SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2015 SESSION

  • print version
Senate Committee on Rules

Chairman: Ryan T. McDougle

Clerk: Susan Schaar, Hobie Lehman
Staff: Cheryl Jackson, Brenda Edwards
Date of Meeting: January 27, 2015
Time and Place: 5:00PM / Senate Room B

S.B. 740

Patron: Carrico

Regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from existing stationary sources; General Assembly approval of state plan. Requires the Department of Environmental Quality to receive approval from the General Assembly for Virginia's state plan to regulate carbon dioxide emissions for existing stationary sources prior to submitting the plan to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for approval.

A BILL to require the Department of Environmental Quality to obtain General Assembly approval before submitting a state plan for the regulation of carbon dioxide emissions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

15100687D

EMERGENCY

S.B. 883

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 25, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2478 and 2.2-2479, relating to the Virginia-Korea Advisory Board.

15100876D

S.B. 894

Patron: Puller

Community Integration Advisory Commission; membership. Expands nonlegislative citizen membership eligibility to include one individual who is receiving or has received services in a state hospital operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, one individual who is receiving or has received services in a state or private intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disability, and one current or former resident of a nursing facility. Under current law, membership includes one individual who is currently receiving services in a state hospital operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, one individual who is currently receiving services in a state training center, and one current resident of a nursing facility. The bill also extends the sunset for this article until July 1, 2019.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2525 and 2.2-2529 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Community Integration Advisory Commission; membership.

15101418D

S.B. 1033

Patron: Wexton

Northern Virginia Transportation Authority; membership composition. Increases the membership of the NVTA by one nonlegislative member to represent towns that receive funds for urban highway systems.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 33.2-2502 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the membership and composition of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.

15102244D

S.B. 1057

Patron: Howell

Advisory Committee on Sexual and Domestic Violence. Establishes the Advisory Committee on Sexual and Domestic Violence, which is tasked with advising and assisting governmental entities on matters related to the prevention and reduction of sexual and domestic violence in the Commonwealth, and the administration of grant funds to state and local programs that work in these areas. This bill is a recommendation of the Virginia State Crime Commission.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 9.1 a section numbered 9.1-116.2, relating to Advisory Committee on Sexual and Domestic Violence; established.

15102495D

S.B. 1136

Patron: Garrett

Joint Commission on Administrative Rules; powers and duties; effect of administrative rules on private sector employment. Adds to the powers and duties of the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules the power to review proposed rules and regulations of any agency during the promulgation or final adoption process and determine whether or not a rule or regulation will cause a substantial reduction in private sector employment. The bill contains technical amendments.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 30-73.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules; powers and duties; effect of administrative rules on private sector employment.

15102522D

S.B. 1213

Patron: Ebbin

Human trafficking; legislative commission created; report. Creates a legislative commission for the purpose of studying human trafficking in the Commonwealth, providing recommendations for the prevention of human trafficking and for services to victims of human trafficking and to develop effective strategies to combat human trafficking. The commission will expire in three years.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 30 a chapter numbered 57, consisting of sections numbered 30-359 through 30-365, relating to the Commission on the Prevention of Human Trafficking; report.

15102154D

S.B. 1323

Patron: Lewis

Study; Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; report. Requests the Department of Environmental Quality to study the potential for the establishment of a funding source to localities in coastal Virginia for flood resilience that could result by including the Commonwealth as a full participant in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Requesting the Department of Environmental Quality to study the potential for the establishment of a funding source to localities in coastal Virginia for flood resilience that could result by including the Commonwealth of Virginia as a full participant in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Report.

15103696D

S.B. 1343

Patron: Wagner

Joint Rules Committee; employment of legal counsel. Authorizes the Joint Rules Committee of the General Assembly to employ legal counsel to represent the Commonwealth in litigation challenging the validity of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed rules that establish carbon pollution emission guidelines for existing electric generating units, if the Committee finds that the Office of the Attorney General, by July 1, 2015, has not instituted and is not diligently pursuing legal action on behalf of the Commonwealth that challenges the validity of these proposed rules.

A BILL to authorize the Joint Rules Committee of the General Assembly to employ legal counsel to represent the Commonwealth in litigation challenging federal rules establishing carbon emission guidelines for existing electric utility generating units.

15101283D

S.J.R. 218

Patron: Howell

Study; teacher turnover; report. Requests the Department of Education to study the feasibility of implementing a program in the Commonwealth to track teacher turnover by developing exit questionnaires and other means.

Requesting the Department of Education to study the feasibility of implementing a program in the Commonwealth to track teacher turnover by developing exit questionnaires and other means. Report.

15100640D

S.J.R. 226

Patron: Puller

Commemorating the 240th anniversary of George Mason's Virginia Declaration of Rights in 2016.

Commemorating the 240th anniversary of George Mason's Virginia Declaration of Rights in 2016.

15100778D

S.J.R. 227

Patron: Stanley

Memorializing the Congress of the United States to transfer the title of public lands to the western states. Expresses the sense of the General Assembly that Congress should engage in good faith communication, cooperation, and consultation to coordinate the transfer of title of public lands to the western states.

Memorializing the Congress of the United States to engage in good faith communication, cooperation, and consultation to coordinate the transfer of title of public lands to the western states and expressing the sense of the General Assembly in support of the western states in these efforts.

15101341D

S.J.R. 228

Patron: Martin

Resolution; endorsement of SCHEV's statewide strategic plan for higher education; report. Endorses the framework of mission, vision, goals, and strategies for the statewide strategic plan for higher education developed and approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) as the Commonwealth's vision and plan for higher education and requires SCHEV to report annually for six years on the Commonwealth's progress toward achieving the plan's goals to the Governor, General Assembly, institutions of higher education, and the public.

Endorsing the framework of the statewide strategic plan for higher education developed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia as the Commonwealth's vision and plan for higher education. Report.

15103034D

S.J.R. 234

Patron: Wexton

Study; JLARC; purchase of the Dulles Greenway; report. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the feasibility of purchasing the Dulles Greenway.

Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the feasibility of purchasing the Dulles Greenway. Report.

15102251D

S.J.R. 235

Patron: Watkins

Study; Virginia Housing Commission; funding for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund; report. Directs the Virginia Housing Commission to study methods to evaluate and determine a dedicated revenue source for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund.

Directing the Virginia Housing Commission to study methods to evaluate and determine a dedicated revenue source for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund. Report.

15102021D

S.J.R. 236

Patron: Favola

Study; auxiliary grant program; report. Directs the Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) to study the auxiliary grant program. In conducting its study, JCHC is directed to (i) evaluate current funding for the auxiliary grant program and recommend strategies to increase funding, (ii) examine the extent of goods and services currently covered and paid for by the auxiliary grant program and recommend strategies to expand allowable costs, and (iii) evaluate the extent of allowable family and third-party contributions for services provided to auxiliary grant recipients that are not considered for purposes of eligibility or calculating the amount of an auxiliary grant and recommend strategies to expand the list of such allowable contributions.

Directing the Joint Commission on Health Care to study the auxiliary grant program. Report.

15100946D

S.J.R. 237

Patron: Favola

Study; Virginia Homeless Solutions Program $500 asset cap; report. Requests the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to study the Virginia Homeless Solutions Program $500 asset cap for individuals transitioning from shelters to permanent housing who require rapid re-housing financial assistance. DHCD is requested to (i) identify and examine alternatives to the $500 asset cap, including a higher asset cap or a cap that ranges based on the size and needs of the particular family; (ii) research and compare asset caps used in other states; and (iii) make recommendations regarding an asset cap that would better serve families transitioning from shelters to permanent housing and reduce the number of individuals that return to homelessness in the Commonwealth.

Requesting the Department of Housing and Community Development to study the Virginia Homeless Solutions Program $500 asset cap. Report.

15100585D

S.J.R. 239

Patron: Favola

Study; early childhood practitioner professional development; report. Requesting the Department of Education and the Department of Social Services in cooperation with the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation to convene a work group to study and develop a competency-based professional development framework for early childhood practitioners.

Requesting the Department of Education and the Department of Social Services in cooperation with the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation to convene a work group to study and develop a competency-based professional development framework for early childhood practitioners. Report.

15101859D

S.J.R. 240

Patron: Favola

Study; older Virginians' access to oral health care; report. Directs the Joint Commission on Health Care to study older Virginians' access to oral health care.

Directing the Joint Commission on Health Care to study older Virginians' access to oral health care. Report.

15101448D

S.J.R. 241

Patron: Favola

Study; JLARC; early childhood development programs; report. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study specific early childhood development programs, prenatal to age five, in the Commonwealth in order for the General Assembly to determine the best strategy for future early childhood development investments.

Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study specific early childhood development programs, prenatal to age five, in the Commonwealth in order for the General Assembly to determine the best strategy for future early childhood development investments. Report.

15101850D

S.J.R. 242

Patron: Ruff

Study; Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority; programs supporting existing high-growth companies; report. Requests the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority to study the feasibility of incorporating programs to support existing high-growth companies into the state's current economic development programs and activities. Existing high-growth companies are privately held enterprises with high potential for growth that (i) employ fewer than 100 employees, (ii) generate annual revenues of $50 million or less, and (iii) have moved beyond the startup phase of business development to become established businesses within the local and regional community. This bill is a recommendation of the Small Business Commission.

Requesting the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority to study the feasibility of incorporating programs to support existing high-growth companies into the state's current economic development programs and activities. Report.

15103140D

S.J.R. 243

Patron: Dance

Study; JLARC to study Department of Veterans Services; report. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the Department of Veterans Services, including, among other things, the review of programs administered by the Department's agencies and other issues related to the provision of services to veterans.

Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to review the Department of Veterans Services. Report.

15102977D

S.J.R. 244

Patron: Garrett

Study; long-term impact of biosolids and industrial waste; report. Directs the Department of Environmental Quality to study the long-term effects of the storage and land application of industrial wastes and sewage sludge on public health, residential wells, and surface and ground water.

Directing the Department of Environmental Quality to study the long-term effects of the storage and land application of industrial wastes and sewage sludge on public health, residential wells, and surface and ground water. Report.

15101030D

S.J.R. 245

Patron: Favola

Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Designates the month of April, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Virginia.

Designating the month of April, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Virginia.

15103465D

S.J.R. 252

Patron: Hanger

United States Congress; application to call a convention to amend the U.S. Constitution to provide for a balanced budget requirement. Initiates the process to call a convention to amend the United States Constitution to add a balanced budget amendment to promote fiscal integrity at the federal level.

Applying to the Congress of the United States to call a convention for the purpose of amending the United States Constitution to provide for a balanced budget requirement.

15100945D

S.J.R. 254

Patron: Chafin

Clean Water Act; opposition. Urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to recognize the Commonwealth of Virginia's opposition to the proposed rule regarding the Clean Water Act definition of "waters of the United States."

Urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to recognize the Commonwealth of Virginia's opposition to the proposed rule regarding the Clean Water Act definition of "waters of the United States."

15103228D

S.J.R. 262

Patron: Locke

Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization; signage. Encourages the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization to allocate funds to enhance interstate signage in the City of Hampton to increase awareness of landmarks and points of interest.

Encouraging the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization to allocate funds to enhance interstate signage in the City of Hampton to increase awareness of landmarks and points of interest.

15103243D

S.J.R. 268

Patron: Hanger

Study; JLARC; pathways for determining eligibility for Medicaid-funded long-term care; report. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study pathways for determining eligibility for Medicaid-funded long-term care. In conducting its study, JLARC shall review (i) the Commonwealth's long-term care preadmission screening process, including the process by which individuals access such screenings, the timeliness of such screenings, support for individual choice upon meeting long-term care criteria, and assurance that the assessment teams are neutral and have no financial or legal ties to discharge locations and (ii) state and federal long-term care financial eligibility laws, including the use of annuities to protect assets, transfer of assets, lien and estate recovery, assessing a child as a family of one for eligibility purposes, and the effects of the new Modified Adjusted Gross Income eligibility standards and access to nursing home care services. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2016.

Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study pathways for determining eligibility for Medicaid-funded long-term care. Report.

15102826D

S.J.R. 269

Patron: McDougle

U.S. Constitution; application for a convention of the states. Makes application to Congress to call a convention of the states to propose amendments to the United States Constitution to restrain the abuse of power by the federal government.

Applying to the Congress of the United States to call an amendment convention pursuant to Article V of the United States Constitution limited to proposing amendments to the United States Constitution that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.

15101875D

S.J.R. 271

Patron: Norment

Study; long-term impact of biosolids and industrial waste; report. Directs the Department of Environmental Quality to study the long-term effects of the storage and land application of industrial wastes and sewage sludge on public health, residential wells, and surface and ground water.

Directing the Department of Environmental Quality to study the long-term effects of the storage and land application of industrial wastes and sewage sludge on public health, residential wells, and surface and ground water. Report.

15102842D

S.J.R. 272

Patron: Norment

Study; JLARC to study groundwater resources; report. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study Virginia's water resource planning and management, particularly with regard to groundwater. This study is a recommendation of the Joint Subcommittee to Formulate Recommendations to Address Recurrent Flooding.

Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study Virginia's management of groundwater resources. Report.

15102685D

S.J.R. 273

Patron: Wagner

Study; Department of Environmental Quality to study "double-counting" of benefits of EPA Clean Power Plan; report. Directs the Department of Environmental Quality to study whether the projected health benefits of the proposed federal Clean Power Plan, cited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a benefit of the Plan, are already expected to result from the ongoing enforcement and revision of existing air quality regulations.

Requesting the Department of Environmental Quality to study the projected health benefits of the proposed federal Clean Power Plan in comparison with the projected health benefits of existing regulations. Report.

15101936D

S.J.R. 274

Patron: Wagner

Study; Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to update its 2006 study of the impact of regulations on Virginia's manufacturing sector; report. Directs JLARC to update its 2006 study of the impact of regulations on Virginia's manufacturing sector.

Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to update its 2006 study of the impact of regulations on Virginia's manufacturing sector. Report.

15101982D

S.J.R. 276

Patron: Ebbin

Opposing federal requirement of a law mandating a six-month driver's license suspension upon conviction of a drug offense. Expresses the opposition of the General Assembly to the enactment or enforcement of a law requiring a six-month revocation or suspension of a person's driver's license upon conviction of a drug offense when such offense is not related to the operation of a motor vehicle. Absent a resolution from the General Assembly expressing such opposition, the failure to enforce such a law results in the withholding of certain federal highway funding by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation from the Commonwealth. Currently, such a law is codified at §§ 18.2-259.1 and 46.2-390.1.

Expressing the opposition of the General Assembly to the enactment or enforcement of a law requiring a six-month revocation or suspension of a person's driver's license upon conviction of a drug offense.

15103376D

S.J.R. 277

Patron: Edwards

Study; SCHEV; Pay It Forward, Pay It Back; report. Directs the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to study the feasibility of implementing a "Pay It Forward, Pay It Back" higher education tuition financing model to increase access to educational opportunities and to decrease the debt burden on students in the Commonwealth.

Requesting the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to study the feasibility of implementing a "Pay It Forward, Pay It Back" higher education tuition financing model to increase access to educational opportunities and to decrease the debt burden on students in the Commonwealth. Report.

15101959D

S.J.R. 279

Patron: Carrico

Study; joint subcommittee; dangers of Tannerite; report. Establishes a nine-member joint subcommittee to study the dangers of Tannerite and, if necessary, identify the potential need to (i) restrict the amounts of Tannerite that can be purchased legally and (ii) add a warning label to such products due to the effects of their use.

Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the dangers of Tannerite. Report.

15103002D

S.J.R. 280

Patron: Deeds

Study; JLARC; consolidation of law-enforcement agencies under the Department of State Police; report. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study consolidation of all state law-enforcement agencies under the Department of State Police.

Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study consolidation of all state law-enforcement agencies under the Department of State Police. Report.

15101671D

S.J.R. 281

Patron: Edwards

Study; urban schools; report. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study the unique and specific challenges facing urban school divisions.

Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the unique and specific challenges facing urban school divisions. Report.

15102001D

S.J.R. 282

Patron: Hanger

Study; Sex Offender Registry; report. Requests the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to study the effectiveness of sex offender registry requirements on public safety.

Requesting the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to study the effectiveness of sex offender registry requirements on public safety. Report.

15103461D

S.J.R. 285

Patron: Dance

Study; feasibility of expanding family and medical leave in the state to complement existing federal requirements; report. Establishes an 11-member joint subcommittee to study the feasibility of expanding family and medical leave in the state to complement existing federal requirements.

Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the feasibility of expanding family and medical leave in the state to complement existing federal requirements. Report.

15102394D

S.J.R. 286

Patron: Alexander

Commemorating the life and legacy of Benjamin Franklin Butler.

Commemorating the life and legacy of Benjamin Franklin Butler.

15103160D

S.J.R. 287

Patron: Ruff

Study; JLARC; early childhood development programs; report. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study specific early childhood development programs, prenatal to age five, in the Commonwealth in order for the General Assembly to determine the best strategy for future early childhood development investments.

Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study specific early childhood development programs, prenatal to age five, in the Commonwealth in order for the General Assembly to determine the best strategy for future early childhood development investments. Report.

15103690D

S.J.R. 288

Patron: Vogel

Study; Department of Education; effect of local use value assessment of certain real estate on the Composite Index of Local Ability to Pay; report. Requests the Department of Education to (i) determine, for each of the 95 localities that have adopted ordinances to provide for the use value assessment and taxation of certain real estate, the use value of all applicable (a) real estate devoted to agricultural use, (b) real estate devoted to horticultural use, (c) real estate devoted to forest use, and (d) real estate devoted to open-space use, as those terms are defined in the Code of Virginia, and (ii) recalculate the Composite Index of Local Ability to Pay for each locality after taking into consideration such use values.

Requesting the Department of Education to study the effect of local use value assessment of certain real estate on the Composite Index of Local Ability to Pay. Report.

15103715D

S.J.R. 290

Patron: Lewis

Governor's School for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Expresses support for the establishment of the Governor's School for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Hampton Roads.

Expressing support for the establishment of the Governor's School for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Hampton Roads.

15103086D

S.J.R. 291

Patron: Lewis

Study; Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; report. Requests the Department of Environmental Quality to study the potential for the establishment of a funding source to localities in coastal Virginia for flood resilience that could result by including the Commonwealth as a full participant in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Requesting the Department of Environmental Quality to study the potential for the establishment of a funding source to localities in coastal Virginia for flood resilience that could result by including the Commonwealth of Virginia as a full participant in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Report.

15103771D

S.J.R. 294

Patron: Chafin

Regulation of emissions from existing power plants; withdrawal of proposed federal guidelines. Urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw its proposed emissions guidelines for the regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal-fired power plants under section 111(d) of the federal Clean Air Act and requests the Attorney General of Virginia to pursue legal actions to challenge the guidelines adopted if they infringe upon the Commonwealth's sovereign authority and cause economic harm to its citizens.

Urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw its proposed emissions guidelines for the regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal-fired power plants under Section 111(d) of the federal Clean Air Act.

15103227D

S.J.R. 299

Patron: McEachin

Virginia Housing Commission; affordable housing; report. Directs the Virginia Housing Commission to study opportunities for and barriers to safe and affordable housing for people reentering society from Virginia%92s jails and prisons and to provide a report of its activities and findings.

Directing the Virginia Housing Commission to study opportunities for and barriers to safe and affordable housing for people reentering society from Virginia’s jails and prisons. Report.

15103858D

S.J.R. 300

Patron: Stanley

Study; Commission on Electric Utility Regulation; regulation of the rates of municipal electric utilities; report. Directs the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation to study whether the State Corporation Commission should have the authority to regulate the rates of municipal electric utilities.

Directing the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation to study whether the State Corporation Commission should have the authority to regulate the rates of municipal electric utilities. Report.

15101940D

S.R. 62

Patron: Marsden

Study; staffing levels and employment conditions at the Department of Corrections; report. Continues, for an additional year, the joint committee of the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services and the Senate Committee on Rules to study staffing levels and employment conditions at the Department of Corrections.

Continuing the joint committee of the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services and the Senate Committee on Rules to study staffing levels and employment conditions at the Department of Corrections. Report.

15102747D