Roy's Report: 08-03-05
file GA08-03-05
General Assembly, Wednesday, March 3rd, 2008
THREE days until adjournment!
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This report will be less complete than usual. I'm tired, after having been detained by our Richmond Police Department for 45 minutes or so on my way home, thereby missing my bus, and getting a summons to boot. Good, professional attitudes on the part of the officers, but poor training and worse advice. One of those long stories . . .
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In yesterday's report, I noted a surprise meeting of House Courts, with no information on subject nor actions. Turns out that the purpose was to confirm judicial nominations. This is important, but I ain't got no dog in that fight.
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12:00 p.m. Senate Convenes; Senate Chamber, The Capitol
The Senate today considered the two gun-owners' rights bills that were vetoed by the Governor. It requires a 2/3 vote to override the veto: 27 of the 40 Senators.
SB436, Vogel, Concealed weapons; allows person to carry in private motor vehicle, etc. if locked in container.
Although 31 members voted for the bill originally, party politics made 6 of those change their votes now.
Override fails, 25-15, 2 votes short of requirement. Veto sustained; bill is dead for this year.
SB476, Hanger, Concealed handguns; restaurants; penalty.
24 Senators voted to pass the bill, but only 22 voted to override the veto, short of the 2/3 required. Veto sustained; bill is dead for this year.
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12:00 p.m. House Convenes; House Chamber, The Capitol
NOT REPORTING MOST ROUTINE ACTIONS DURING THE 5 1/2 HOUR FLOOR SESSION. IF THERE'S A PARTICULAR BILL IN WHICH YOU'RE INTERESTED, SEE "DETAILS" AT END OF THIS REPORT.
SB35, Deeds, SUBSTITUTE, Recount procedures; ensures that logic and accuracy tests are performed after programming tabulator.
Again, passed by for the day; if it's not passed tomorrow, it dies.
SB604, Stolle, Secondhand dealers; regulation thereof to current statutes regulating pawnbrokers.
This is the bill which could close used-record stores, and possibly affect gun shows and flea markets as well. Analysis online in
'GA Report: "Pawnbrokers"' at http://www.richmondliberty.org/mt/.
The bill was amended to exempt "music recordings", although not spoken-word recordings, making record shops mostly exempt. DVDs are not exempted. After questions as to whether it included flea markets and gun shows, it was passed by for the day. It must be passed tomorrow, or it dies.
*****
HB1442, Iaquinto Ignition interlock; fee increased for administrative costs.
Senate substitute accepted.
OOPS! 30 minutes later, reconsidered. Questions about possible unintended consequences due to particular wording; more time needed to make sure problem exists, and craft a fix if it does.
Passed by for the day.
House adjourned at 5:27
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Next significant meetings are Wednesday:
Noon: House and Senate convene.
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DETAILS:
To see the summary, text, status, estimated cost, votes, or other details on any bill, go to:
http://leg1.state.va.us/. Click on:
“Bills & Resolutions – status of individual bills and related information”.
At the text-entry block, enter the bill and type just as I have it listed above. (Use “SB921”, not “S.B. 921”, for example.)
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REMINDER:
http://leg1.state.va.us/ and http://legis.state.va.us/
These are the two websites where you can access nearly anything you want to know about practically anything related to the General Assembly. Use them!
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