Public Comments for 01/25/2022 General Laws
HB58 - Local government; prohibits certain practices that would require contractors to provide benefits.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Nicholls Locality: Chesapeake

I support Del. Davis' HB58 because it works especially for small businesses that have been devasted by the pandemic and how it was managed. This will particularly be valuable for minority businesses to get their foot in the door with folks who don't have a history/resume and can build that resume up to higher wages. Milton Friedman indicated (https://www.americanexperiment.org/milton-friedman-on-the-minimum-wage/) FRIEDMAN: In 1956, I think, the minimum was raised from seventy-five cents to a dollar—a very substantial rise. In the early Fifties, the unemployment rate among male teenagers was about the same for blacks as for whites. Both were about eight percent when the over-all unemployment rate was about four percent. In the late Fifties, after the minimum-wage rate was raised from seventy-five cents to a dollar, the unemployment rate of black teenagers shot up from eight percent to something like 20 to 25 percent. For white teenagers, it shot up to something like 13 percent. From that day to this, the rates for both black and white teenagers have been higher than before 1956. When they start to decline, a new rise in the minimum-wage rate comes along and pushes them up again. The black teenage rate has been very much higher than the white teenage rate, for reasons that are highly regrettable and that we ought to be doing something about: Blacks get less schooling and are less skilled than whites. Therefore, the minimum-wage rate hits them particularly hard. I’ve often said the minimum-wage rate is the most anti-Negro law on the books.

HB99 - Funeral service licensees, funeral directors, etc.; continuing education completion every 3 years.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Good Locality: Suffolk

Dear Delegate, Protect religious freedom, vote YES for HB 306! Our religious freedoms do not end just because government bureaucrats declare a public health emergency. Our First Amendment rights apply at all times. Thank you, Kellie M. Good

Last Name: McCartney Locality: Newport news

Correction: Please vote YES for house bill 306! No one should be punished for exercising their right to religious freedom!!!!!

Last Name: McCartney Locality: Newport news

Please vote YES for house bill 106! No one should be punished for exercising their right to religious freedom!!!!!

Last Name: Pawlak Organization: Oxford Locality: Winchester

I am really wanting you all not to pass this bill because Oxford House gives me a place to live at a price I can afford on disability it gives me stability Oxford House I would be homeless and if the bill does pass that means I rent would go up and I would be homeless again and I am doing very well I enjoy living in the Oxford House we have meetings once a week for our house and we have committee meetings and everything So please do not pass this bill I in begging you

HB117 - Attorneys; examinations and issuance of licenses, requirements.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Willis Locality: Richmond, VA 23234

The city has chosen ONE as a gaming host. This bill is identical to Morrissey's SB203 which puts limits on a casino referendum in Richmond for five years. We in the city of Richmond feels as Mr. Morrissey have committed MUTINY on us. We see this bill (HB-1134) only as a designed to remove Richmond city from becoming a host city, which in the end becomes Richmond being remove indefinite. PLEASE VOTE NO to HB-1134.

HB154 - Virginia Freedom of Information Act; public records database.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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HB155 - Small Business and Supplier Diversity, Department of; business permitting program, etc.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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HB214 - Redevelopment and housing authorities; naming convention.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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HB215 - School Health Services Committee; established, membership, report, sunset provision.
Last Name: Moore Organization: The Virginia Association of School Nurses Locality: Chesterfield County

As President of VASN, I am coming forth to represent our entire membership, which consists of 500+ School Nurses throughout all of the State Superintendent’s eight regions in Virginia. We are in unanimous support of SB 704 and ask for your support by voting in favor of it on Tuesday. This bill will produce data which is urgently needed to determine continuous quality improvement in school health services across Virginia schools. It will allow for better implementation of professional development and can help determine where staff may be needed in. Currently, this data is already being collected in all schools. VASN knows this to be true, because it is done by the school clinic. In 2019, when it was only optional, 92 of 132 school districts were already choosing to send this very data to VDOE. With that, please note that there is no fiscal impact related to SB704 because it is already being done. If the only school nurse organization in the Commonwealth is asking you to push forth a bill that would bring us more work… then it must be very important to us, especially with Covid already on our hands. BUT… That is just not the case though. This is not more work. We are simply asking you to mandate the collection of data that already exists. Thank you, on behalf of the School Nurses in Virginia. Angela Moore, VASN President VASN would like to give their support in favor of HB1328 (Delaney) and SB737 (Boysko) because it aligns with previously passed laws which mandate epinephrine in schools. K-12 already has the stock epinephrine, and this will just include the EXS3, which has seen a huge expansion since the previous bill was passed. Thank you for expanding the availability of epinephrine to our ECSE students by voting yes. It is the equitable vote to make. Angela Moore, VASN President VASN also supports HB215 and SB62 with a very STRONG recommendation to add a School Nurse who is Nationally Certified to each of the two committees. It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for any such committee to make recommendations and/or pass along reports without the insight and expertise of a School Nurse. School Nurses are the most appropriate healthcare providers to answer questions regarding school related procedures, trainings, healthcare plans, emergency action plans, levels of training for staff, classroom and other school environments, documentation, and the like, when it comes to the health and safety of school children. It would behoove you to include a nationally certified School Nurse on both of these committees if they should pass, to best represent the school environment and to speak on behalf of school children. Thank you for your consideration. Angela Moore, VASN President SB161 VASN would also like to offer its support of SB161 and its willingness to provide assistance in developing guidelines on policies to inform and educate coaches and athletes. This will be beneficial to a magnitude of students throughout the Commonwealth and is geared toward optimizing the health and safety of our students, so VASN is in support. Please vote yes on SB161, for our students. Thank you. Angela Moore, VASN President

Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Sherman Locality: Fairlawn

Stop with the lies!

Last Name: Sherman Locality: Fairlawn

No! Stop with the lies! Cannibas is much safer than alcohol and pharmaceuticals!! Let the average person be free with a plant! Stop holding the little guy back....just stop.

HB260 - Human Trafficking Victim Support Certification Program; victim support certificate.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: McCoy Organization: Amara Legal Center; Virginia Coalition Against Human Trafficking Locality: Arlington
HB270 - Va. Employment Commission; administrative reforms, reporting requirements, electronic submissions.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Vassey Organization: Virginia Manufacturers Association Locality: Richmond

VMA supports HB270 - modernizing the VEC is a necessity. VMA supports HB336, 337, 341- 51% approval is a near universal democratic standard for bargaining unit approval and union activities, including collecting dues, should be a cost of the union, not the taxpayer. VMA supports HB414 - the Commonwealth must have a reliable electric grid. VMA opposes HB1355 - the Commonwealth must have a diversified energy portfolio that is affordable, reliable, secure, and sustainable.

Last Name: McRoberts Locality: Front Royal

Say NO to the bills that take away Collective Bargaining. Employees in the state of VA deserve Collective Bargaining. Teachers, firefighters and Policeman deserve a position in determining what happens in their profession. For too long they have had to sit back and let others who are not part of their profession, decide what happens in their profession. Give them a voice to determine what is in the best interest for their profession. Teachers work day and night to provide what is in the best interest of students- no one knows better then they do how to achieve this- they deserve a voice in the decision-making We will lose the best teachers, firefighters and policemen if we take away this critical opportunity for them to have a voice in their professions. Say NO to the bills that take away Collective Bargaining.

Last Name: Brian McGovern Organization: York Education Association Locality: Gloucester

Good morning honorable members of the Committee, Massachusetts is often said to have the strongest public schools in the nation. Did you also know that Massachusetts Educators also have strong collective bargaining rights. Massachusetts invests in education. With the current staffing shortages, show Virginia families and educators that you are in strong support of education by supporting collective bargaining rights. Virginia educators earn 7k below the national average and many are abandoning the profession. Can you blame them? Sincerely Brian McGovern

Last Name: Blose Organization: Select... Locality: Pulaski

We know what are students need more than anyone. I work out Special Education students every day. They always asking why do we have to do this or that. They ask why people who don't know them make them take test they know that they will pass. I want to speak for these students who fight a different type of battle every day. Let us who know what to do have a say. Most of you have no idea what special needs children fights every day because you have never been around my students.

Last Name: Clark Organization: GEA Locality: Newport news

If you believe there is a problem with Virginia's public education, then address the issues with the 100 million dollars the Governor wants to give to a for profit educational system and destroy our public schools! You can begin by fully funding your contractual obligation to all state employees through the VRS!

Last Name: Sullivan Organization: Loudoun Education Association Locality: Ashburn

These bills will repeal educators' progress toward gaining collective bargaining. They will silence educators' voices. School decisions will not be able to capitalize on the experiences and skills of their experts in their school systems, the educators. Why deny educators a seat at the table? Why squelch expert input? Educators are the experts in our schools. Bargaining with educators benefits our students' learning conditions. It improves educator working conditions, and ultimately benefits our Virginia communities. Bring the experts to the table. I urge you to vote no on these bills. Sincerely,

Last Name: Buckler Organization: VEC Locality: Chesterfield

I am the economist that worked on the FIS for HB270.

HB281 - Real property; duty to disclose ownership interest and lis pendens.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: McRoberts Locality: Front Royal

Say NO to the bills that take away Collective Bargaining. Employees in the state of VA deserve Collective Bargaining. Teachers, firefighters and Policeman deserve a position in determining what happens in their profession. For too long they have had to sit back and let others who are not part of their profession, decide what happens in their profession. Give them a voice to determine what is in the best interest for their profession. Teachers work day and night to provide what is in the best interest of students- no one knows better then they do how to achieve this- they deserve a voice in the decision-making We will lose the best teachers, firefighters and policemen if we take away this critical opportunity for them to have a voice in their professions. Say NO to the bills that take away Collective Bargaining.

Last Name: Brian McGovern Organization: York Education Association Locality: Gloucester

Good morning honorable members of the Committee, Massachusetts is often said to have the strongest public schools in the nation. Did you also know that Massachusetts Educators also have strong collective bargaining rights. Massachusetts invests in education. With the current staffing shortages, show Virginia families and educators that you are in strong support of education by supporting collective bargaining rights. Virginia educators earn 7k below the national average and many are abandoning the profession. Can you blame them? Sincerely Brian McGovern

Last Name: Blose Organization: Select... Locality: Pulaski

We know what are students need more than anyone. I work out Special Education students every day. They always asking why do we have to do this or that. They ask why people who don't know them make them take test they know that they will pass. I want to speak for these students who fight a different type of battle every day. Let us who know what to do have a say. Most of you have no idea what special needs children fights every day because you have never been around my students.

Last Name: Sullivan Organization: Loudoun Education Association Locality: Ashburn

These bills will repeal educators' progress toward gaining collective bargaining. They will silence educators' voices. School decisions will not be able to capitalize on the experiences and skills of their experts in their school systems, the educators. Why deny educators a seat at the table? Why squelch expert input? Educators are the experts in our schools. Bargaining with educators benefits our students' learning conditions. It improves educator working conditions, and ultimately benefits our Virginia communities. Bring the experts to the table. I urge you to vote no on these bills. Sincerely,

HB284 - Real Estate Appraiser Board; continuing education to include fair housing or appraisal bias courses.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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HB347 - Cultural competency training; repeals requirement that DHRM establish training for state employees.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: nicholls Locality: Chesapeake

Please repeal this. None of this is going to make a difference: being able to work with, talk to, talk with and be a part of others with different cultures is the best way to get to know and appreciate others.

Last Name: Becker Locality: Virginia Beach, Virginia

Good Afternoon Members of the Committee, I am writing you to note my opposition to HB 347. Cultural competence is the ability of a person to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of various cultural backgrounds. I am third generation civil servant, parents who collectively amassed 60+ years of teaching experience and grandparents with equal if not more years serving the Commonwealth as an educator and engineer. Virginia has become more diverse since my parents and grandparents have served their community. I recall my parents discussing the increase in diversity in their classrooms and how through training, they were better able to assist and relate to their students and their families. As a public servant myself, I value any tools provided that would assist and bolster the effectiveness of me performing my duties. The course at hand is very brief (45 minutes max) , offered online 24/7, and imposes a minimal burden(if one were to consider learning a burden) on an employee. This course has helped my active listening skills, engagement, and empathy when engaging the public and my coworkers of different cultural backgrounds. Friends and family that work in various aspects of state government have also found this course helpful, especially in health care settings. The course should remain part of every state workers onboarding process. Also I find it disingenuous to remove requiring the course, considering Governor Youngkin has only recently appointed a new chief diversity opportunity and inclusion officer, Angela Sailor. This is most certainly a decision that should include her expertise where I believe she would recommend the course remaining and potentially institute changes or updates to make it better. I ask the committee to vote 'No' on this bill and not remove a valuable tool for public servants to gain cultural competence, increase self-awareness, develop social skills , learn behaviors around diversity, and enhance the ability of the public advocate for themselves. The pubic are our customers and we owe it them to provide competent and quality services. Thank you in advance.

HB408 - Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Victim Fund; funding for sexual assault services.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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HB427 - Children's Services Act; community policy and management teams and family assessment, etc.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Getter Locality: Hanover

I am writing in support of HB 306 to be heard in committee tomorrow morning, which will allow a religious exemption to vaccines during an epidemic. Religious exemptions exist so that citizens can act freely in mind, body and spirit. Even in a time of an epidemic, citizens must have the opportunity to act on their conscience whatever that may be. The Nuremberg Code requires bodily autonomy and informed consent for any medical treatments to one’s body. Having religious exemption makes sure that remains the rule of law. As we’ve seen over the last two years, government has retained control over persons and their bodies in a way that would make Thomas Jefferson role over in his grave. Let Virginia continue to be religiously free, as the birthplace of religious freedom. Support HB 306.

Last Name: Amy Locality: King George

I would like to speak please -Amy Lee Story

Last Name: Porter Organization: King William County Community Policy and Management Team Locality: King and Queen

Comments Document

HB 427 "The team shall also include …. (ii) a parent representative who is a caregiver of a child who has previously received child welfare, juvenile justice, special education, or behavioral health services, including a foster parent." The King William County Community Policy and Management Team (KWC CPMT) is not in agreement with making this a requirement for CPMT & Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) Parent Representatives. While the KWC CPMT believes it is best practice to have Parent Representatives who meet this description, they disagree with making it mandatory. This would limit the ability to find and retain Parent Representatives for our CPMT & FAPT Teams and we would then be out of compliance as to Team Membership requirements. Dedicated Parent Representatives are not easy to find and the KWC CPMT feels the proposed requirement would make it more difficult. As a rural locality, our Parent Representatives already make the sacrifices of taking time off of work and traveling in order to participate in the Teams; and we are unable to give any compensation or travel reimbursement. We do look for Parent Representatives meeting this requirement, but are opposed to having it in the Code of Virginia, and thus, mandatory. The KWC CPMT believes it should remain as a Best Practice.

HB466 - Volunteer cybersecurity and information technology; Sec. of Admin. to establish register.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Mead Organization: City Council, City of Staunton, Virginia Locality: City of Staunton

HB1290 | Hayes | Public bodies; security of government databases and data communications. As a member of Staunton City Council I oppose this bill. Time Constraint: 24 hours is not enough time to properly assess the extent of the situation, formulate the best strategy, and speak with staff and other individuals affected.  Definitions: I have serious concerns about the lack of definition of “incident”. Without a definitive definition the term “incident” becomes extremely vague allowing for misinterpretation on what constitutes as an incident that must be reported. Secondly, there is no specific language on what needs to be reported. Once again allowing for misinterpretation of what must be reported.  Reporting: HB1290 requires the public body to report the incident to the State before having the opportunity to discuss the matter with the City's insurance company, provider, or agency of choice. This creates another reporting mandate for public bodies. Before The Virginia Information Technologies Agency, working with state and local stakeholders, should develop and publish guidance concerning the scope and implementation of the required incident reporting.

HB527 - Interstate Medical Licensure Compact and Commission; created.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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HB746 - Volunteer Fire Department Training Fund; created.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Clarke Organization: Virginia Center for Restorative Justice Locality: Richmond, VA

HB1197 Please support this bill. Judy Clarke, Founder Virginia Center for Restorative Justice 804-316-0112 VCRJ.org

Last Name: Fisher Organization: Ruckersville Volunteer Fire Company Locality: Ruckersville - Greene County

Concerns with the lack of variety of classes in each division in VDFP Lack of training classes that work for volunteer schedules ( Nights, Weekends) The committee would allow better communications with VDFP Increase in funding for VDFP, hopefully allowing more training opportunities

Last Name: Branch-Kennedy Organization: (RIHD) Resource Information Help for the Disadvantaged and Disenfranchised (RIHD) Locality: Highland Springs

RIHD supports the end in use of deceptive tactics during interrogation. The use of deceptive practice leads to false information during interrogation, coercing children into making statements that are not in their own best interest. This is wrong and should be unlawful. In the best interest of public safety, vote to end said practice. Respectfully, Lillie Branch-Kennedy Executive Director

Last Name: Creighton Organization: Ruckersville Volunteer Fire Department Locality: Greene

Thank you for taking the time to consider this initiative to improve the quality of volunteer firefighter training in the state. The creation of a working group to ensure the cost-effective and accessible training is available to volunteer fire departments throughout Virginia will be incredibly helpful and have far reaching effects to every corner of state. This working group will assist our state representatives in Department of Fire Programs with effectively and efficiently supporting volunteer fire departments and increase the safety of citizens in those localities. Additionally, having a fund from which volunteer departments can request monetary support will elevate the level, frequency, and accessibility of many types of training previously unavailable to them. As fire departments transition to all-hazard public safety entities, these new types of training are absolutely necessary in the effective protection of citizens, property, and the environment. The passing of this bill will have far reaching effects across almost every community in Virginia, most of which are served by volunteer fire departments in many aspects. Thank you for your time.

HB847 - Virginia Resiliency Authority; established, definitions, report.
Last Name: Nies Locality: Bamboo Creek

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Last Name: Throp Locality: Norfolk

I oppose this bill because it would create an unnecessary, redundant authority.

End of Comments