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ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
- Summaries: Since 1994
Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
2015 SESSION
Chairman: Ryan T. McDougle
Clerk: Susan Schaar, Hobie Lehman
Staff: Cheryl Jackson, Brenda Edwards
Date of Meeting: February 20, 2015
Time and Place: Upon Adjournment of the Sen. Rehabilitation Comm. / Senate Room A
Patron: Cox
Capitol Police; security for Governor-elect, Lieutenant Governor-elect, Attorney General-elect, and members of the Court of Appeals. Expands the jurisdiction of the Capitol Police for the purpose of providing security for the Governor-elect, Lieutenant Governor-elect, Attorney General-elect, and members of the Court of Appeals. Under current law, the Capitol Police have expanded jurisdiction when providing security for the Governor and his family, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, members of the General Assembly, and members of the Supreme Court of Virginia. This bill contains technical amendments.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 30-34.2:1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to powers of Capitol Police when providing security for Governor-elect, Lieutenant Governor-elect, Attorney General-elect or members of the Court of Appeals.15101765D
Patron: Torian
Virginia Retirement System work group to develop recommendations to encourage and facilitate saving for retirement. Requires the Virginia Retirement System to convene a work group to review current state and federal programs that encourage citizens of the Commonwealth to save for retirement by participating in retirement savings plans. The review will include an examination of retirement savings options for self-employed individuals, part-time employees, full-time employees whose employers do not offer a retirement savings plan, and groups with a low savings rate. The work group will include representatives of the Department of Taxation, small business, the self-employed, the Virginia College Savings Plan, and other stakeholders. The Virginia Retirement System will report its findings, which may include recommendations for statutory changes or amendments to the general appropriation act, to the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2017.
A BILL to require the Virginia Retirement System to convene a work group to develop recommendations to encourage and facilitate saving for retirement.15104874D
Patron: Byron
Health Insurance Reform Commission. Requires the Division of Legislative Services to provide legal, research, policy analysis, and other staffing services to the Health Insurance Reform Commission (Commission). Staffing for the Commission is currently provided by the Bureau of Insurance of the State Corporation Commission (Bureau) and the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC). The Bureau and JLARC continue to be responsible for assessing aspects of legislative measures that propose to mandate coverage for a new health insurance benefit or provider. The measure charges the Bureau and JLARC with providing the Commission with annual assessments of the implications of the implementation of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) on residents of the Commonwealth, businesses operating within the Commonwealth, and the general fund of the Commonwealth. The measure also revises the process by which assessments will be conducted of proposals for new mandated benefits or providers. The measure clarifies that the Chairmen of the House and Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor may request the Commission to assess a legislative measure if it has conducted an assessment of an identical or substantially similar legislative measure within the preceding three years.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 30-342, 30-343, and 30-344 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Health Insurance Reform Commission.15104740D
Patron: Gilbert
State and Local Government Conflict of Interests
Act, General Assembly Conflicts of Interests Act, and Virginia Conflict
of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council; certain gifts prohibited;
approvals required for certain travel. Removes the distinction between
tangible and intangible gifts and prohibits any state or local officer
or employee, member of the General Assembly, and certain candidates
from soliciting, accepting, or receiving a single gift with a value
exceeding $100 from certain persons. The bill also prohibits the immediate family of such officers, employees, members, or candidates from soliciting, accepting, or receiving such gifts. The bill provides an exception
for gifts received at widely attended events, which are those events
in which there is a reasonable expectation that at least 25 persons
will attend the event. The bill requires disclosure of any single
gift or entertainment, or any combination of gifts or entertainment,
with a value exceeding $50. The bill also requires persons subject
to the Conflict of Interest Acts to request a approval from the Virginia
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council and receive the
approval of the Council prior to accepting or receiving any travel-related transportation,
lodging, meal, hospitality, or other thing of value
provided by certain third parties that has a value exceeding $100. The bill requires electronic filing of disclosure forms with the Council and provides that local officers and employees will file disclosure forms locally instead of with the Council. The bills provides that the making of a knowing and intentional false statement on a disclosure form is punishable as a Class 5 felony. The bill also prohibits the Governor, his campaign committee, and any political action committee established on his behalf from knowingly soliciting or accepting a contribution, gift, or other item with a value greater than $100 from persons and entities seeking loans or grants from the Governor's Development Opportunity Fund, restricts such gifts and contributions from persons and entities seeking loans or grants from the Fund, and provides that any violation shall result in a civil penalty of $500 or up to two times the amount of the contribution or gift, whichever is greater. This bill incorporates HB 1598, HB 1667, HB 1689, HB 1919, HB 1947, and HB 2060.
15104752D
Patron: Peace
Joint Commission on Virginia Indian Recognition; report. Creates the Joint Commission on Virginia Indian Recognition to review applications and make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding applications of groups seeking recognition as Virginia Indian Tribes. The bill designates the membership, powers, and duties of the Commission; sets out criteria for formal recognition of Virginia Indian Tribes; and requires a report of the Commission's activities and recommendations. The bill provides that the Commission will expire on July 1, 2018.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 30 a chapter numbered 57, consisting of sections numbered 30-359 through 30-368, relating to the Joint Commission on Virginia Indian Recognition; report.15104431D
Patron: Carr
Commission for the Commemoration of the Centennial of Women's Right to Vote. Establishes the Commission for the Commemoration of the Centennial of Women's Right to Vote in the legislative branch of state government. The Commission is charged with planning and leading the commemoration throughout Virginia in 2020 and educating citizens concerning the importance and significance of the right to vote by all citizens in a democracy. The provisions of the bill will expire on July 1, 2020.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 30 a chapter numbered 57, consisting of sections numbered 30-359 through 30-367, relating to the Commission for the Commemoration of the Centennial of Women's Right to Vote; report.15103035D
Patron: Ware
Study; short- and long-term impact of biosolids and industrial waste; report. Requests the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and the Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy's Division of Geology and Mineral Resources' Virginia geological survey, in consultation with the United States Geological Survey's Toxic Hydrology Regional Contamination Investigation Program, to study the short- and 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.
Requesting the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and the Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy’s Division of Geology and Mineral Resources’ Virginia geological survey, in consultation with the United States Geological Survey's Toxic Hydrology Regional Contamination Investigation Program, to study the short- and 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.15104107D
Patron: Wright
National Day of the Cowboy in Virginia. Designates the fourth Saturday in July, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as the National Day of the Cowboy in Virginia.
Designating the fourth Saturday in July, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as the National Day of the Cowboy in Virginia.15100697D
Patron: Poindexter
Virginia's Rail Heritage Region in the Commonwealth. Designates Virginia's Rail Heritage Region in the Commonwealth, consisting of the Counties of Alleghany, Amherst, Bedford, Botetourt, Campbell, Franklin, and Roanoke and the Cities of Covington, Lynchburg, Roanoke, and Salem, as well as the Towns of Amherst, Bedford, Boones Mill, Buchanan, Clifton Forge, Iron Gate, Rocky Mount, Troutville, and Vinton.
Designating Virginia's Rail Heritage Region.15101901D
Patron: Head
Virginia Caregivers Month. Designates November, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as Virginia Caregivers Month.
Designating November, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as Virginia Caregivers Month in Virginia.15100002D
Patron: Marshall, D.W.
Gum Disease Awareness Month. Designating February, in 2016 and in each succeeding year, as Gum Disease Awareness Month in Virginia.
Designating February, in 2016 and in each succeeding year, as Gum Disease Awareness Month in Virginia.15102871D
Patron: Albo
Drug trafficking; interstate cooperation. Requests the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia to initiate a memorandum of agreement with the Governor of Maryland pertaining to the enforcement of laws involving the illegal trafficking of controlled substances across state lines.
Requesting the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia to initiate a memorandum of agreement with the Governor of Maryland pertaining to the enforcement of laws involving the illegal trafficking of controlled substances across state lines.15100673D
Patron: Landes
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.15101500D
Patron: O'Bannon
Study; JLARC to review Department of Veterans Services; report. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to review 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. The Commission must report to the Governor and 2017 Session of the General Assembly.
Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to review the Department of Veterans Services. Report.15104180D
Patron: Orrock
SCHEV; analysis of teacher shortage; report. Requests the Virginia Department of Education and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to examine shortages of qualified teachers generally and in certain teaching endorsement areas and to recommend strategies for addressing the shortages. The Department and the Council must report their findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2016 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
Requesting the Virginia Department of Education and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to examine shortages of qualified teachers generally and in certain teaching endorsement areas and to recommend strategies for addressing these shortages. Report.15104583D
Patron: Austin
Lewis and Clark Eastern Legacy Trail in Virginia. Designates the portion of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail that runs through the Commonwealth as the Lewis and Clark Eastern Legacy Trail in Virginia.
Designating the portion of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail that runs through the Commonwealth as the Lewis and Clark Eastern Legacy Trail in Virginia.15102031D
Patron: Yost
Study; voluntary mental health screenings for students in public elementary schools; report. Requests that the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (i) identify one or more appropriate mental health screening tools, (ii) identify one or more school divisions in which the parents of each student shall be notified of the availability of such mental health screening tools and may give permission for their child to participate in a mental health screening, (iii) analyze the (a) number and type of mental illness diagnoses, (b) additional in-school services provided to diagnosed students as a result of such screenings, and (c) most appropriate grade level for the administration of such screenings, and (iv) report its findings to the Governor and General Assembly by November 30, 2016.
Requesting the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to study the benefits of offering voluntary mental health screenings to students in public elementary schools. Report.15104549D
Patron: DeSteph
Study; impact of stormwater regulations on high water table area; report. Requests the Department of Environmental Quality to conduct a two-year study of the application of the post development stormwater management technical criteria, as established in the Virginia Stormwater Management Regulations, in areas with a seasonal high groundwater table.
Requesting the Department of Environmental Quality to study the application of the postdevelopment stormwater management technical criteria, as established in the Virginia Stormwater Management Program Regulations, in areas with a seasonal high groundwater table. Report.15104368D
Patron: Ransone
Losing Loved Ones in a Tragic Accident Month. Designates August, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as Losing Loved Ones in a Tragic Accident Month in Virginia.
Designating August, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as Losing Loved Ones in a Tragic Accident Month in Virginia.15101021D
Patron: Lingamfelter
Study; Bureau of Insurance to study use of credit history in insurance underwriting; report. Requests the Bureau of Insurance to study the use by insurers of an insured's or applicant's credit information in connection with underwriting motor vehicle insurance policies.
Requesting the Bureau of Insurance to study the use by insurers of an insured's or applicant's credit information in connection with underwriting motor vehicle insurance policies. Report.15102199D
Patron: Loupassi
Study; driver's license suspension for unpaid court fines and costs; report. Creates a joint subcommittee to study the use of driver's license suspension as a collection method for unpaid court fines and costs and make recommendations for improvements to the current law.
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the use of driver's license suspension as a collection method for unpaid court fines and costs. Report.15104585D
Patron: Kory
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.15102020D
Patron: Knight
Study; prevention of sexual violence on the campuses of public and private institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth; report. Directs the Virginia State Crime Commission to study the prevention of sexual violence on college campuses in Virginia. In conducting its study, the Commission must (i) ascertain the breadth of the problem of sexual violence on public and private college campuses in the Commonwealth; (ii) review all relevant state and federal laws, regulations, and policies to identify appropriate ways in which sexual violence may be abated; (iii) assess the policies, process, and procedures for reporting crimes of sexual violence used by colleges and universities in the Commonwealth; (iv) determine whether any institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth have pending U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights investigations for the manner in which allegations and reports of sexual violence have been managed; (v) collaborate with other local, state, federal, college, and community advocates and police departments and entities to address the problem throughout the Commonwealth's higher education and criminal justice systems and among parents and students; (vi) make recommendations to ensure safe college and university campuses throughout the Commonwealth; and (vii) carry out any other duties the joint subcommittee deems proper to facilitate the study. The Commission must submit its report to the Chairmen of the House Committees on Education and for Courts of Justice, the Chairmen of the Senate Committees on Education and Health and for Courts of Justice, the Governor, and the 2016 Session of the General Assembly.
Directing the Virginia State Crime Commission to study the prevention of sexual violence on the campuses of public and private institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth. Report.15104823D
Patron: Robinson
Maternal Mental Health Month. Designates May, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as Maternal Mental Health Month in Virginia.
Designating May, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as Maternal Mental Health Month in Virginia.15102441D
Patron: Robinson
National Atomic Veterans Day. Designates July 16, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as National Atomic Veterans Day in Virginia.
Designating July 16, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as National Atomic Veterans Day in Virginia.15100001D
Patron: Kilgore
Environmental Protection Agency emissions guidelines; opposition. Recognizes the Commonwealth's opposition to proposed Environmental Protection Agency emissions guidelines for the regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants under Section 111(d) of the federal Clean Air Act.
Recognizing the Commonwealth's opposition to proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emissions guidelines for the regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants under Section 111(d) of the federal Clean Air Act.15101506D
Patron: Hodges
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. This resolution incorporates HJ 595.
Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study Virginia's water resource planning and management. Report.15104181D
Patron: Byron
Study; mandating health insurance coverage for abuse deterrent formulations for opioid medications; report. Directs the Health Insurance Reform Commission to study mandating health insurance coverage for abuse deterrent formulations for opioid medications.
Directing the Health Insurance Reform Commission to study mandating health insurance coverage for abuse deterrent formulations for opioid medications. Report.15103449D
Patron: LaRock
Study; performance of the communications sales and use tax; report. Requests the Department of Taxation to conduct a study of the performance of the communications sales and use tax.
Requesting the Department of Taxation to study the performance of the communications sales and use tax. Report.15102420D
Patron: Landes
Study; JLARC; Commonwealth's Medicaid program; report. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to study the Commonwealth's Medicaid program. In conducting its study, JLARC shall (i) analyze the impact of major cost drivers on the growth of Medicaid program expenditures; (ii) identify highest-cost Medicaid recipients and services and assess whether opportunities exist to improve the cost-effectiveness of health care delivery; (iii) examine the efficiency of the administration of the Commonwealth's Medicaid program, including financial processes and controls and the recovery of third-party payments, and review the implementation status of recommendations made in 2011 JLARC report on improper payments and other reports related to improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness; (iv) identify evidence-based practices and strategies that have been successfully adopted in other states and that could be used in the Commonwealth to provide cost-effective care, strengthen patient outcomes, and maximize the efficiency and integrity of internal processes; and (v) review other relevant issues and make recommendations as appropriate. JLARC shall complete its work by November 30, 2016.
Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the Commonwealth's Medicaid program. Report.15101724D
Patron: Hester
Kinship Caregivers of Children Month. Designates September, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as Kinship Caregivers of Children Month in Virginia.
Designating September, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as Kinship Caregivers of Children Month in Virginia.15100355D
Patron: Keam
Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution. Designates January 30, in 2016 and in each succeeding year, as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution in Virginia.
Designating January 30, in 2016 and in each succeeding year, as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution in Virginia.15103010D
Patron: Fariss
Encouraging Virginia's localities and school divisions to partner with local law-enforcement agencies regarding wireless Internet access. Requests the Virginia Municipal League and the Virginia Association of Counties to apprise its members of the sense of the General Assembly regarding the benefit of sharing wireless Internet access with local law-enforcement officers.
Encouraging Virginia's localities and school divisions to partner with local law-enforcement agencies regarding wireless Internet access.15102316D
Patron: Pogge
Encouraging support for the State of Israel.
Encouraging support for the State of Israel.15101883D
Patron: O'Quinn
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."15102451D
Patron: Keam
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.15100572D
Patron: Scott
Farm-to-School Week. Designating the first full week in October, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as Farm-to-School Week in Virginia.
Designating the first full week in October, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as Farm-to-School Week in Virginia.15104166D
Patron: Ransone
Tax Withholding and EmployerContribution Awareness Month. Designates March, in 2016 and in each succeeding year, as Tax Withholding and Employer Contribution Awareness Month in Virginia.
Designating March, in 2016 and in each succeeding year, as Tax Withholding and Employer Contribution Awareness Month in Virginia.15103625D
Patron: Rust
Day to Serve. Designates each day from September 11 to October 10, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as a Day to Serve in Virginia.
Designating each day from September 11 to October 10, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as a Day to Serve in Virginia.15103051D
Patron: Landes
Opposition to federal Postsecondary Institution Ratings System. Recognizes the quality and value of diversity and innovation in the institutions of higher education in the United States and strongly disagrees with the proposal of the President of the United States to create a federal Postsecondary Institution Ratings System.
Recognizing the quality and value of diversity and innovation in the institutions of higher education in the United States and strongly disagreeing with the proposal of the President of the United States to create and administer a Postsecondary Institution Ratings System.15103881D
Patron: Lopez
Law Day. Designates May 1, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as Law Day in Virginia.
Designating May 1, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as Law Day in Virginia.15101574D
Patron: Kilgore
NASA's Wallops Flight Facility; environmental impact statement. Encourages the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to conduct an environmental impact study related to landing commercial booster rockets and spacecraft at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility.
Encouraging the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to conduct an environmental impact study related to landing commercial booster rockets and spacecraft at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility.15103867D
Patron: Howell
Celebrating the life of Gladys Poles Todd.
Celebrating the life of Gladys Poles Todd.15104493D
Patron: Howell
Celebrating the life of Francis M. Niederkofler.
Celebrating the life of Francis M. Niederkofler.15104492D
Patron: Howell
Day of Honor for the Marquis de Lafayette. Designates March 14, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as a Day of Honor for the Marquis de Lafayette.
Designating March 14, in 2015 and in each succeeding year, as a Day of Honor for the Marquis de Lafayette in Virginia.15104877D
Patron: Howell
Appointments by the Speaker of the House of Delegates. Confirms appointments to certain boards made by the Speaker of the House of Delegates.
Confirming various appointments by the Speaker of the House of Delegates.15100008D
Patron: Watkins
Virginia Hospital Week. Designates May 10 through May 16, in 2015, and the second week of May, in each succeeding year, as Virginia Hospital Week in Virginia.
Designating May 10 through May 16, in 2015, and the second week of May, in each succeeding year, as Virginia Hospital Week in Virginia.15104743D
Patron: McEachin
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Designates March, in 2016 and in each succeeding year, as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
Designating March, in 2016 and in each succeeding year, as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Virginia.15104940D
Patron: McDougle
Confirming appointments to the Senate Ethics Advisory Panel. Confirms appointments made by the Senate Committee on Rules to the Senate Ethics Advisory Panel.
Confirming appointments by the Senate Committee on Rules.15105026D