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.