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The 2008 Regular Session of the Virginia
General Assembly convened on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 and is
scheduled to adjourn on March 8, 2008. Below is a brief summary
of the Virginia Police Benevolent Association’s 2008 legislative
agenda and the progress to date.
1. Amend VA code section 9.1-500 to include deputy sheriffs in
the definition of law enforcement officer as it applies to the
Law Enforcement Procedural Guarantee Act. (Refer to VA Code
9.1-500) Delegate David Poisson (32nd District) has agreed to
patron a bill. It has been pre filed and assigned bill number
HB 100.
The bill is currently assigned to the Committee on Militia,
Police and Public Safety.
2. Increase the VRS retirement multiplier to 1.85% for all law
enforcement officers. Currently only Sheriffs and State Police
officers received the direct increase that passed in the 2007
Virginia General Assembly. (Refer to VA Code Title 51.1)
Delegate David A. Nutter has agreed to patron this bill. It has
been prefiled and assigned bill number
HB 981. The bill is
currently assigned to the Committee on Appropriations.
3. Eliminate the “age 50” requirement in VRS to receive full
retirement benefits if a law enforcement officer has served for
25 years. (Refer to VA Code Title 51.1) Delegate Charles W.
Carrico sr. has agreed to patron this bill. It has been prefiled
and assigned bill number
HB 369.
The bill is currently assigned to the Committee on
Appropriations.
4. Eliminate the wording in VA code section 9.1-701 that limits
agencies from receiving this overtime compensation benefit based
on the number of employees in the agency. Currently only
employers with 100 or more law enforcement employees receive
this benefit (Refer to VA Code 9.1-701). State Senator Creigh
Deeds introduced this bill. It has been prefiled and assigned
bill number SB 269.
The bill is currently assigned to the Courts of Justice Civil
sub-Committee.
5. Amend VA code section 9.1-501 to allow law enforcement
officers to have at his/her own expense legal counsel present
during internal investigations. (Refer to VA Code 9.1-501) (We
are currently working with the Fairfax Coalition of Police on
their efforts with this bill.) State Senator Creigh Deeds
introduced this bill. It has been pre filed and assigned bill
number SB 355. The
bill is currently assigned to the Courts of Justice Civil
sub-Committee.
6. Eliminate VA code section 40.1-57.2 which prohibits
collective bargaining. A bill currently in the US Congress, HR
980, has already passed the House which would require state and
local governments to provide for collective bargaining with
public safety employees. (Refer to VA Code 40.1-57.2) Delegate
Adam P. Ebbin has agreed to patron this bill. It has been
prefiled and assigned bill number
HB 852. The bill is
currently assigned to the Rules Committee.
Copies of the bills are available by clicking on the bill
numbers.
Check back here for updates and information on how you can
assist in passage of these bills or feel free to contact VA PBA
Legislative Committee Chairman Brian Curtis at curtis9652@yahoo.com
or 1-800-233-3506 ext. 335. |