2008 Session Summary

During the 2008 Session, 46 bills of interest to Virginia PBA members were followed. Of these bills, 27 died in committee, seven after passing the crossover, and three were voted down. One bill was carried over for consideration in 2009 and 16 bills were passed. Only one of the six Virginia PBA bills survived the crossover, only to die in the House Appropriations Committee. Here is a history on all VA PBA’s bills followed by others of interest.

House Bill 100 (to include deputies in the Procedures Act)

This bill was pre-filed by Delegate Poisson (D-32: Loudoun) on December 17, 2007.

On December 17 it was sent to the House Committee on Militia, Police & Public Safety where it was not considered, and died on February 12.

House Bill 369 (removal of age requirement from 25 yr. retirement)

This bill was pre-filed by Delegate Carrico (R-5: Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Wythe, Galax)

on January 4, 2008. On January 4 it was sent to the House Appropriations Committee, then assigned to the sub-Committee on Compensation and Retirement where it died on February 12 without having been acted upon.

House Bill 852 (repeal the collective bargaining prohibition)

This bill was pre-filed by Delegate Ebbin (D-49: Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria) on January 8, 2008. The bill was sent to the Rules Committee, chaired by the Speaker, on January 8. On January 22 Delegate Ebbin, with support of VA PBA, attempted to strike his bill, but was denied by the Chairman. That Committee then voted it out (9-0) “without recommendation.” On January 24 Delegate Ebbin again attempted to strike his bill, which again failed. The bill was then killed by a vote on the House Floor in what will be remembered as a partisan political act of showmanship on the part of Speaker William Howell (R-28 Fredericksburg, Stafford Co.), who distorted the intent of the bill and recorded negative votes for those not voting (per House Rule 69).

House Bill 981 (which would require VRS multiplier of 1.85%)

This bill was pre-filed by Delegate Nutter (R-7: Montgomery, Pulaski, Radford) on January 8, 2008. On January 8 this bill was sent to the House Appropriations Committee, then assigned to the sub-Committee on Compensation and Retirement where it died on February 12 without having been acted upon.

Senate Bill 269 (to remove the 100 employee requirement from the overtime pay law) This bill was pre-filed by Senator Deeds (D-25: Albemarle, Alleghany, Bath, Buckingham, Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Covington, Nelson, Rockbridge) on January 8, 2008. On January 8 this bill went to the Committee for Courts of Justice where it was voted out and sent to Senate Finance on January 30. A committee substitute was voted out on February 6 (making bill applicable to State Police only). On February 8 it passed the Senate and was sent to the House for concurrence. On February 13 it was sent to the House Appropriations Committee where it died on March 3.

Senate Bill 355 (to allow representation in internal investigations)

This bill was pre-filed by Senator Deeds on January 8, 2008. Whereby it was referred to the Committee for Courts of Justice. On January 21 it was combined with Senate Bill 76 introduced by Senator Cuccinelli (R-37: Fairfax). After many attempts to amend on the floor, Senate Bill 76 was then recommitted to the Committee for Courts of Justice where it died on February 13.

HB 840 Cooperative agreements with Capitol Police

HB 1334 Allows local officers to accept awards for service

HB 1480 Injured deputy 100% worker comp supplement/continued health

HJ 286 Honored PBA friend, deceased Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis

SB 353 Transfer of long-term care coverage from Human Resources to VRS

SB 616 Off-duty worker comp for Capitol Police

SB 673 Injured deputy 100% worker comp supplement/continued health

SB 619: Allow VRS members to pay more to receive 1.85% multiplier

HB 271 Line of duty heart attack/stroke death benefit and inflation increases

HB 596 Regional jail employees receive SPORS equal retirement

HB 846 Variable housing allowance for State Police

HB 901 Allow certain localities to provide employee housing allowances

HB 960 Locality option to increase VRS % to 1.85

HB 1219 Supplemental allowance to Social Security age not 65

SB 41/329 Line of Duty injury benefit enhancement

SB 187 Increase teacher retirement multiplier to 2.0%

SB 338 No public funds for professional association membership

SB 522 Felony assault; ABC / DMV / VA Marine Police Officers

SB 587 Provide local town managers retirement equal to State Police after 20 yrs

SB 624 Regional jail retirement equal to SPORS

SB 682 State Police variable housing allowance

This information is provided for information purposes only. Consult legal advice for application to your specific situation. Details on the above legislation can be found at http://legis.state.va.us