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2014 SESSION

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Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology

Chairman: Frank M. Ruff, Jr.

Clerk: Maryann Horch
Staff: Amigo Wade
Date of Meeting: January 20, 2014
Time and Place: 45 minutes after adjourn-SR A

S.B. 63 Uniform Statewide Building Code; accessible units.

Patron: Puller

Uniform Statewide Building Code; accessible units. Requires the Board of Housing and Community Development to revise the Uniform Statewide Building Code to require that at least 10 percent of all dwelling units, but in no case less than one dwelling unit, in any newly constructed multifamily residential building shall be affordable, accessible units designed and constructed in a manner that satisfies the criteria for Type A units, in accordance with ANSI A117.1. Currently, at least two percent of dwelling units, but in no case less than one dwelling unit, in any multifamily residential building must be Type A units. The bill is a recommendation of the Virginia Disability Commission.

 A BILL to direct the Board of Housing and Community Development to revise the Uniform Statewide Building Code to require that at least 10 percent of all dwelling units in any newly constructed multifamily residential building shall be affordable, Type A accessible units.

14101875D

S.B. 95 Precious metals dealers; retail merchants; exemption.

Patron: Black

Precious metals dealers; retail merchants; exemption. Exempts purchases of precious metals or gems by a retail merchant from the statutory requirements of precious metals dealers, provided (i) the retail merchant has a permanent place of business and (ii) the purchases of precious metals or gems do not exceed five percent of the retail merchant's total business revenue.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-4100 of the Code of Virginia, relating to precious metals dealers; retail merchants; exemption.

14101940D

S.B. 106 Building Revitalization Grant Fund; created, report.

Patron: Stanley

Building Revitalization Grant Fund. Establishes the Building Revitalization Grant Fund administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development to award grants of up to $100,000 to businesses that make a capital investment of $1 million in revitalizing or retrofitting existing buildings in the Commonwealth to serve as a new place of business. This bill is a recommendation of the Virginia Housing Commission.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 36 a chapter numbered 1.6, consisting of a section numbered 36-55.65, relating to the Building Revitalization Grant Fund.

14100646D

S.B. 204 Charitable gaming; raffles by nonprofit organizations.

Patron: Carrico

Charitable gaming; raffles by nonprofit organizations. Clarifies that the exemption for nonprofit organizations from the requirement to obtain a permit from the Division of Charitable Gaming prior to conducting raffles that generate annual gross receipts of $40,000 or less includes organizations granted tax-exempt status under §§ 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-340.16 of the Code of Virginia, relating to charitable gaming; raffles by nonprofit organizations.

14100430D

S.B. 227 Virginia - Korea Advisory Board; established, report.

Patron: Petersen

Virginia - Korea Advisory Board. Establishes the Virginia - Korea Advisory Board to advise the Governor on ways to improve mutually beneficial trade relationships between the Commonwealth and the Republic of Korea (South Korea).

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 24 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 24, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2470 and 2.2-2471, relating to the Virginia - Korea Advisory Board.

14100393D

S.B. 248 Discrimination; prohibited in state employment.

Patrons: McEachin, Ebbin

Nondiscrimination in state employment. Prohibits discrimination in state employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as a special disabled veteran or other veteran covered by the Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended. The bill also defines "sexual orientation" and "gender identity."

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-3004 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-2901.1, relating to nondiscrimination in state government employment.

14103212D

S.B. 280 Adjutant General of Department of Military Affairs; responsible to report directly to Governor.

Patron: Cosgrove

Adjutant General. Provides for the Adjutant General of the Department of Military Affairs to report directly to the Governor rather than through the Secretary of Public Safety.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-221 and 44-11 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Adjutant General.

14102009D

S.B. 313 Uniform Statewide Building Code; inspection & enforcement by counties & towns for existing building.

Patron: Vogel

Uniform Statewide Building Code; inspection and enforcement. Provides that if any locality elects to enforce Part III of the Building Code, it shall also enforce the unsafe structures provisions for tenant complaints and enforce the elevator, escalator, or related conveyance inspections. The bill also provides that where a county provides enforcement of Parts I and II of the Building Code in a town, and elects to inspect and enforce Part III of the Building Code, the county is also required to inspect and enforce Part III of the Building Code in any such town situated in the county that has also adopted Part III, upon entering into a nonmonetary agreement with the town for such enforcement, unless the town elects to inspect and enforce Part III. The bill contains technical amendments.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 36-103 and 36-105 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Uniform Statewide Building Code; enforcement by counties and towns for existing buildings.

14102811D

S.B. 323 Dams; risk management plan for owners.

Patron: Watkins

Risk management plan for impounding structures. Requires the Division of Risk Management, with the approval of the Governor, to establish a risk management insurance plan to provide protection against claims made against a landowner on whose property a dam owned, maintained, or operated by a soil and water conservation district has been situated. The plan would protect the landowner against liability for damage to the property of others or injury to persons resulting from the failure of the dam.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-1837, relating to the establishment of a risk management plan for owners of certain dams.

14103033D

S.B. 334 Virginia Disaster Relief Fund; established.

Patron: Puckett

Virginia Disaster Relief Fund established. Creates the Virginia Disaster Relief Fund, to be administered by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. The bill provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purpose of helping Virginia households recover from a natural or man-made disaster and that the Fund shall aid voluntary nonprofit and faith-based organizations, local recovery groups, and local governments to satisfy a disaster household's unmet needs.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 44-146.18:3, relating to establishment of the Virginia Disaster Relief Fund.

14101400D

S.B. 343 Statewide Fire Prevention Code; use of consumer-grade fireworks.

Patron: Garrett

Statewide Fire Prevention Code; State Fire Marshal; consumer grade fireworks. Authorizes the use of consumer-grade fireworks in the Commonwealth. The bill defines "consumer fireworks" as small fireworks devices containing restricted amounts of pyrotechnic composition designed primarily to produce visible or audible effects by combustion and complying with certain federal regulations regarding composition and labeling. The bill also defines "display fireworks" and "restricted consumer fireworks." The provisions of the bill are set to become effective January 1, 2015.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-85, 18.2-308.2, 27-95, 27-96.1, 27-97, and 27-97.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Statewide Fire Prevention Code; State Fire Marshal; consumer grade fireworks.

14103343D

S.B. 354 Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; expedited evictions for nonremediable breaches.

Patron: Edwards

Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; expedited evictions for nonremediable breaches; continued disturbances of the peace. Provides for an expedited evictions process under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act for continued disturbances of the peace. The bill also reorganizes the provisions in the Act pertaining to expedited evictions for nonremediable breaches.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 55-248.31 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; expedited evictions for nonremediable breaches; continued disturbances of the peace.

14102551D

S.B. 355 Fire services and emergency medical services; revises terminology and reorganizes provisions.

Patron: Stuart

Fire services and emergency medical services. Revises terminology related to fire services and emergency medical services and reorganizes provisions governing fire services and emergency medical services. The bill also eliminates provisions exempting leaving an infant at an emergency medical services agency from the definition of abuse or neglect of a child and increases the deemed salary for volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency medical services personnel for the purposes of unemployment compensation from $300 per month to $500 per month.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-507, 2.2-1122, 2.2-1205, 2.2-1206, 2.2-2821.2, 2.2-4501, 4.1-206, 8.01-66.2, 8.01-66.5, 8.01-66.7, 8.01-66.8, 8.01-225, 8.01-226.5:2, 8.01-420.2, 8.01-581.13, 8.01-581.19, 9.1-300 through 9.1-303, 9.1-400, 9.1-700, 9.1-801, 10.1-1141, 15.2-622, 15.2-831, 15.2-953, 15.2-954.1, 15.2-955, 15.2-1512.2, 15.2-1714, 15.2-1716, 15.2-1716.1, 16.1-228, 18.2-51.1, 18.2-121.2, 18.2-154, 18.2-174.1, 18.2-212, 18.2-340.16, 18.2-340.23, 18.2-340.34:1, 18.2-371, 18.2-371.1, 18.2-414.1, 18.2-426, 18.2-429, 18.2-488.1, 22.1-279.8, 27-1 through 27-3, 27-4, 27-6.1, 27-7, 27-8, 27-9, 27-10, 27-11, 27-13, 27-14, 27-15.1, 27-15.2, 27-17, 27-17.1, 27-20, 27-21, 27-23.1 through 27-23.5, 27-23.9, 29.1-355, 29.1-530.4, 29.1-702, 29.1-733.7, as it shall become effective, 32.1-45.1, 32.1-46.02, 32.1-111.1 through 32.1-111.9, 32.1-111.12, 32.1-111.14, 32.1-116.1:1, 32.1-116.3, 32.1-283.1, 32.1-283.2, 32.1-291.12, 33.1-46.2, 33.1-56.3, 33.1-200.1, 33.1-252, 35.1-25, 38.2-1904, 38.2-2005, 38.2-2201, 38.2-2202, 38.2-3407.9, 40.1-79.01, 40.1-103, 44-146.28, 45.1-161.199, 46.2-208, 46.2-334.01, 46.2-502, 46.2-644.2, 46.2-649.1:1, 46.2-694, as it is currently effective and as it may become effective, 46.2-698, 46.2-726, 46.2-735, 46.2-752, 46.2-818, 46.2-915.1, 46.2-920, 46.2-921, 46.2-1020, 46.2-1023 through 46.2-1025, 46.2-1027, 46.2-1028, 46.2-1029.2, 46.2-1044, 46.2-1052, 46.2-1076, 46.2-1077.1, 46.2-1078.1, 46.2-1239, 46.2-1900, 46.2-2000.1,  51.1-153, 51.1-155, 51.1-169, 51.1-1200, 51.1-1201, 51.1-1203, 51.1-1204, 51.1-1206, 51.1-1207, 51.1-1208, 53.1-47, 53.1-133.8, 54.1-829, 54.1-3408, 56-484.14, 57-60, 58.1-1404, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 58.1-1405, 58.1-2226, 58.1-2235, 58.1-2250, 58.1-2259, 58.1-2403, 58.1-3506, 58.1-3610, 58.1-3833, 58.1-3840, 63.2-100, 63.2-1515, 65.2-101, 65.2-102, 65.2-402, 65.2-402.1, and 66-25.1 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 27-6.01, 27-6.02, 27-7.1, 27-15.01, 32.1-111.4:1 through 32.1-111.4:8, and 32.1-111.14:1 through 32.1-111.14:7; and to repeal §§ 27-6.2, 27-8.1, 27-19, 27-23.6, 32.1-111.10, and 32.1-111.11 of the Code of Virginia, relating to fire services and emergency medical services.

14100058D

S.B. 362 Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program; created.

Patron: Saslaw

Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program. Creates the Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program, a pilot program administered by the Secretary of Commerce and Trade to improve outreach by state government to the private sector. The objectives of the program are to (i) strengthen coordination and interaction between state government and the private sector on issues relevant to entrepreneurs and small business concerns and (ii) make state government programs and operations simpler, easier to access, more efficient, and more responsive to the needs of small business concerns and entrepreneurs. Under the bill, entrepreneurs-in-residence serve without compensation but, at the discretion of the head of the agency they were appointed to serve, may receive reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties. The program was created by Chapter 788 of the Acts of Assembly of 2013 but will not become effective unless reenacted by the 2014 Session of the General Assembly. The program has a 2017 sunset date.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-206.1, relating to the establishment of the Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program.

14102233D

S.B. 380 Emergency Management, State Dept. of; state agency components to State Emergency Operations Plan.

Patron: Reeves

State Department of Emergency Management; state agency components to the State Emergency Operations Plan. Requires each state agency designated by the State Department of Emergency Management to submit the agency's supporting component of the State Emergency Operations Plan annually.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 44-146.18:01, relating to the State Department of Emergency Management; state agency components to the State Emergency Operations Plan.

14100483D

S.B. 381 Public Safety, Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security, Secretaries of; transfer of certain powers.

Patron: Reeves

Secretary of Public Safety; Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security; transfer of certain powers and duties. Renames the Secretary of Public Safety as the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security and reassigns duties currently assigned to Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security relating to homeland security. The bill renames the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The bill also incorporates portions of the JLARC report relating to improvements to Virginia's homeland security activities. The bill contains numerous amendments to accomplish this transfer of powers and duties.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-200, 2.2-212, 2.2-213.2, 2.2-221, 2.2-221.1, 2.2-230, 2.2-231, 2.2-2004, 2.2-2101, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 2.2-2338, 2.2-2666.1, 2.2-2666.2, 2.2-2666.3, 2.2-2699.5, 2.2-2715, 9.1-202, 9.1-203, 9.1-407, 44-146.18:2, 53.1-155.1, 58.1-344.3, 62.1-44.34:25, and 66-2 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 2.2-222.1, 2.2-222.2, and 2.2-222.3; and to repeal §§ 2.2-224.1, 2.2-232 and 2.2-233 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security; Secretary of Veterans Affairs; transfer of certain powers and duties.

14100484D

S.B. 392 Virginia Information Technologies Agency; private institutions of higher education.

Patron: Vogel

Virginia Information Technologies Agency; private institutions of higher education. Provides for the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) to allow private institutions of higher education chartered in Virginia and granted tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code to purchase directly from contracts established for state agencies and public bodies. The bill also requires VITA to seek the assistance of the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia and the Division of Purchase and Supply of the Department of General Services in establishing and maintaining a list of private educational institutions authorized to make such purchases.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-2012 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Information Technologies Agency; private institutions of higher education.

14101432D

S.B. 393 Virginia Information Technologies Agency; definition of communications services.

Patron: Vogel

Virginia Information Technologies Agency. Includes local, wide area, metropolitan, and all other data networks in the definition of "communications services."

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-2006 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Information Technologies Agency.

14101434D

S.B. 447 Treasury, Dept. of, Risk Management Division; liability coverage for certain pro bono attorneys.

Patron: Norment

Department of Treasury; Risk Management Division; liability coverage for certain pro bono attorneys. Provides for inclusion under the state's risk management plan attorneys providing pro bono legal services under a Virginia State Bar approved program. The bill requires the Virginia State Bar to pay the cost of coverage for eligible attorneys.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-1839 of the Code of Virginia, relating to coverage for pro bono attorneys under risk management plan.

14102057D

S.B. 461 VA Public Procurement Act; competitive negotiation; limitation of certain term contracts; exception.

Patron: Vogel

Virginia Public Procurement Act; competitive negotiation; limitation of certain term contracts; exception. Provides that limitations imposed upon single project fees procured by competitive negotiation shall not apply to environmental, location, design, and inspection work regarding highways and bridges by the Commissioner of Highways, or architectural and engineering services for rail and public transportation projects by the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4302.2, as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Public Procurement Act; competitive negotiation; limitation of certain term contracts; exception.

14103440D

S.B. 464 Human Resource Management, Department of; state health plan.

Patron: Watkins

Department of Human Resource Management; state health plan. Removes "part-time state employees" from the definitions under the state health plan established by the Department of Human Resource Management.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-2818 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Department of Human Resource Management; state health plan.

14101165D

S.B. 486 Treasury, Dept. of, Risk Management Division; liability coverage for certain pro bono attorneys.

Patron: Norment

Department of Treasury; Risk Management Division; liability coverage for certain pro bono attorneys. Provides for inclusion under the state's risk management plan attorneys providing pro bono legal services under a Virginia State Bar approved program. The bill requires the Virginia State Bar to pay the cost of coverage for eligible attorneys.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-1839 of the Code of Virginia, relating to coverage for pro bono attorneys under risk management plan.

14101664D

S.B. 492 Virginia Jobs Investment Program; changes in administration.

Patron: McWaters

Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority; Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; administration of the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. Changes the administration of the Virginia Jobs Investment Program from the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-435.8, 2.2-1605, 2.2-1611, 2.2-1615, 2.2-2237, and 59.1-284.22 of the Code of Virginia, to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 2.2-2240.3 through 2.2-2240.6, and to repeal §§ 2.2-1612, 2.2-1613, and 2.2-1614 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the administration of the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

14103349D

S.B. 539 Education, Secretary of; annual report to Governor and General Assembly.

Patron: Howell

Secretary of Education; annual report. Requires the Secretary of Education, on or before October 1 of each year, to report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the Commonwealth's efforts to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education; career readiness; and career and professional certification at all levels of education.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-208.1, relating to the Secretary of Education; annual report.

14101518D

S.B. 540 Confederate graves; disbursement of funds for care and maintenance at Skinquarter Baptist Church.

Patron: Martin

Confederate graves. Allows disbursement of funds for the care and maintenance of three additional graves at Skinquarter Baptist Church Cemetery in Chesterfield County.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 10.1-2211 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Confederate grave sites.

14103078D

S.B. 546 Virginia Defense Force; localities may appropriate money, etc., for Force.

Patron: Ruff

Virginia Defense Force. Authorizes a locality to appropriate such sums of money and real and personal property as it may deem proper to the Virginia Defense Force, when that organization is maintained within the limits of the locality.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 44-113 and 44-137 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Defense Force.

14101644D

S.B. 555 Chaplains of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force; sermons.

Patron: Black

Chaplains of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force; sermons. Prohibits censorship by state government officials or agencies of the religious content of sermons made by chaplains of the Virginia National Guard while in Title 32 or State Active Duty status or of the Virginia Defense Force, so long as such content does not urge disobedience of lawful orders.

A BILL to prohibit censorship of sermons made by chaplains of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force.

14101988D

S.B. 564 Board for Accountancy; licensing requirements.

Patron: Stosch

Board for Accountancy; licensing requirements. Requires certified public accounting firms to participate in the Facilitated State Board Access process established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for peer review.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 54.1-4400 and 54.1-4412.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Board of Accountancy; licensing requirements.

14101258D

S.B. 577 Virginia Real Estate Time-Share Act; public offering statement, multisite registration.

Patron: Cosgrove

Virginia Real Estate Time-Share Act; public offering statement; multisite registration. Allows for the developer, in the case of a time-share project located outside the Commonwealth, to amend the public offering statement to reflect any additions or deletions of the time-share project to an existing time-share program registered in the Commonwealth.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 55-374 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Real Estate Time-Share Act; public offering statement; multisite registration.

14103350D

S.B. 587 Virginia Human Rights Act; causes of action for age discrimination.

Patron: Barker

Virginia Human Rights Act; causes of action for age discrimination. Provides that no employer employing more than five but less than 20 persons shall discharge any such employee on the basis of age if the employee is 40 years of age or older. Currently, the protection against age discrimination applies to an employer employing more than five but less than 15 persons. Federal law applies the same protection to workplaces with 20 or more employees.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-3903 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Human Rights Act; causes of action for age discrimination.

14103190D