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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.
2016 SESSION
Chairman: Jill Holtzman Vogel
Clerk: Hobie Lehman
Staff: Meg Burruss
Date of Meeting: January 19, 2016
Time and Place: 4:00PM / Senate Room A
*Updated to add SJR 79
Patron: Carrico
Time of municipal elections. Clarifies that a city or town may move the time of its local elections pursuant to statutory authority notwithstanding any contrary provisions of its charter.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-222.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to time of municipal elections.16101686D
Patron: Carrico
Electoral College; allocation of electoral votes. Revises the process by which the Commonwealth's electoral votes are allocated among the slates of presidential electors from a winner-take-all basis to a proportional allocation basis, calculated by (i) first dividing the total number of votes cast for all slates of electors by the number of electoral votes to which Virginia is entitled by virtue of its representation in Congress, yielding a quotient called the Popular Vote Value, and (ii) then dividing the total number of votes cast for each slate of presidential electors by the Popular Vote Value. The result of the calculation in clause (ii), rounded to the nearest whole number, for each slate of electors is the number of electoral votes allocated to that slate of electors.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-542, 24.2-543, and 24.2-673 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-202.1, relating to electors for President and Vice President; allocation of electoral votes.16102078D
Patron: Wexton
Voter identification; accepted forms of identification. Adds to the list of accepted forms of identification for purposes of voting a valid identification card that contains a photograph of the voter and is issued by any private entity that is licensed or certified, in whole or in part, by the State Department of Health, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Medical Assistance Services, or the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. An employee of any such private entity is currently permitted to use his employee identification card, provided that the card contains a photograph of the voter, for purposes of voting; the bill allows a resident or other person who receives services from such private entity to use a valid identification card issued by the private entity, provided that the card contains a photograph of the voter.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-643 of the Code of Virginia, relating to accepted forms of voter identification.16101430D
Patron: Miller
Voting systems; use of direct recording electronic machines. Prohibits the use of direct recording electronic machines (DREs) in elections on and after July 1, 2017. The governing bodies of counties and cities have been prohibited from acquiring DREs for use in elections since July 1, 2007, but under current law the use of previously acquired DREs is permitted for the remainder of their useful life.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-626 and 24.2-627 of the Code of Virginia, relating to voting systems; use of direct recording electronic machines.16101491D
Patron: McEachin
Voter registration; automatic voter registration. Provides for the automatic electronic transmission by the Department of Motor Vehicles to the Department of Elections of certain information for any person coming into an office of the Department of Motor Vehicles or accessing its website in order to (i) apply for, replace, or renew a driver's license, (ii) apply for, replace, or renew a special identification card, or (iii) change an address on an existing driver's license or special identification card if the Department of Motor Vehicles records indicate that he (a) is a United States citizen, (b) is 17 years of age or older, and (c) at the time of the transaction does not decline to have his information transmitted to the Department of Elections for voter registration purposes. The option to decline to have his information so transmitted shall be presented at the time of one of the specified transactions with the Department of Motor Vehicles and shall be accompanied by a warning that intentionally making a materially false statement during the transaction and that voting more than once in any election in the same or different jurisdictions are both punishable under Virginia law as a felony. The information required to be transferred includes the person's full name, date of birth, gender, residence address, citizenship status, driver's license and social security number, and digital signature and an affirmation by the person that he meets all voter eligibility requirements. Upon receipt of the information, the Department of Elections is required to determine whether the person is already registered to vote. If the person is already registered to vote, the Department of Elections is required to take certain steps to update the voter's registration records. If the person is not already registered to vote, the Department of Elections is required to verify that the person meets all voter eligibility requirements and, if so finding, is required to transmit the information to the appropriate general registrar. The bill repeals the requirement that the Department of Motor Vehicles offer, accept, receive, and send voter registration applications.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-410.1, 24.2-412, 24.2-413, 24.2-415.1, 24.2-418, and 24.2-653 of the Code of Virginia, to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-411.3, and to repeal § 24.2-411.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to automatic voter registration.16101982D
Patron: Ebbin
State Board of Elections; meetings to hear complaints. Requires the State Board of Elections to meet on the Tuesday immediately preceding any election to hear and consider action on any complaints received by the Department of Elections. The bill also authorizes the State Board to conduct a subsequent meeting, upon the call of the chair or the call of two members, to hear any new complaints. Such meeting shall be held no later than the Friday immediately preceding the election and notice shall be posted on the official website of the Department of Elections no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting. The State Board may refer any complaint to the Attorney General for investigation and prosecution.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-103 of the Code of Virginia, relating to duties of the State Board of Elections; meetings to hear complaints.16102244D
Patron: Vogel
Election day program; permitted activities of participants. Allows election pages participating in the election day program for high school students to assist in the arrangement of voting equipment, furniture, and any other materials for the conduct of the election. The bill would also allow election pages to assist in the counting of unmarked ballots prior to the opening of the polls, at the direction and under the direct supervision of the chief officer of election, but prohibits election pages from handling or touching ballots in any other circumstance. Currently, participants in the election day program are prohibited from handling or touching ballots, voting machines, and other official election materials. The bill requires the election pages receive, from a person designated by the electoral board, training on the duties, responsibilities, and prohibited conduct of election pages.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-604 of the Code of Virginia, relating to election day program; permitted activities of participants.16103090D
Patron: Vogel
Local electoral boards; reassigning certain duties related to elections administration. Reassigns duties of the electoral boards related to elections administration to the general registrars. When performing these duties, the general registrars are acting in their capacity as directors of elections.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-101, 24.2-115, 24.2-115.1, 24.2-117, 24.2-216, 24.2-310, 24.2-406, 24.2-511, 24.2-527, 24.2-604, 24.2-604.1, 24.2-609, 24.2-610, 24.2-612, 24.2-614, 24.2-616 through 24.2-620, 24.2-627, 24.2-631 through 24.2-639, 24.2-641, 24.2-642, 24.2-647, 24.2-659, 24.2-668, 24.2-683, 24.2-684, and 24.2-712 of the Code of Virginia, relating to local electoral boards; reassigning certain duties related to elections administration; technical amendments to terminology.16103074D
Patron: Ebbin
Voter registration; information required on voter registration application; adjudication of incapacity or felony conviction. Removes the requirement that a person registering to vote who states that he was previously adjudicated incapacitated or convicted of a felony and that his right to vote has been restored additionally provide information regarding the circumstances under which his right to vote has been restored.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-418 of the Code of Virginia, relating to voter registration; information required on application; adjudication of incapacity or felony conviction.16100355D
Patron: Obenshain
Constitutional amendment (voter referendum); right to work. Provides for a referendum at the November 8, 2016, election to approve or reject an amendment to prohibit any agreement or combination between an employer and a labor union or labor organization whereby (i) nonmembers of the union or organization are denied the right to work for the employer, (ii) membership to the union or organization is made a condition of employment or continuation of employment by such employer, or (iii) the union or organization acquires an employment monopoly in any such enterprise.
A BILL to provide for the submission to the voters of a proposed amendment to the Constitution of Virginia adding to Article I a section numbered 11-A, relating to the right to work.16102130D
Patron: Vogel
Voter registration; notification to other states of a person's registration in Virginia. Requires the general registrars, when registering any person who was previously registered in another state, to notify the appropriate authority in that state of the person's registration in Virginia by providing, through the Department of Elections, an electronic copy of that person's registration application.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-114 of the Code of Virginia, relating to voter registration; notification to other states of a person's registration in Virginia.16101790D
Patron: McPike
Campaign finance; campaign fundraising during special and reconvened sessions prohibited. Prohibits campaign fundraising on and after the first day of a special session of the General Assembly through adjournment sine die of that session, including any ensuing reconvened session. Currently, campaign fundraising is prohibited from the first day through adjournment sine die of regular sessions of the General Assembly, and the definition of "adjournment sine die" specifically excludes the ensuing reconvened sessions.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-954 of the Code of Virginia, relating to campaign finance; campaign fundraising during special and reconvened sessions prohibited.16101821D
Patron: McEachin
Campaign finance; campaign fundraising prohibited during certain periods. Extends current restrictions related to campaign fundraising during regular sessions of the General Assembly to certain additional periods. The bill subjects the Governor and his campaign committee to such restrictions during the three weeks immediately following adjournment sine die of a regular session of the General Assembly and subjects members of the General Assembly and their campaign committees to such restrictions during the two weeks immediately preceding and through adjournment sine die of the reconvened session.
A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-954 of the Code of Virginia, relating to campaign finance; campaign fundraising prohibited during certain periods.16103102D
Patron: Surovell
United States Constitution; Equal Rights Amendment. Ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution that was proposed by Congress in 1972. The joint resolution advocates the position that the 1972 Equal Rights Amendment remains viable and may be ratified notwithstanding the expiration of the 10-year ratification period set out in the resolving clause, as amended, in the proposal adopted by Congress.
Ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution.16100133D
Patron: Ebbin
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); marriage. Proposes the repeal of the constitutional amendment dealing with marriage that was approved by referendum at the November 2006 election. That amendment to the Bill of Rights (i) defines marriage as "only a union between one man and one woman"; (ii) prohibits the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions from creating or recognizing "a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage"; and (iii) prohibits the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions from creating or recognizing "another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage." The provisions of this section of the Constitution of Virginia are no longer valid as a result of the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. ___ (June 26, 2015).
Proposing the repeal of Section 15-A of Article I of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to marriage.16100353D
Patron: Garrett
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); Governor's term of office. Permits a Governor elected in 2021 and thereafter to succeed himself in office. The amendment allows two four-year terms (either in succession or not in succession) but prohibits election to a third term. Service for more than two years of a partial term counts as service for one term.
Proposing an amendment to Section 1 of Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to executive power and the Governor's term of office.16100527D
Patron: Alexander
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); real property tax exemption. Provides that the General Assembly may provide a local option for the real property tax exemption for the primary residence of any law-enforcement officer, firefighter, search and rescue personnel, or emergency medical services personnel who has been determined to have a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability or the surviving spouse of a law-enforcement officer, firefighter, search and rescue personnel, or emergency medical services personnel who was killed in the line of duty. Such tax exemption may not be claimed by a surviving spouse who has remarried.
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia by adding in Article X a section numbered 6-B, relating to property tax exemptions.16101459D
Patron: Locke
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); marriage. Proposes the repeal of the constitutional amendment dealing with marriage that was approved by referendum at the November 2006 election. That amendment to the Bill of Rights (i) defines marriage as "only a union between one man and one woman"; (ii) prohibits the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions from creating or recognizing "a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage"; and (iii) prohibits the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions from creating or recognizing "another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage." The provisions of this section of the Constitution of Virginia are no longer valid as a result of the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. ___ (June 26, 2015).
Proposing the repeal of Section 15-A of Article I of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to marriage.16101019D
Patron: Wexton
United States Constitution; Equal Rights Amendment. Ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution that was proposed by Congress in 1972. The joint resolution advocates the position that the 1972 Equal Rights Amendment remains viable and may be ratified notwithstanding the expiration of the 10-year ratification period set out in the resolving clause, as amended, in the proposal adopted by Congress.
Ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution.16101146D
Patron: Dance
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); qualifications to vote; restoration of civil rights. Authorizes the General Assembly to provide by law for the restoration of civil rights for persons convicted of nonviolent felonies who have completed service of their sentences subject to the conditions, requirements, and definitions set forth in that law. The present Constitution provides for restoration of rights by the Governor. The amendment retains the right of the Governor to restore civil rights and adds an alternative for restoration of rights pursuant to law for nonviolent felons.
Proposing an amendment to Section 1 of Article II of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to the qualifications of voters.16101478D
Patron: McEachin
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); marriage. Proposes the repeal of the constitutional amendment dealing with marriage that was approved by referendum at the November 2006 election. That amendment to the Bill of Rights (i) defines marriage as "only a union between one man and one woman"; (ii) prohibits the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions from creating or recognizing "a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage"; and (iii) prohibits the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions from creating or recognizing "another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage." The provisions of this section of the Constitution of Virginia are no longer valid as a result of the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. ___ (June 26, 2015).
Proposing the repeal of Section 15-A of Article I of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to marriage.16101959D
Patron: Miller
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); Governor's term of office. Permits a Governor elected in 2021 and thereafter to succeed himself in office. The amendment allows two four-year terms (either in succession or not in succession) but prohibits election to a third term. Service for more than two years of a partial term counts as service for one term.
Proposing an amendment to Section 1 of Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to executive power and the Governor's term of office.16101496D
Patron: Petersen
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); exemption from taxation of certain motor vehicles. Exempts privately owned motor vehicles used for nonbusiness purposes from property taxes.
Proposing an amendment to Section 6 of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to property taxation and the exemption from taxation of certain motor vehicles.16103434D
Patron: Ebbin
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); Governor's term of office. Permits a Governor elected in 2021 and thereafter to succeed himself in office. The amendment allows two four-year terms (either in succession or not in succession) but prohibits election to a third term. Service for more than two years of a partial term counts as service for one term.
Proposing an amendment to Section 1 of Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to executive power and the Governor's term of office.16102246D
Patron: Deeds
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); Virginia Redistricting Commission. Establishes the Virginia Redistricting Commission to redraw congressional and General Assembly district boundaries after each decennial census. Appointments to the 13-member Commission are to be made in the census year as follows: two each by the President pro tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, the minority leader in each house, and the state chairman of each of the two political parties receiving the most votes in the prior gubernatorial election. The 12 partisan members then select the thirteenth member by a majority vote or, if they cannot agree on a selection, they certify the two names receiving the most votes to the Supreme Court of Virginia, which will name the thirteenth member. The Commission is directed to certify district plans for the General Assembly within one month of receipt of the new census data or by April 1 of the year following the census, whichever is later, and for the House of Representatives within three months of receipt of the census data or by June 1 of the year following the census, whichever is later. The standards to govern redistricting plans include the current constitutional standards on population equality, compactness, and contiguity and additional standards to minimize splits of localities and to prohibit consideration of incumbency and political data.
Proposing an amendment to Section 6 of Article II of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to districts for the House of Representatives and General Assembly; criteria for redistricting; and the establishment of the Virginia Redistricting Commission.16102044D
Patron: Barker
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); Virginia Redistricting Commission; partisan balance of districts. Establishes the Virginia Redistricting Commission, an eight-member commission tasked with establishing the districts for the United States House of Representatives and for the Senate and the House of Delegates of the General Assembly and apportioning the members of the House of Representatives and the members of the Senate and the House of Delegates among the districts, respectively. The districts are to be drawn to reflect the voting patterns of the Commonwealth with, to the extent practicable, half of the districts more favorable than statewide totals to each of the two political parties most often receiving the most votes cast in statewide elections. The bill also provides that redistricting is to happen in 2021 and every 10 years thereafter and at no other time, unless ordered by a court.
Proposing an amendment to Section 6 of Article II of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to apportionment; partisan balance; establishing Virginia Redistricting Commission.16102467D
Patron: Obenshain
Constitutional amendment (second resolution); right to work. Provides that any agreement or combination between any employer and any labor union or labor organization whereby persons not members of such union or organization are denied the right to work for the employer, or whereby such membership is made a condition of employment or continuation of employment by such employer, or whereby any such union or organization acquires an employment monopoly in any enterprise, is against public policy and constitutes an illegal combination or conspiracy and is void.
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia by adding in Article I a section numbered 11-A, relating to the right to work.16101746D
Patron: Sturtevant
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); Virginia Redistricting Commission. Establishes the seven-member Virginia Redistricting Commission to redraw congressional and General Assembly district boundaries after each decennial census. The Commission is directed to certify district plans for the General Assembly within 30 days of receipt of the new census data or by June 1 of the year following the census, whichever is later, and for the House of Representatives within 60 days of receipt of the census data or by July 1 of the year following the census, whichever is later. The amendment also establishes the standards to govern redistricting plans, which include the current constitutional standards on population equality, compactness, and contiguity and additional standards to minimize splits of localities and to prohibit consideration of incumbency and political data.
Proposing an amendment to Section 6 of Article II of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to apportionment; criteria for legislative and congressional districts; Virginia Redistricting Commission.16100928D