Thread by @amaxsmith

It's crossover day here in Richmond - the final chance for bills to pass in the house they were introduced in to stay alive for the year wtop.com/dc-transit/202…

Since it's raining some of the people here to greet lawmakers heading into caucus are inside - includes CASA and minimum wage increase advocates

Just spoke with Speaker @EFillerCorn who says she's proud of what the New Dem majorities have accomplished at midway point. She says doing what they promised, no one should be surprised by what's moving forward: anti-discrimination, transportation & more

Republicans, still not used to being in minority, complain that the Democrats are going too far and especially too far too fast

Senate is underway -- starts by passing a few House bills passed earlier in session

Senate also passes the House version of bill providing for new alcohol liceense for Fairfax Co theater

House is also now in session

Senate votes 22-18 to open up solar/wind installations to local governments/schools, to allow other smaller-scale solar/wind projects that can be sold back to utilities, and raises caps on net-metering

Va House passes bills easing emeregency absentee voting, clarifying recount rules, saying redistricting maps are what counts, increasing statute of limitations for sex offense v minor, study sex assault nurse shortage, setting tougher state worker harassment rules

Va House passes tougher penalty for bail bondsmen sex with arrestee, study of affordable housing, repealing old segregation laws, requiring voter verifiable record, septic system inspections, 250th anniv of Revolution commission, banning cars passing others stopped at crosswalks

Va Senate votes 11-29 NOT to expand move over law's recently (last year) toughened penalties of reckless driving charge to cover failure to move over for tow trucks/other service vehicles. Current law covers failure to move over for law enforcement/firefighters

Va House also passed bill requiring drivers to stop completely at crosswalks until a pedestrian they are yielding to is clear of their lane

Va Senate passes bill 20-19 setting redistricting criteria for 2021 to incl counting Virginians who are in Va jails at home address prior to incarceration; also lays out other requirements like district size, divisions, bar statewide political gerrymandering

Va Senate votes 26-13 in favor of a bill that has sparked lots of debate limiting/clarifying fiduciary duties of trustees

Virginia Senate passes bill 21-19 that would give localities the right to remove Confederate statues/monuments. The statues would have to be offered to museums etc.

Virginia Senate passes revised transportation bill 23-17 with 8 cent state gas tax increase over 2 years; still work to do to finalize details that will go to governor by Mar. 7, and then could be final changes made in April veto session wtop.com/dc-transit/202…

Sen. Saslaw says today, NC gas tax is 18 cents higher than Virginia's, but average price per gallon is only 3 cents higher, so don't expect prices to directly track the tax increases except maybe on the day or two after they kick in

Virginia Senate votes 31-7 for $4 increase in car registration fees to provide State Police about $27M intended for trooper salary compression/raise system

Sen. Cosgrove: I hate this bill, but I like our troopers more, so I'll vote for it

Del. Samirah scraps his bill HB11 that would have given human rights division ability to refer complaints to other agencies for investigation, and more specifically incorporated the Va Human Rights Act that will now include LGBTQ protections under other bills passed this year

Va House votes 64-35 to permanently repeal suspension of driver's licenses for certain non-driving offenses

Va House passes a bill that requires landlord to consider status as victim of family abuse in consideration of a low credit score

Va House votes 47-52 to block a bill that would allow some old roadside billboards to be moved

Va House votes 55-44 to generally ban foam take out containers starting in 2023/2025

Va Senate votes 31-9 to ban "skill games" that are like slot machines (there's a specific exemption for non-cash prizes from entertainment centers like a Dave & Busters) - they've popped up in a number of businesses

Va House votes 50-49 for a statewide 5-cent bag tax, like the one in DC and parts of Maryland to clean up pollution. The bill FAILS because as a tax bill it needed 51 votes

Va House votes 55-45 for parts of the increases in revenue that would partially offset money shifted to Metro in dedicated funding

Va Senate votes against requirement to report lost or stolen gun 18-21

Va House votes 60-38 to approve equalized taxing authority between cities and counties. Long a demand of counties to limit property tax increases for school funding etc

Senate reconsiders lost or stolen gun bill - the requirement to report lost or stolen guns fails 19-21

Talking about casino bill, Del. VanValkenburg jokes he's voting for years from now when the only person who will still be in the House is Del. Plum - who is longest serving member today

Va Senate passes a bill 39-1 meant to address SLAPP lawsuits like @DevinNunesCow case or local government cases

@DevinNunesCow Virginia House votes 61-33 in favor of casinos coming to Virginia

@DevinNunesCow Va House votes 57-43 to repeal voter ID requirements

@DevinNunesCow Va Senate passes bill 39-0 giving judges the authority to defer/dismiss/reduce charges after defendant meets conditions if there's a guilty plea

@DevinNunesCow Va House votes 86-13 to allow for provisional ballots if person in a split precinct thinks they got the wrong ballot

@DevinNunesCow Va Senate votes 26-14 to require background checks for sales at gun shows

@DevinNunesCow Va House votes 88-12 to require school mental health training;
Votes 55-44 in favor of Dominion's electric school bus program

@DevinNunesCow Va Senate votes to broaden safe reporting/good Samaritan opioid overdose law to cover protection for person who overdoses and gets healthcare

@DevinNunesCow Va Senate votes 40-0 to institute protections for pregnant/breastfeeding women at work

@DevinNunesCow Va Senate votes 24-16 to allow principals to determine whether to report misdemeanors to police or handle with school discipline. Schools would still be required to report felonies for investigation. Another bill meant to address "school to prison pipeline"

@DevinNunesCow Virginia Senate votes 40-0 to require recording of all law enforcement custodial interviews in police stations/jails

@DevinNunesCow Va House votes 51-46 in favor of joining the national popular vote compact, which aims to create agreement among the states to elect president using popular vote by changing how Electoral College electors vote

@DevinNunesCow Va House votes 55-44 to require a special election rather than a random drawing from a bowl in the event of a tied General Assembly race

@DevinNunesCow Va House also votes 57-41 to add out of state college IDs as acceptable Voter ID when required

@DevinNunesCow Va House votes 54-45 in favor of automatic voter registration

@DevinNunesCow Va Senate votes 26-14 to raise grand larceny threshold from $500 to $1000

@DevinNunesCow Va House votes 85-12 to add "revenge porn" conviction as one requiring registration on sex offender registry

@DevinNunesCow Va House votes 54-46 to require in person training for concealed carry permit rather than current permission to do quick training online

@DevinNunesCow Va Senate votes 23-17 to end mandatory jury sentencing - bill would let defendant choose jury sentencing, but otherwise judge would sentence defendant like federal and most other courts. Only 5 other states have juries set sentence recommendation

@DevinNunesCow Va Senate votes 25-15 to reduce required barber/cosmetology training from 1,500 hours to 1,200 hours; would also require 4 hours of continuing education annually for cosmetologists

@DevinNunesCow Va Senate votes 27-13 for a study of changes to support service, school accreditation rules/academic measurements for students with limited or interrupted education

@DevinNunesCow Va Senate votes 21-19 for $2 increase in fees for circuit court clerk recording/indexing of records requested by clerks

@DevinNunesCow Va Senate votes 40-0 to decriminalize THC oil with proper medical documentation (currently with doctors note or for the companies approved to make it the medical reason is an affirmative defense, but those people can still be charged first)

@DevinNunesCow Va House votes 55-45 to raise minimum wage to $10 this summer, $11.25 next summer, $12 in 2022, $13 in 2023, $14 in 2024, $15 in 2025 + inflation after that. Bill also repeals several exceptions for farm workers, domestic workers & others
Del. Tyler: "A long time coming"

Del. Torian: Work 52 weeks a year at $7.25/hour, earn $15,000. We come here for 60 days and get stipend of $12,000 for time we're here. They work all year, and only make $3,000 more?GOP worry higher min wage could drive down jobs or hours.
Cheers as minimum wage increase passes

Va House votes 96-0 to add PTSD as qualifying for workers' compensation for firefighters and law enforcement

Va Senate votes 40-0 to allow for alternative discipline plans in schools and limit calls to police on students

Va House votes 58-39 to extend ban on smoking in a car with child under 8 to ban smoking in car with any child under 18

Va House votes 54-45 to require guns in home child daycares be locked while the kids are there

Va House votes 56-43 to add sexual orientation/gender identity/disability to hate crimes laws

Va House also votes 57-41 to remove gendered language from marriage and other laws

Va House votes 54-44 to have state survey large employers to examine salary disparities - (i) gender, (ii) race, (iii) job title, (iv) department, (v) job grade or level, (vi) hire date, (vii) job location, (viii) hours (ix) base wage or salary, (x) overtime pay/bonuses....

Va Senate votes 60-40 for environmental justice requirement/council in state government

Va House votes 55-45 to call for cutting pollution by 2050 "Climate change is an urgent and pressing challenge for Virginia. Swift decarbonization and a transition to clean energy are required to meet the urgency of the challenge"

Va House votes 83-14 on bill that would create Redistricting Commission for 2021. As a bill, it would mean it is used once and then a different constitutional amendment could be put forward that addresses concerns raised about the version GOP-led General Assembly backed last year

Va House votes 64-34 for an anti-SLAPP suit bill

Va House votes 89-11 for the bill that would set up the referendum on the proposed redistricting constitutional amendment if GA advances the amendment later in session

Va Senate votes 40-0 to clarify role of family members of someone involuntarily committed to help in discharge plan

Va House votes 87-12 to require agents for college athletes who are getting paid for likeness etc. register with state, tell athletes they risk losing eligibility by signing contracts, tell school about contract. A broader bill restricting player payments died earlier in session

Va House votes 87-11 to add @MetroOIG special agents to definition of law enforcement officers

@MetroOIG Va House votes 82-18 to repeal reckless driving charge for going 81 mph in a 70mph zone. Looks like that change will happen this year wtop.com/dc-transit/202…

@MetroOIG Va House votes 51-48 to ban magazines larger than 12 rounds (misdemeanor once effective), and to limit sale/transfer of certain "assault weapons"

Del. Helmer: This will ensure Virginians are safe from mass murder

Bill goes to Senate

@MetroOIG Va House votes 89-11 for bill unifying child daycare regulations

@MetroOIG Va House votes 54-46 to bar local school boards from authorizing extra guns on campuses beyond those allowed by state law

@MetroOIG Va House votes 77-23 to require a broader review of Dominion rates as part of next year's scheduled review

@MetroOIG Va House votes 51-48 to grant in-state tuition to refugees/people granted asylum in US who are living in Virginia

@MetroOIG Virginia House votes 57-42 in favor of allowing driver's license for undocumented immigrants who live in Virginia - it would be non-REAL ID and feds could ask for information about a specific individual

@MetroOIG Va House votes 54-45 to require contractors who have >5 employees to provide sexual harassment training

@MetroOIG Va House votes 62-38 to require reporting of policing data on racial and other disparities in arrests and stops

@MetroOIG Va House votes 54-45 for redistricting guidelines to follow next year that would include counting prisoners at their home addresses if both jail and previous home are in Va; and includes other guidelines approved by Senate earlier today

@MetroOIG Va House votes 78-22 for a study of use of solitary confinement in local jails

@MetroOIG Va House votes 52-47 to ban gun possession for anyone convicted in future of stalking, assault of family member, hate crime

@MetroOIG Va House votes 97-3 to require a study of incorporating nuclear energy plan into long-term energy goals

@MetroOIG Va House votes 73-26 to extend movie/TV production tax credits

@MetroOIG Virginia House votes 55-44 in favor of creating commission to recommend replacement of Confederate General Robert E. Lee statue as one of Virginia's representatives in US Capitol's Statuary Hall; Senate also supports

@MetroOIG Va Senate votes 22-18 in favor of driver's privilege card for undocumented immigrants renewable annually - $100 to apply, $50 to renew. Would need to prove ID, that you pay Va income tax, meet insurance requirements, residency, pass driving/written test

@MetroOIG Sen. Deeds surprised his bill on conservation easement interpretation has been revived today. Sen. Boysko was out sick and there's a rule that a bill that fails without majority can be reconsidered if Senator was forced to be home Monday

@MetroOIG Va House votes 56-44 in favor of creating state health insurance exchange (Va currently uses federal exchange)

@MetroOIG Va House votes 52-48 for the transportation safety omnibus package

@MetroOIG Va House votes 84-13 to create a program intended to help address areas without access to grocery stores

@MetroOIG "Virginia Clean Economy Act" passes House 52-47 over concerns from some Democrats who say setting a goal of no emissions from power sector starting in 2050 does not go far enough
Del. Rip Sullivan promises bill will continue to be amended over next few weeks

@MetroOIG Va House votes 53-46 to let local govts move Confederate monuments. Senate OKd similar bill

Hudson (Charlottesville/D): Not trying to erase history, trying to finally tell it. KKK's "spirit still haunts our city"
Poindexter (Franklin/R): saying forefathers slaveholding villains?

McQuinn (Richmond/D): If had been balance to history in this Commonwealth, if truth told from very beginning, capital of Confederacy served 1 group not others, contributions of African Americans, ok.
Statues are message.
Say that Lee perpetuated slavery
Let entire story be told

Va House votes 56-44 to allow in-state tuition for "Dreamers" - undocumented immigrants brought here as children who graduate from Virginia high schools

Va House votes 79-21 to shorten general criminal background check for tow truck drivers to 15 years except for violent crimes or tow truck crimes.

And 54-45 to repeal ban on #WMATA using project labor agreements

Va House votes 97-3 to require training for prison officials on treatment of pregnant prisoners and requirement that prison policies lay out how children can visit parents

Va House votes 65-35 to add an hour of voting on Election Day -- closing polls at 8pm rather than 7pm; unclear if this will make it through Senate or be funded

Va House votes 95-3 to let Town of Vienna have different tree cover standard than other areas

DO OVER: Va House passes the statewide plastic bag tax bill 52-46 after it failed earlier. This would impose the 5 cent fee that DC and parts of Maryland have across Virginia. Money would mostly go toward pollution cleanup

HB666, redefining dead body to cover it whether death has occurred at any time rather than "recently" passes 100-0

Va House votes 83-16 to allow hemp products intended for smoking

The House has now completed its calendar for crossover day (3:44p) -- the Senate still has more work to do

The House has adjourned

Va Senate passes bills banning retaliation over nonpayment of wages complaint, easing expungement of marijuana/underage alcohol charges;repealing more racist laws still on books, banning discrimination based on disability in organ donation, handing off menhaden fishery governance

Va Senate also votes for "Your Speed Is" signs on U.S. 17, change personal delivery device robot rules to allow non-electric & set 10mph limit on sidewalks, require school Legionella testing, once a decade mental health awareness training for school staff, study of bail policies

Va Senate votes 38-2 to ban land use decisions that discriminate based on race, gender or inclusion of affordable housing. House has backed similar bill

Va Senate passes bill to expand behavioral health dockets statewide 39-1

Senate adopts change to minimum wage increase bill that would raise to $9.50 Jan 1, 2021, then $1/year Jul 2022&23 to $11.50. Then state govt would create regional min wage increase of $1/yr for highest cost area, less elsewhere til $15,then adjust for inflation. Full vote later

If the Senate votes for the minimum wage bill later, it will trigger negotiations with the House (and likely Governor) over next few weeks ahead of Mar. 7 end of session and then April veto session

Senate now talking about some detailed amendments to marijuana possession decriminalization bill

Senator Stuart said "I'm confused, I'm confused" - did not say he was dazed

Senate rejects a floor amendment to marijuana possession decriminalization bill for less than 1 oz that would have prohibited police from using smell of pot as reason for a search; Senate accepts amendment making it 5 hours of community service not 20 in lieu of $50 civil fine

Sen @JeremyMcPike raises concerns on casino bill piece that'd raise max machines at Dumfries slots parlor from 150 OKd by voters to 1,800
@ssurovell supports expansion to keep parlor alive, offset less $ if casinos launch
Norment just wants bill done with, asks for no changes

@JeremyMcPike @ssurovell Senate rejects amendment (voice vote) that would have restored cap of 150 Dumfries slot-like machines. Sen Lucas said if it didn't stay at 1,800 it would destroy the delicate agreements that are making the casino bill happen.

@JeremyMcPike @ssurovell Senate OKs minimum wage increase 21-19 to $9.50 Jan 1, 2021, then $1/year Jul 2022&23 to $11.50. Then state govt would create regional min wage increase of $1/yr for highest cost area, less elsewhere til $15,then adjust for inflation. Final details TBD thru conference by Mar 7

@JeremyMcPike @ssurovell Senate approves marijuana decriminalization bill 27-13 would make possession of less than 1oz a $50 civil fine & end threat of losing driver's license; House bill is slightly different

@JeremyMcPike @ssurovell Va Senate passes prevailing wage requirements 21-19

@JeremyMcPike @ssurovell Va Senate passes casino authorization 29-11

@JeremyMcPike @ssurovell Va Senate votes 23-17 to repeal minimum wage exception for workers paid by the piece/amount of work done

@JeremyMcPike @ssurovell Va Senate also votes to repeal ban on project labor agreements

@JeremyMcPike @ssurovell And Virginia Senate votes 35-5 to repeal restrictions on the number of days charitable organizations have bingo - would now be allowed every day of the week

@JeremyMcPike @ssurovell Va Senate votes 20-20, with LG Justin Fairfax voting yes, for a bill that would establish the redistricting commission in law for next year

@JeremyMcPike @ssurovell Va Senate votes 21-19 for automatic voter registration. House passed similar measure

@JeremyMcPike @ssurovell Va Senate votes 22-18 for a bill that would allow a jury to recommend that part of a sentence be suspended.

@JeremyMcPike @ssurovell Va Senate votes 23-17 to require 5 days of paid sick leave per year accrued at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked

@JeremyMcPike @ssurovell Va Senate votes 23-17 to ease path for a writ of innocence for someone who was wrongfully convicted who can show new DNA or similar evidence

@JeremyMcPike @ssurovell Va Senate votes 27-12 to allow parole for defendants sentenced during the period where juries were not told that parole had been abolished

@JeremyMcPike @ssurovell Va Senate votes 40-0 to repeal minimum wage exemption for domestic workers

@JeremyMcPike @ssurovell Redo on parole vote for defendants sentenced during period where juries not told parole has been abolished - it passes 30-10

@JeremyMcPike @ssurovell Va Senate votes 38-2 to start process for George Mason Univ. to potentially set up a medical school

Senate votes 21-19 for long-term goal to end CO2 emissions from power plants/grid in Va by 2050 after lengthy debate over some details of broad bill, incl potential electric bills. Sen. McClellan highlights climate change, jobs & pgms to cut demand, boost efficiency, help poor

The Senate is still going - with a number of bills left. Capitol Square is otherwise quiet

Va Senate passes offshore wind project designation bill 22-18

Va Senate votes 38-2 to create two inspector positions in a few years to inspect pet stores based on what will be new veterinary rules for care of dogs, cats and similar animals

Va Senate votes 21-19 for worker misclassification bill

Va Senate votes 21-19 to allow localities to permit collective bargaining by their public employees like teachers

(Senators also getting cranky about it being 10pm)

Senate has 56 bills left on calendar (can be done after midnight since crossover deadline is the legislative day not midnight)

Senate votes 40-0 to require state agencies work on energy efficiency

Va Senate votes down a ban on flavored refillable and disposable ecigs/vaping products 19-21,, would have covered things left after federal ban

Va Senate approves Dominion's electric school bus plan 24-16

Va Senate votes 22-18 to set up carbon cap and trade system with money going toward climate change efforts and energy efficiency

Another tie breaking vote - LG Fairfax supports bill making it easier for low income people filing civil case like divorce to get fees waived

Va Senate votes 40-0 to create school maintenance and construction fund