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2014 SESSION

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Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology

Chairman: Mamie E. Locke

Clerk: Maryann Horch
Staff: Amigo Wade
Date of Meeting: February 3, 2014
Time and Place: 45 minutes after adjournment, Senate Room A

S.B. 19 Virginia Casino Gaming Commission; regulation of casino gaming, penalties.

Patron: Lucas

Virginia Casino Gaming Commission; regulation of casino gaming; penalties. Creates the Virginia Casino Gaming Commission as the licensing body for casino gaming. The bill sets up the licensing scheme for casino gaming and provides penalties for violations of the casino gaming law. Under the bill, casino gambling shall be limited to localities in which at least 40 percent of the land area is exempt from local real property taxation pursuant to federal law or Article X, Sections 6 and 6-A of the Constitution of Virginia. The bill requires proceeds of the gross receipts tax and admission tax imposed on casino gaming operators to be paid as follows: (i) 10 percent to the locality in which the casino gaming operation is located and (ii) 90 percent into the Toll Mitigation Fund, which shall be used to mitigate the tolls established to support construction and maintenance of the Dominion Boulevard Bridge and Roadway Improvement Project and the Downtown Tunnel/Midtown Tunnel/Martin Luther King Freeway Extension Project.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-204, 2.2-3705.3, 2.2-3711, 4.1-100, 4.1-210, 4.1-231, and 4.1-233 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 3 of Title 11 a section numbered 11-16.1, by adding a section numbered 18.2-334.5, by adding in Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title 33.1 a section numbered 33.1-223.2:30, and by adding in Title 59.1 a chapter numbered 50, containing articles numbered 1 through 8, consisting of sections numbered 59.1-550 through 59.1-585, relating to the Virginia Toll Relief Act; Virginia Casino Gaming Commission; penalties.

14100748D

S.B. 212 Virginia Freedom of Information Act; working papers and correspondence, General Assembly members.

Patron: Petersen

Virginia Freedom of Information Act; working papers and correspondence of members of the General Assembly.Limits the record exemption for working papers and correspondence of members of the General Assembly by providing that such records are protected to the extent they pertain to the drafting or amending of legislation. The bill also provides that any new disclosures required by members of the General Assembly pursuant to the provisions of this bill shall apply to such records received or created on or after July 1, 2014.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-3705.7 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; working papers and correspondence of members of the General Assembly.

14103306D

S.B. 223 Charitable Gaming, Board for; authorization of electronic poker games for qualified organizations.

Patron: Petersen

Board for Charitable Gaming; authorization of electronic poker games for qualified organizations. Authorizes a qualified organization to allow the playing of electronic poker games in conjunction with its charitable gaming activities. Charitable organizations are not allowed to play poker games or conduct poker tournaments.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-340.16, 18.2-340.19, 18.2-340.22, and 18.2-340.33 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-340.28:2, relating to Board for Charitable Gaming; authorization of electronic poker games for qualified organizations.

14100391D

S.B. 250 Employment applications; inquiries regarding criminal arrests, charges, or convictions.

Patron: McEachin

Employment applications; inquiries regarding criminal arrests, charges, or convictions. Prohibits state agencies from including on any employment application a question inquiring whether the prospective employee has ever been arrested or charged with, or convicted of, any crime, subject to certain exceptions. A prospective employee may not be asked if he has ever been convicted of any crime unless the inquiry takes place after the prospective employee has received a conditional offer of employment, which offer may be withdrawn if the prospective employee has a conviction record that bears a rational relationship to the duties and responsibilities of the position. A prospective employee may not be asked if he has ever been arrested or charged with a crime unless the inquiry takes place after the prospective employee has received a conditional offer of employment, which offer may be withdrawn if (i) the prospective employee's criminal arrest or charge resulted in the prospective employee's conviction of a crime and (ii) the crime of which he was convicted bears a rational relationship to the duties and responsibilities of the position. Localities are authorized to prohibit such inquiries.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 2.2-2812.1 and 15.2-1500.1, relating to inquiries by a state agency or locality regarding criminal convictions, charges, and arrests.

14102071D

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. 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. 387 FOIA; exempts certain proprietary records of Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

Patron: Reeves

Virginia Freedom of Information Act FOIA); certain proprietary records of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation. Removes obsolete references to applicable federal law in the records exemption for the Department of Rail and Public Transportation. The bill also provides that certain proprietary records provided by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation to the Department are also exempt from the mandatory disclosure provisions of FOIA.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-3705.6 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; certain proprietary records of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

14101412D

S.B. 398 Virginia Racing Commission; steeplechase race meetings, simulcast horse racing.

Patron: Vogel

Virginia Racing Commission; steeplechase race meetings; simulcast horse racing. Authorizes the Virginia Racing Commission to grant a license to the owner or operator of a steeplechase facility to conduct pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast horse racing.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 59.1-365 and 59.1-378.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Racing Commission; steeplechase race meetings; simulcast horse racing.

14102771D

S.B. 427 Small Business and Supplier Diversity, Department of; employment services organizations.

Patron: Hanger

Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; employment services organizations. Provides that small, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses and employment services organizations shall be treated in the same manner in the development and operation of any state procurement program or program goals and targets.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-1606 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; employment services organizations.

14101876D

S.B. 490 Carbon monoxide detectors; required installation in rental dwelling units.

Patron: Norment

Carbon monoxide detectors; required installation in rental dwelling units. Amends the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act and other sections on landlord and tenant law to require landlords to install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors in all rental dwelling units. The bill also imposes an obligation on the tenant to not remove or tamper with a carbon monoxide detector.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 55-225.3, 55-225.4, 55-248.13, and 55-248.16 of the Code of Virginia, relating to required installation of carbon monoxide detectors in rental dwelling units.

14102252D

S.B. 616 Small Business and Supplier Diversity, Department of; elimination of Department, etc.

Patron: Alexander

Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; creation of Department of Minority Business Enterprise and the Department of Business Assistance. Eliminates the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity and re-creates the Department of Minority Business Enterprise and the Department of Business Assistance as those two departments existed prior to January 1, 2014. As such, the bill reassigns the former powers and duties of the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity to the Department of Minority Business Enterprise and the Department of Business Assistance. The bill contains numerous technical amendments.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-204, 2.2-205.1, 2.2-435.8, 2.2-1603, 2.2-1617, 2.2-2238.1, 2.2-2282, 2.2-2284, 2.2-2311, 2.2-3705.6, 2.2-4301 as it is currently effective, 2.2-4302.1, as it shall become effective, 2.2-4302.2, as it shall become effective, 2.2-4310, 3.2-201, 10.1-1425.7, 11-7.1, 15.2-965.1, 15.2-4904, 18.2-213.1, 23-9.6:1.01, 23-38.88, 23-135.7:7, 33.1-221, 36-139.6, 46.2-749.69:1, 58.1-439.6, 59.1-284.22, 63.2-601, and 63.2-610 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 2.2 a chapter numbered 14.1, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-1406 through 2.2-1412, and by adding a section numbered 2.2-1603.1; and to repeal §§ 2.2-1604, 2.2-1605, 2.2-1606, 2.2-1608, 2.2-1609, and 2.2-1610 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the elimination of the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; creation of the Department of Minority Business Enterprise and the Department of Business Assistance.

14103656D

S.B. 657 Alternative onsite sewage system installers, etc.; applicant not required to pass an examination.

Patron: Black

Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals; onsite sewage installers and operators. Provides that the Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals shall not require applicants for initial licensure as an alternative onsite sewage system installer or a conventional or alternative onsite sewage system operator to pass an examination prior to the issuance of such license, provided that the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the Board that he has been actively engaged in the performance of duties of a conventional onsite sewage system installer for at least eight years within the 12-year period immediately preceding the date of application for licensure. Currently, this exemption from examination only applies to applicants for initial licensure as a conventional onsite sewage system installer. The bill contains an emergency clause

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2301, as it is currently effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals; onsite sewage installers and operators.

14103315D

EMERGENCY

S.B. 670 Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act; limitation on personal information.

Patron: Petersen

Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act; limitation on collection and use of personal information by law enforcement. Limits the ability of law-enforcement and regulatory agencies to use technology to collect and maintain personal information on individuals and organizations where a warrant has not been issued and there is no reasonable suspicion of criminal activity by the individual or organization. The bill codifies an opinion of the Attorney General regarding the Virginia Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-3800, 2.2-3801, 2.2-3802, and 52-48 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act; passive collection and use of personal information by law enforcement agencies.

14104231D