Senate Republicans Push Expanded Abuser Fee Repeal

Senate Republicans pushed today for an expanded and expedited repeal of the abuser fee legislation passed last year. Under their proposal

1. An emergency clause would be added so the repeal would take place immediately upon signature by the Governor rather than being delayed by July 1 this year.

2. Persons who have already been accessed the fees could have them forgiven by the court as long as their offense did not involve endangering life, limb or property.

3. Remaining fees collected from those serious offenses such as vehicular homicide and DUI would go to the state’s Literary Fund which finances school construction. (This is the case with other traffic fines as well.)

Senator Ryan McDougle commented, “I have argued for the emergency full repeal of the abusive driver fee in committee and again today on the floor of the Senate. The citizens of the Commonwealth expect the abusive driver fees to be immediately repealed. Today’s addition of an emergency clause allows Judges to stop imposing the fees as soon as the Governor acts on the bill.”

The passage of a repeal of the abusive driver fees and expedited repeal should be taken up by the House of Delegates next week.

Senator Ryan McDougle Kicks Off the

2008 General Assembly Session

On January 9, 2008 in Richmond, Senator Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover) was sworn into the Senate of Virginia for the start of his second term. All forty members of the Virginia Senate began the first day of the 2008 General Assembly session with enthusiasm and an eagerness to address issues important to the citizens of the Commonwealth. This year’s legislative session will run for sixty days before ending the first week of March. In addition to almost 3000 legislative initiatives, legislators will spend much of the session reviewing and improving the Governor’s budget for the Commonwealth over the next 2 years.

Senator McDougle stated, “I am honored to continue serving my constituents and welcome your suggestions, views and opinions as we review the large volume of legislation throughout the session. Approving a two year budget is a significant part of our responsibility and I am dedicated to ensuring your tax dollars are used wisely and you are not burdened with intrusive new government regulations. Maintaining a tight reign on new government spending and actively seeking ways to reduce spending while running our state government efficiently will always be top priorities.”

In an effort to reduce lines at the Department of Motor Vehicles and save tax payers millions of dollars, Senator McDougle introduced Senate Bill 116 as part of his legislative package. This bill seeks to reduce license fraud by directing DMV to create a plan for all Virginia drivers’ licenses and learners’ permits to be centrally manufactured and sent to the licensee or permittee by mail. This legislation will require DMV to implement new business practices for non driver’s license transactions prior to the implementation of the Federal Real Identification mandates which will come into effect in the spring of 2008. Currently, Federal Real Identification requirements will force Virginians to renew their driver’s licenses or ID card in person at a DMV service center. Without substantial changes in current procedures, Virginians will be forced to endure long lines and waste time to obtain a driver license. Initial projections indicate Senator McDougle’s legislation may reduce by up to 60% the number of transactions which physically occur in a DMV customer service center. Additionally, cost savings could approach $20 million dollars annually.

Another of Senator McDougle’s bills, Senate Bill requires that a person seeking to purchase a firearm from a firearms dealer answer questions regarding involuntary mental health commitment on the state background check form. This will prevent persons who have been involuntarily committed by a special Justice from purchasing a firearm. Each applicant would be required to fill out this form, which will determine whether he or she has ever been acquitted by reason of insanity, been adjudicated legally incompetent or mentally incapacitated, or been involuntarily admitted to a facility or involuntarily ordered to out-patient mental health treatment.

“Many of you have already called and written me with your concerns and views on important budget and legislative measures. My office is also here to provide needed assistance with problems involving our state government, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached during the General Assembly session at 804-698-7504 or by e-mail at district04@sov.state.va.us. I look forward to hearing from you and appreciate your continued support,” commented Senator McDougle on his first day of session.

Senator McDougle served four years in the Virginia House of Delegates before being elected to the Senate of Virginia in 2006.