Richmond – During the last scheduled week of the Virginia General Assembly session, the legislature took final actions on many of Senator Ryan McDougle’s (R-Hanover) legislative accomplishments. As negotiations continued to progress on the budget, Senator McDougle continued to urge budget conferee negotiators to finalize a state budget that funds core government responsibilities. 

“I’m very pleased to have successfully sponsored legislation which will benefit Virginia’s citizens and businesses,” said Senator McDougle. “This year the citizens of Virginia’s 4^th Senatorial District provided me thousands of e-mails, letters, and phone calls with their feedback on important legislation and issues.  Many of their ideas support policies that pursue responsible and efficient government management, sound public safety initiatives, and measures which will work to create and maintain Virginia jobs,” he said.

This year Senator McDougle also sponsored legislation for Governor McDonnell’s Jobs and Opportunity Agenda in the area of public safety.  Focusing on better synchronization of education policy, Senator McDougle sponsored a study resolution which concentrates on improving coordination of education policy between all levels from K-12 public education to Virginia’s community colleges and four-year higher education institutions.  As a member of Virginia’s Code Commission which carefully reviews and revises Virginia’s Code, Senator McDougle carried two bills which update key financial titles in the Virginia Code.  Additional legislation he sponsored this year for industries in the private sector will enable projects to move forward more efficiently and in turn aid the Commonwealth’s economic revival.

Public Safety Initiatives 

Senate Bill 532 – This measure came to Senator McDougle as a request of the Governor’s office and is a legislative fix in response to the flu pandemic precautions during 2009.  As a result of this legislation, it will be legal for citizens to wear protective masks in certain sensitive places that existing law precluded. This legislation awaits the Governor’s signature, having passed both the House and Senate.

Senate Bill 670 – This legislation would require Virginia’s prisoners to utilize income from correctional work programs to be used towards debt owed to the state for court imposed fines, costs, forfeitures, restitution or penalties. The bill encourages positive use of the inmates’ time and supports a quicker assimilation into society. The bill passed both houses of the legislature unanimously. 

Senate Bill 533 – This bill will give Virginia citizens the right to request an in-person court hearing in the event that a concealed handgun permit is denied. The bill passed in the Senate with bipartisan support and passed the House unanimously.

Senate Bill 530 – Governor McDonnell requested Senator McDougle sponsor this legislation, which was a public safety initiative on his Jobs and Opportunities Agenda.   The bill would have made it a Class 6 felony to knowingly encourage participation in a criminal street gang via telephone or by any electronically transmitted message. With the rise of gang activity in Virginia, this is much needed legislation which will give our law enforcement the tools they need to keep our communities safe.  The bill was carried over until next year and Senator McDougle will likely sponsor it again in the 2011 session. 

Education

Senate Joint Resolution 32 – Senator McDougle introduced this study resolution as a result of meetings with business leaders across the state who attended meetings of the Joint Republican Business Caucus.  Senator McDougle and Delegate Tim Hugo chair this new Caucus, which brings together Senators and Delegates in an effort to work collaboratively with Virginia’s business community. Many of Virginia’s major employers and businesses suggested and welcomed the legislative idea of a more coordinated effort between all levels of public education.  The purpose of this study is to determine the impediments to better education policy coordination and options that may be available to make sure our institutions of higher learning and K-12 education are working in-sync.   In today’s global and competitive economy, students should possess the educational tools required to enter fields which will help to meet the workforce needs of Virginia’s businesses. SJ-32 directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the role of the Secretary of Education in improving education coordination and to explore new approaches towards developing such cooperation between K-12, Virginia’s community colleges, and Virginia’s four-year institutions of higher education. The bill passed both chambers unanimously. 

Private Sector

Senator McDougle was approached late last year by Virginia industries that were in need of numerous clarifying and cost-savings measures.  The following pieces of legislation are a result of those requests. 

Senate Bill 104 – This legislation clarifies that architects, engineers and surveyors have the ability to limit their liability through contract so that projects can move forward quicker and at less cost. Limitation of liability clauses are an essential tool to allocate risk, allowing design professionals to keep costs down and projects moving forward.  Earlier this week, this bill passed the House and will now need to be signed by the Governor. 

Senate Bill 105 – A Mechanic’s Lien is a security interest in the title to property for contractors who have supplied labor. The Lien Agent’s identity is issued concurrent with the building permit; however, often the “lien agent” provided by the owner is not initially known or changes during a project. This measure provides clarity and would enable activity to continue on the property during this lien agent transition. This bill awaits the Governor’s approval after passing both the House and Senate. 

Senate Bill 128- This legislation aims to protect Virginia residents and businesses from potentially significant electricity rate increases due to newly-proposed federal regulations. Senate Bill 128 will ensure that Virginia electricity generators will be able to meet current and future demand despite the enactment of new, more stringent ozone standards proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA). This legislation has now passed both the House and Senate and awaits the Governor’s signature.   

Virginia Code Commission Legislation

Senate Bill 294 – This bill clarifies and technically changes the definition of who is considered a “principal” under the Mortgage Lender and Broker Act. The Code Commission studied this issue and determined this legislative fix was needed.   It passed both houses of the General Assembly unanimously. 

Senate Bill 295 revises the financial institutions and services title in the Virginia Code to ensure it is worded with more precision and clarity.  It also passed both houses unanimously.

Both the House and Senate will vote on the final version of the state budget in the coming days.  Budget conferees are still working out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget in order to produce a final budget.  Budget talks have been ongoing for nearly two weeks and while it was the goal to end on Saturday, March 13, budget conferees have not produced a final budget product which needs to be printed and placed on legislators’ desks for review for the final vote.  Next week, an update on the budget will follow this release.  Senator McDougle once again thanks his constituents for keeping in touch on the many issues of importance to them throughout this year’s session.

Richmond – This week Virginia legislators welcomed March with a hopeful eye towards warmer weather and positive developments on the budget front. Senators and House representatives are working to bridge significant budget gaps between the two houses of the General Assembly. Senator Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover) supports provisions passed in both houses that eliminate or reduce programs which were established by previous Administrations when the state enjoyed greater revenue.

“I have spoken at great lengths to my colleagues in the Senate about the need to proceed responsibly as the custodians of our taxpayer’s dollars,” said Senator McDougle. “As the budget conferees from the Senate and House meet, I will continue to encourage them to act in the best interest of all Virginians, avoiding tax increases and other financial burdens by prioritizing only the critical needs of our state government. I applaud Governor McDonnell for his jobs creation legislation, which creates incentives for businesses to move to and expand in Virginia.”

Over 80% of the state’s General Fund revenues come from state income and sales taxes, which given the economic realities we currently face, are significantly reduced. The budget bill is now being negotiated by House and Senate budget conferees. The Senate conferees led by Democrat Senator Colgan include Democrat Senators Saslaw, Houck, Howell, and also include Republican Senators Stosch and Wampler. The House Conferees are led by Delegate Putney and include Republican Delegates K. Cox, Sherwood, Landes, S.C. Jones and include Democrat Delegate Joannou.

Legislation Passed in Recent Weeks Await Executive Action

As the Virginia General Assembly entered the last two weeks of this year’s session, legislators are working to complete bills to be sent to the Governor’s desk and signed into law. Legislation that has passed both houses and is currently pending action by the Governor McDonnell includes SB128, which was introduced by Senator McDougle. The bill will enable electric generators within the Commonwealth to continue participation in an emissions trading program despite more stringent benchmarks that could be established by the US-Environmental Protection Agency.  This program is Virginia’s most cost effective method to achieve maximum environmental benefits while continuing to satisfy the states energy needs. Had this legislation not passed, regulations established by the Federal Governor’s Environment Protection Agency (EPA) could have hindered the ability of utilities to generate power, sharply increasing energy costs for Virginia residents. The Commonwealth would have been the only state to be so encumbered.

Another bill that has passed through the General Assembly and is expected to be signed into law is SB236, which will improve oversight and efficiencies in the Virginia Information Technology Technologies Agency (VITA). The adjustments have been based on the recommendations of a two year study of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) following many delays and questionable expenditures within Virginia’s large IT system improvement program. The new law will replace the current supervision process of the Information Technology Investment Board with a Chief Information Officer Appointed by the Governor.

“The JLARC findings demonstrate the need for executive management of our largest private contract,” said Senator McDougle. “When important decisions must be made that influence progress in this area, infighting amongst committees or boards only serves to obstruct what should be an efficient process. I am pleased to see that this legislation is now ready to be signed by Governor McDonnell,” he said.

Senator McDougle would like to thank the thousands of constituents who have contacted him thus far during the 2010 General Assembly to express their views and feedback about the budget and specific legislation.  He encourages his constituents to continue to offer their ideas and thoughts to him by e-mail at district04@senate.virginia.gov or through his website at www.ryanmcdougle.com.  He may also be reached by phone at 804-698-7504.

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The Virginia Senate Republican Caucus sent this Press Release out today:

Richmond, VA: The Virginia Senate Republican Caucus today voted unanimously to elect Senator Ryan T. McDougle (R – Hanover) to serve as the Caucus’ Republican Leader Pro Tempore. The position, previously held by former Senator Kenneth W. Stolle, was left vacant when Stolle resigned his seat to become Sheriff of Virginia Beach. “Though he has only been in the Senate four years, Ryan has shown himself to be one of our most energetic and engaged members,” commented Senate Republican Leader Thomas K. Norment, Jr. (R – James City), who placed McDougle’s name in nomination for the position. “We have a tremendous number of opportunities ahead of us in the coming months with elections and redistricting fast approaching. It is important that we have a full leadership slate as we approach these challenges. And it is beneficial for the Caucus to engage someone with Ryan’s enthusiasm in this role.”

The position of Leader Pro Tempore is established in the by-laws of the Senate Republican Caucus to work on projects assigned by the Republican Leader. The Leader Pro Tempore serves in the place of the Republican Leader in the absence of the Leader. In this role, McDougle joins the Caucus’ leadership team that currently includes Norment as Republican Leader, Senator Stephen D. Newman (R – Lynchburg) as Caucus Chair, Senators Mark D. Obenshain (R – Harrisonburg) and Frank W. Wagner (R – Virginia Beach) as Whips, and Senator Walter A. Stosch (R – Henrico) as Leader Emeritus.

“Ryan has a unique capacity to serve in this position,” said Senator Newman, who seconded McDougle’s nomination. “He has strong political instincts, executes effective grassroots operations in his district, and has an ability to raise funds that is not matched by members of far greater seniority. By placing Ryan in a position of leadership, we anticipate him being able to use the talents that have helped him individually for the benefit of the Caucus as a whole. In so doing, we have immediately strengthened our Caucus.”

McDougle was first elected to the Senate in a special election in January, 2006 to fill the unexpired term left by the election of former Senator Bill Bolling as Lieutenant Governor. In that election, McDougle garnered over 80% of the vote. He was re-elected without opposition in 2007. Prior to his election to the Senate, McDougle represented the 97th District in the House of Delegates for two terms. He currently represents all of Caroline, Essex, Hanover, King and Queen, King William, and Middlesex Counties; and part of Spotsylvania County. He serves on the Committees for Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources; Courts of Justice; Rehabilitation and Social Services; and Transportation. In 2008, McDougle was appointed a Deputy Whip within the Republican Caucus.

“I humbly accept the responsibility that has been placed on me today,” McDougle said in accepting the position. “I have watched the Republican Caucus evolve over the past two years under the current leadership team. In that time, we have articulated a positive vision for Virginia, become more cohesive as a group, and begun unprecedented efforts to prepare to be competitive in future elections. The Caucus is moving in the right direction and I am honored to be asked to serve as part of the leadership team that will continue to move the Caucus forward.”