-out of privately owned buildings to allow Virginia to more aggressively pursue companies looking to construct headquarters and operations centers in Virginia.  
• Senator Richard Stuart (Westmoreland)
  • SB 151 – Prevents home owners’ associations from prohibiting the display of American flags on private property.
• Senator Jill Vogel (Fauquier)
  • SB 408 – Allows persons who may lawfully own a firearm to carry a handgun in a private motor vehicle if it is locked in a container or compartment.
  • SB 417 – Provides that no resident of the Commonwealth shall be required to maintain an insurance policy.
• Senator Frank Wagner (Virginia Beach)
  • SB 394 – Sets the Commonwealth’s policy to support exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas resources 50 miles or more off Virginia’s coast.
• Senator William Wampler (Bristol)  
  • SB 613 – Allows members of the Virginia National Guard called to state active duty by the Governor to continue their health care coverage, at the member’s expense.
  • SB 622 – Prohibits dental insurance plans from establishing a rate that a dentist or oral surgeon is required to accept for services unless the services are covered under the dental plan.
• Senator John Watkins (Powhatan)
  • SB 243 – Exempts active duty military personnel who are residents and on leave from having to obtain a basic fishing license.
  • SB 472 – Reduces the number of full-time jobs needed to qualify for the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit from 100 to 50, or from 50 to 25 in enterprise zones. 
  • SB 475 – Provides that grants and loans from the Governor’s Development Opportunity Fund be awarded based on job creation, private capital investment, and additional tax revenue expected to accrue to the state or localities. 

To learn about more of the laws taking effect on July 1, you may read the Session Highlights publication prepared by the Division of Legislative Services or visit the Legislative Information System website.