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2017 SESSION

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Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections

Chairman: Jill Holtzman Vogel

Clerk: Hobie Lehman, E. Greenwood
Staff: Meg Lamb
Date of Meeting: January 31, 2017
Time and Place: 15 Minutes After the Senate Adjourns / Senate Room A
Updated to remove HB 1431 and HB 1696

S.B. 821 Primary elections; adds political party affiliation to information for voter registration.

Patron: Cosgrove

Voter registration by political party affiliation; primary elections. Adds party affiliation, beginning January 1, 2018, to the information that an applicant is asked to provide when registering to vote. The applicant may indicate that he is an independent. Voters registered prior to January 1, 2018, will be designated as independent unless they provide a political party designation in writing to the general registrar. Voters may change their party affiliation or independent status by written notice at any time before the registration records are closed prior to an election. The state party chairman of each political party must notify the State Board of Elections by January 31 of each year of the rules adopted by the duly constituted authorities of the state political party governing who may participate in the party's primaries held from April 1 of that year through March 31 of the following year.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-530 and 24.2-535 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 24.2-418.01, 24.2-423.1, and 24.2-516.1, relating to voter registration by political party affiliation; primary elections.

17100640D

S.B. 844 Absentee voting; no-excuse in-person available 21 days prior to election.

Patron: Howell

Absentee voting; no-excuse in-person available 21 days prior to election. Allows for any registered voter to vote by absentee ballot in person in any election in which he is qualified to vote without providing a reason or making prior application for an absentee ballot. The bill makes absentee voting in person available beginning the twenty-first day prior to the election and ending at 5:00 p.m. on the Saturday immediately preceding the election. The bill retains the current provisions for voting an absentee ballot by mail, including the application requirement and the list of statutory reasons.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-612, 24.2-700, 24.2-701, 24.2-706, and 24.2-707 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-701.1, relating to absentee voting; no-excuse in-person available 21 days prior to elections.

17101106D

S.B. 845 Absentee voting; eligibility of certain caregivers.

Patron: Howell

Absentee voting; eligibility of certain caregivers. Entitles a person to vote absentee if the person is unable to go in person to the polls on the day of the election because he is primarily and personally responsible for the care of an ill or disabled individual who is confined at home. Currently, such caregivers are entitled to vote absentee only if the ill or disabled individual who is confined at home is a family member of the caregiver.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-700 and 24.2-701 of the Code of Virginia, relating to absentee voting; eligibility of certain caregivers.

17101251D

S.B. 846 Virginia Interim Redistricting Commission; criteria for remedial redistricting plans.

Patron: Lucas

Virginia Interim Redistricting Commission; criteria for remedial redistricting plans. Provides for the establishment of the Virginia Interim Redistricting Commission (Commission) when any congressional or state legislative district drawn as required by Article II, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia is declared unlawful or unconstitutional, in whole or in part, by order of any state or federal court. The Commission is tasked with determining and submitting to the General Assembly and the Governor a redistricting plan remedying such unlawful or unconstitutional district. The bill also provides criteria by which the Commission is to draw remedial districts.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-304.04, relating to the Virginia Interim Redistricting Commission; criteria for remedial redistricting plans.

17101054D

S.B. 878 Congressional and state legislative districts.

Patrons: Howell, Vogel

Congressional and state legislative districts. Provides criteria for the General Assembly to observe in drawing districts, including respect for political boundaries, equal population, racial and ethnic fairness, contiguity, compactness, and communities of interest. The bill prohibits use of political data or election results unless necessary to determine if racial or ethnic minorities can elect candidates of their choice.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-304.04, relating to standards and criteria for congressional and state legislative districts.

17101113D

S.B. 902 Primary elections; voter registration by political party.

Patron: Obenshain

Primary elections; voter registration by political party. Adds party affiliation to the information that an applicant is asked to provide when registering to vote. The applicant may indicate that he is an independent. The bill requires the State Board of Elections (State Board), in September 2017, to notify all registered voters of the new party registration law and send them a return card to indicate their party affiliation or independent status. Any voter who does not state a party affiliation shall be designated as independent in the registration records. Voters may change their party affiliation or independent status by written notice at any time before the registration records are closed in advance of an election. The bill (i) requires the state party chairman to notify the State Board by January 31 of each year whether the party will close or open its primaries, (ii) requires that primary candidate petitions be signed and witnessed by voters registered as affiliated with the party conducting the primary, (iii) sets the required number of petition signatures at one percent of the number of voters registered as affiliated with the party in the election district where the primary is being held, and (iv) allows an official political party to retain that status as long as at least 15 percent of the Commonwealth's registered voters are registered as affiliated with that party. The provisions of the bill are applicable to primaries conducted after January 1, 2018.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-101, 24.2-521, 24.2-530, and 24.2-535 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 24.2-418.01, 24.2-423.1, and 24.2-516.1, relating to voter registration by political party; primary elections.

17100909D

S.B. 979 Elections; absentee voting; no-excuse, in-person.

Patron: Dance

Elections; absentee voting; no-excuse, in-person. Allows qualified voters to vote absentee in person without providing an excuse for not being able to vote in person on election day. The bill retains the statutory list of specific reasons allowing a voter to cast an absentee ballot by mail.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-700 and 24.2-701 of the Code of Virginia, relating to absentee voting; persons eligible to vote absentee in person without providing a statutory reason.

17102132D

S.B. 1002 Absentee voting; no-excuse, in-person available 21 days prior to election.

Patron: Ebbin

Absentee voting; no-excuse, in-person available 21 days prior to election. Allows any registered voter to vote by absentee ballot in person in any election in which he is qualified to vote without providing a reason or making a prior application for an absentee ballot. Absentee voting in person will be available in the office of the general registrar or the secretary of the electoral board and may be available at additional locations if approved by the local electoral board. The period for absentee voting in person will begin on the twenty-first day prior to any election and will end at 5:00 p.m. on the Saturday immediately preceding the election. The bill retains the current provisions for voting absentee by mail, including the application process and list of eligibility reasons.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-612, 24.2-700, 24.2-701, 24.2-706, and 24.2-707 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-701.1, relating to absentee voting; no-excuse, in-person available 21 days prior to election.

17102185D

S.B. 1051 Voter registration at the Department of Motor Vehicles; opt-out voter registration.

Patron: Ebbin

Voter registration at the Department of Motor Vehicles; opt-out voter registration. Provides for the 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 18 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 voter registration at the Department of Motor Vehicles; opt-out voter registration.

17102751D

S.B. 1059 Election day voter registration; State Board of Elections to develop a pilot program, report.

Patron: Deeds

Election day voter registration; pilot program. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall develop a pilot program for election day voter registration, by which a person who (i) offers to vote on election day but is not a registered voter, (ii) provides one of the forms of identification specified in subsection B of § 24.2-643, and (iii) provides proof of his residency, in a form specified by the State Board for this purpose, in the precinct in which he offers to vote, shall be permitted to register to vote and to cast a ballot. The bill requires participating localities to provide information on the implementation of the pilot program in its locality to the State Board by December 1 of each year in which it participates. The bill requires the State Board to submit a report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the House and Senate Committees on Privileges and Elections on the pilot program, including a recommendation as to whether there should be statewide election day voter registration. The bill has an expiration date of December 31, 2019.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 4 of Chapter 4 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-425.1, relating to election day voter registration; pilot program.

17100343D

S.B. 1133 Voter referendum; independent redistricting commission.

Patron: Mason

Voter referendum; independent redistricting commission. Provides for a statewide referendum on the question of whether the General Assembly should adopt a resolution to propose an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia that would establish an independent redistricting commission to create and propose redistricting plans for House of Delegates, Senate of Virginia, and congressional districts. The results would be advisory only and are intended only to demonstrate the preference of the citizens of the Commonwealth on the manner in which electoral districts are created. The referendum would be held at the November 2017 general election.

A BILL to provide for a statewide advisory referendum relating to the establishment of an independent redistricting commission in Virginia.

17102827D

S.B. 1142 Campaign finance; filing and reporting requirements applicable to certain tax-exempt organizations.

Patron: DeSteph

Campaign finance; filing and reporting requirements applicable to certain tax-exempt organizations. Removes the exemption of organizations holding tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(4) of the United States Internal Revenue Code from the filing and reporting requirements of the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 2006.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-945.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to campaign finance; filing and reporting requirements applicable to certain tax-exempt organizations.

17101557D

S.B. 1206 Redistricting process.

Patron: Lewis

Redistricting process. Provides a new method for the preparation of state legislative and congressional redistricting plans. The bill spells out standards for developing plans, including population equality, compactness, maintenance of cores of existing districts, and respect for locality boundaries; precludes consideration of incumbency and political data in developing plans; assigns responsibility to the Division of Legislative Services (the Division) to prepare plans for submission to the General Assembly; and establishes a temporary redistricting advisory commission to advise the Division, disseminate information on plans, and hold hearings for public reaction to plans. The bill provides that the General Assembly may reject the Division's plans and may ultimately amend the plans. This bill is patterned after the Iowa redistricting process.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 3 of Title 24.2 an article numbered 1.1, consisting of sections numbered 24.2-301.2 through 24.2-301.7, relating to preparation of and standards for state legislative and congressional redistricting plans; establishment of temporary redistricting advisory commission.

17103776D

S.B. 1256 Third-party registration groups; registration and disclosure requirements.

Patron: Ebbin

Third-party registration groups; registration and disclosure requirements. Requires any individual or organization that will be distributing and collecting voter registration applications to register as a third-party registration group with the Department of Elections (the Department) prior to engaging in any voter registration activities. The Department is required to issue a unique identification number to each third-party registration group, and each group shall assign its volunteers and employees a separate identification number. The bill requires these identification numbers to be included on voter registration applications collected by the third-party registration group. The bill also requires third-party registration groups to maintain a record containing information about all volunteers and employees engaging in voter registration activities on behalf of the group.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-416.6 of the Code of Virginia, relating to third-party registration groups; registration and disclosure.

17101096D

S.B. 1295 Early voting; any registered voter allowed to vote early in any election in which he is qualified.

Patron: Vogel

Elections; early voting. Allows any registered voter to vote early in any election in which he is qualified to vote without providing a reason or making prior application for an absentee ballot. The bill requires that early voting be available beginning the twenty-first day prior to any general election, the seventh day prior to any special election held on a date other than the date of a general election, and the seventh day prior to any primary election and ending at 5:00 p.m. on the Saturday immediately preceding the election. The bill further requires early voting to be available during regular business hours each weekday during the applicable period, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on each Saturday during the applicable period, and from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on each Sunday during the applicable period. The bill removes the current provisions for voting absentee in person but retains those provisions for voting an absentee ballot by mail, including the application requirement and the list of statutory reasons that allow a registered voter to vote absentee by mail.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-612, 24.2-700, 24.2-701, and 24.2-707 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-700.1, relating to early voting.

17103008D

S.B. 1410 Congressional and state legislative districts; compactness standard.

Patron: Suetterlein

Congressional and state legislative districts; compactness standard. Requires congressional and state legislative districts to be composed of compact territory, meaning districts are not to be oddly shaped or have irregular or contorted boundaries, unless justified because the district adheres to political subdivision lines. Fingers or tendrils extending from a district core are to be avoided, as are thin and elongated districts and districts with multiple core populations connected by thin strips of land or water. The bill requires the General Assembly to employ one or more standard numerical measures of individual and average district compactness to provide an objective assessment of a districting plan's compactness, both statewide and district by district.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-304.04, relating to congressional and state legislative districts; compactness standard.

17100427D

S.B. 1490 Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act; applying for and casting military-overseas ballots.

Patron: DeSteph

Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act; applying for and casting military-overseas ballots. Provides that any active duty member of a uniformed service who has been called to duty for deployment to a combat zone shall be permitted to use his digital signature associated with his Common Access Card issued by the U.S. Department of Defense to sign his application for a military-overseas ballot, the statement of voter accompanying his cast military-overseas ballot, and any other related documents. The bill also requires the system through which a covered voter may apply for and receive voter registration materials, military-overseas ballots, and other information to be capable of accepting the submission of voted military-overseas ballots cast by any active duty member of a uniformed service who has been called to duty for deployment to a combat zone.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-455 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-458.1, relating to Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act; applying for and casting military-overseas ballots.

17103867D

S.B. 1543 Presidential candidates; federal tax and state income tax returns required.

Patron: McPike

Presidential candidates; federal tax and state income tax returns required. Requires any person seeking the nomination for the office of President of the United States to submit his federal tax returns and income tax returns filed in any state from each year of the five-year period immediately preceding the general election. Any person who does not submit this statement shall not have his name printed on the ballot for a presidential primary election or the official ballot for the presidential election. The bill also requires a candidate nominated by a method other than a primary to submit such federal and state tax returns by the seventy-fifth day before the presidential election in order to be eligible to have his name printed on the official ballot for the presidential election.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-545 and 24.2-614 of the Code of Virginia, relating to presidential candidates; federal tax and state income tax returns required.

17103958D

S.B. 1547 Campaign finance; prohibited personal use, penalty.

Patron: Vogel

Campaign finance; prohibited personal use; penalty. Prohibits the conversion of any contributed moneys, securities, or like intangible personal property by any person to the personal use of a candidate or member of the candidate's immediate family or an intimate partner of the candidate or a member of the candidate's immediate family, if (i) such use yields a grossly disproportionate and unreasonable benefit to the recipient or candidate relative to the benefit realized by the candidate's campaign or public office, (ii) the fair market value of converted property grossly exceeds the benefit realized by the candidate's campaign or public office, (iii) a reasonable and prudent person would not ordinarily authorize such expenditure as beneficial to the campaign, and (iv) such use is made with a knowing, willing, reckless, or negligent disregard for the financial interests of the campaign. Complaints of alleged violations may be made by any person to the State Board of Elections. The subject of the complaint has 30 days to provide to the State Board documentation or other evidence that the use of the campaign funds was permissible. The State Board shall call a hearing if it determines, after reviewing any response made by the subject of the complaint, that the use of campaign funds was impermissible. A person found by the State Board to have willfully and knowingly violated this section shall repay to the campaign committee the amount unlawfully converted. The State Board may also assess an additional civil penalty, in an amount not to exceed the amount unlawfully converted. Complaints may be declared factually meritless by the State Board when, viewing the facts in the light most favorable to the complaining party, it finds there is no credible allegation of a violation and such complaints shall be exempt from public disclosure for a period of time immediately preceding an election.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-948.4 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 3 of Chapter 9.3 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-948.5, relating to campaign finance; prohibited personal use; penalty.

17104093D

S.B. 1552 Ballots; number ordered to be printed.

Patron: Newman

Ballots; number ordered to be printed. Requires the general registrars to consider the number of active registered voters and historical election data, including voter turnout, when determining the number of ballots to order to be printed for an election. The bill also requires the general registrars to order additional ballots when directed by the Department of Elections to do so. Currently, the Department has the authority to direct the general registrars to order additional ballots, but there is no statutory requirement that the general registrar do so.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-612 of the Code of Virginia, relating to ballots; number ordered to be printed.

17104179D

S.B. 1567 Absentee ballots; eligibility of persons age 65 or older.

Patron: Peake

Absentee voting; eligibility of persons age 65 or older; photo identification requirement for certain absentee voters. Entitles a person who will be age 65 or older on the date of the election for which an absentee ballot is requested to vote absentee. Such person is required to submit with his application for an absentee ballot a copy of one of the forms of photo identification required for in-person voting. Students attending a school or institution of learning who are entitled to vote absentee are also required to submit with their application a copy of one of the forms of photo identification required for in-person voting.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-700 and 24.2-701 of the Code of Virginia, relating to absentee voting; eligibility of persons age 65 or older; photo identification requirement for certain absentee voters.

17103156D

S.B. 1571 Special elections; provisional ballots, determination of results.

Patron: Peake

Special elections; provisional ballots; determination of results. Provides that in the case of a special election, the local electoral boards shall ascertain the results of the election, make out the abstract of votes, and make out the certificate of election regardless of any provisional ballots whose validity is yet to be determined, unless the number of outstanding provisional ballots is sufficient to change the outcome of the election. The bill requires the State Board of Elections to ascertain the results of the special election in the same manner. The bill also provides that in the case of special elections, the local electoral boards shall meet to process the provisional ballots regardless of any state or federal holiday.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-653, 24.2-671, 24.2-675, 24.2-676, and 24.2-679 of the Code of Virginia, relating to special elections; provisional ballots; determination of results.

17104129D

S.B. 1581 Voter registration; verification of social security numbers.

Patron: Peake

Voter registration; verification of social security numbers.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-418.01, relating to voter registration; verification of social security numbers.

17104556D

S.B. 1585 Form of ballot; party identification of candidates.

Patron: Suetterlein

Form of ballot; party identification of candidates. Provides that any candidate nominated by a political party or at a primary election shall be identified on the ballot by the name of his political party. Currently, only candidates for federal, statewide, and General Assembly offices are so identified.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-613 of the Code of Virginia, relating to form of ballot; party identification of candidates.

17100425D

S.B. 1593 Candidates in elections; prohibited contributions.

Patron: Petersen

Prohibited contributions to candidates. Prohibits any candidate to the General Assembly or statewide office from soliciting or accepting campaign contributions from a public service corporation.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-947.4:2, relating to prohibited contributions to candidates.

17104655D

S.J.R. 216 Constitutional amendment marriage; marriage (first reference).

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.

17100124D

S.J.R. 217 Constitutional amendment; Governor's term of office (first reference).

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.

17100119D

S.J.R. 220 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); marriage.

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.

17100230D

S.J.R. 221 United States Constitution; Ratifies Equal Rights Amendment.

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.

17100183D

S.J.R. 222 Constitutional amendment; qualifications to vote, restoration of civil rights.

Patron: Locke

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 qualifications of voters.

17100282D

S.J.R. 223 Constitutional amendment; qualification of voters and executive clemency (first reference).

Patron: Norment

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); qualification of voters and executive clemency. Provides that the civil rights of a person convicted of any nonviolent felony, as defined by the General Assembly, shall be restored upon his completion of service of his sentence and any modification of that sentence, including any period or condition of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence, and his payment in full of any restitution, fines, costs, and fees assessed against him as a result of the conviction. The amendment also eliminates the power of the Governor to remove political disabilities.

Proposing amendments to Section 1 of Article II and Section 12 of Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to qualifications of voters and executive clemency.

17100420D

S.J.R. 224 Constitutional amendment; General Assembly term limits (first reference).

Patron: Chase

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); General Assembly; term limits. Limits members of the Senate to three full terms (12 years)and members of the House of Delegates to six full terms (12 years). The limitations apply to service for both consecutive and nonconsecutive terms. Service for a partial term does not preclude serving the allowed number of full terms. In addition to any partial term, a person may serve 12 years in each house, or a total of 24 years in the General Assembly. The limits apply to terms of service beginning on and after the start of the 2020 Regular Session of the General Assembly.

Proposing an amendment to Section 4 of Article IV of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to qualifications for members of the General Assembly; terms of office.

17100367D

S.J.R. 225 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); qualifications of Governor; residency requirement.

Patron: Chase

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); qualifications of Governor; residency requirement. Increases from five to eight the number of years a person must have been a resident of and a registered voter in the Commonwealth in order to be eligible to the office of Governor.

Proposing an amendment to Section 3 of Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to qualifications of Governor; residency requirement.

17100375D

S.J.R. 226 Constitutional amendment; registration of voters (first reference).

Patron: Surovell

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); registration of voters. Permits the General Assembly to provide by law for the use of a portion of an applicant's social security number on the voter registration application. Currently, an applicant must provide his full social security number in order to register to vote.

Proposing an amendment to Section 2 of Article II of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to registration of voters.

17100611D

S.J.R. 227 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); Governor's term of office.

Patron: Surovell

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.

17100612D

S.J.R. 230 Constitutional amendment; Virginia Redistricting Commission, criteria to redraw certain districts.

Patron: Sturtevant

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); Virginia Redistricting Commission; criteria for legislative and congressional districts. Establishes the seven-member Virginia Redistricting Commission (the 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 occurs 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 occurs 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; Virginia Redistricting Commission; criteria for legislative and congressional districts.

17100194D

S.J.R. 231 Constitutional amendment; Virginia Redistricting Commission, criteria to redraw certain districts.

Patron: Hanger

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); Virginia Redistricting Commission; criteria for legislative and congressional districts. Establishes the seven-member Virginia Redistricting Commission (the 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 occurs 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 occurs 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; Virginia Redistricting Commission; criteria for legislative and congressional districts.

17100989D

S.J.R. 243 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); qualifications to vote; restoration of civil rights.

Patron: Edwards

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 felonies. The amendment retains the right of the Governor to restore civil rights to such persons.

Proposing an amendment to Section 1 of Article II of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to qualifications of voters.

17101023D

S.J.R. 253 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); qualifications of voters and executive clemency.

Patron: Dance

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); qualifications of voters and executive clemency. Authorizes the General Assembly to provide by law for the automatic restoration of civil rights for persons convicted of nonviolent felonies who have completed service of their sentences. The amendment retains the Governor's authority to restore the civil rights of persons convicted of violent felonies who have completed service of their sentences.

Proposing amendments to Section 1 of Article II and Section 12 of Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to the qualification of voters and executive clemency.

17102134D

S.J.R. 260 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); Virginia Redistricting Commission.

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.

17102917D

S.J.R. 269 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); Virginia Redistricting Commission.

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 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, certify the two names receiving the most votes to the Supreme Court of Virginia, which will name the thirteenth member. 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 apportionment of legislative districts; criteria for legislative districts; creation of the Virginia Redistricting Commission.

17101816D

S.J.R. 272 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); qualifications to vote; restoration of civil rights.

Patron: Hanger

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 any person who has been convicted of a felony not designated by the General Assembly as a barrier crime for these purposes and who has completed service of his sentence and paid in full any restitution, fines, costs, and fees assessed against him as a result of his conviction.

Proposing an amendment to Section 1 of Article II of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to qualifications of voters.

17102967D

S.J.R. 280 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); apportionment; political considerations prohibited.

Patron: Lewis

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); apportionment; political considerations prohibited. Prohibits electoral districts from being drawn for the purpose of favoring or disfavoring any political party, incumbent legislator or member of Congress, or potential candidate. The amendment also prohibits the use of political data when drawing electoral districts, except as may be necessary to ensure that racial or ethnic minorities are able to elect a preferred candidate of choice in a district drawn pursuant to the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended.

Proposing an amendment to Section 6 of Article II of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to apportionment; political considerations prohibited.

17102725D

S.J.R. 284 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); real property tax; exemption for surviving spouse.

Patron: Stuart

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); real property tax; exemption for surviving spouse of a soldier who died in a combat zone. Provides that the real property tax exemption for the principal residence of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces killed in action also applies if the member died in a combat zone but was not killed in action.

Proposing an amendment to Section 6-A of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to real property tax; exemption.

17103525D

S.J.R. 290 Constitutional amendment; criteria for electoral districts (first reference).

Patrons: Howell, Vogel

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); apportionment; criteria for electoral districts. Provides the criteria for electoral districts drawn by the General Assembly. The amendment directs that electoral districts are (i) to be composed of contiguous and compact territory, (ii) to be drawn utilizing existing political boundaries, and (iii) to be as nearly equal in population as is practicable but with variations in the size of districts permitted in order to comply with other reapportionment criteria. The amendment prohibits electoral districts being drawn for the purpose of favoring or disfavoring any political party, incumbent legislator or member of Congress, or other individual or entity. The amendment authorizes the General Assembly to provide additional standards, definitions, or guidance in order to facilitate the objective interpretation and application of such criteria.

Proposing an amendment to Section 6 of Article II of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to apportionment; criteria for electoral districts.

17102386D

S.J.R. 295 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); legislative review of administrative rules.

Patron: Vogel

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); legislative review of administrative rules. Grants to the General Assembly the authority to review any administrative rule to ensure it is consistent with the legislative intent of the statute that the rule was written to interpret, prescribe, implement, or enforce. The amendment provides that after such review, the General Assembly may approve or reject, in whole or in part, any rule as provided by law and that the approval or rejection of a rule by the General Assembly shall not be subject to veto by the Governor.

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia by adding in Article IV a section numbered 19, relating to legislative review of administrative rules.

17103373D

S.J.R. 311 Constitutional amendment; legislative review of administrative rules (first reference).

Patron: Carrico

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); legislative review of administrative rules. Grants to the General Assembly the authority to review any administrative rule to ensure it is consistent with the legislative intent of the statute that the rule was written to interpret, prescribe, implement, or enforce. The amendment provides that after such review, the General Assembly may approve or reject, in whole or in part, any rule as provided by law and that the approval or rejection of a rule by the General Assembly shall not be subject to veto by the Governor.

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia by adding in Article IV a section numbered 19, relating to legislative review of administrative rules.

17104072D

S.J.R. 319 Constitutional amendment (first resolution); qualifications of voters and the right to vote.

Patron: Locke

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); qualifications of voters and the right to vote. Establishes that the sole qualifications to vote in the Commonwealth are United States citizenship, being at least 18 years of age, residency in the Commonwealth, and registration to vote in accordance with requirements set out in the Constitution of Virginia. The amendment further provides that any person who meets those qualifications shall have the right to vote and such right cannot be abridged by law. The bill removes from current constitutional qualifications to vote not having been convicted of a felony and not having been adjudicated to be mentally incompetent.

Proposing an amendment to Section 1 of Article II of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to the qualifications of voters and the right to vote.

17104119D

S.J.R. 331 Constitutional amendment (first resolution);property tax; exemption for flooding remediation, etc.

Patron: Lewis

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); property tax; exemption for flooding remediation, abatement, and resiliency efforts. Provides that the General Assembly may authorize a county, city, or town to partially exempt any real subject to recurring flooding upon which flooding abatement, mitigation, or resiliency efforts have been undertaken.

Proposing an amendment to Section 6 of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to property tax; exemption for flooding remediation, abatement, and resiliency.

17103985D

S.J.R. 342 Governor; confirming appointments.

Patron: Vogel

Confirming Governor's appointments of certain persons. Confirms appointments of certain persons made by Governor McAuliffe after December 1, 2016, and communicated to the General Assembly January 7, 2017.

Confirming appointments by the Governor of certain persons communicated January 7, 2017.

17103814D