Alert 1/24/08 Quick Update on Bills (partial)
Many bills, many hearings, and here is a brief and partial update on what’s been happening.
VVAW bills:
1. gas chambers
Our bills (HB40 patroned by Del. Jim Scott and HB1289 patroned by Del. Clay Athey) were rolled into HB5 (patroned by Del. Bobby Orrock) on Wednesday, 1/23/08.
The combined bill was reported out (that’s good) and will be heard by the full House, probably on Monday, 1/28/08. You can follow by clicking here:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=081&typ=bil&val=hb5
2. dealer permits
This is HB1486 patroned by Del. Clay Athey.
Status not known. We have asked Del. Athey to consider rolling this bill into HB538, the puppymill bill patroned by Del. Orrock, but have not received confirmation.
At this writing, Del Athey’s bill has not been assigned a hearing time either by the full House Ag committee where it has been referred, or by the House Ag subcommittee.
Click here to follow:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=081&typ=bil&val=hb1486+
3. dogfighting
This is SB26, the RICO (Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization act) bill patroned by Sen. Roscoe Reynolds.
This bill was reported out by the Senate Criminal Subcommittee of the Courts of Justice on Tuesday, 1/22/08, and then reported out by the full Senate Courts of Justice Committee on 1/23/08.
This bill is next to be heard by the full Senate, probably on Monday, 1/28/08.
Click here to follow:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=081&typ=bil&val=sb26++
4. releasing agencies
This is HB1570 patroned by Del. Robert Hull.
At this writing, Del. Hull’s bill has not been assigned a hearing time either by the full House Ag committee where it has been referred, nor by the House Ag subcommittee.
While stronger than Del. Orrock’s puppymill bill (HB538), we would be content if Del. Hull rolled his bill in with Del. Orrock’s. However, at this writing, Del. Hull preferred to push forward with his bill, an action we applaud.
Click here to follow:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?081+sum+HB1570
5. humane investigator
This is HB464 patroned by Del. Albo.
This bill was tabled on 1/16/08. We have tried to have the bill resurrected this session, but so far it hasn’t happened and likely will need to wait until next year.
The question of supervision (to whom would humane investigators report) and fanciful tales of bands of rogue humane investigators derailed this bill. Next year we must quell the opposition before we even talk of benefits of the bill.
Click here for information:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=081&typ=bil&val=hb464+++
6. humane ed
This is SB438 patroned by Sen. Vogel.
This bill ran into logistical problems. The bill was to be heard ½ hour after adjournment of the Senate session of 1/22/08 before the Public Education Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Education and Health.
Supporters to speak in favor of the bill were waiting in the building when the bill was announced except for Peyton Coyner who spoke in support of the bill. The Farm Bureau opposed it with just the words “we oppose”, and the bill was done for.
Several supporters later walked from office to office of committee members, seeking an opportunity to be heard (the request could have been made to hear this bill a few minutes later to accommodate the arrival of the support contingent, but the request wasn’t made nor offered). At this writing, no committee member has offered to redress the logistical mistake.
The notes on this bill now (1/24/08) show that the bill was stricken at the request of Sen. Vogel.
Click here for information:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=081&typ=bil&val=sb438++++
A companion piece, SJ59, again patroned by Sen. Vogel, was referred to the Rules Committee which meets when the Chair calls.
To date, this bill has not been scheduled for hearing. Because the basic bill, SB438, is over, VVAW suggested to Sen. Vogel that she pull this companion piece, but at this writing, it does not appear this has happened.
Click here to follow:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=081&typ=bil&val=sj69+++++
More to follow soon.
Lillian Clancy and Don Marro