FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 28, 2011
Contact: Elise Marsh
703-209-3787
Delegate
Comstock Highlights Success of
Legislative Agenda at
End of 2011 Session
McLean, VA – Delegate Barbara
Comstock (R-McLean) today highlighted the strong legislative agenda that was
passed during this General Assembly session. After a successful session
last year turning a $4 Billion deficit into a surplus, while investing in job
creation and our schools, this year the House of Delegates once again led the
way in providing fiscal stability while making significant investments in job
creation, transportation and education.
This was done while also cutting fees, reducing authorized debt, investing
in core government services and depositing an additional $64 million into the
Rainy Day Fund. The Senate’s $300 million ‘Taj Mahal’ to replace the
General Assembly Building was scrapped and overwhelmingly opposed by the House.
Below is the outcome for a number of measures – grouped by topic.
Budget & Taxes
HB 1500: Final General Assembly Budget http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1500
(Putney — Bedford) Passed House
97-0 Passed Senate 40-0
· Includes no new taxes and eliminates $5.7 million in fee increases
adopted last year
· Eliminates $66.8 million in previously authorized debt
· Deposits an $64 million into the Rainy Day Fund, on top of that authorized in
the Governor’s introduced budget, bringing the total deposit to $114 million
· Eliminates in large part the accelerated sales tax that weighed on retailers
across the Commonwealth
HJ 852: Balanced Budget http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hj852
(Cline — Rockbridge) Passed House
68-26 Killed by Senate Committee
Encourages the United States Congress to adopt legislation requiring a
balanced federal budget and to call a convention to amend the U.S. Constitution
to require a balanced federal budget.
Jobs, Energy & Economic Development
Opportunities
HB 1500: Final General Assembly Budget http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1500
(Putney — Bedford) Passed House
97-0 Passed Senate 40-0
· Includes over $40 million in various job-creating economic development
efforts
· Eliminates the vast majority of the accelerated sales tax that hit retailers
throughout the Commonwealth
· Includes no new fees or tax increases
· Invests $32.7 million to capitalize the new Transportation Infrastructure
Bank for use by private and public entities in financing necessary
transportation priorities
HB 1447: Research and Development Tax Credit http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1447
(Cline — Rockbridge and Comstock – Chief Co-Patron) Passed House 76-23 Passed Senate 40-0
Grants individual and business income tax credits of 15-20% for expenses
related to qualified high-tech research and development in Virginia.
HB 2197: Telework Tax Credit http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb2197
(Comstock — Fairfax) Passed House
89-10 Passed Senate 40-0
Grants employers a tax credit for expenses incurred in developing and
implementing telework arrangements for employees.
HJ 500: Right to Work Amendment http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hj500
(Bell, R.P. — Staunton) Passed
House 61-36 Killed by Senate Committee
Incorporates Virginia’s “Right to Work” statute into the State Constitution.
HB 2052: Secret Ballot Protection Act http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb2052
(Hugo — Fairfax and Comstock – Chief Co-Patron) Passed House 63-32 Killed by Senate Committee
Requires the use of secret ballots in any procedure authorizing or
selecting a labor organization to represent workers.
HB 1982: Development Opportunity Fund
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1982
(Kilgore — Scott) Passed House 99-0
Passed Senate 40-0
Reduces the eligibility criteria for making use of the Governor’s
Development Opportunity Fund from $10 million in private investment and 100 new
jobs created to $5 million and 50 new jobs.
Education
HB
2510: Higher Education Bill http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb2510
(Cox, M.K. — Colonial Heights, Comstock Co-Patron) Passed House 98-0 Passed Senate 40-0
·
Sets a goal of creating 100,000 additional undergraduate degrees in Virginia
over next 15 years
· Emphasizes the importance of highly competitive “STEM” degree programs, which
include science, technology, engineering and math
· Increases access and affordability for more in-state residents wanting to
attend Virginia’s institutions of higher learning
· Improves institutional efficiency by encouraging colleges and universities to
analyze the use of state-owned buildings, find opportunities to use buildings
year-round and explore technological alternatives for summer and on-line
classes
HB 1416: Instructional Spending http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1416
(Loupassi — Richmond City, Comstock – Co-Patron) Passed House 48-46 Killed by Senate Committee
Requires local school boards to report the percentage of their budget spent
on instructional spending, and, if the percentage is less than 65 percent, to
develop a plan to increase instructional spending
HB 2314: Education Improvement
Scholarships http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb2314
(Massie — Henrico, Comstock – Co-Patron) Passed House 54-45 Killed by Senate Committee
Enables Virginia corporations that have given cash donations to non-profit
groups offering tuition assistance for non-public schools to receive a
corporate income tax credit equal to 70% of their charitable contribution.
HB 1792: Standards of Quality http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1793
(Tata — Virginia Beach) Passed
House 95-3 Passed Senate 40-0
Codifies the flexibility given in the Standards of Quality for use of
appropriations act funds for instructional staffing for mathematics, limited
English proficiency, reading, technology and assistant principals.
Health Care
HB 1500: Final General Assembly Budget
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1500
(Putney — Bedford) Passed House
97-0 Passed Senate 40-0
· Sets aside an additional $30 million for the Behavioral Health Trust Fund to
help intellectually and developmentally disabled Virginians
· Includes $14.3 million for additional staffing and accomodations for the
Sexually Violent Predator Program at the Virginia Center for Behavioral
Rehabilitation
· Restores a total of $12.5 million in CSA funding for Children’s Mental Health
Services
HB 2467: Autism Health Insurance http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb2467
(Greason — Loudoun) Passed House
74-24 Passed Senate 27-11
Ensures that health insurance plans in the Commonwealth cover autism
spectrum disorders for children ages 2 through 6 up to a yearly cap of $35,000.
Law Enforcement & Public Safety
HB 1500: Final General Assembly Budget
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1500
(Putney — Bedford) Passed House
97-0 Passed Senate 40-0
· Includes $400,000 in additional funding for the Line of Duty program, bringing
total FY 2012 funding up to $3.4 million
· Includes an additional $8.3 million for sheriffs in FY 2011 and $14.3 million
in FY 2012
· Funds 27 new judges in jurisdications with heavy caseloads
HB 1995: Child Pornography http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1995
(Janis — Henrico) Passed House 98-0
Passed Senate 40-0
Protects victims of child pornography by providing civil restitution as an
additional punishment and deterrent to producers of child pornography.
HB 1407: Underage Drinking http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1407
(Janis — Henrico) Passed House 99-0
Passed Senate 40-0
Increases penalties for underage drinking and driving, keeping all
Virginians safer on our roads.
HB 1590: Jurisdictional Limits of Courts
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1590
(Iaquinto — Virginia Beach) Passed
House 99-0 Passed Senate 40-0
Expands the jurisdiction of Virginia’s General District Courts by raising
the maximum claim limit from $15,000 to $25,000.
HB 1589: DUI Ignition Interlock http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1589
(Iaquinto — Virginia Beach) Passed
House 75-23 Killed by Senate Committee
Requires installation of an ignition interlock after a single DUI
conviction.
HB 1651: Issuance of ID Cards to U.S.
Citizens http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1651
(Cosgrove — Chesapeake) Passed
House 99-0 Passed Senate 40-0
Requires the DMV to cancel licenses and other identification cards issued
to indivudals who are later discovered to be illegally present in Virginia.
HB 1859: Public Procurement Act http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1859
(Anderson — Prince William) Passed
House 81-8 Passed Senate 40-0
Requires state agencies entering into contracts to require E-Verify use by
contractors on projects over $50,000.
HB 1468: Public Assistance http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1468
(Albo — Fairfax) Passed House 83-16
Killed by Senate Committee
Requires that all local departments of social services verify the legal presernce
of an individual applying for public assistance benefits.
HB 1757: Address Confidentiality Program http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+sum+HB1757
(Wilt — Rockingham) Passed House
99-0 Passed Senate 40-0
Heightens protections afforded victims of domestic violation by expanding
Address Confidentiality Program.
HB 2063: Protective Orders http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb2063
(Bell, R.B. — Albemarle) Passed
House 99-0 Passed Senate 40-0
Expands the scope of protective orders available to citizens of the
Commonwealth to address the issues of dating violence and stalking.
Government Reform & Savings
HB 2076: Office of Inspector General
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb2076
(Landes — Augusta) Passed House
96-2 Passed Senate 40-0
Establishes the Office of the Inspector General, which will investigate
allegations of fraud, waste, abuse and corruption by state and non-state
agencies and officers.
HB 2095: Virginia Retirement System http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb2095
(Jones — Suffolk) Passed House
85-14 Passed Senate 34-6
Provides for the loss of benefits provided through the Virginia Retirement
(VRS) System for any individual convicted of a felony arising out of misconduct
in any position covered by VRS retirement programs.
HB 2198: Employment and Promotion of
Personnel http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+sum+HB2198
(Comstock – Fairfax) Passed House 99-0
Passed
Senate 40-0
Clarifies that if an executive branch agency employee is
promoted within the same agency to a higher position classification that
requires a new probationary period and is unable to complete or satisfy the
probationary period of employment for any reason other than misconduct, then
such employee must be offered the previous classified position or an equivalent
position for which a vacancy exists.
HB 2201: Payroll Consolidation
Savings http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+sum+HB2201
(Comstock – Fairfax) Passed House 99-0
Passed Senate 40-0
Provides that the Department of Planning and Budget, in
consultation with the Department of Accounts, shall require all agencies of the
Commonwealth to participate to the fullest extent feasible in the Payroll
Service Bureau operated by the Department of Accounts.
HB 2205: Electronic Signatures
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+sum+HB2205
(Comstock – Fairfax) Passed House 99-0
Passed Senate 40-0
Provides that nonsalaried citizen members of policy and
supervisory boards, commissions, and councils in the executive branch of state
government, and local boards, commissions, and councils, may sign their
disclosure forms using electronic signatures. In addition, the bill authorizes
the Secretary of the Commonwealth to accept electronic signatures on
applications for recommissioning a notary or electronic notary.
HB 2206: Bulk Sales
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+sum+HB2206
(Comstock – Fairfax) Passed House 99-0
Passed Senate 40-0
Repeals Title 8.6A
of the Code of Virginia which is considered obsolete. It has been repealed in
45 states. The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws
states that there is no evidence that fraudulent bulk sales occur frequently
enough or engender credit losses significant enough, to require regulation of
all bulk sales.
Transportation
HB 2527: Transportation Infrastructure
Fund http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb2527
(Howell, W.J. — Stafford) Passed
House 65-33 Passed Senate 32-7
· Creates the Transportation Infrastructure Bank, for use by public and private
entities pursuing transportation projects across the Commonwealth
· Enhances VDOT’s popular revenue sharing program to incentivize localities to
provide matching funds for transportation priorities
· Accelerates previously authorized debt to take advantage of low interest
rates and a competitive bidding climate
HB 1432: HOV Lanes http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1432
(Greason — Loudoun) Passed House
90-8 Passed Senate 26-14
Extends for one year access to High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes for clean
fuel vehicles, regardless of the number of occupants.
Veterans & Military
HB 1862: Subordinate Mortgages http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1862
(Cosgrove — Chesapeake) Passed
House 98-0 Passed Senate 40-0
Extends the licenses, certifications and other identification documents of
spouses accompanying a member of the military abroad.
HB 1645: Property Tax Exemption http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1645
(O'Bannon — Henrico) Passed House
99-0 Passed Senate 40-0
Codifies the constitutional amendment adopted by voters providing a real
property tax exemption for the primary residence of veterans who have a 100
percent, service-related disability.
HB 1861: In-State Tuition http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1861
(Anderson — Prince William) Passed
Houe 97-0 Passed Senate 40-0
Waives the one-year residency requirement for veterans attending
institutions of higher learning in Virginia, allowing veterans to immediately
qualify for in-state tuition.
HB 1761: TRICARE Supplemental Health
Coverage http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1761
(Cox, M.K. — Colonial Heights) Passed
House 99-0 Passed Senate 40-0
Provides supplemental coverage for members of the armed services through
Virginia’s cafeteria plan for retirees and dependents eligible for TRICARE
supplemental benefits.
HB 1557: Department of Veterans Services
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1557
(Cox, M.K. — Colonial Heights) Passed
House 98-0 Passed Senate 40-0
Requires the Department of Veterans Services maintain a certain ratio of
staff to veterans in the Commonwealth.
HB 1774: State of Emergency http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1774
(Sherwood — Frederick) Passed House
98-0 Passed Senate 40-0
Authorizes the Governor to allocate funds for the Virginia National Guard
and State Defense Force for purposes of preparedness in the absence of an
official state of emergency.
HB 1535: Licensure by Board of Medicine
or Board of Nursing http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1535
(Merricks — Pittsylvania) Passed
House 94-0 Passed Senate 40-0
Provides that the Boards of Medicine and Nursing may accept relevant
medical experience towards certain civilian, medical certifications
.
HB 1848: In-State Tuition http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1848
(Stolle — Virginia Beach) Passed
House 98-0 Passed Senate 40-0
Provides that an established Virginia domicile, and attendant in-state
tuition, of an active duty military spouse is not affected by the maintenance
of a second residence, due to military service, outside the jurisdiction.
HB 1697: Certificate of Public Need http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb1697
(Athey — Warren) Passed House 99-0
Passed Senate 40-0
Exempts all Department of Veterans Services facilities from requirements
related to certificates of public need.
Other Improvements to Virginia’s
Quality of Life
HB 2024: Electrical Transmission Lines
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=111&typ;=bil&val;=hb2024 (May — Loudoun) Passed House 99-0 Passed Senate 39-0
Requires applications to the State Corporation Commission for large
electrical transmission lines must include a description of efforts to minimize
environmental, historic and other adverse effects.
Commending Resolutions
HJ
643: Lyme Disease Awareness Month http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+sum+HJ643 (Comstock – Fairfax, Rust – Chief
Co-Patron) Passed House unanimously
Passed Senate unanimously
Permanently designates May as Lyme
Disease awareness month.
HJ
655: Wolf Trap 40th Anniversary http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+sum+HJ655 (Comstock – Fairfax) Passed House unanimously Passed Senate
unanimously
Commends Wolf Trap on its 40th Anniversary. A special Center Aisle Presentation was
held to present the resolution
to Karen Pittleman, Director of Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing
Arts, and Terre Jones, President and CEO of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the
Performing Arts on the floor of the House.
HJ
734: Pope John Paul II’s Pilgimage to Poland Day http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+sum+HJ734 (Comstock – Fairfax) Passed House unanimously Passed Senate
unanimously
Designates June 2, 2011 as Pope John Paul
II’s Pilgrimage to Poland Day in Virginia.
HJ
783: McLean Orchestra 40th Anniversary http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+sum+HJ783 (Comstock – Fairfax, Scott – Chief
Co-Patron) Passed House unanimously
Passed Senate unanimously
Commending the McLean Orchestra on its 40th
Anniversary.
HJ
784: McLean YouthOrchestra http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+sum+HJ784 (Comstock – Faifax, Scott – Chief
Co-Patron) Passed House unanimously
Passed Senate unanimously
Commending the McLean Youth Orchestra.
HJ
860: Fairfax County Park Authority http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+sum+HJ860 (Comstock – Fairfax) Passed House unanimously Passed Senate
unanimously
Commending the Fairfax County Park Authority for
receiving the 2010 National
Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation
Management, the parks and recreation industry's highest honor.
HJ 916: Fairfax
County Public Schools http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+sum+HJ916 (Comstock – Fairfax, Filler-Corn – Chief Co-Patron) Passed House unanimously, Passed Senate
unanimously
Commending the Fairfax County Public Schools that received the Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence, the
Board of Education Excellence Award, or the Board of Education Competence to
Excellence Award.
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