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2016 SESSION

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Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology

Chairman: Frank M. Ruff, Jr.

Clerk: Maryann Horch
Staff: Amigo Wade
Date of Meeting: February 1, 2016
Time and Place: 45 minutes after adjournment; Senate Room A, GAB

S.B. 32 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 specifies the licensing requirements for casino gaming and imposes penalties for violations of the casino gaming law. The bill also requires the Commission to establish a voluntary exclusion program allowing persons to voluntarily exclude themselves from the gaming areas of facilities under the jurisdiction of the Commission. 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 subdivisions (a) (1) through (a) 5 and (a) 7 of Section 6 of Article X 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, established by the bill, 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, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 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 7 of Chapter 15 of Title 33.2 a section numbered 33.2-1532, and by adding in Title 59.1 a chapter numbered 51, containing articles numbered 1 through 8, consisting of sections numbered 59.1-556 through 59.1-592, relating to regulation of casino gaming; Virginia Casino Gaming Commission; penalties.

16100321D

S.B. 33 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 specifies the licensing requirements for casino gaming and imposes penalties for violations of the casino gaming law. Casino gaming shall be limited to localities that have passed a referendum on the question of allowing casino gaming in the locality. The bill also requires the Commission to establish a voluntary exclusion program allowing persons to voluntarily exclude themselves from the gaming areas of facilities under the jurisdiction of the Commission. In addition the bill establishes the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund administered by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to provide counseling and other support services for compulsive and problem gamblers, develop problem gambling treatment and prevention programs, and provide grants to supporting organizations that provide assistance to compulsive gamblers. The bill requires proceeds of the gross receipts tax and admission tax imposed on casino gaming operators to be paid as follows: (i) one percent into the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund, ii) 10 percent to the locality in which the casino gaming operation is located, and (iii) 89 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, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 4.1-210, 4.1-231, 4.1-233, and 37.2-304 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 7 of Chapter 15 of Title 33.2 a section numbered 33.2-1532, by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 37.2 a section numbered 37.2-314.1, and by adding in Title 59.1 a chapter numbered 51, containing articles numbered 1 through 8, consisting of sections numbered 59.1-556 through 59.1-593, relating to regulation of casino gaming; Virginia Casino Gaming Commission; penalties.

16100677D

S.B. 34 Virginia Lottery Board; regulation of casino gaming, penalties.

Patron: Lucas


Lottery Board; regulation of casino gaming; penalties. Authorizes casino gaming in the state to be regulated by the Virginia Lottery Board (the Board). The bill specifies the licensing requirements for casino gaming and imposes penalties for violations of the casino gaming law. Casino gaming shall be limited to localities that have passed a referendum on the question of allowing a casino gaming in the locality. The bill requires the Board to establish and implement a voluntary exclusion program allowing individuals to voluntarily list themselves as being barred from entering a casino gaming establishment or other facility under the jurisdiction of the Board. In addition, the bill establishes the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund administered by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to provide counseling and other support services for compulsive and problem gamblers, develop problem gambling treatment and prevention programs, and provide grants to supporting organizations that provide assistance to compulsive gamblers. The bill requires proceeds of the gross receipts tax and admission tax imposed on casino gaming operators to be paid as follows: (i) one percent into the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund, ii) 10 percent to the locality in which the casino gaming operation is located, and (iii) 89 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 §§ 2.2-3711, 4.1-100, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 4.1-210, 4.1-231, 4.1-233, and 37.2-304 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 7 of Chapter 15 of Title 33.2 a section numbered 33.2-1532, by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 37.2 a section numbered 37.2-314.1, and by adding in Title 58.1 a chapter numbered 41, containing articles numbered 1 through 9, consisting of sections numbered 58.1-4100 through 58.1-4133, relating to regulation of casino gaming by Virginia Lottery Board; penalties.

16100685D

S.B. 41 Religious freedom; solemnization of marriage.

Patron: Carrico

Religious freedom; solemnization of marriage. Provides that no individual authorized to solemnize any marriage shall be required to do so and no religious organization shall be required to provide services, accommodations, facilities, goods, or privileges for a purpose related to the solemnization of any marriage if the action would cause the individual or organization to violate a sincerely held religious belief. The bill also provides that no liability shall arise from a refusal to solemnize a marriage or provide services, accommodations, facilities, goods, or privileges for a purpose related to the solemnization of any marriage and that the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions shall not take any other action to penalize such individual or organization for such a refusal.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 57-2.03, relating to religious freedom; solemnization of marriage.

16101522D

S.B. 150 Virginia Public Procurement Act; procurement of information technology goods & service.

Patron: Reeves

Virginia Public Procurement Act; procurement of information technology goods and services; contractor liability. Prohibits a public body from requiring that an offeror state any exception to any liability provisions in responding to a Request for Proposal for information technology goods and services. If selected for negotiation after the proposal is submitted, the offeror must state any exception to the liability provisions in writing at the beginning of the negotiation. This bill is a recommendation of the Joint Commission on Technology and Science.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4302.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Public Procurement Act; procurement of information technology goods and services; contractor liability.

16101094D

S.B. 169 Virginia Public Procurement Act; Request for Proposals for architectural or engineering services.

Patron: Ruff

Virginia Public Procurement Act; Request for Proposals for architectural or engineering services. Provides that in the case of the selection process for a Request for Proposals for architectural or engineering services, the public body shall not request or require offerors to list any exceptions to proposed contractual terms and conditions until after the qualified offerors are ranked.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4302.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Public Procurement Act; Request for Proposals for architectural or engineering services.

16102404D

S.B. 238 Virginia Property Owners' Association Act; home-based businesses.

Patron: Petersen

Virginia Property Owner's Association Act; home-based businesses. Provides that an association may not prohibit a lot owner from operating a home-based business within his personal residence if the operation of the home-based business is in compliance with all applicable state laws and local ordinances. Under current law, operation of a home-based business is prohibited only to the extent that the declaration is silent on the operation of home-based businesses. The association continues to be authorized to establish (i) reasonable restrictions as to the time, place, and manner of the operation of a home-based business and (ii) reasonable restrictions as to the size, place, duration, and manner of the placement or display of any signs on the owner's lot related to such home-based business.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 55-513.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Property Owner's Association Act; home-based businesses.

16102882D

S.B. 290 Virginia Residential Property Disclosure Act; required disclosures pertaining to NASA airfield.

Patron: Lewis

Virginia Residential Property Disclosure Act; required disclosures pertaining to a National Aeronautics and Space Administration airfield. Requires the owner of residential real property located in any locality in which a National Aeronautics and Space Administration airfield is located to disclose to the purchaser whether the subject parcel is located in a noise zone or accident potential zone, or both, if so designated on the official zoning map by the locality in which the property is located.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 55-519.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Residential Property Disclosure Act; required disclosures pertaining to a National Aeronautics and Space Administration airfield.

16102127D

S.B. 294 State officers & employees; retaliatory actions against persons providing certain testimony.

Patron: DeSteph

Retaliatory actions by state officers and employees against persons providing testimony before a committee or subcommittee of the General Assembly. Prohibits officers and employees of a state agency from retaliating or threatening to retaliate against a person for providing testimony before a committee or subcommittee of the General Assembly. Under the bill, an intentional violation by an officer or employee of a state agency constitutes malfeasance in office. The bill also provides that any person who believes that he is the subject of retaliatory action may file a complaint with the Office of the Inspector General and expands the authority of the Office to include receiving and investigating such complaints.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-309 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 28 of Title 2.2 a section numbered 2.2-2832, relating to retaliatory actions by state officers and employees against persons providing testimony before a committee or subcommittee of the General Assembly.

16103382D

S.B. 418 Virginia Public Procurement Act; installation of artificial turf or other athletic surfaces.

Patron: Vogel

Virginia Public Procurement Act; cooperative procurement; installation of artificial turf or other athletic surfaces. Excludes the purchase of installation of artificial turf or other athletic surfaces and all associated and necessary construction from the prohibition on using cooperative procurement to purchase construction.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-4304 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Public Procurement Act; cooperative procurement; installation of artificial turf or other athletic surfaces.

16103929D

S.B. 500 Register of funds expended; required posting by state agencies, localities, and school divisions.

Patron: Sturtevant

Register of funds expended; required posting by state agencies, localities, and school divisions. Requires every locality and school division located within the locality to post on the public government website of the locality a register of all funds expended, showing vendor name, date of payment, amount, and a description of the type of expense, including credit card purchases with the same information. The bill also provides for the Commonwealth Data Point website administered by the Auditor of Public Accounts to include the same information for each state agency and institution, including each independent agency. Currently, the website includes such information for major state agencies.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 30-133 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2510.1, relating to the register of funds expended; required posting by state agencies, localities and school divisions.

16100936D

S.B. 517 Virginia Information Technologies Agency; utilization of service disabled veteran businesses.

Patron: McPike

Virginia Information Technologies Agency; utilization of service disabled veteran businesses. Requires the Virginia Information Technologies Agency to include as a component of any small business enhancement measure implemented by the Governor pursuant to subsection B of § 2.2-4310 of the Code of Virginia a requirement for a minimum of five percent utilization by the Virginia Information Technologies Agency of service disabled veteran businesses as defined in § 2.2-2001 of the Code of Virginia.

A BILL to require the Virginia Information Technologies Agency to utilize service disabled veteran businesses as a component of any small business enhancement measure implemented by the Governor.

16101818D

S.B. 661 Virginia Lottery; ticket courier services.

Patron: Favola

Virginia Lottery; ticket courier services. Prohibits the operation of a ticket courier service in the Commonwealth. The bill defines "ticket courier service" as a person operating, or business entity organized and operated, for the purpose of purchasing Virginia Lottery tickets on behalf of individuals located within or outside of the Commonwealth and delivering or transmitting such tickets, or electronic images thereof, to such individuals as a for-profit delivery service.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 58.1-4002 and 58.1-4014 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia Lottery; ticket courier services prohibited.

16104032D

S.B. 662 Legal holidays; Lee-Jackson Day, Election Day.

Patron: McEachin

Legal holidays; Lee-Jackson Day; Election Day. Removes Lee-Jackson Day as a state holiday and designates Election Day in November as a state holiday.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-3300 of the Code of Virginia, relating to legal holidays; Lee-Jackson Day; Election Day.

16104035D

S.B. 679 Department of General Services; effect of enhancements or remedial measures on contract costs.

Patron: Dunnavant

Department of General Services; effect of enhancements or remedial measures on contract costs and spending; report. Requires the Department of General Services to provide annually to the Governor and the General Assembly a report analyzing the effect of any enhancement or remedial measure implemented for small, women-owned, or minority-owned businesses on the contract costs and spending for all state agencies participating in such enhancement or remedial measure.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-1102 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Department of General Services; small, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses; effect of enhancements or remedial measures on contract costs and spending; report.

16104229D

S.B. 689 Common Interest Community Board; increases membership.

Patron: Petersen

Common Interest Community Board; membership. Increases the membership of the Common Interest Community Board from 11 to 14 by adding (i) one member who serves or has served on the governing board of a common interest community that is not professionally managed at the time of appointment and (ii) two members who reside in a common interest community.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2348 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Common Interest Community Board; membership.

16104189D

S.B. 704 Overtime compensation; broadens definition of fire protection employees.

Patron: Lucas

Overtime compensation; fire protection employees. Broadens the definition of "fire protection employee" for the purposes of determining eligibility for overtime compensation.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 9.1-700 of the Code of Virginia, relating to overtime compensation; fire protection employees.

16104090D

S.B. 736 Statewide Fire Prevention Code; installation or use of landscape cover materials.

Patron: Obenshain

Statewide Fire Prevention Code; installation or use of landscape cover materials. Provides that local government regulation of the installation or use of landscape cover materials shall be deemed to affect the manner of construction or materials to be used in the erection, alteration, repair, or use of a building or structure and shall not be permitted. The bill contains technical amendments.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 27-97 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Statewide Fire Prevention Code; installation or use of landscape cover materials.

16103884D

S.B. 737 Public employees; payment for time away from their official duties, penalty.

Patron: Obenshain

Payment of public employees for time away from their official duties; employee organizations; penalty. Prohibits public employers from paying leave or benefits to any public employee to directly or indirectly work for or on behalf of an employee organization, professional association, labor union, or labor organization. A violation is a Class 5 felony.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 2.2 a chapter numbered 55.3, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-5514 and 2.2-5515, relating to the payment of public employees for time away from their official duties for the benefit of any labor union, labor organization, or employee organization; penalty.

16103883D