Comments Document

Dear Honorable General Assembly Member, My name is Preston Brown and I host a weekly radio show on 101.3fm/990am and a weekly TV show on CW Richmond 65. On the behalf of my 1000's of tv viewer's and 1000's of radio listeners , we have concerns about the way false information was put out by VOTE NO RVA CASINO about the Richmond Casino. Richmond voters should have an opportunity to cast a vote based on the truth and not trickery and lies. If what VOTE NO RVA put out about Richmond Casino should be the same for all Virginia Casino. Why haven't anyone mentioned the same concerns for Petersburg, Norfolk, Danville, Bristol or Portsmouth? Could it be because this is the only casino in Virginia being developed by a Woman? Could it be because this is the only casino in Virginia being developed by a Black own company? Because of trickery, lies and racism Richmond Casino should have a Referendum in 2023. Thank You Preston Brown (804) 803-4463

Comments Document

Because of trickery, lies and racism Richmond Casino should have a referendum in 2020. Vote No Rva spent $231,225 putting out false information and misleading information about One Casino & resort. Leading Richmond voter to believe the casino would exploit Black, Brown & Poor white communities. Richmond voters should have an opportunity to cast a vote based on the truth and not trickery and lies. Why haven't anyone mentioned the same concerns in Petersburg, Norfolk, Danville, Bristol or Portsmouth?

Comments Document

Because of trickery, lies and racism Richmond Casino should have a referendum in 2020. Vote No Rva spent $231,225 putting out false information and misleading information about One Casino & resort. Leading Richmond voter to believe the casino would exploit Black, Brown & Poor white communities. Richmond voters should have an opportunity to cast a vote based on the truth and not trickery and lies. Why haven't anyone mentioned the same concerns in Petersburg, Norfolk, Danville, Bristol or Portsmouth?

HB 1438 (Anderson) Oyster shell recycling; creates a nonrefundable tax credit for taxable years 2023 through 2027, etc. The Virginia League of Conservation Voters supports this legislation. The creation of a refundable shell recycling tax credit would boost the number of shells available for restoration projects by incentivizing restaurants and seafood companies and distributors to save their shells. Oyster restoration efforts and their economic benefits to the shellfish industry are currently constrained by the limited number of shells available for restoration. This legislation would make more shells available by encouraging the reuse of oyster shells for restoration purposes.

HB1438 - One thing that folks need, especially those of us who pay the taxes, is a tax credit. Thank you to Del. Anderson for suggesting this bill. Please move to report. HB2261 - God bless Delegate Cordoza for thinking of the seniors and disabled. Please move to report this bill. I know folks that are on limited incomes and with the prices the way they are now, they could use a break.

Hi

I have worked in nursing homes and we absolutely need this law to protect elderly folks on medicaid. Local DSS units deem nursing homes a safe placement under their regs, so if there is an accusation of abuse, neglect or stealing someone's funds, adult protective services doesn't generally go after it. The local law enforcement is often not able to take it on either. What we really need are investigators who actually understand how medicaid works and what abuse of the elderly looks like. It is a huge problem, and we really need all the help we can get.

Please Vote NO on HB1452. This bill creates a Medicaid Fraud law enforcement investigating arm of the Attorney General's office. Thirty new law enforcement officers with badges and uniforms and the ability to investigate any "ancillary" criminal offense. This bill could subject families and recipients to overly aggressive tactics by the Attorney General's office. This bill does not expressly limit the investigations into activities by providers. The bill should be limited to investigations of providers and expressly state that the office does not investigate recipients and their families. There is no justification for the financial cost of 30 new state law enforcement officers with vested benefits. This will discourage professionals from becoming Medicaid providers by creating more barriers and red tape. This bill further harasses families and caregivers with the uncertain threat of law enforcement demanding cooperation with any vague ancillary criminal investigations. Please VOTE NO on HB1452

Dear Members of the House Courts of Justice Subcommittee #1, Please VOTE NO on HB1452. This bill creates a police force in the Attorney General's office to investigate Medicaid fraud. Protect families and limit any law enforcement investigation to providers, not recipients. As a family member of a recipient, it is hard enough getting approved for long-term care Medicaid services and go through multiple evaluations and continuous monitoring with our local and state agencies. Please do not make our lives and the ones we care for any more difficult. Thank you and please VOTE NO on HB1452. Sincerely, Nicole Miller Chapter Operations Manager Autism Society Tidewater Virginia

While HB1508 seems like a step in the right direction towards expanding school choice in the Commonwealth of Virginia, it explicitly excludes children whose parents are already making the sacrifice to send them to private or parochial schools. Access to the potential savings that the bill would enable should not be restricted solely because a family has already chosen to make the sacrifice required to send their children to private or parochial school. School choice is school choice, regardless of when that choice was made. The bill should be amended so that it benefits ALL Virginia students, including those who do not currently attend public schools.

Comments Document

Dear Chairperson Davis and Members of the House Appropriations - Elementary and Secondary Subcommittee: As a Virginia resident, a parent, and State Director for American Atheists, which has more than 1,700 constituents in Virginia, I write in opposition to HB 1508.

We highly support ESA's! Please bring this to Virginia parents and students. This is vital in our success to keep up with other States who have higher Educational ratings than we do. Thank you for helping the children in this great Commonwealth.

Please support HB1508. One's zip code should not determine the quality of one's education. I see Education Success Accounts as being similar to Pell Grants for K-12 education. They can be used at any institution whether public or private.

I fully support HB 1508. Fairfax Public Schools, where all 3 of our children were enrolled, are failing students by bringing academic standards down in the name of equity and by indoctrinating in the Critical Race Theory, LGBTQ, and transgender ideology instead of teaching reading, writing, math, and sciences. That was the reason we took our last son out of the public school and enrolled him in a private school with a price tag of $20,000 a year. Education Savings Account will not only help families like our pay for the alternative education, but will make public schools think twice: should they continue with indoctrination and lose state funds or should they go back to education without indoctrination?

House of delegates committee members: I ask that you oppose HB 1508 as it is simply designed to take resources away from public education. Vouchers are well known to have been used in the attempt to see public education decline. I would respectfully remind all committee members that public education is the only institution that accepts clientele without condition to participate in that institution. Public education is a national security issue and as such should not be open to the whims of anyone who feels their child or constituent somehow can do better. Children do better when parents are involved; schools do better when they are faithfully supported. Public education, on the whole, is and has been consistent with raising the character and literacy of all who enter it. Vouchers are simply a means to lessen public education and eventually deny education through increasing the poverty of each school and lessening the educational standards of all who remain without vouchers. Thank you. Riad Mahayni Chesterfield County,

Support 1508, This bill gives much needed help to families to get the help their children need. It does not have to be used to take a child out of that school, but can be used to get help with tutoring and educational therapies and other resources to help their child succeed according to their individual needs. Help children and parents get the help they need that may not be available in their particular school.

Please oppose HB 1508. Voucher bills are often pitched as providing the opportunity for the economically challenged to access private educational alternatives. However, the private elementary school average tuition cost is $13,073 per year and the private high school average is $16,572 per year. Consequently, voucher programs are not going to result in bringing those programs into reach for many of our fellow citizens. I believe the real intent of voucher programs is to begin a movement away from public education for all and towards a private model of educational delivery. Instead of endeavoring to break a model that is one of the world's few attempts to educate all of its citizens up to the age of higher education, perhaps we should consider how best to commit ourselves to its success. This is our approach for all other public services like defense and public safety. Why then would we consider removing resources from this critical public mission of education to bolster the opportunities of our most well off citizens to the detriment of schools that are already at a disadvantage when confronting present day challenges. I hope that, instead of contributing to this draining of resources for the Commonwealth's schools, you will oppose HB 1508.

ExcelinEd in Action is pleased to support the expansion of educational opportunity for students as contained in HB 1508. Family-directed accounts like the ones created in this legislation empower families with the freedom to pursue the education options best suited to their students' individual needs and aspirations. A child can attend private school and receive speech therapy on the side. Another child can learn math and science online, English and history at home, see a tutor twice a week and save leftover money for future education expenses. With a Success Account, education is no longer “use it or lose it.” Parents, guardians and students decide where the best values are and can direct their child’s funds in the most efficient way. Thank you for your consideration and support.

I fully support Delegate March's bill HB 1396. I believe that all Virginia parents should have the maximum support from the Commonwealth to choose the best education environment for their children -- without regard to the previous year. I have three children. Each is different, as is universally true for all families. Each child has needed different challenges and learning environments to elicit the best outcomes. Each of my children has attended public schools, private schools and has been homeschooled. In my judgment each of those matches was advantageous -- and necessary -- for each child. Fortunately, I was able to afford these options, even though I was continually paying for public schools in the years each child was not using them. Many Virginians cannot do that. Many of their children fail to receive the opportunities in education afforded by true educational choice. That is not fair to them. It is not beneficial to Virginia -- it reduces the calibre of our labor force. Delegate Davis' bill, HB 1508, is less than "half-a-loaf". It restricts which parents and students can participate in the ESA program and it provides only about one-third of the resources given to public school students. Not a good deal. Not acceptable for Virginia.

I support HB1508. We all know that public schools are overcrowded and the student to teacher ratio is terrible. Classes are too big and public-school buildings are beyond capacity. This is the only legislation that addresses overcrowding. Please support this bill.

HB1508 is a watered down version of HB 1396. It should be dumped. Legislators should support HB 1396.

I have no money to send my children to anything but my local failing public school. I would like to have better access and HB 1508 would provide that.

"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book

This bill please vote in favor for it would well benefit our children.

This bill please vote in favor for it would well benefit our children.

This bill would allow individuals who are being left behind in society due to financial restrictions to have the ability to access funds for more opportunities for their children. This bill is about empowering people more than anything else. I support this bill and hope it gets passed in this years general assembly. The education system needs a transformation, and this would be a first step.

School funding is limited. We should not support those who choose to attend private schools. Our public school teachers need adequate pay and resources. Keep the funds with our public schools.

Please note that in my opinion it is not the taxpayer's responsibility to financially support students and families NOT attending public schools. Funds are very limited and resources do not need to be taken away from the public schools.

Dear Legislators, I urge you to vote NO on HB1508 and speak out to your fellow subcommittee members with reasons why this bill is a disservice to VA children. Redirecting public school funds to families that choose to send their children to private school increases the opportunity gap for all children in Virginia. The purpose of a public education is for societal gain in addition to the personal gain of the learner. This means it is best for our entire society when we have high quality education, and the funding to ensure it, at the focus of our efforts, rather than allowing funds to be funneled towards private schools where we can not control the quality of education. Additionally, approving this bill would mean there would be less money for public schools. The funding and quality gap caused by this bill would be even wider and have an even harsher impact in southwest Virginia where schools are already under funded due to funding formulas. Thank you for your consideration of these points. Jocelyn Washburn

I strongly oppose HB 1508 Virginia Education Success Account Program. I do not approve of my tax dollars being spent to pay for a private education. I believe in a level playing field. This is an inappropriate use of my tax dollars. Public schools need increased funding, not reduced. Why not sent this bill to vote to the Commonwealth taxpayers? Our tax dollars need to support quality public education. Vouchers remove money from public schools. Public schools are part of our best achievements! This bill diverts funding from public education the money I pay in property taxes. I have not agreed to be taxed so that private schools can be funded. I support public education and am willing to pay my fair share toward the education of our community's children in public schools.

These bills are so important to the family, to our children. Please pass these bills!

To Whom it may Concern, Virginia already ranks at the bottom in per-pupil spending for public education even though it is one of the wealthiest states in the nation in median household income. Virginia already lacks in providing the necessary funds to support the Standards of Quality for education fully. Del. Davis has stated there is a huge need, especially in historically Black communities as an argument to support this bill. As a former educator in Virginia for over 40 years, I am offended by this narrative and see it as a distraction from the real issue. For as long as I can remember, Petersburg Public Schools, along with most school districts, have been sorely underfunded. There is too little evidence to support that vouchers significantly improve student achievement and black students and families are less likely to benefit from said vouchers. I strongly request that you don't support this bill and instead fund public education to its fullest so that ALL students can benefit.

I strongly oppose the Virginia Board of Education supplying pornography to any school system in the state. Those individuals including county, school, superintendents, librarians, school administrator and teachers.must know they are breaking VA State code(s) on the distribution of child pornography . Clearly, it ‘ is against the law, and they must resign and face criminal prosecution.

I oppose this bill! Taxes are meant to support public education. If there is a deficiency in a school or school system, extra resources should be provided. Removing students, and therefore funding, is not the answer. Our tax dollars are for the common good, not for individuals to use outside of the public school system.

Please oppose this bill. Every dollar spent on VESAP would be a dollar not spent on public education. A commitment to public education is a proud American tradition, from Thomas Jefferson to Horace Mann. Please uphold this tradition. You should not be defunding public schools. Public dollars for public schools!

It is our responsibility to use the limited resources (funds) directed toward public education for that purpose. As stewards of the public trust, I ask that you do not support this proposed legislation. I am a parent of four children who were successfully educated in the Montgomery County Public schools K-12. They are productive citizens contributing to the well being of communities in four different states. As a taxpayer, I expect state and local governments to have funding priorities directed to public, not private education. The proposed legislation introduced by Mr. Davis redirects essential funding for public education to individuals making choices to opt out of public education. That is their choice. It is not my obligation to support that choice at the expense of educating students in public schools. Your job is to ensure that educators throughout the Commonwealth are supported and encouraged in their efforts to provide a truthful, quality education for all eligible students. Excellent public education that values diversity and inclusion is essential to attracting and retaining employers to our region. The benefit to all students is access to state of the art resources and dedicated teachers that is insured by consistent, sufficient funding of public education . For those electing home schooling, their choice is personal; the responsibility of educating these children is owned by parents and guardians who likely want minimal accountability and governmental intervention. For families, guardians choosing private school, for whatever reasons, it is their responsibility, not mine or fellow taxpayers, to support that education. I ask that you carefully consider the reasons that this bill has been put forward in the first place. The motivations reside in dissatisfaction with some aspect of public education. Your job is to make public education the best it can be. That goal cannot be attained by reduced funding, which is the bottom line of this proposed legislation.

I don't believe that public school funding should be used for private schools.

I strongly oppose HB 1508 Virginia Education Success Account Program. I do not believe using public education funding to support private schools or homeschooling is an appropriate use of my tax dollars. Public schools need increased funding. Thank you, Susan Morikawa

I strongly oppose HB1508. Tax dollars need to support quality public education, not subsidize those who have the ability to pull their child from public schools (it's not possible for everyone). Vouchers remove money from public schools. When students are segregated into private schools, inevitably the least enfranchised students get left behind at public schools that are even worse off than before.In addition, public education is not just about providing students with the knowledge and skills allowing them to progress and thrive. It is also about preparing them to be active participants in a vibrant democracy. Strong public schools do this.

Comments Document

HB1475- While we would love to see homeschool students participate in activities, Career & Technical Student Organizations, such as SkillsUSA and the Technology Student Association, require specialized training not necessarily available through homeschool instruction. HB 1508- Education Success Accounts seem to take funding from public schools. Comprehensive schools around the state provide students access to career and technical instruction not available through home school means. HB 1695- Students absolutely need the extra support to access career pathways however the language should be inclusive enough to allow for flexibility of position title. As a current district-level work-based learning specialist, the manpower need is great but the positions will look different across districts and possibly even schools as a result of student career interest and labor market data. I have attached the Virginia ACTE Advocacy card for more information on ways to support Career & Technical Education.

It's very clear that individuals bringing bills or commentators haven't spoken to teachers in the schools or principals currently serving students. It's ridiculous that you wouldn't when bringing a bill that will directly impact your voting constituents. Students are important, so are teachers and principals. Please speak with them to appropriately understand what is going on inside schools when you bring policy to the floor.

I have fostered children for over ten years, and the faces of the children and their stories stay in my heart forever. I am also a mother of two teenagers. As a mother and caregiver for youth, I recognize that every child has very different talents. Reflecting on my experiences as a caregiver, I remember two teens I had to stay with me. I knew in my heart that with these teens' trauma, they were not ready to jump into public school yet. If we had this bill in place, I feel that their biological mother and I would have placed the teens in a private school. As for my children, My children are very different from each other. One child thrives in public school, and the other thrives in homeschooling. As a mother, withdrawing my son from public school was one of the most complex decisions. My biggest concern was the lack of education professionals available to implement IEP. Every other day there was a substitute teacher, and my child needed consistency. Today he is being homeschooled, and I can adjust the curriculum to the speed he needs to thrive. This bill needs to become law. EVERY child needs an education tailored to their success.

This Bill will benefit all children from lower income areas, it gives them the opportunity to strive and feel as if they are a part of something better than what they see daily. I'm totally in agreement.

This need to be passed

Public education is the cornerstone of our democracy. It is a great equalizer. It hasn’t been fully funded. Instead of diverting funds from our public schools to private entities we need to invest to support the system that educates 90 percent of Commonwealth’s children. Public schools not just provides education but also food, transportation, internet, child care, safety and security. Please say no to bill HB1508!

As the mother of three children with disabilities, I know first hand about how Virginia public school rape our children of a free and appropriate education. I used video recordings of the atrocities against my children to indict the City of Virginia Beach public schools in Virginia Beach and won the freedom of my children. I now advocate for all children to be free of the bondage called Virginia public schools that has historically failed children living in poverty, with disabilities or with melenated skin. This is why I subscribe to the business as usual theory. I know and believe that real change comes when we end the economical stronghold that Virginia's public schools has had for generations; diverting funds and fostering educational neglect. This is why I support HB1508. In fact, I don't think this bill goes far enough to help families pay for school choice. School choice empowers families with funding to meet the unique needs of every child; closing the educational gaps that currently exist in public schools today.

Universal public education is one of the great achievements of our nation. It astounds me that this bill, HB1508, proposes to divert from public education the money I pay in property taxes. I have not agreed to be taxed so that private schools can enrich their bottom line. I support public education and am willing to pay my fair share toward the education of our community's children in public schools. Why public? I vote to elect the school board. I can and have testified at school board meetings. I can see how my financial support is being used and voice objections when I disagree with school policy. I can and have read Standards of Learning and have commented on the revisions. And at a practical level, there are economies of scale when most children attend public school. Moreover, public education is a unifying force in our current divisive society. The SOLs include sorely needed civics education. They cover the STEM skills that have made our country a leader in technology. They include the literature that helps students develop empathy and care what happens to other people, even when they are different. If HB1508 were to pass, I would have no voice in the education of those students that used my taxes to leave public school. I would have no knowledge of what those students were or were not being taught. The people who pay the bills should have oversight of how government money is spent, not just the people who have a special interest in benefiting from this diversion of public school money. I oppose HB1508 and all schemes that take funding from public education to benefit private schools.

I strongly support this bill.

Please pass this bill. As citizens of the common wealth we need the ability to chose excellence for our children’s education. Creating competition always makes things better. This bill is a productive step in the right direction.

HB1508 - I currently have a 6th grader enrolled in private school. I took her out of public school 3 years ago due to the failing system. My wife an I have discussed putting her back in public schools due to the expense. We thought HB1508 would offer assistance and give us stability to keep her in private school. However, this bill excludes us from any benefit unless we place her back in public school for a semester and then put her back in the private school. I can’t image the emotional stress on a 12 year old of changing schools twice in the same year just to qualify for this assistance. That is, assuming the private school still has a spot for her; which is doubtful being most private schools already have a wait list. What a disaster for both the schools and students. This bill does nothing to help this parents who are already sacrificing and struggling to pay tuition. Please make an amendment to the bill to include those already attending private schools and make these benefits available to all children in Virginia.

Please oppose HB1508 that provides for public funds to go to parents to use for private school education for their children; thus reducing public funds for public schools. No fiscal impact information has been provided yet. That is needed before action or vote in this subcommittee. A Program Administrator is required at an undetermined salary -- probably a very high salary given the job description. VERY concerning is what "Education Service Providers" can do: Line 242: Education service providers shall be given MAXIMUM freedom to provide for the educational needs of a qualified student WITHOUT government control. Line 249: No education service provider shall be required to alter its creed, practices, admission policies, or curriculum to receive funds from a savings account pursuant to this article. Those statements are incredibly broad. Thus, there are no standards or limits on how our public dollars would be used. HB1508 would reduce funds available to our public schools, so please oppose the bill.

African American students in Virginia deserve a high quality education environment outside of the singular option the government offers. When you provide Black kids with a rich education of their parents' choice you reduce crime, teen pregnancy, generational poverty, and societal inequities, and we want to see the students in Virginia flourish not languish. Our students deserve to have education freedom. That's why we support HB1508. Black Minds Matter

What private school with quality services charges $6000 a year? Surely not one that provides meals, transportation and health care services. The bill is a boon for those who can already afford to pay the $13,000 to $21,000 yearly tuition at my area's local private school, for example.

Please support Bill #1396! So important for the children of the Commonwealth of Virginia!

Dear Legislator, While the Youngkin administration is addressing the recent devastating revelation that Virginia’s children have had dramatic loss of academic proficiency over the past five years, thousands and thousands of our children remain in public schools that are not providing a quality education. The learning loss continues as we try to figure out solutions. We need solutions and innovation now!! Forcing children to remain in failing public schools because they live in a certain zip code is a dereliction of our responsibility to our children. We can do better than this. My family and I ask that you support Education Success Accounts and the expansion of the Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credit program during this upcoming General Assembly. 2023 is an election year and as you learned two years ago, parents are activated and motivated to see changes. We look forward to seeing you support our family by voting "yes" on Education Savings Accounts and Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credits.

We are in favor of School Choice many children are in failing schools or they have physical or emotional disabilities the school they are assigned to by where they live doesn't meet the childs needs. Children should be able to be in school environments that meet their needs and talents so they can strive to reach their potential. Parents should be allowed to use their tax dollars sent to the government for education to enroll their child in the school of their choice or home school their child proving the best education tailored for their child. As for the argument that is take revenue away from public schools I disagree with less children in Public schools they are still getting the majority of taxpayer revenue while the parent is only getting a portion. Public schools get funding from taxpayers that don't even have children, or their children are grown and no longer in Public school. Public schools would have less children per classroom giving each teacher more time to spend teaching each class, we would not have to build more schools and we could lower costs by cutting back on Administrative staff where the majority of money is spent. Staff that deal with children with disabilities would be less if those children went to schools more equipped to handle that child's needs elevating disruptions in the classroom. The bill is a win/win for all concerned, Please support the bill and pass it out of committee.

This bill allows a public-school student’s parent to use 1/3rd of the student’s per pupil expenditure (PPE) in the form of an Education Savings Account (ESA) to provide their student with a non-public-school education, in accordance with existing state law governing compulsory education. The other 2/3rd of the PPE remains with the public school system to offset impact on teacher salary, cover fixed cost of school operation, and leave approximately 12.5% of the PPE as savings. The savings can be reinvested by the state in the remaining public-school students. HB1508 is a win-win for all stakeholders! It: (1) allows parents to exercise their fundamental right under Virginia Code § 1-240.1 to “make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of the parent's child;” (2) reduces student-to-teacher ratio in the classroom; (3) eliminates the impact of a public school student’s withdrawal on teacher pay and fixed cost of school operation; (4) increases PPE for those students who remain in public school; and (5) delays the need to build new classrooms. Last, the ESA is funded by state money only: no federal funds or local school district funds are used. Kris Allen Policy Director Middle Resolution Policy Network

I full support this bill.

I fully support this bill.

I'm a parent to K-12 children and I fully support HB 1508. Educational Savings Accounts are needed for alternate forms of K-12 education.

Members of the Virginia House: I cannot fully express my absolutely heart-wrenching disappointment in the voting down of bills that are only meant to keep us safer here in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Your lack of awareness around how we here in VA feel day in and day out living in the communities you were elected to support is appalling. Guns have no business on our streets. Especially those designed for war and senseless murder. Our children go to school every day and have to practice lockdown drills because mass murders have tripled in this country over the last five years, many taking place in schools where our babies go every day to learn -- not to fear for their lives. Say that to yourself out loud: MASS MURDERS HAVE TRIPLED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. In AMERICA. Does that sound American? Does that make you proud of this country? To me, it feels like a lie. How can that reality apply to the great United States of America? How bout that - UNITED States? That isn't even valid today is it -- we have never been so divided. As a mother, I have never felt such unrelenting nagging anxiety. Why are you so hell-bent on keeping guns on our streets? Have enough lives not been lost? Despite the incessant violence taking place and destroying lives and communities every single day, you do nothing - and point fingers at mental health. Do you know what doesn't help someone mentally ill? Access to guns. You know that this problem is not fixed with one solution. You know that if we invest in mental health, public schools, AND enact common sense gun laws, we would see a huge difference - paying attention to just one piece of this will never get anywhere. I, and every single person I know, is begging you to stand up and do what is right by the American people – ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines WHILE ALSO looking for ways to improve public schooling and mental health. Work together for once. Haven’t we had enough? Give us a fighting chance at peace and civility. How many more innocent lives must be stolen before elected officials yourself especially see the error of their ways? You are part of the problem if you are not working towards a solution that benefits EVERYONE, including law-abiding gun owners. PLEASE. I pray every night that those who are vehemently against passing measures that only stand to help have a change of heart and finally do what is right for the entire Virginia community so that fewer innocent lives are stolen thanks to shockingly - and dangerously - weak gun laws. ------ Maggie Van Arsdell (703) 485-6551 margaretmvanarsdell@gmail.com

We have received a position from the Administration of strongly support for this bill. Thank you! Meghan Wedd McGuire Deputy Commissioner, Policy & Public Affairs Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) P.O. Box 1797 | Richmond, VA 23218 Cell: 804.241.6876 Email: meghan.mcguire@dbhds.virginia.gov

I represent the Valley Justice Coalition and we strongly support HB 1524 Va. Opioid Use Reduction & Jail-Based Substance Use Disorder Treatment. As there are no local residential drug treatment programs of any size in our area, our organization hopes to start an in house drug treatment program at Middle River Regional Jail. The money in this fund could make this a reality for our area. Please vote YES for HB1524.

As a mental health professional in residing in and working in the state of Virginia, I strongly support HB 1524 to provide substance use disorder treatment for incarcerated individuals. Providing treatment resources to those currently incarcerated just makes sense. Those experiencing withdrawal symptoms can be treated in house and safely maintained to reduce the need for outside acute care services for severe symptoms/complications. Also, Treatment work if a person has access to it and is able to participate in services. There are numerous articles in the National Library of medicine that shows that treating substance use while in the criminal justice system, overall reduces recidivism. Prolonged solitary confinement is inhumane. I am not sure if I need to state more than that. Humans need social connection and treatment not solitary confinement which only makes mental health decline and aggressive behaviors increase. Regardless of the crime a person has committed, they too are human and deserve better treatment. I support HB 2487 and hopes that the committee will too.

Our organization strongly supports this bill. We work with hundreds of individuals who have lived experience who should be allowed to support others going through similar situations. For far too long, people with substance use history and/or in recovery have been barred from receiving certification. They are often times allowed to fulfill unpaid roles but often times, cannot work in the field because of the outdated laws around barrier crimes. Those closest to the problem are closest to the solution. As a Peer Recovery Specialist and Harm Reduction organization, we believe that no one can assess and fix the problem like a person who has overcome the problem themselves. The peer recovery support training is provided inside of Department of Corrections in the cognitive community and many of our staff and volunteers have had the honor of working alongside the individuals needing support. Virginia, like many other states, are dealing with an unprecedented number of overdoses and deaths. It is time to employ non-traditional means of addressing the crisis we are currently in. I believe in my fellow peer recovery specialists, especially those who have past convictions and/or past substance use history. Having guardrails in place is fine, but to not allow a person who has lived experience to serve others in these roles is a disservice to our neighbors who struggle with substance use.

As a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) and Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) for the last three years and now a regional coordinator for peer support services, I see the positive impact that peer support has as another support tool for people who are in recovery from substance use and mental health. Those who have experiences being incarcerated or going through the justice-system are some of the biggest living examples that recovery is possible. With over 130 specified barrier crimes existing for those with a criminal record trying to get into the peer support field and only a little over 20 even being screenable, the state is contradicting its stance on rehabilitation and recovery and robbing those who are currently struggling of the chance to work with someone who has walked in their shoes. Peer recovery specialists are more than just people with lived experience - we are professionals, with our own code of ethics, certification process, and scope of work. We are so much more than our diagnosis and the rock bottoms we have hit and we have so much to share so that others don't have to experience what we have. I think about my own experiences with substance use and mental health challenges - I was in and out of recovery from the age of 16, heavily abusing substances, hospitalized multiple times, and even dropped out of school all before I was 21 years old. I was in multiple mental health and detox programs, but still my substance use and mental health worsened. But not a day went by where I didn't want more for myself, where I knew the way I was living would eventually kill me; but I didn't know how. Now, six years later, I have not only earned my bachelor's degree, but also my master's degree, coming up on 6 years of recovery from substances and mental health challenges, and am working for my local community services board. But this would have never happened for me if I was being written off in those dark years when I was at my lowest. The substantial number of barrier crimes that exist within the state of Virginia must be reduced significantly in order to more closely align with rehabilitation/recovery, promote employment and continued recovery for those who have histories of incarceration, and improve overall behavioral health outcomes for those with mental health and substance use disorders. The attachment I included is my latest headshot taken last fall - I'm very proud of the girl in that picture and how far she has come. The least that can be done is expand the number of opportunities for others to get that same shot at recovery and happiness.

I'm writing in support of HR1525. I'm a Peer Recovery Specialist with no barrier crimes. However, I know from experience that those who can best help people with substance abuse issues have substance abuse background themselves, and this often includes barrier crimes. I believe that is both unnecessary and immoral to prevent recovered people from helping others due to the very experience that makes them effective at helping. Put another way, when we say that a Peer can't have a criminal background, we're saying we don't care to help those who might have committed similar crimes. It's yet one more way we perpetuate the addiction-incarceration cycle.

I am a Certified Peer Support Specialist. I have a barrier crime for a charge I committed in 2014 was charged in 2016. I got clean 12/30/2015. I have completely changed my life and am not the person I was. I worked for NRVCS in Radford Va. I was a CPRS with a Qualified Mental Health Para professional. I worked primarily as a case manager. I trained some case managers that have college degrees, I applied for a position as a Peer Support Specialist Supervisor. The other agency really wanted to hire me and they did only to reject their offer due to my barrier crime. The then called me back 2 weeks later still wanting to hire me. They contacted NRVCS to find out how they hired me, hoping to find a loop hole. They could not. I now work for a non profit that the barrier crime is not a barrier at and I am grateful. My job at NRVCS was then in jeopardy due to being hired illegally. When trying to go through the process with DBHDS I was told by my supervisor at NRVCS that they did not want to rock the boat. I had already started the process however I had no back up to complete the process. This crime has held me back on many different career moves. If you have read this I appreciate you. Thank you! WE need some changes in this bill. I understand there should be some recommendations however it should not be this hard and stressful. Most addicts are going to have drug charges. Thats a given. That does not make me a bad person however my experience, strength, and hope have helped more people than most that do not. If you would like to talk with me my phone number is 5402504804.

Good morning. My name is Elijah Lee, and I am a 15 year old community activist. I have had the esteem honor of being a part of the drafting process for this legislation, as it is more important than ever. This legislation is necessary as we continue to combat the horrid affects of the opioid epidemic, while ensuring, that all Virginians have an opportunity to live long, healthy, and successful lives. Too many times, we are seeing Peer Recovery Support Specialists, individuals that know best how to support those currently experiencing Substance Abuse Disorder be turned away from jobs where they would use their lived-experience to help others. Right now, our communities are suffering. Every county in Virginia has citizens that are experiencing the pain associated with addiction, and right now, by lifting a specific set of barrier crimes, we have the opportunity to help alleviate some of that pain. We know this legislation would help thousands if Virginians, not only making sure that those that have already risen above Substance Use Disorder have a good standing job, but also making sure that those who need our support the most are receiving it, so they have the ability to get back to the things and people they love. While supporting those in need, this bill would also increase employment, offering experience based jobs to those that have been disenfranchised due to their previous addiction. It is pivotal to understand that this bill would expand PRS services, which is an evidence based SUD treatment approach. I hope that it is in the favor of this committee to pass the bill. Thank you.

We support providing reasonable exceptions to the barrier crime statutes for Peer Recovery Specialists when the employer wants to hire them. Passage could help address at least a small part of Virginia's severe behavioral health workforce shortage, while providing a peer specialist the ability to help someone going through some of the same lived experience they went through. Peer work has demonstrated good outcomes and we need them working when the employer wants them on board.

Please vote YES. A person that has paid their debt for their crimes, recovered from past traumas, and rise above symptoms of poor mental health and/or substance use (and then become Peer Support professionals) must be allowed to be employed and use these lived experiences to assist the many citizens of the Commonwealth who are in crisis. Barring people who are in a unique position to do the most good makes no sense and would only contribute to the mental health provider crisis in Virginia. Please Vote Yes and be part of the solution.

Dear sir, and or madame, My name is Almetta Cruff i have been associated with many Peer support Recovery persons in my past they even helped me. while i coped with my father passing away from late Staged Leukemia in 2003. Without many of them, I do not know if any of my friends would be here today. That is all i can think of right now. thank u and please vote YES . thank you , Almetta M. Cruff

Please expand the scope of "Peer Recovery Specialist" to additionally include "any individual who meets the definition of RPRS-"Applicant" as defined in 18 VAC 115-70-10 et seq.

My name is Martin Mash and I am the Network Program Director for Vocal Virginia, the only mental health state-wide education and advocacy nonprofit in the Commonwealth. I would like to speak in support of this important legislation that will help address two concerns facing the mental health community. First, this legislation will help Community Services Boards and other providers across the state address a worsening workforce crisis. Second, this bill gives individuals an opportunity to use their lived experience to improve the life of another person through a recovery-oriented system of care that focuses on the person and their recovery on a peer level, which has been shown to be an effective method for helping those who have struggled with mental health concerns maintain their recovery. For these reasons and others, we ask that you join our 2,000 member network in supporting this legislation. Thank you for your time.

Please expand the scope of "Peer Recovery Specialist" to additionally include "any individual who meets the definition of RPRS-"Applicant" as defined in 18 VAC 115-70-10 et seq.

Well wishes Honorable GA Staff and Delegates, Please vote YES HB1525 and advance this life and health sustaining legislation which is certain to strengthen the mental health and addiction recovery of people, while alleviating some of the behavioral healthcare workforce shortages. YES on HB1525 will make it possible for more Virginians to live healthy lives given skilled Peer and Family Support and Recovery and Wellness Coaching. Many thanks for your service of Virginians! Healthy 2023, Heather Peck Executive Director Laurie Mitchell Empowerment and Career Center

Please vote YES on HB1525. This bill will help many people get the support they need from a person with lived experience giving them hope for change. Who better than someone that has lived and succeeded in changing their own life to give others the chance for change. Peer to Peer relationships are extremely unique in that they have experiences to share in details with a peer. As a Family Support Partner FSP I use our families horrific experience to help guide others and to give hope to a better way of living for those seeking better outcomes. Many other PRS's have barrier crimes that prevent them from employment, based on their past. Giving them the opportunity to be employed and to use this experience that cannot be taught or learned. One must suffer the experience and decide to change. Having that person that has walked in your shoes and is now helping you find your way is remarkable to witness. Many PRS's have been incarcerated. They have chosen to change their life and now want to give back to the community. What a example of redemption and hope such a person brings back into the community. Building stronger people benefits the community. Makes our communities safer for everyone. PRS's go through professional training and have a difficult exam to pass prior to becoming Certified Peer Recovery Specialists. They bring the link needed to the table between Clinical staff and the client being served. We network regularly, we continue to train, we find solutions to our peers worst problems by walking with them as they change giving them the tools and hope needed. As a PRS we dig deep into our own past and experiences to help others. This is self love with awareness and accountability. Please vote yes on HB1525.

Please expand the scope of "Peer Recovery Specialist" to additionally include "any individual who meets the definition of RPRS-"Applicant" as defined in 18 VAC 115-70-10 et seq.

Please expand the scope of "Peer Recovery Specialist" to additionally include "any individual who meets the definition of RPRS-"Applicant" as defined in 18 VAC 115-70-10 et seq.

Please support this bill. It is very essential in mental health reform. This is essential for the rehabilitation of mental health consumers in society as it is very vital in mental health recovery . To be able to be gainfully employed while in recovery. HB1525. And also enable the peer to assist their peers in recovery.

Although the change process is slow, the intent of this legislation to provide a direct pathway for "Peer Recovery Specialists" to participate in a fair screening process re: previous Barrier Crime convictions has TWO SIGNIFICANT OVERSIGHTS in language. In addition to completing all jailtime, probation, and financial restitution + 5 years post-conviction, which is realistically 5.5 -7 years post-offense date, Peer Recovery Specialists must complete 500 hours of supervised experiential training under weekly supervision of a DBHDS Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Supervisor (RPRS, CSAC, or LMHP), before they are allowed to sit for the VA State Exam. The target population of potential Peer Recovery Specialist employment candidates that this legislation intends to impact through increasing screening eligibility, will NOT be able to complete their required 500hrs. (3-4 month) experiential training in these positions, because the language refers only to fully Credentialed and Registered Peer Recovery Specialists defined in §54.1-3500. RECOMMENDED REVISION: Please expand the scope of "Peer Recovery Specialist" to additionally include "any individual who meets the definition of RPRS-"Applicant" as defined in 18 VAC 115-70-10 et seq. in addition to RPRS as defined in §54.1-3500. An "Applicant" has completed the DBHDS Didactic Peer Education Training Course and uploaded completion certificate to DHP Online Registration application / paid application fee - (VALID FOR 1 YEAR). This will allow substance abuse providers to employ these individuals while providing direct oversight / supervision and improved professional development, which should improve outcomes related to intent of this legislation. Please consider reducing the 5-year post conviction requirement to 3-years with evidence of successful treatment as RPRS wages are still in the $17-22/hr. payscale. Strong employment candidates have generally already progressed past entry level wages 5-years post-conviction.

Please vote yes on HB 1525. Peer Recovery Specialists are an important part of the recovery process for so many Virginians and barrier crimes are preventing so many good peers from working in the field and helping others like them.

Teachers are our most precious resource! They deserve to be paid a competitive rate. They deserve WAY more than a competitive rate!

Please support HB 1566, Compensation of public school teachers and other Standards of Quality funded positions. Attracting well-qualified teachers and staff to work in public schools is of utmost importance in ensuring that graduates of Virginia schools are prepared to enter college and/or the workforce. It could make the difference between a future of productive , self-supporting citizens or citizens who require the support of social services. There is no better investment of the Commonwealth's financial resources than in the ability of students.of students to function successfully in our advanced society. Let's devote a large share of the wealth of our state to a well educated future population.

Increase pay for Teachers

Teachers are some of the most important and influential people in our children's lives. Our children grow up to be the citizens of our state and country that will decide the success or failure of our democracy. A price tag cannot be put on this value. Teachers deserve our respect and a salary that recognizes this. How does Virginia expect to attract good business opportunities for its citizens if it does not have good schools? We need to put our money where we claim importance. We are hemorrhaging teachers at this time. Stop the bleeding and provide a salary that will keep our teachers.

Let low-income students show their capability. Cover the fees for AP and IB exams.

We ask a lot of our teachers. Let's be a state that attracts more of them.

Please pay teachers above the national average. These teachers are breaking their backs everyday to educate the next generation of America leaders. It is disgraceful that teachers do not get paid hardly enough to function in daily life and afford the basic necessities. Teachers have enough to deal with in and outside of the classroom and so many are leaving for various reasons that need to be addressed, but one reason in particular is how little they are being paid. If America wants to invest in its future, then invest in the very people who are preparing our next generations: teachers.

I am FOR HB1566, Raising the average teacher pay above the national average. As the study "Teacher Retention Policy Coherence: An Analysis of Policies and Practices Practices Across Federal, State, and Division Levels" (VCU 2022) states, "There are a number of reasons for this shortage, ranging from meager salaries to difficult working conditions." Efforts to train and retain teachers in an era of inflation can show appreciation for a hard job that starts befor and ends well after the school bell rings. Teachers also have to pay their own bills, but unlike other positions, teachers have to pay for classroom supplies out of pocket, or fundraise for necessities. I have recently met several parents who would not pay for their child's college expenses if they went into education because of the pay. Certainly Virginia, classified as one of the wealthiest states, can do better.

I support paying teachers at a competitive rate, above the national average. We need to attract the very best teachers in VA! Please vote Yes!

I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.

Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?

VPEP Supports this proposal Virginia Teachers should be appropriately compensated

1454 - are you serious? Anyone who remotely values having an educated society will oppose 1454. Good Lord. 2170 is also utterly ridiculous. I OPPOSE 2170, of course. This undermines students' ability to explore their extracurricular interests in the school setting. 1707 and 2432 - I OPPOSE these. These bills would threaten the safety of trans students. 1803 - I OPPOSE this. People need to trust educators to do their jobs, and not impose their beliefs on public schools. I SUPPORT 1497 and 1566. It is disgraceful how educators are treated in this country, and these bills would begin to rectify that. Thank you, Delegates Convirs-Fowler and Rasoul. I support 2388 and 2439. I SUPPORT 2177 as a foreign language teacher. I just wish more bills promoting foreign language education could be on the agenda.

As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?

HB1396: Please don't funnel public school funds toward private schools. If people want to send their kids to private school, they can pay for it themselves. HB1397: My kids go to public schools. Vaccination requirements keep them and their fellow students safe. Vaccinations are not an individual choice; they're a matter of public health. HB1434: Let kids get called whatever name they want at school. It's neither a problem nor an urgent matter for the legislature. Picking on trans kids just for being trans seems like pretty vile bullying, especially on the part of supposedly responsible adults like the Legislature. HB2170: Kids shouldn't need their parents' permission to take part in a school program. Especially if having to get it might out them to parents who'd make their home lives needlessly miserable. HB1566: My kids have been blessed to have outstanding teachers. Paying teachers more is an excellent and worthy use of my tax dollars. HB2031: Sounds like a win-win for Virginia farmers and schools. An excellent idea.

Please support HB 1497 and HB 1566. I took early retirement from Chesterfield Schools at the end of the ’20-’21 school year. Since that time I have seen countless friends and colleagues leave the profession at increasing rates whether they are retirement age or not. They have become scapegoats for Conservative “Parents’ Rights” movements fomented by national “think tanks’ and campaigns to stir up voters of a certain political bent. Daily job requirements and administrative asks have multiplied to the point that classroom teachers find themselves spending inordinate amounts of time documenting instead of helping and instructing students. Post-pandemic student needs and a dearth of resources mean there are more behavioral needs and challenges than ever before. While all of this is going on, the House Education Sub-committee recently voted not to report a simple Bill that would have guaranteed the most harried educators of all, our elementary teachers, a 30 minute unencumbered lunch. Most notable of all, the first action of our new Governor was to declare war on public education with 2 Executive Orders, one that negated current CDC guidance regarding masking at the time and another which sought to root out “inherently divisive concepts” in Virginia curricula with McCarthy-esque zeal!! Teachers earn about ¼ less than people in comparable professions, which is making it hard to attract and keep teachers and other school staff. As a result schools are short staffed. To attract teachers back to the classroom teacher pay must be increased. That is why it is important to vote for HB 1497 and HB 1566.

"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book

Please support Bill #1396! So important for the children of the Commonwealth of Virginia!

Pls stop all animal experiments and cruelty. Someone has to speak and step up for those who cannot. Pls stop all cruelty Thanks

VaLCV encourages SUPPORT for HB1588 HB1588 (Sullivan) Electric Vehicle Rural Infrastructure Program and Fund; created. This bill creates the Electric Vehicle Rural Infrastructure Program and Fund, providing developers with grants covering up to 70% of costs associated with installation of EV charging stations in rural, low-income areas. The Fund is capped at $25 million per year. Reasons to SUPPORT HB1588: - Virginia has received $106 million in federal funds to set up charging stations along highway corridors, but the Commonwealth does not have funds set aside for EV charging stations in rural areas. - Rural tourism, park, and historic sites stand to benefit from co-location with charging stations which incentivizes travelers with EVs to visit (and stay for a while) at their site. - Rural residents who drive longer distances stand to benefit most from cheaper cost-per-mile gains associated with EVs, but lack of charging infrastructure remains a barrier to adoption.

What a kind thoughtful thing to do, provide wheelchairs so everyone can enjoy our wonderful parks. Patty

Hi, Please consider providing all terrain wheelchairs at state parks in VA. As a double above the knee amputee this resource would be a game changer. It would mean really being able to explore all that our beautiful state parks have to offer. Please provide the tools many of us need to fully appreciate the natural beauty around us. Thanks, Bob

I support HB1588. Whether Virginia prepares for it or not, by 2035, the majority of new cars in dealerships will be ZEVs. Considering Virginia's tourism and geographical position athwart East Coast transportation arteries, the majority of vehicles on our roads will be zero emissions. Lets take sensible measures now to be ready.

Pls stop all animal experiments and cruelty. Someone has to speak and step up for those who cannot. Pls stop all cruelty Thanks

What a kind thoughtful thing to do, provide wheelchairs so everyone can enjoy our wonderful parks. Patty

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, the Hampton Roads Chamber supports this bill with the exception of the changes in lines 101 to 104. We feel this specific language could have a negative impact on the business community. Other than this we support the addition of the word arena to this section of the code as it will enhance the regional economic development of the entertainment and sports industry in Hampton Roads and provide the same opportunity to other localities in Virginia.

The City of Portsmouth strongly supports this bill. Please pass this out of sub and full committee. Thank you

Aa a retired military officer and lifelong resident of Virginia (with numerous tours of duty in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East) I strongly support this bill. Virginia has been way behind in encouraging veterans to remain in Virginia. Many of my counterparts who are Virginians by birth now reside in states they believe to be friendlier to veterans, e.g., Florida and Texas. The workgroup should include representatives from all branches - officer, enlisted and spouses. Thanks for your consideration.

Comments Document

On behalf of the Virginia members and supporters of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, I urge you to oppose HB 1821, which would expand eligibility for the so-called “education improvement scholarship” voucher program that funds private school education. This bill should be rejected because it would send money to parents who can already afford to send their kids to private schools and does not address the systemic problems with vouchers.

Please do not support HB 1821; The state is already behind in its requirements to fully fund the SOQs for public education. Public monies should only be spent for public institutions like our public school systems. Some private schools discriminate against students they feel do not subscribe to their beliefs; there should be no discrimination against any student who has a desire to be educated. Public schools do not remove students because of their religious or no religious beliefs; public funds should support public schools only.

HB1423, HB1424, HB1514, HB1526, HB1554, HB1593*, HB1629, HB1700, HB1701, HB1713, HB1820, HB1821, HB1823, HB1824, and HB2124 because our students are having problems in public schools. More parents are removing their kids and sending them elsewhere. Previous attempts at helping only wasted tax dollars and we're not seeing anything but kids who don't know facts and can think critically. Time for a change. Lets move to report these bills and push our Virginia students to a better, more educated and equipped future! Please move to report these bills. Thank you.

Please oppose HB1821 that expands the Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credits (EISTC). The Scholarship foundations, such as RenewaNation, that receive these tax credits can provide funds to students at schools that have policies that do not support a student's stated gender identity. They can refuse enrollment or expel a student who professes to be a homosexusal/bisexual/transgender person. Faith Christian Academy www.fcavirginia.com states that it reserves the right to expel a student who practices or condones gender identity different than birth sex chromosomal level or promotes such practices. Tax credits, that support scholarships that allow such discrimination, should not be allowed in Virginia. The tax credit program does decrease general funds that are needed for public schools where students with all beliefs are supported. Certainly the tax credits allowed should not be increased. Please oppose HB1821.

Please oppose HB1821 that expands the Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credits (EISTC). The Scholarship foundations, such as RenewaNation, that receive these tax credits can provide funds to students at schools that have policies that do not support a student's stated gender identity. They can refuse enrollment or expel a student who professes to be a homosexusal/bisexual/transgender person. Faith Christian Academy www.fcavirginia.com states that it reserves the right to expel a student who practices or condones gender identity different than birth sex chromosomal level or promotes such practices. Tax credits, that support scholarships that allow such discrimination, should not be allowed in Virginia. The tax credit program does decrease general funds that are needed for public schools where students with all beliefs are supported. Certainly the tax credits allowed should not be increased. Please oppose HB1821.

"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book

I am writing to support HB1821 because I believe in the power of school choice to better our communities and the entire Commonwealth. I believe that, since the pandemic, there is ample evidence to demonstrate that comprehensive education must include a variety of models rather than a single system. By expanding the tax credit program, families who believe that private education will best fit their child's needs will be able to achieve their hopes without burdensome costs. As a father of four school-aged kids, I am grateful that this program has made it possible for my children to receive an excellent education at St. Pius X Catholic School and Catholic High School. I know there are many other families that, for a variety of reasons, believe that private education is best for their child(ren), and I am hopeful that by expanding this program their dreams may be realized. Thank you for your work to pass this legislation.

I would like to support both bills pertaining to Native plant species and Noxious/Invasive plants. I have been a citizen science volunteer in Virginia since 1999 when I graduated from college. Over the years I have seen and learned just how detrimental invasive plants are to our community as a whole, and the impact they are having on our natural ecosystems and the services they provide. It dumb founds me that I was learning about this in college in 1995 and here 28 years later we have made progress, but how little it is. The progress is by the citizens, the non-profits, the homeowners, the researchers. If we had really started making changes 30 years ago can you imagine what could have been accomplished?! Implementing regulation to stop the sale of these harmful plants, rules as to what can be planted on public lands, guidelines to both residential and commercial builder as to what kind of landscaping is acceptable in our state, more funding/tax credits to citizens like me who are willing to spend thousands of dollars to remove their lawn, install conservation landscaping and volunteer hours every year pulling and chopping down invasive plants. Just imagine what we could do if there was state regulation and backing!! Please stop kicking the can!! We are running out of time. We must make drastic changes and see how beautiful our state could really be if we managed our land with love!! Sincerely, Renee Kitt Old Rag Master Naturalist The Clifton Institute Volunteer VCAP Recipient for conservation landscaping Owner and Grower - Ahimsa Native Plants and Design

I know I am not a resident of Virginia, but I deeply care about what happens in your state. Shenandoah National Park and the severity of invasive plants at its boundary (You spend a lot of $$$ on invasive plant management there.) greatly distresses me. Please know that this is twofold for me; most of the time what happens east of us comes to Indiana. Most importantly, though, it would be devastating to see that glorious National Park taken over by invasives. Please do everything you can to protect Virgina's native plant life (and therefore native animal species as well). I love your state! Lori Ecker Indianapolis, Indiana 317.430.3639

I support this bill. Native landscapes support beneficial wildlife and can reduce maintenance costs. Sustainable landscapes with native species address stormwater challenges and can help mitigate the effects of climate change and flooding. It is very hard to eradicate non-native plants that take over native habitats.

HB1998 Strongly support the use of native plant species on state properties. HB2096 Strongly support regular updates of the invasive plant species list as well as increased information available to consumers regarding those species.

I am for this bill. The more native plants, the more animal and insect species. Please pass.

HB1811 | Oppose: As someone who enjoys horseback riding through the state, hunting season is always potentially dangerous and difficult to navigate. Perpetually open hunting season would have drastic negative repercussions on the equine industry throughout the state. HB1984 | Oppose: This sounds like a good idea but could create difficulties for people with livestock guardian animals who are already under fire from overzealous animal rights advocates. I would support this bill with more specific language. HB1985 | Support HB1989 | Strongly support HB1998 | Strongly support: Increasing native plant populations is vitally important for the preservation of biodiversity and our pollinator populations. Increasing native plants on public lands is a fantastic use of public resources (when money will be put towards plants or landscaping anyway) and will also serve to increase visibility and awareness. HB2096 | Strongly support: I'm concerned about removing a provision that prohibits movement, etc. of invasive plants but strongly support the remainder of the bill. Many people continue to buy, sell, trade, and plant known invasive plants because they're not officially listed in the state or because uneducated consumers request them. Many business (and arboretums!?!!) continue to carry and sell these plants for the same reasons. The state invasive plant list is woefully out of date. Actually updating and listing invasive plants as such would go a long way towards helping to fix some of these issues. Thank you for taking my comments into consideration

The Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD) is a private nonprofit association of 47 soil and water conservation districts in Virginia. The Association provides and promotes leadership in the conservation of natural resources through stewardship and education programs. It coordinates conservation efforts statewide to focus effectively on issues identified by local member districts. Our mission is to serve and strengthen soil & water conservation districts in the stewardship of natural resources. Invasive plants cause both economic and environmental problems in all regions of the Commonwealth. Often sold to unwitting purchasers, invasive plants easily and rapidly spread onto neighboring private lands and into adjacent county, state, and federal conservation areas. They often cause expensive and difficult to solve management problems for neighboring landowners and degrade the environmental health of farms, forests, and parks across the Commonwealth. At the December 2022 annual meeting of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Roanoke, the Association unanimously expressed support of legislation and other efforts to further control the spread of invasive plants in Virginia. We believe that government agencies should model best environmental practices and provide a positive example to others in the Commonwealth. Virginia state agencies should not find themselves in the position of undertaking practices that might degrade environmental quality in the Commonwealth, even unintentionally. Consistent with this view, the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts strongly supports HB 1998 patroned by Delegate Krizek, which directs the Secretaries of Natural and Historic Resources, Agriculture and Forestry, and Administration to coordinate the development of strategic actions for state agencies to take to prioritize the use of native plant species on state properties. Native plants are excellent landscaping substitutes for invasive plants. In addition, they showcase Virginia’s rich natural heritage for out of state visitors and residents alike. We believe HB 1998 takes a positive step to address the many problems posed by invasive plants. We urge its prompt passage.

Please support HB 1998. As a former National Park Service Ranger-Naturalist, I can personally testify to the reduction in the number of birds and other animals that can be seen in Virginia over the past 4 decades. I have volunteered since 2006 to remove nonnative invasive plants from our local parks. As recently as January 21, 2023, I spent 8 hours as a resource person for an Eagle Scout candidate removing invasive plants from a park, with volunteers totaling more than 90 hours that day alone. The problem is huge in Virginia. Every acre covered in nonnative plants is an acre that fails to support native wildlife. This bill will help. Please support it. Sincerely, Sarah Thomas Mayhew Fairfax, VA 22032

As a landowner in western Greene County I support HB1998. The current Invasive Species Working Group has, in the past decade, with no budget and resources other than existing staff in VDACS and DCR, produced a State Invasive Species Management Plan, and a State Invasive Species List. The role and functions of the ISWG should be strengthened through passage of the budget amendments currently before the House Appropriations and Senate Finance committees. Without State agency budgets for invasive plant control and other functions in the State Plan, the ISWG will remain largely an empty shell of a functioning body, simply sharing information, and the strategic actions recommended in Section 2.2-220.2 C. of this bill, will remain largely toothless and meaningless.

I urge you to amend the existing invasive species legislation (through HR1998) to allow state agencies to prioritize the use of native plants on state lands. English ivy, Japanese grasses and vines, among many others have devastated our parks and forests. Over the years, I have worked with others under County/City supervision to remove invasive plants, but they continue to proliferate through seeds and plantings on adjoining lands. Native plants provide benefits critical to the maintenance of our public lands, including water management and the preservation of our native pollinators and other beneficial naive species. People who use native parks for hiking and other recreational activities are often moved to plant native species in their own gardens. The passage of HR 1998 will provide more resources for the preservation/proliferation of native plants and the curbing of the spread of noxious invasive on our public lands.

The above two bills could hugely (positively) impact our natural environments. We are losing these biodiverse, special environments as I type. While noxious weeds are usually only mitigated as an agricultural pest - our natural landscapes are being destroyed by invasive plants and everything suffers because of it. By limiting non-native/invasive plants being used, it can mitigate the efforts (physical and monetary) that goes into reclaiming and preserving landscapes. Prioritizing ornamental native plants on state property is the catalyst needed for restoring our natural environments and biodiversity. Native plants require less fertilizer, less amending, and less water as they have evolved to be planted here. It would benefit everyone to see these two bills passed!

I believe we should be referring to invasive species as pollutants. It is not acceptable that in 2023 people are still propagating these plants in the name of aesthetics without regard to the habitat destruction potential. We can do better but we need education and norms to change.

I strongly support bill HB1998. Native plants are vital parts of our ecosystem and requiring prioritization of native plants will help to support native pollinating insects and birds.

On behalf of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia, I urge the subcommittee to recommend reporting HB1998. Native plants typically are far more beneficial to wildlife than non-natives. Without sufficient native plants, populations of birds, insects and other wildlife will continue to decline. The use of non-native plants, and particularly invasive plants that out-compete natives, harms our state's ecosystem. This bill will help allow the Commonwealth to "lead by example" in protecting our environment.

Please support HB1998. My back yard has been transformed into a Native Woodland Garden. I need no fertilizers, pesticides nor supplemental watering (except for new plantings). It is good for the environment for those reasons, plus- the wildlife love it! Native flora support native fauna and help our world stay (or be restored to) balance- a legacy for our children.

I strongly support HB1998. Please support this bill, which will prioritize the use of native plant species on state properties. Doing so represents an enormous opportunity to raise awareness about the benefits of native plants, enhance the biodiversity of the state's ecosystem, and, over time, reduce maintenance costs. Native plants help address stormwater challenges and mitigate the effects of climate change and flooding. Prioritizing their use on state properties can also help drive demand for native plants and ultimately lead to a stronger overall market for native plants in the state.

I write in strong support of two bills, HB 1998, relating to promotion of the use of native plants on state property and HB 2096, relating to noxious weeds and invasive plants. HB 1998, promoting the use of native plants: they require little maintenance, being adapted to our native soils and climate; and also support our pollinators, and they are also beautiful. HB2096 addresses aspects of Noxious weeds and invasive plants in general. Noxious weeds and invasive plants in general are growing ever more dominant in our native landscapes, with much damage to our native plants. We must work to manage these invasive plants and also work to keep them from being sold in the trade, which means they are spreading in part because people buy them, not realizing the damage they can do to our native landscapes. Thank you for positive consideration of these bills. Sincerely, Ruth Douglas Albemarle County

I am writing in support of Bill HB1998 to require the State to use native species in their plantings. Virginia commercial agriculture, parks, and private lands depend upon pollinators to provide a crucial mechanism for our plant life to survive and thrive. Many of these pollinators must have native plants, grasses, flowering plants, shrubs, trees, and vines, on which to lay their eggs and from which to take their pollen when they are in bloom. These pollinators are a variety of insects upon which our native birds feed. Without a strong ecosystem of native plants the insect pollinators and simultaneously the birds decline. For much too long the state of Virginia has been planting nonnative species in a variety of settings, including along roadways, to stop erosion, and as decorative plantings. As a result our Virginia countryside is now filled with invasive species that are crowding out and killing our native species. I have owned 170 acres, largely forested, since 1970 that is in easements with the Department of Forestry. What was pristine land, except for deer predation and Japanese honeysuckle, is now filling up with alanthus, Jap stilt grass, Asian Bittersweet, Russian Olive, Asian Barberry, Chinese lespedeza, Japanese clover, and Beefsteak Plant, to name the worst. I could list many others I see around the county that I don't yet have. Some used to be highly recommended by the State for wildlife support (I have the brochures.), others for the highways and erosion control. Please support this bill to require the State of Virginia to use Virginia native species for all their public planting projects. They are beautiful plants and just as effective as nonnatives. Thank you.

Native plants support beneficial insects, birds and native wildlife. Expanding their use whenever possible and practicable benefits the ecosystem in which we live. Therefore, I support HB1998 which will prioritize the use of native plants on state properties. Invasive, non-native plant crowd out and out compete beneficial native plants which has a detrimental effect on both the flora and fauna of our region. Therefore, I also support HB2096 which will reduce the availability and use of invasive plants in Virginia.

This is a great way to get started on promoting native species, let the state take the lead to protect our beautiful Virginia landscape.

Invasive plants destroy native biodiversity, crowd out and smother valuable native plants and are costly to control. The state owns many large properties that could be converted to more natural landscaping using native plants. These approaches are biologically healthier and more biodiverse than traditional turf and can help reverse declines in insect, birds and other wildlife. Once plants are established, these approaches can reduce maintenance costs, pollution and water use. This could create a new market or demand for native plants. The state should set the standard, be a role model by providing guidance and by planting native plants and restoring degraded habitat. The Department of Conservation and Recreation already has a similar policy for DCR properties, e.g., state parks. VDOT already has its pollinator habitat program for rest areas.

I heartily endorse the objectives of both these bills, which will serve the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia by creating more sustainable habitat that can support urgent biodiversity goals. Please cast your votes favorably for sound stewardship of our green spaces with this sensible legislation. Thank you.

Comment on HB1998 State agencies should set the example by not planting invasive species. This not only discourages others from using them, but also demonstrates how native plants can be used effectively in their place. I support passage of this bill.

Please support HB1998. The use of native plant species on state properties would serve to educate the public about the benefits of planting native species. These plantings would also benefit the surrounding ecosystem, including pollinators.

I am in SUPPORT of HB 1998 and HB 2096, and I would like the state of VA to take this one step further and altogether ban the sale or planting of invasives that make it onto the official list these bills would produce. It is heartbreaking to drive route 211 from Warrenton to Shenandoah National Park and see the autumn olives, tree of heaven, and bradford pears that have escaped cultivation and are choking out our native habitat for wildlife. Many well meaning but unknowing gardeners earnestly believe that, because they do not see their invasive plants popping up in their own gardens, that they must not be spreading. Please drive route 211 or take a hike in the SNP and see that you are wrong. The amount of resources that landowners and the park must use in order to combat these invasives is staggering. [Kudos, btw, to whoever lives at Calico Farm and just took out ALL the bradford pears that lined their driveway!] It is already possibly too late though for our park. Other states are out and out BANNING all invasives. These two bills in question today are good, but they are still not enough.

Please support HB 1998. Prioritization of the use of native plant species on public property represents an enormous opportunity to improve the health and biodiversity of Virginia’s ecosystem. Native landscapes support beneficial wildlife and can reduce maintenance costs. Sustainable landscapes with native species address stormwater challenges and can help mitigate the effects of climate change and flooding. The prioritization of native species on state properties also helps raise awareness about the benefits of native species and can drive broader demand for ecologically-beneficial sustainable landscape methods. Use of native species is an essential component in the Commonwealth’s efforts to reduce the impacts of invasive species.

I am writing to support the use of native plants on state properties. This will enable citizens to see the beauty of native plants and to encourage more planting of natives. Native plants support the ecosystem and are essential to the life of birds and other creatures. Invasive plants are taking over many of the natural areas of the Alexandria area. It is so discouraging to walk through the parks and see the English ivy and other invasive plants growing up trees and all over the ground crowding out our native plants. I urge you to support HB 1998.

I strongly support HB 1382 (Gooditis) and urge you to support this important animal protection bill. There are many old-fashioned and ill-informed ideas about the nature of declawing surgery, but declawing is in fact amputation. It cruelly injures companion animals, depriving them of their natural abilities and defenses, while doing nothing to keep them in homes or protect human health. Please vote YES on this humane legislation.

I strongly support HB 1382 (Gooditis) and urge you to support this important animal protection bill. There are many old-fashioned and ill-informed ideas about the nature of declawing surgery, but declawing is in fact amputation. It cruelly injures companion animals, depriving them of their natural abilities and defenses, while doing nothing to keep them in homes or protect human health. Please vote YES on this humane legislation.

Dear legislators, please support HB1998 to prioritize the use of native plants on public lands. This is the right choice for the earth and all its present and future inhabitants. Thank you!

I ask you to pass this bill as it will promote using native plants on state lands in order to support native wildlife including pollinators, birds, etc.. Also, with our changing climate and proliferation of invasive plants, it is essential to plant native in order to promote a healthy ecosystem through biodiversity. Required planting of native species on state owned properties would set the standard for Virginia citizens; many of whom are just learning the importance of using native plants. Eradicating non-natives from many decades of "past mistakes" is costly in so many ways - it's time to set a firm standard that works toward a healthy and balanced environment. Thank you.

As a native plant gardener and conservationist I am dismayed by the continued sale of non-native invasive plant species by Virginia nurseries. These two bills will help curb sale of invasive English Ivy.

I support HB1998 in requiring the planting of native species on state owned properties.The planting of native species on roadsides, parks and other lands that are owned by the state would be a giant first step in promoting the use of native species. Invasive species that are planted in these areas guarantee the spread of these species into surrounding lands. Thank you for introducing this bill. William Mays

Please support HB 1998. Native plants help support our endangered pollinators, promote ecological resiliency, and mitigate climate change. There is every reason to require state properties to utilize native plantings that are best adapted to our Virginia climate and soils, and there are no good reasons to allow landscaping with non-native plants. Planting with natives will save the taxpayers money. Native plants need no fertilizers and, once established, need no artificial watering. They require very little maintenance. Furthermore, since they are grown locally they minimize transportation costs, thus reducing the impact of fossil fuels. Native plants are grown here in Virginia by native plant nurseries; landscaping with these plants supports local small businesses and the Virginia economy. Native plants feed our wild bird populations and support migrating birds on their journey south. Virginia is a major path on the Monarch butterfly eastern migration route, and native plants can help restore their endangered population. Some popular non-native landscaping plants like Nandina have toxic berries that are poisoning our native birds. The Cedar waxwing population has plummeted from eating Nandina berries. When you landscape with native plants, there is no harm to our wildlife. Landscaping with native plants is a critical part of creating a sustainable future for Virginia. Thank you for supporting this important legislation.

I am writing in support of HB 1998. Native plant species support wildlife at many levels, and they are essential to our ecosystem, it's extremely important to promote their use. Prioritizing native species in state-funded landscaping, whether by roadways or on the grounds of government buildings, is an excellent approach.

Thank you for proposing this bill. Prioritization of the use of native species on state property represents an enormous opportunity to improve the health and biodiversity of Virginia’s ecosystem. Native landscapes support beneficial wildlife and can reduce maintenance costs. Sustainable landscapes with native species address stormwater challenges and can help mitigate the effects of climate change and flooding. The prioritization of native species on state properties also helps raise awareness about the benefits of native species and can drive broader demand for ecologically-beneficial sustainable landscape methods. Use of native species is an essential component in the Commonwealth’s efforts to reduce the impacts of invasive species.

Please pass the above two bills. It makes sense to put native plant species in the state's parks. Regarding the removal of invasive plants, there should not be legal restrictions to remove them from a property or dispose of them.

I am writing in support of HB 1998. We have learnt the hard way why not to plant non-native plants. That state agencies prioritize the use of native plants in the landscaping endeavors is a big step in the right direction. Let's amend the past wrongdoings and prioritize the use of native plants.

As an active volunteer for nature preserves & home owner of a wildlife friendly property I am deeply committed to helping controls invasives plants and include native plants in my plantings. I have found over the years that using native plants brings much enjoyed wildlife to areas as well as healing the environment. With climate patterns changing it seems invasives are also increasing & affecting the wildlife loss & economic problems for all. Thank you for your bill.

Dear Representative, Thank you for taking the time to read my feedback on HB 2096 Noxious weeds; invasive plant species' bill. These undesirable plants are more than noxious. They threaten every bird and insect in our forest. Probably they had already altered the edaphic microbiota of our soils. And most importantly, they threaten the continuation of the Eastern US deciduous forest as we know them. It does not take a professional eye to realize that native trees are being displaced by unwanted intruders. We are all going to pay the price in one way or another. Thank you for the amendments in this bill. They are a start in the right direction. They are not sufficient, but hopefully they will influence future bills. Sincerely yours, Virginia Zuniga

I strongly support HB1998. Prioritization of the use of native species on state property represents an enormous opportunity to improve the health and biodiversity of Virginia’s ecosystem. Native landscapes support beneficial wildlife and can reduce maintenance costs. Sustainable landscapes with native species address stormwater challenges and can help mitigate the effects of climate change and flooding. The prioritization of native species on state properties also helps raise awareness about the benefits of native species and can drive broader demand for ecologically-beneficial sustainable landscape methods. Use of native species is an essential component in the Commonwealth’s efforts to reduce the impacts of invasive species.

I ask for your approval of HB 1998. I've been working as a volunteer removing invasive plants for 20 years at my condo association in Alexandria, as well as assisting other organizations on public and private property. Anything that can be done to increase the use of native plants by the state of Virginia is very welcome and much needed to help our native ecosystems recover from the ignorance and abuse that our land has had thrust upon it. Especially useful would be more education of the public as well as those who work for the state on the benefits of using native plants and the destructiveness of using non-native invasive plants.

This is an important bill. Unfortunately, Virginia has a history of planting invasive, non-native species, though with good intentions. Sericea lespedeza and Autumn Olive are just two examples. Each of these has spread beyond their original planting sites and have become problems for many people. I own 223 acres in Louisa County. I'm trying to eradicate the sericea and autumn olive as best I can, but they are not easy to control. Sericea lespedeza is a perennial and each plant can produce hundreds of seeds that can last in the soil for several years. Similarly, an Autumn Olive can produce up to 200,000 seeds and changes the soil chemistry around it, making it harder for native plants to grow. Native plants have a number of advantages. For me, the primary advantage is local wildlife has adapted to the timing of their flowering and seed production. Many non-native species provide little, if any, benefit to wildlife. For example, the seeds of sericea lespedeza is too high in tannins for them to be of much use to birds. Contrast that to the many native species of lespedeza in Virginia. Again, just to name two examples, Virginia Lespedeza and Creeping Lespedeza provide food for pollinators and seeds for many ground-nesting birds, including quail. Please support this bill and native plants species. Thank you

We need to promote using native plants on state lands in order to support native wildlife including pollinators, birds, etc.. Also, with our changing climate and proliferation of invasive plants, it is essential to plant native in order to promote a healthy ecosystem through biodiversity.

My wife and I support Bill HB1998 addressing native plants. We are avid supporters of promoting native plants and addressing the negative impacts of invasive plants. Since we have established native plant meadows, we have seen increased numbers and species of birds, butterflies, and wildlife to share with our grandkids, friends, and neighbors. Please continue to work to pass this bill.

I strongly support using Virginia native plants on state lands. Besides increasing the ecological value of the planted landscape it avoids the use of invasive plants.

It is critical that we support HB 1998 and HB 2096 in the importance of native plants in our ecosystem and to address the massive problems of invasive species.

I am a volunteer with the Fairfax County Park Authority to remove invasive species from our local forests. This is an endless and frustrating task given the extent to which our public lands are infested with eco-destroying invasive plants. We NEED STATE SUPPORT for eradication programs AND to address the problem of garden centers and big box stores selling flats of invasive species without even a label indicating that they are invasive. At the very least, a label might help homeowners make more mindful decisions about their landscaping needs.

I am writing in support of HB1998 to use Native Plants on Virginia public lands.

I am writing in support of HB 1998. Native plant species support wildlife at many levels, and they are essential to our ecosystem. It is important to promote their use. Prioritizing native species in state-funded landscaping, whether by roadways or on the grounds of government buildings, is an excellent approach to this effort.

Please support both HB 1998 encouraging the use of native plants on public property and HB 2096 to educate the public on the danger of installing non-native, invasive plants on their property. Thank you.

Dear Committee Members, My partner, Tom and I care deeply about the health and vitality of our natural and cultivated ecosystems and support wise stewardship for the benefit of all we are writing in support of HB 1998. We live on and tend a 10 acre, partially wooded parcel of land, which was created when 100 acre farm in Greene County was subdivided about 20 years ago. After five or so years of ownership, we began to see encroachment of many noxious, invasive species, including English ivy, oriental bittersweet, autumn olive, Alanthus, Japanese stilt grass, along with many others. Our neighbors properties have experienced the invasion of these noxious plants as well. The damage done by these invasive plants gaining a foothold is deep and vast. Oriental bittersweet, for example, will strangle mature trees, and grow into their canopies, causing the demise of mature forests. Alanthus trees, which have become common among local roadways, are the preferred host for the most destructive new insect to our ecosystem, particularly to vineyards in Virginia, the Spotted Lantern Fly. All these plans outcompete the native plants that are integral to the bounty and beauty of our natural landscapes of Virginia. As we begin to look for ways to address these unwelcome plants, we contacted knowledgeable people and professionals, who guided us towards steps to take so that we may be responsible stewards of this land. To support the pollinators that benefit the ecosystem and agricultural crop yields, we converted to 4 acre declining hayfield into a pollinator meadow sewn with native species. The process has entailed for us a steep learning curve and required intensive hands-on work to battle exotic “thug plants“. We have cut by hand many invasives and forest-mulched big thickets of “blow-overs”(mature trees taken down by invasive vines and wind) with some outside assistance. So that the natives in the meadow stand a chance, we have had to address invasives such as Japanese lespedeza, a plant that is particularly difficult to eradicate. Ironically, Lespedeza is often seeded by VDOT on the side of newly installed roads such as the John Warner Parkway in Charlottesville. So even with the efforts we put into nurturing the pollinator meadow, new lespedeza get seeded by birds and other animals who carry seeds from intentionally planted lespedeza. Many would give up the on the face of this challenge, and many, including us are passionate about preserving the health of our land. Please support this bill, and other wise stewardship policies for the sake of all present and future generations. Sincerely, Elaine Shaw and Thomas Walsh

I strongly support both HB 1998 to encourage the use of native plants on public property and HB 2096 to educate the public on the danger of installing non-native, invasive plants on their property. Virginia is over run with invasive non-native plants. The sides of all our highways are being choked by autumn olive trees and a multitude of vines. Preserved properties I monitor in Virginia are infested with ivy, Japanese stiltgrass, bittersweet, alianthus, barberry, etc. Thank you for supporting both HB 1998 and HB 2096

Let's help create habitat for our native wildlife by setting an example. If state agencies prioritize the use of native plants on state properties, then visitors to those state properties may decide to plant those natives too. I would go a step further, consider labeling the native plants with the plant names and what native wildlife benefits from that plant. Let's make it easy for people to learn about and plant natives, which will result in an expansion of native habitats beyond state owned properties.

Please support both HB 1998 encouraging the use of native plants on public property and HB 2096 to educate the public on the danger of installing non-native, invasive plants on their property.

I am writing to urge you to protect native plant species by passing HB 2096 and HB 1998. I have been part of the never-ending fight to preserve our native habitats, working and leading invasive removal events in Arlington to protect and preserve the insects, trees, flowers, and small mammals that would otherwise be able to thrive in our forests. On almost every walk through our parks, I see non-native plants such as English ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, and loads more smothering the landscape and pushing out our lovely native habitats. Maddeningly, many invasive species continue to be planted by landscaping companies. More support from the state is vital to fund removal efforts and public education and to place restrictions on landscaping companies on what can be planted.

With regard to HB 1998 and 2096: I am strongly in favor of all action that supports and prioritizes the use of native plants. Native plants provide homes and food for wildlife and protect our environment. Noxious and invasive weeds such as English ivy should be discouraged as they are killing our native plants.

Please prioritize the use of native species on state property represents an enormous opportunity to improve the health and biodiversity of Virginia’s ecosystem. It will also help to raise awareness about the benefits of native species and can drive broader demand for ecologically-beneficial sustainable landscape methods. Use of native species is an essential component in the Commonwealth’s efforts to reduce the impacts of invasive species. Non-native invasive species such as English ivy and Chinese privet can quickly overtake and strangle out native species, which are needed as part of the natural ecosystem which sustains life in the Commonwealth.

I am concerned about invasive plant species and the importance of native plants to our ecosystem and human wellbeing.

I strongly support the Commonwealth taking the lead on reducing invasive species into the ecosystem. Please advance and approve this piece of legislation.

I ask the Committee to support HB 1998. Native plants are the foundation of ecosystems that provide regulation of air and water pollution, sequester carbon, support biological diversity, and provide numerous other products and services to Virginia residents. Promoting maintenance or growth of native plant communities on Commonwealth lands will directly support these benefits and help educate residents about the value of promoting native plants on their own lands. This is an inexpensive method to achieve multiple environmental goals.

Please encourage planting of native species, which is so important to our environment. Plus, it’s essential to restrict use of noxious, invasive species and remove them as much as possible. Thanks for your consideration.

I feel it is vital for the future health of our children and communities to prioritize native plants on our state lands and for sale in private nurseries. Invasive plants and noxious weeds should not be sold in our state. Reducing the proliferation of these plants will improve the health of our environment and our resilience as climate change continues to progress.

I strongly support both HB 1998 to encourage the use of native plants on public property and HB 2096 to educate the public on the danger and identity of non-native plants. While there seems to be a ground swelling of interest in the ecological and cost-saving benefits , there is more to be done. Anything our Commonwealth can do to support the use of native species will help! Thank you.

I am writing on before of my wife and myself. We spend literally 100's of hours each year fighting invasive plants on over 600 acres of land here along the Shenandoah River. There is a strong need for more awareness among the general public and landowners in particular, of the many environmental problems posed by invasives, and the state should take a leadership role by prioritizing management for native species on state lands.

My husband and I greatly favor all the bills checked. Puppy mills, shooting contests against animals, control of selling and shipping noxious weeds, and the support of native plants on state owned lands, are all sensible, basic steps that should obviously be taken. They are all sensible and, indeed, "no brainer" first steps in controlling these problems.

As a plant biologist, ecologist, and assistant curator at the State Arboretum of Virginia, I strongly support both HB 1998 to encourage the use of native plants on public property and HB 2096 to educate the public on the danger of installing non-native, invasive plants on their property. Native plants are our biological heritage - they are an integral part of our landscape that are uniquely Virginian, and bring a beauty and character to our public spaces that cannot be replicated elsewhere. As Virginians, we should take pride in our native flora and utilize them whenever possible to beautify our public spaces. Additionally, native plants are the backbone of our local ecosystems. The collection of natural systems that purify our air and water, provide pollination and nutrients to our crops and forage for our livestock, all require native plants to function well. Even small plantings of native plants in public spaces can create very real, functional habitat for essential pollinators and soil micro-organisms, which will in turn support populations of songbirds, amphibians, and other beneficial wildlife that help control insect pests such as mosquitoes while adding beauty and wonder to our public spaces. By passing these two bills, we will simultaneously be educating the public about the dangers of invasive plant species that reduce habitat for native plants, and supporting the use and proliferation of native plants in our public spaces. These two actions will serve to strengthen Virginians' connection to the biological heritage of our landscape, beautify our public spaces, and build more resilient ecosystems. Thank you for our time. Jack Monsted

I have served as the Landscape Chair for the Stonehurst HOA (near Fairfax Circle) for the past 6 years. In that time we have lost a major swath of the green belt that surrounded our neighborhood to infill development. As a long time resident of Northern Virginia, I also notice that our parks and road easements have become choked with invasive vines and plants. HOAs have limited funds to tackle invasive plant species and educate residents on the drawbacks of non-natives. Garden centers and landscape companies could do so much more to be a force for good. Passage of HB 1998 and 2096 will help us all work together, with public and private efforts, to stem the tide of habitat loss and maintain healthy green spaces in Virginia. Let this be a legacy we are willing to fight for.

Invasive plants have cost Virginia and our Northern Neck region millions of dollars to control and pose a severe threat to our agricultural and forested lands, not to mention the damage they have done to Virginia’s parks, forests, riparian buffers, and natural areas. HB 1998 which proposes the prioritization of planting of Virginia’s native species on state lands will set an important example in educating the public about the many ecological benefits of native plants in supporting our ecosystems and biodiversity. Plants that evolved here in our state are the foundation of the food web and the productivity of our lands. They support Virginia's beneficial wildlife, protect our watersheds, prevent stormwater runoff and flooding. Native plants have evolved in our region and their deep, extensive root systems act as natural sponges to prevent runoff and flooding as well as reducing maintenance – service provided naturally and for free. This is a win-win situation for Virginians!

The limitation on the planting and selling of invasive plants is incredibly important. Currently, invasive plants are taking over our wooded areas, roadsides, and residential areas. Without proper limitations on their sale, trade and use, they will further encroach in these areas, and force out the plants that provide habitat and nourishment to our insects, pollinators, birds and other wildlife. Furthermore, these plants multiply and grow at very high rates, so reviewing and adding to the list of invasive plants/noxious weeds is an important task that needs to take place every couple of years. I do not want to live in a place where all I see is English Ivy smothering trees, Tree of Heaven taking over the roadsides, and Bradford/Callery pear trees crowding out native Dogwoods and Redbuds. These are only a few examples of the problematic invasive plants that are in Virginia. I fully support both HB1998 and HB2096 as they seek to limit invasive plants and encourage the use of native plants. In addition to these bills, an effort should also be made to find funding for the removal of invasive plants and trees across the state, especially along roadsides, highways and easements in every county. The invasive plants that are already growing and thriving will continue to take over and multiply unless there is a concerted effort to remove them from the landscape.

HB1383 | Anderson | Menhaden reduction fishing; prohibition. Without responsible stewardship of our state resources, citizens of our state will face negative long term consequences that impact far more than one commercial sector. Living marine resources are critical to local economies and lived experiences of your constituents. Please support the responsible stewardship by starting with a two-year prohibition while further investigation determines acceptable levels of exploitation. HB1989 | Kory | Coyotes or fur-bearing animals; prohibition of killing contests and competitions. Killing ought not be a hobby nor a community pass time. Killing contests and competitions are inhumane, and in a world increasingly populated by humans, the wild things needs protection to survive unending human encroachment, not further pressure on animal populations through wanton killing "for fun." Please support the prohibition of killing contests and competitions. HB1998 | Krizek | Native plant species; state agencies to prioritize use on state properties. The state must prioritize the use of native plant species as part of broader responsible stewardship efforts on state properties. Using non-native plants can have significantly negative consequences for the environment, for wildlife, and for future state efforts to control unintended non-native plant proliferation. Native plants, on the other hand, are proven to support native animal and insect populations while also improving the ecosystem. Please support this effort to prioritize the use of native plants on state properties. HB2042 | Shin | Animal testing; whistle blower protections created. Whistle blower protections are critical for enabling healthy institutions. If those with knowledge are not protected in exposing negligence, crime, or harm, then the incentive structures needed to improve our institutions will be missing, and we'll all suffer the costs of reduced institutional fitness. Please support whistle blower protections. HB2189 | Rasoul | PFAS; requirements to test, publicly owned treatment works, discharges into state waters. As scientific evidence regarding the detrimental impacts of PFAS on human health continues to mount, testing for PFAS is a critical first step towards preventing PFAS contamination and what actions will be needed to protect human health when PFAS exposure is detected. Please support requirements to test discharges for PFAS.

I strongly support HB 1998. Virginia needs to quickly implement an invasive species education and control program. It is past time for identifying noxious weeds/invasive species that should not be further spread in our landscapes and to prevent future introductions. You need only look at what has occurred with Japanese stiltgrass (invasive introduction that is now found everywhere) or Bradford pear, autumn olive or kudzu ( self-inflicted introduced species). Ignorance should no longer be an excuse. Once an official list is adopted, there should be prohibitions on sales or other introductions. The list should be widely circulated and a control program enacted.

The Virginia Native Plants Society has made me aware of this HB2096 to improve control of the intentional importation of invasive plants into our commonwealth. I most emphatically support the need to reduce invasive plants which are outcompeting many of our natives and changing our landscape into nothing but English ivy and burning bush. Our native animals and insects need native plants to thrive. A comprehensive and updated listing of invasive species is critical. Removal of invasives and the intentional planting of native species whenever planting is needed or desired are both of vital importance. I also support HB 1998 to educate our citizens on the beauty and utility of native plants through the use of native plants in any state funded planting areas. This process is economical and can become a source of pride and encouragement for our citizens.

I am writing to express my support for HB 1998, which focuses on use of native Virginia species. This bill is an essential step in the process started by the House in 2003 to address the threat of noxious, exotic species (i.e. invasive plants, animals and insects). At that time, the Invasive Species Council Act (ISCA) was passed to develop leadership and an action plan regarding the problem of invasive species. When the ISCA expired in 2006, Invasive Species Working Group was created by executive order to continue the work. Since then, the Tree and Crop Pest Law, the Plant and Plant Products Inspection Law, and the Noxious Weed Law grant Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) most of its authority and responsibility for responding to invasive species issues. Since the legistature started to prioritize the problem of noxious, exotic specicies (i.e. invasive species), the problem has worsened. Currently, invasive species cost Virginia more than $1 billion annually, while nationally the total exceeds $120 billion. Invasive species damage and degrade crops, pasture and forestlands, clog waterways, spread human and livestock diseases, and destroy street trees. HB 1998 adds to HB 2096 by making a strategic plan to maximize the use of Virginia native species. If we both undermine invasive species (i.e HB 2096) and also maximize use of natives (i.e. HB 1998), we create a future that benefits commercial broad agriculture interests (e.g. protects farms and crops), the amazing, natural beauty of our state and our overall ecosystem wellness. This is a win for everyone. For more information on this topic, please see: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/invspinfo

HB1998 and HB2096 are small steps forward, and those steps move Virginia in the right direction. Please support passage.

Prioritization of the use of native species on state property represents an enormous opportunity to improve the health and biodiversity of Virginia’s ecosystem. Native landscapes support beneficial wildlife and can reduce maintenance costs. Sustainable landscapes with native species address storm water challenges and can help mitigate the effects of climate change and flooding. The prioritization of native species on state properties also helps raise awareness about the benefits of native species and can drive broader demand for ecologically-beneficial sustainable landscape methods. Use of native species is an essential component in the Commonwealth’s efforts to reduce the impacts of invasive species. Please ensure this bill passes to support these critical efforts to protect and preserve Virginia's ecosystems.

Please support HB 1998 for the coordination of the development of strategic actions to prioritize the use of native plants by state agencies. This is an enormous opportunity improve the health and biodiversity of Virginia’s state ecosystem. Benefits include reducing maintenance costs while supporting wildlife as well as helping to address storm water challenges. A major benefit is for increasing life sustaining flora for native birds and animals in spite of the current overabundance of non-native plants that interfere with or do not support our endangered native species. An added benefit is education of the general public when they see native plants being utilized.

Temple Rodef Shalom is the largest synagogue in Virginia with 1800 families. In recent years we have taken various steps to address climate change and reduce our carbon footprint, both as a faith institution and as individual congregants. We added solar panels to our building and are undertaking a variety of projects to live out our Jewish value of "repairing the world." One area of keen interest in our congregation is native plants and the removal of invasive plants. Our members volunteer at English ivy-pulling sessions in area parks and we have both established a native demonstration garden at the temple, but also have committed significant funds to a restoration project of a natural wooded area on our property that includes a 3- year invasive removal component. I believe the Commonwealth should similarly value these objectives on a state-wide scale and pass legislation like HB1998 and HB2096. It shocks me to no end that one can still walk into a garden store and purchase English Ivy as though it were a benign plant! Case in point, this site for a nursery near me (https://plants.meadowsfarms.com/12170013/Plant/201/English_Ivy/) even suggests uses for English ivy neglecting to note that when this plant grows vertically and produces fruit, birds spread the seed widely, further contaminating wild areas. Virginia needs to follow the lead of so many other states and address the scourge of invasive plants! I'll end on this note- much of the damage invasives are doing isn't always seen as we go about our daily urbanized lives but if you get out along the Potomac River- undoubtedly one of our region's greatest treasures- you will see the horrific blanket of kudzu and English ivy that has

Please pass HB 1998 which requires that the state give preference to planting native species on state properties. Native species support native insects and wildlife. With increasing challenges due to climate change, it is important that we do all we can to support the varied habitats in Virginia and the creatures that rely upon them.

Dear Delegates, I grew up in the Northern part of Virginia, with my father explaining how fallow fields go through succession, from meadow, to cedar, to hardwoods. In the last 20 years of living in Virginia, I watched nonnative plants come up in the fallow fields and do not see the same native trees I did as a child. A childhood family farming friend explained there were two sequences in his life that he participated in that removed much of the native plants from his farm. The first was use of the bush hog along fence rows in the 1960s and 1970s, the second was his introduction of roundup ready crops in the 1980s. In the 1950s subdivision groundcover became turf, these grasses are not native to the United States. Government must take on the leadership role to show others that native plants can be used on public lands. Without these wild spaces in-between, we will continue to fragment our habitats. For the last seventeen years I have been designing, installing, and maintaining native plant demonstration landscapes at a central Virginia locality. I was asked to participate because our landscape team struggled getting plants to grow in challenging areas. These conditions included lack of sun light, overly dry, or extremely hot. Each time I was able to use native plants as a solution. Our locality has a Biodiversity Action Plan that includes 6 goals directly related to using native plants, including in public spaces. Our locality is an example that native plants can be used in public spaces. Fairfax’s 2007 Natural Landscape Policy is a second example of a Virginia locality that has used native plants in public spaces. I do not represent my locality in requesting the passing of HB 1998, I am requesting the passage of HB 1998 on a person level. Native plants give us a sense of place, a reminder of home, like any other landmark - historical, cultural, or natural. Native plants, installed in their proper habitats, are the cornerstone of biodiversity and ecosystems. Biodiversity and ecosystem are a necessity for the prosperity of future Virginians. Please lead the way by passing HB 1998.

I am in favor of this bill because native landscapes support beneficial wildlife and can reduce maintenance costs. Sustainable landscapes with native species address stormwater challenges and can help mitigate the effects of climate change and flooding.

Both of these bills HB 1998 and HB 2096 would be very beneficial to our native Virginia plant species. I hope our legislators will recognize the value of these 2 proposals to help to safe guard our native plants which are very much put at risk with aggressive non-native plants. Not only is our native plants put at great risk but our native insects survival is also endangered which when they fail to survive put are pollinators at risk, then birds and small native animals are also in danger of decline if needed food cannot be found. So like a lot of life it is a chain with one thing linked to and connected to another. These 2 bills need to pass it is a needed protection to Virginia wildlife.

Please pass bills 1998 and 2096 to support the local environment. Invasive species disturb a delicate ecosystem. They tend to crowd out native plants.

These two bills are essential to the betterment of our shared environment. The native plants are part of our natural ecosystem and food chain which sustains life in our commonwealth, and the world.

HB 1811 - Our General Assembly is seriously considering a bill that would allow continuous deer-hunting year round? I am opposed to this bill as our lives are disrupted enough during the app. 2 month season we currently have. I like to walk the rural roads where we live, and the quiet reverie of the early morning is tainted often enough with the sounds of shotgun blasts, the baying of the poor dogs being used to flush out the deer (and this is called "hunting"?), the dogs that run across our "no hunting" property because they go wherever they want, and the pickup trucks barreling down the road trying to get to where the dogs are chasing a deer. Instead of increasing deer season, I would be in favor of reducing it to one month at most. I would also like to see a ban on the use of dogs to hunt deer. It is a disservice to the poor dogs, and I can only imagine the terror the deer must feel as a mass of barking dogs chases them out of their habitat to be shot by someone on the side of the road just waiting for one to come close. Another reason to NOT increase deer season is the amount of roadside litter that accumulates when hunters are out. They apparently have no respect for the anti-littering laws that we have. I have an adopt-a-highway stretch that I walk daily, and the amount of extra trash I collect during hunting season is abhorrent. I can not imagine having to collect that amount all year long. I am OPPOSED to this bill going any further and cannot imagine that any intelligent legislator would be in favor of it. HB 1998 - I am IN FAVOR of this bill as I support the use of Virginia's native plants at homes, businesses, and state agencies. HB 2096 - I am IN FAVOR of this bill as I believe we need to do more to rid Virginia of non-native plants and to plant those native to the Commonwealth.

Urban Wildflowers LL supports HB 1998. It is critical to prioritize the use of native species on state property. This bill represents an enormous opportunity to improve the health and biodiversity of Virginia’s ecosystem. (1) Native landscapes support beneficial wildlife and can reduce maintenance costs. (2) Sustainable landscapes with native species address stormwater challenges and can help mitigate the effects of climate change and flooding. (3) The prioritization of native species on state properties also helps raise awareness about the benefits of native species and can drive broader demand for ecologically-beneficial sustainable landscape methods. (4) Use of native species is an essential component in the Commonwealth’s efforts to reduce the impacts of invasive species.

Having spent many years trying to remove invasive plants from my property , l am in favor of any legislation that eliminates these plants and encourages the use of native plants.

Prioritization of the use of native species on state property represents an enormous opportunity to improve the health and biodiversity of Virginia’s ecosystem. Native landscapes support beneficial wildlife and can reduce maintenance costs. Sustainable landscapes with native species address stormwater challenges and can help mitigate the effects of climate change and flooding. The prioritization of native species on state properties also helps raise awareness about the benefits of native species and can drive broader demand for ecologically-beneficial sustainable landscape methods. Use of native species is an essential component in the Commonwealth’s efforts to reduce the impacts of invasive species.

I support both HB1998 and HB2096. Both bills provide support for more use of native plants in our state. Use of native plants is crucial to stop and reverse the decline of native insect and bird populations that has occurred in recent decades.

One needn't look far to see information about the shocking loss of biodiversity that we are facing. This bill will ensure that the Commonwealth of Virginia will be part of the solution to this problem by incorporating native plantings and serving as an example educating the public to this issue. Please support this bill!

Please pass HB2096. HB2096 would increase public awareness of the problem of invasive plants in the landscape. I particularly like the provision that tradespeople inform their clients of the installation of invasive plants on their properties, which would provide property owners data they need to make informed plant choice decisions.  The bill supports the use of native plant species by state agencies and would help to showcase beneficial native plantings to the public. Please pass HB1998. HB 1998 would prioritize the use of native species on state property. This would improve the health and biodiversity of Virginia’s ecosystem. It would raise awareness about the benefits of native species and could drive broader demand for ecologically-beneficial sustainable landscape methods Native landscapes support beneficial wildlife and can reduce maintenance costs. Sustainable landscapes with native species address stormwater challenges and can help mitigate the effects of climate change and flooding.

Please pass this extremely important bill to help improve the health and quality of state properties. Native plants are incredibly important to the insects and other animals that live in Virginia. They also were meant to be here and grow well in our environment. As a gardener, I have been so thrilled and the change in my own yard after filling it with native plants. The number of birds and insects that now visit my yard is truly amazing and beautiful. Please support this bill so our state properties can be a shining example of what a native plant-focused environment can look like.

I support the use of Virginia native plant especially plants propagated from local populations--in land management, conservation, restoration, and horticultural projects will help maintain the ecological integrity of natural areas and preserve native biodiversity. More native plants mean more choices of food and shelter for native birds and other wildlife. To survive, native birds need native plants and the insects that have co-evolved with them.

Please pass Delegate Krizek’s HB1998. If we are to mitigate climate change, sequester carbon and support our native habitat, we need as much acreage as possible devoid of aggressive invasive plants and covered in the natives that our ecosystem relies on. I walk my dog twice a day out in the county on roads, in the woods and in fields. It is clear that all of these areas are being taken over by "the wrong plants in the wrong places". Our native species do not stand a chance if we do not get this situation under immediate control. Requiring state agencies to prioritize that all state properties are planted with natives first, will go a very long way to supporting a healthy local ecosystem. There needs to be an educational component to this, so that the public understands the importance of the actions the state will be taking, and that we can all be a part of the solution, by making the commitment to plant natives on our own properties as well. VDOT and the VA Forestry Department will need some guidance and education to create a diverse, and robust planting program and move away from the more traditional monoculture mindset that I see in many places. I hope they will engage local experts, as well as the VA Native Plant Society to partner in creating viable solutions.

I highly support this bill as well as HB2096. The stronger the positive example that the Virginia government sets in planting native species and condemning invasive species and noxious weeds, the better the environmental health of the Commonwealth. Native species are essential supports for the functioning of entire ecosystems, while many invasives are overwhelming both public and private lands. The spread of Autumn Olive, Russian Olive, Bradford Pear, Privet, English Ivy, Japanese Honeysuckle, Garlic Mustard, Stilt Grass and others is incredible in both the extent of the occurrences, and the remote locations where these are now found. Our native trees (oaks, beeches, ash) are in decline from other pressures - the turnaround to support and encourage native growth needs to start now.

I am writing to strongly endorse and support your efforts to deny the sales, transportation, propagation, of non-native species of plants in the Commonwealth. You should see how kudzu, English ivy, autumn clematis, miscanthus grass and other escapees from our gardens and yards have wreaked havoc in our woods and roadsides. Not allowing sales of certain plants will arrest further dispersal of unwanted flora. I just wanted you to know. Ted Munns Irvington

Please pass these two bills to help increase the use of native plants and help reduce the occurance of noxious weeds in our state. My hope would be a ban on the sale and planting of specific invasive plants. Many Asian, European and African plants that have been introduced and continue to be planted are invading properties all over the state. We all see porcelainberry, English ivy, Asian bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, stiltgrass etc. overcoming forests around the state. This has created a huge social cost. The longer we allow people to plant nonnative plants, the greater the cost to save our native plants and animals. It’s not too late. There are many places that have not been disturbed by development or overuse which still have great native biodiversity. We need legislation to preserve more of those places in addition to limiting more damage with senseless planting of invasive plants. Thanks for passing these bills. Keep working to make Virginia an example that native plant conservation and invasive plant elimination ought to be a bipartisan issue.

Look around and it is easy to see the environmental destruction caused by non-native invasive species. Entire fields clogged with autumn olive and Bradford pear are environmental wastelands for instance. Buildings and trees compromised from English Ivy. Wetlands smothered with purple loosestrife. These species and others push out native plants and native animals and everything -- including humans -- suffers. We lose beneficial insects that provide important pollination to our farmer's crops and orchards, and we lose all the animals that depend on the insects as one moves up the food chain. Native plants, rather than non-natives, are also easier to maintain meaning we have better protection of our precious water supplies not only because less water is needed, but also because pesticides and herbicides aren't needed to make sure those invasives survive. Finally, this bill makes economic sense, especially to farmers who can't even use those fields clogged with invasive shrubs or who must turn to chemicals to rid their land of Johnson grass or Japanese honeysuckle! Finally, pairing native pollinator plants with large and small solar arrays provides a double bonus of green energy with protection of the soil and water under and around those arrays. Thanks for thinking about all Virginians and the environment that sustains us all. By having a plan in place, Virginia can move from knowing what is right to doing what is right! Sincerely, Nancy Sorrells (editor of the Virginia Native Plant Society newsletter), Greenville, VA

Communities that understand their past can better deal with the present and future. Protecting our historic resources helps make that happen, but unless resources are available to help do this, the path of least resistence is to destroy the old and make way for the new. Help preserve the stories and heritage of the wonderful people in the Commonwealth. We must work together to preserve the past for the future. Sincerely, Nancy Sorrells (historian and writer), Greenville, VA

HB1998 | Krizek | Native plant species; state agencies to prioritize use on state properties. I am in full support of HB1998 . Native Plant species on state properties is highly beneficial and practical in many aspects. Native plants require little to no maintenance saving the state million on water, fertilizer, and up keep. They are a life source for struggling wildlife and pollinators for food and shelter whose native resources are being taken over by "ornamental" foreign species that in most cases have become invasive. Native plants on state properties will also provide substantial exposure opportunities for educating the general public on the importance of incorporating natives into their home landscapes. HB2096 | Bulova | Noxious weeds; invasive plant species. I fully support HB2096 putting limits and bans on invasive species is critical to the health of our ecosystem. The damage that invasive noxious species causes to our properties costly. Many home owners have to cut down old growth hardwood prematurely due to English ivy and damage. Most people think that if the stores sell a plant then it could not be harmful only to realize it's harmful and costly consequences later. We have spent thousands of dollars in invasive species related costs just on our small suburban lot and we still have to spend thousands more to complete the responsible restoration of our yard.

Support the use of native plants on state property.

I support both HB1998 and HB2096 to help control the impact of invasive plant species and support the use of native plants in Virginia. An avid home gardener, I have become more aware of the importance of native plants to our ecosystem over the last five years and I see how much invasive species can overwhelm different areas, and are marketed toward consumers despite their negative impact. I have been successful in my own garden spaces in moving towards more natives and identifying and removing invasive, and I support any efforts to increase public awareness of these issues, not only among home gardeners but in public landscaping as well.

Please support the prioritization of native plant species in state landscaping, such as along highways and in parks, and make it easier to remove invasive plant species. These measures will help to increase native wildlife such as birds, bees, and butterflies. It is also vital that plant nurseries notify homeowners when they are planting invasive species, which crowd out native species. Thank you.

Please make native plants the priority for Virginia outdoor staff to use and request residents to use. Virginia has a multitude of varieties which suit our terrain and climate, even as it changes. Native choices from south of us may replace these options eventually, but Natives provide so many advantages, especially over plants that may become invasive due to lack of natural pests and diseases.

I strongly support HB1998. This is an easy solution to help save our biodiversity. Simply plant Native species. We don't need more annuals and invasive perennials, especially those that come from other countries. It's a no brainer. Natives require less water, less attention. Natives attract more birds, feed more pollinators, which in turn feeds us. Let's educate our landscapers, our nurseries and the general public and urge them to plant natives. This should be an essential part of any climate action that we take. Thank you.

I challenge the members of this committee-for or against this bill - to take a walk around your garden or neighborhood and inventory the types of plants being grown. The majority will be non native plants, such as azaleas, roses, lirope, crape Myrtle trees which do not support native wildlife, .Do the inventory. You’ll be shocked. Few native plants to be found. What are we doing to our precious environment?? It’s not enough to promote native plants in parklands but it’s a start. Thank you. Gerianne Basden, Springfield, Va

Copied from a previous comment - I agree 100%: Invasive plants are wreaking havoc on our native plants. You have only to drive along any roadside or highway in the Spring to see all the invasive Bradford Pears in bloom. Sure, they look pretty for a week or so, but they stink, and they crowd out all other native plants. English Ivy is also killing mature trees. The Oriental Bittersweet vines are killing mature native trees everywhere. Then there's the multiflora rose, barberry & Japanese Honeysuckle not to mention Stilt grass. All of the plants proven to be invasive (those that will not stay where planted) must be removed from sales as soon as possible. My husband & I have spent years battling invasives on our property and I shudder to think people are still buying and planting some of these. Thank you for your consideration.

Please support this bill which will protect all Virginia's Natural Heritage from invasive plants.

I strongly support HB 1998. Native plants are the most beneficial to our local Virginia ecosystem. Invasive species, such as Japanese honeysuckle or English Ivy, are so prevalent in neighborhoods and common areas, and they create a lot of damage to native wildlife as well as homes and public infrastructure. Personally I spent hours removing an invasive honesuckle with thick, 6-foot vines embedded under my backyard shed. HB 1998 would sustain our ecosystem, avoid future damage, and be a fantastic mode of civic engagement and public education on the benefits of native plants in Virginia!

SUPPORT NATIVE PLANTS AND REDUCE THE THREAT OF INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES IN VIRGINIA

Invasive plants are wreaking havoc on our ntive plants. You have only to drive along any roadside or highway in the Spring to see all the invasive Bradford Pears in bloom. Sure they look pretty for a week or so but they stink and they crowd out all other native plants. English Ivy is also killing mature trees. The Oriental Bittersweet vines are killing mature native trees everywhere. Then there's the multiflora rose, barberry & Japanese Honeysuckle not to mention Stlit grass. All of the plants proven to be invasive ( those that will not stay where planted) must be removed from sales as soon as possible. My husband & I have spent years battling invasives on our property and I shutter to think people are still buying and planting some of these. Thank you for your consideration

It is difficult to enjoy a simple walk in a park, anywhere in Virginia, without seeing beautiful old trees being overtaken by English ivy, and native plants in woods being choked out by other non-natives introduced by humans, such as Japanese honeysuckle, periwinkle, etc. The list goes on an on. The fact that people and landscapers still can and do buy and plant many of these at nurseries is shameful and exacerbates the environmental and commercial damage these plants cause. Please support this bill.

I strongly support the use of native plants whenever and wherever practicable. At the same time, invasive plants are becoming an overwhelming nuisance in our area. Invasive such as oriental bittersweet, autumn olive and Japanese honeysuckle are overwhelming, the native wildlife habitat on my land near Hume, Virginia. Most invasive serve, no important purpose other than to look nice in someone’s yard or garden. But as invasive as they escape and devastate native landscapes.

I highly support both bills. The more that the Virginia government can set a good example in planting native species and condemning invasive species and noxious weeds, the better for the Commonwealth. Native species are essential supports for the functioning of entire ecosystems, while many invasives are overwhelming both public and private lands.

I support Del. Krizek's HB 1998. It will make a big dent if various state agencies coordinate an invasive species management plan "Prevention, early detection and rapid response, control and management, research and risk assessment, and education and outreach " lays out the potential for a very thorough approach. Invasive plant infestations are said to be increasing exponentially. The supply of volunteers to remove them is not. Hopefully the state will enable volunteers to do more than use manual tools. Except for ailanthus trees, when stems or trunks are cut, they need to be "painted" with herbicide to prevent regrowth. Volunteers could be given pre-mixed bottles of product with small sponge applicators attached. The herbicide will move thru plant tissues and kill the plant. Merely cutting stems or base of roots for a few hours and then going home achieves little and is a waste of precious volunteer time. The other part of the bill - that state agencies prioritize native plants on state property - is a step in the right direction. If implemented in a kickass fashion, it would increase the demand for native plants, and educate the public by example . VDOT planting natives by roadsides, right-of-ways, and in clover leaves - what a change that would be! Now for another bill to stop them mowing down what they've planted!

The Friends of Accotink Creek strongly support HB1998. It truly is "our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice", to quote an earlier commenter. The relentless advance of invasive exotic plant species is turning Virginia's natural habitats into something worthy of a horror movie. Anything we can do to prevent further spread must be done. If only we could enact a law to remove the exotic invasives already present across our Commonwealth, which will plague us in perpetuity.

I demanding that you protect our water stop the mountain valley pipeline from being drilled it will endanger people living there I am begging to protect our waters and lands as so important for endangered species and people. Concerned Citizen Ji Montgomery

Dear Delegates Krizek and Bulova, I have been working for over 30 year to increase the use of native plants in Northern Virginia. I fully support Delegate Krizek's efforts to pass HB 1998. His proposal goes hand-in-hand with the need to rid our lands of noxious weeds and invasive plants as proposed by Delegate Bulova in HB2096. Both bills are critical if we and to turn around our significant losses of vital insect life and the plants that nurture those insects For example, we must decrease the amount of English Ivy that has escaped private properties and invaded our and state public lands. This invasive creates weight and wind resistance in our trees -- weight and resistance the tree is not equipped to handle. As a result, the trees are more likely to be uprooted in the strong storms we are experiencing. As invasives are removed, they need to be replaced by desirable plants that help feed and protect the insects that pollinate our trees and plants and also feed young birds. Both bill are key to the circle of life that has been severely compromised. Please keep me informed about progress of your proposed legislation. Thank you. Sincerely, Eleanor F. Quigley

I strongly support HB1998 submitted by Delegate Krizek. It is insane for state agencies to continue to propagate, plant and/or sell invasive plants that are known to harm our ecosystems. Please pass this bill so that the state agencies set the right example for the rest of the state and stopping doing things that harm our natural heritage.

I ask you to support Delegate Krizek’s HB1998 and pass it out of committee. Giving native plants priority in state agency work is already required in some counties in Virginia. Let our government lead by example to show that planting natives in new and restoration projects will work to produce healthy ecosystems. Without a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem, the food web collapses and all species including humans are affected. It is critical that special attention be given to VDOT’s replanting programs. Since so much forest is lost in linear transportation projects, what we do with the fragments that are left is critical. I urge you to vote for HB1998, and thank Delegate Krizek for patroning the bill.

I support HB1998 because it is more efficient to use plants that are already adapted to local conditions than to continually replace stressed plants that don't belong here. Moreover, native plants support native wildlife and thus a healthy ecosystem.

I strongly support HB1998 - thank you Delegate Krizek for introducing it. Restoring our local ecologies and biodiversity as best we can is critical as we face a mass insect extinction. A 2019 report from Biological Conservation found that 40% of all insects species are declining globally and that a third of them are endangered. Insects rely on native plants to thrive - without native plants in our landscape, insect populations will continue to decline and it will inevitably negatively effect us as humans as well. These insects (who need native plants) are the canary in the coal mines for how well our natural world functions. But we have a chance with legislation like this to begin to reverse the current insect trend. Let's prioritize native plant species on state properties (***including those owned by VDOT***), inspire residents through state agencies leading by example, and help drive demand in the nursery trade for these plants (which is an economic win for driving profits for retailers who support a healthy for people and wildlife!). Please support HB1998.

I support this bill because native plants provide so many more benefits than non-native plants and require fewer resources to maintain. They also are important to restoring biodiversity and returning to a productive and balanced ecosystem. Right now, for example, monocultures of invasive species such as Bradford Pears are seen all along state highways. They will take over everything if not stopped. So at a minimum, new planting or restoration plantings should also prioritize native plants. State and local governments should be modeling best and eco-savvy practices to inspire their citizens to do the same. Thank you.

I strongly support your HB1998 requiring state agencies to prioritize use of native plants on state properties. I believe that Virginia citizens would also plant more native plants if they knew what they were and what their virtues were. To that end, I should also like to also require the Department of Recreation and Conservation to develop and publicize a web page picturing and describing the of benefits of easy-to-grow native species.

I strongly support yourHR2096 prohibiting the planting, selling, or propagating of invasive species and regulation of tradesperson' installation of invasive species. One need only walk along the Mount Vernon bike path to see the harmful effects of porcelain berry and autumn clematis. I believe more citizens of Virginia would avoid invasive species if they knew what they were and what their ill effects were. To that end, I should like the Department of Recreation and Conservation to also develop and publicize a web page with illustrations of common invasive species and descriptions of their harmful characteristics.

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?

"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book

HB 1635, HB 2045, HB 2082 and HB2153--I support all of these bills. They all move Virginia in the right direction in terms of tenant/landlord relationships and equity for people with disabilities. Please support these bills. Thank you for your time.

AP and IB exams are expensive. It’s crazy to think that a student that is on the free lunch plan can pay for those exams. Those exams should be free for them.

Please support HB 2067 that would enable students from low-income families to take AP and IB exams for free. All students should have the opportunity to access jobs that pay well. Students from low-income families can be just as intelligent as those from families with more wealth. Let's encourage the former to direct their intelligence towards higher mathematics rather than street smarts and drug dealing..

Comments Document

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) strongly supports HB2067. Overall, 73% of all United States (U.S.) public schools are identified as Title 1 schools, meaning these schools serve families and students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch based on federal poverty metrics. Similarly, 63% of IB World Schools qualify for Title-I funding. From the passage of HB2067, many students from low-income families in Virginia will be able to access an IB education. They will benefit from the rigor of IB course experience in their post-secondary studies and gain the opportunities that come with earning the IB Diploma or the Career-related Program (CP) certificate. HB2067 ensures that students in Virginia who are eligible for free/reduced meals will have the opportunity to complete and be successful in IB courses. In Virginia, the number of low-income students participating in IB courses is significant. The IB has research demonstrating how successful the Diploma Program (DP) is in meeting the needs of students who may not be able to complete IB coursework due to financial constraints. Currently, there are 90 authorized IB programs in Virginia. Thirty-seven (37) schools offer the DP and 7 offer the CP to high school students. The students that would benefit from HB2067 are candidates in the DP or CP. Additionally, there are 11 Primary Years Programs (PYP) and 19 Middle Years Programs (MYP) in Virginia which provide students an opportunity to start their IB journey as young as 3 years old and thus gain a strong foundation for success in the DP and CP. The IB is aware that significant monies remain under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund, and we applaud the use of these critical relief funds in supporting eligible families and students in accessing college and/or careers. We have a shared commitment to supporting students with disadvantages in accessing a rigorous education that can open significant doors to opportunity and ultimately impact students’ life outcomes. We have a variety of research showing the impact of an IB Education. We have attached a research brief, International Baccalaureate programmes in Title I schools in the United States: Accessibility, participation and university enrollment. This brief summarizes participation in IB programs in Title-I Schools and subsequent student enrollment in college/university. Further studies are available by request: recognition@ibo.org. We are pleased to see that Virginia school divisions will be directed to use these monies for this worthwhile purpose. Virginia will join the ranks of 24 other states who use state funds in a similar manner to support students' access to IB exams. The IB fully supports HB2607. We would be very happy to provide further information and participate in future discussions and/or committee meetings.

Please support this bill. Students who are receiving free and reduced lunch and have applied themselves to qualify to take AP and IB courses deserve our support in their efforts to reach beyond their circumstances. For them to receive college credits for the courses that they have taken in high school, they must take these tests and score well on them. They are not inexpensive! These remarkable students have shown themselves worthy! Give them the support they deserve and need!

Let low-income students show their capability. Cover the fees for AP and IB exams.

I am FOR HB2067. Removing fees for AP and IB exams for students eligible for free and reduced lunch, makes common sense. I have first hand experience as a mentor in the Community in Schools program for impoverished students, and can attest to the fact that these fees are beyond the ability to pay for this population. We say that we want to encourage such students to continue their education, without addressing how their families' poverty is a barrier on basic levels, from school supplies and transportation to the cost of participating in programs that most of us take for granted. Should students have the grit to perservere and achieve at a level that includes AP or IB exams, it only makes sense to waives these fees.

I support HB2067 to lower the cost of AP and IB exams for students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The current cost of an AP exam is $97, but for low-income students, College Board offers a discount of $35 and waives a $9 administrative fee, bringing the effective price down to $53. However, this can still be a significant financial burden for these students seeking to earn college credit. Many states have already taken steps to cover all or part of this cost, making AP and IB coursework more accessible to all students regardless of their family income. I urge Virginia to do the same by eliminating or reducing AP/IB exam fees for low-income students.

I support removing the fee for AP and IB exams for students eligible for free and reduced lunch. Please vote Yes!

As a student, I understand how important AP and IB courses are for success both during school and after school. The classes and the final tests are essential parts of college applications as well as receiving additional college credits. They give students a head start on their future. Unfortunately, the final exam that awards the college credits requires money inaccessible to many students and therefore prevents them from earning the college credit. While a discounted price is provided by the overseeing organization, it is frequently not enough. HB 2067 would allow more students to take these critical exams by providing that the state covers all but $20 of the exam costs of any student who qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch. Wealthy school districts in Virginia already do this, but it would support my friends in poorer districts to get the aid they need for these crucial exams. Please support HB 2067, therefore supporting the future success of all students in Virginia regardless of family income.

I support HB2067 to lower the cost of AP and IB exams for students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The current cost of an AP exam is $97, but for low-income students, College Board offers a discount of $35 and waives a $9 administrative fee, bringing the effective price down to $53. However, this can still be a significant financial burden for these students seeking to earn college credit. Many states have already taken steps to cover all or part of this cost, making AP and IB coursework more accessible to all students regardless of their family income. I urge Virginia to do the same by eliminating or reducing AP/IB exam fees for low-income students.

As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?

Comments Document

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) strongly supports HB2067. Overall, 73% of all United States (U.S.) public schools are identified as Title 1 schools, meaning these schools serve families and students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch based on federal poverty metrics. Similarly, 63% of IB World Schools qualify for Title-I funding. From the passage of HB2067, many students from low-income families in Virginia will be able to access an IB education. They will benefit from the rigor of IB course experience in their post-secondary studies and gain the opportunities that come with earning the IB Diploma or the Career-related Program (CP) certificate. HB2067 ensures that students in Virginia who are eligible for free/reduced meals will have the opportunity to complete and be successful in IB courses. In Virginia, the number of low-income students participating in IB courses is significant. The IB has research demonstrating how successful the Diploma Program (DP) is in meeting the needs of students who may not be able to complete IB coursework due to financial constraints. Currently, there are 90 authorized IB programs in Virginia. Thirty-seven (37) schools offer the DP and 7 offer the CP to high school students. The students that would benefit from HB2067 are candidates in the DP or CP. Additionally, there are 11 Primary Years Programs (PYP) and 19 Middle Years Programs (MYP) in Virginia which provide students an opportunity to start their IB journey as young as 3 years old and thus gain a strong foundation for success in the DP and CP. The IB is aware that significant monies remain under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund, and we applaud the use of these critical relief funds in supporting eligible families and students in accessing college and/or careers. We have a shared commitment to supporting students with disadvantages in accessing a rigorous education that can open significant doors to opportunity and ultimately impact students’ life outcomes. We have a variety of research showing the impact of an IB Education. We have attached a research brief, International Baccalaureate programmes in Title I schools in the United States: Accessibility, participation and university enrollment. This brief summarizes participation in IB programs in Title-I Schools and subsequent student enrollment in college/university. Further studies are available by request: recognition@ibo.org. We are pleased to see that Virginia school divisions will be directed to use these monies for this worthwhile purpose. Virginia will join the ranks of 24 other states who use state funds in a similar manner to support students' access to IB exams. The IB fully supports HB2607. We would be very happy to provide further information and participate in future discussions and/or committee meetings.

"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book

With the decline of many volunteer agencies, local governments are increasingly absorbing responsibility for the provision of vital emergency services. The cost of this new governmental activity is high. For example, this coming July, Mecklenburg County will run EMS service in the area formerly staffed by volunteer rescue squads in the western portions of the County. This will necessitate the on-boarding of 28 new employees; a nearly 15% increase in our workforce in one fiscal year. Purely on salary and benefits alone, the cost to the County is in the neighborhood of $1.75 million annually, and that does not include equipment and other such expenses. At the same time, the model for assistance from the Commonwealth has been static. Assistance for nonprofit Emergency Medical Service squads is funded through a vehicle registration fee that was last adjusted by the budget bill enacted by the 2010 Session of the General Assembly, whereas, the Financial Assistance for Fire Services Programs is based on a percentage of insurance premiums written in the Commonwealth, a funding model first created in the 1980s and last amended in percent in 1995. Circumstances have changed considerably in the intervening time. Thus, the need for a reevaluation of financial assistance is very pertinent. Accordingly, the Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors has voted to support an examination of these funding programs. As this bill is the only one introduced this session that will accomplish this expressed intent of the Board, Mecklenburg County supports the bill and requests your vote to favorably report HB 2175.

I'm writing in support of HB2175. Rural communities are suffering due to a lack of funding for volunteer fire departments. The rising costs of goods, supply chain problems, inflation, interest rates - all of the issues that you and your families are facing, but multiplied when managing a rural fire department. Some receive assistance with operational or capital funding from their locality, but some don’t and I’ve met with so many that are operating on as little as $40,000 annually and selling chickens or stew to stay afloat. HB2175 would direct the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to establish a work group to study existing fire service needs, analyze the sustainability of current funding, and review alternative funding models from other states. Perhaps they’ll report that rural fire departments should work together to make large purchases as a conglomerate; or that additional 100%, 80/20, and 50/50 grants are necessary; provide assistance with grant writing; or discover that there are resources already in place that are not making their way to rural areas. Sitting down with all the stakeholders in the commonwealth, who are by their very nature problem solvers, to work with their counterparts to provide analysis and recommendations is necessary and non-partisan. A one-time funding of $125k is minimal when you consider the number of lives that are at stake, especially in our rural communities. -Jennie Wood

My name is Larry Gwaltney and I am the Executive Director of the Virginia State Firefighters Association. We appreciate Delegate Sickles and the other patrons for recognizing that the needs of the fire service in Virginia far exceed the available resources. Inflation and supply chain issues are making it difficult for career and volunteer fire departments obtain the equipment needed to delivery quality service to our communities. The cost of delivering services is increasing due to inflation, the rising cost of equipment, declining recruitment and retention of employees, and additional life safety requirements across the Commonwealth. Rural communities are especially struggling to maintain sufficient fuel levels, pay for insurance, and fund other essential needs at their stations. Current funding is not sufficient to keep pace with additional responsibilities given to Fire and EMS departments. In an effort to meet the rising demand for services, while balancing the increasing cost for delivery and a nationwide decline in fire and EMS personnel, the Commonwealth needs to find a sustainable model for investing in fire and EMS departments into the future. We fully support this legislation to establish a work group to study existing funding, analyze sustainability of current funding and to review alternative funding models. We respectfully ask that you vote to report this bill out of committee.

I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.

Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?

As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?

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Please make the Pony the state animal

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As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?

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HB1507: I support the constitutional rights of parents to direct childrens' education. HB1575: I support Delegate Walkers SWAT bill. HB2269: I support using these pandemic relief funds for schools.

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The substitute bill is a step in the right direction, but significant concerns remain. We are continuing to work with the patron, and hope to come to a mutually-agreeable resolution. Positive changes include no longer taking money off the top of the Commonwealth Transportation Fund which would cut rail, transit, road maintenance, and Smart Scale funding – it is essential that this not be added back to the bill. For the following continuing concerns, at this time we recommend you OPPOSE HB2302 AS AMENDED: The bill still gives the Governor almost unlimited discretion to allocate funds to support major economic development initiatives and enhance the economic development opportunities of the Commonwealth’s transportation programs. These extremely broad criteria could be interpreted to fund almost any project and are in stark contrast to the current requirements of the Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund – they should be narrowed. There is no limit on the amount of money the Governor can award to any one project under the new types of grants from the Fund that would be authorized under the proposed subsection C2. A cap should be put on these grants. The bills no longer remove the General Assembly from the process of grants and loans from the Fund, but there is still no review or consultation mechanism for substantial grants by the Governor under subsection C2. Projects to receive funding under the new economic development category should be run through the MEI Commission just like other projects seeking major taxpayer-funded incentives. If you have any questions about our position, please contact Michael Town, Executive Director of Virginia LCV, at mtown@valcv.org, or Chris Leyen, Policy Director, at cleyen@valcv.org.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment. The Piedmont Environmental Council opposes that creation of a separate pool of funds for transportation projects solely at the Governor's initiative and without requiring the performance based analysis and ranking under Smart Scale. At best, this is a $100-300 million dollar slush fund to add transportation projects to other subsidies and incentives for business investment in Virginia. At worst, it take limited funding available for the transportation system needs already identified over year of planning. Please oppose this bill.

Please Oppose!! The City of Portsmouth has serious concerns about removing any oversight from the CTB on projects that only benefit big businesses and developers above local and state transportation needs.

We oppose this bill unless you amend it to prohibit any of these funds to be used for expanding Light Rail. We in Virginia Beach by referendum Opposed Light Rail we do not want it extend into our city. Light Rail is used specifically for economic development for transit oriented development ie Density we oppose any of that along Virginia Beach Blvd to bring crime into our city. If they really wanted Light Rail to work they would have built it along I64 heading to NOB that's where all the traffic is and finally we are getting relief with the HRBT expansion something we fought for. NO Light Rail in VB

HB1382 | Gooditis | declawing cats is a barbaric process that as human beings, should NOT be inflicting on cats. HB1451 | Orrock | The majority of animals at pet shops are from mills. Pet shops should be eliminated period. HB1527 | Convirs-Fowler | the TNR program is important to stop unwanted cat and kitten deaths. HB1577 | Wachsmann | A rabid animal is still an animal and would require treatment if necessary before euthanizing and only a skilled veterinarian can make that determination and therefore would need to access in person. HB1721 | Clark | We need clean water. Human and animal alike. I also would advise for stricter regulations on all companies. Our water is disgusting. HB1984 | Kory | A water receptable for a pet should be cleaned twice and there should be more than enough to be provided and temperature specific. HB1985 | Kory | Pet shops; sale of dogs or cats. HB1989 | Kory | We are a civilized society and there is no need to hunt animals for sport or competition anymore. HB2000 | Kory | To be honest, there is no need for animal testing in this world. HB2331 | Campbell, E.H. | These roadside zoos and petting zoos are not regulated correctly and are rampant with health violations. HB2348 | Webert | I honestly do not understand why we are testing on animals. I'd say go directly to human trials. HB2417 | VanValkenburg | Dogs and cats are pets and should be treated with more respect and dignity than a lamp. HB2483 | Kory | There's no need to use such barbaric tools on elephants. In my opinion, I don't think elephants should be here in the US unless in a highly regarded zoo, such as the National Zoo, where there are veterinarians and conservationists who truly care about the animal.

Pls stop all animal experiments and cruelty. Someone has to speak and step up for those who cannot. Pls stop all cruelty Thanks

Please support HB 2348 which will allow Virginia to fine animal testing facilities that violate federal laws and regulations. This bill does not require Virginia to set up an inspection process but merely to impose penalties on facilities that have been cited for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Virginia's experience with the infamous Envigo breeding facility, which had multiple citations for violation of the AWA with no consequences for years, illustrates the need for civil penalties to get the attention of violators.

Please pass HB2348. Last year, an unprecedented five bills were passed unanimously in the House and Senate to address significant and longstanding abuse and cruelty at Envigo, a breeding facility for Beagles that then would be sold into research around the world. Envigo galvanized not only Virginians, but others across the country, to see these dogs for who they could be and ultimately did become, one-by-one, thousands of loving animal companions to thousands of people who needed and wanted them. While we have happily shut down this miserable facility, we need to look to underlying problems that allowed the abuse and neglect to flourish for so long at Envigo and that continues to allow abuse and neglect at research facilities in Virginia that use animals. In the last three years, 9 of 27 testing facilities in Virginia were cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). It saddens me, as a former employee of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at USDA, the agency responsible for inspections and enforcement of the AWA, to recognize that enforcement of the AWA by USDA is woefully inadequate. USDA’s own Office of the Inspector General concluded, after several audits, that the agency’s oversight is largely meaningless, because penalties are insufficient or nonexistent. There is no incentive for bad actors to change. This bill will give Virginia the ability to address the inhumane and illegal treatment of animals in its own research facilities. This bill does not prohibit animal testing. It does not establish new standards. Facilities will continue to be governed by standards to which they have been subject for many years. This bill does not require Virginia to conduct inspections. It simply gives Virginia the authority to penalize testing facilities that have already been determined to be in violation of applicable law. We owe it to the Beagles already out there today, suffering in labs that don’t care and know they can get away with it.

I strongly support HB 2348 PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE AT ANIMAL TESTING FACILITIES. I and many others would like our State to join the many other states which prohibit Animal Testing which is both cruel and unscientific.

I demanding that you protect our water stop the mountain valley pipeline from being drilled it will endanger people living there I am begging to protect our waters and lands as so important for endangered species and people. Concerned Citizen Ji Montgomery

Please support this bill! This simply requires these facilities have to meet the same requirements that all animal shelters in Virginia do. It would prevent repeat violations that keep happening like what happened at Envigo.

HB1382: Dear Honorable Chair and Committee Members, Please support the prohibition of the declawing of cats. Declawing is cruel and only worsens problems with pet ownership. HB1406: Dear Honorable Chair and Committee Members, Please support the elimination of licensing fees for pet owners. Lower income citizens can be negatively affected by these fees and pet ownership provides much needed companionship for elderly and those with low to moderate income. HB1989: Dear Honorable Chair and Committee Members, Please support the prohibition of killing contests for coyotes and other fur bearing animals. Killing Contests are cruel and glorify violence. They can actually backfire and elevate populations, aggravating any problems that may be associated. HB2042: Dear Honorable Chair and Committee Members, Please support initiating protections for whistleblowers at animal testing and research facilities. It takes great courage to stand up for those that have no voice. These people should have protections against retaliation. HB2348: Dear Honorable Chair and Committee Members, Please support imposing Civil Penalties on Animal Research Facilities that choose not to comply with Federal Laws and Regulations. This is a sensible, common sense bill that would help guide these facilities toward a more lawful approach to these endeavors. This legislation is very much needed. Thank you so much, Charles T Woodson Richmond Va

I am an occupational therapist that does car seat safety evaluations in a neonatal intensive care unit and well baby nursery. It is mandatory for families to provide a safe seat that meets current specifications by the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) in order for them to take their baby home from the hospital. If a seat is past 6 years old, it’s often hard to convince families to get a new seat because their old seat “looks” ok. But the old plastic won’t hold up and could crack into a dozen pieces in an impact. A tax exemptions on car seats could increase the use of safe seats!

Hello my name is Shaheen Khurana and I live in Oakton, VA. I am here as a working parent to strongly advocate for HB 2416 proposed by my Delegate Holly Seibold. We know that children seated in a booster seat in the back seat of the car are far less likely to be injured. They save lives so eliminating the taxes and making them more affordable and accessible is a big win for working families that are already struggling with high costs due to surging inflation. It is also common sense from a public safety perspective and will help lower barriers for parents and other caregivers to have these. In addition to saving parents money, the passage of this law can help increase awareness of the need to use car seats and upgrade them as a child grows. Passing laws is an important way to send public messages and to increase awareness. I urge you to vote yes on this bill. You will be saving us money and saving kids’ lives!

As a working parent, I want to strongly advocate for HB 2416 proposed by my Delegate Holly Seibold. Child restraint devices SAVE LIVES. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13. The use of child restraints has been shown to reduce the risk for serious injury by 45% for children, and decrease the risk of death by 54%. Eliminating the taxes and making them more affordable and accessible is a big win for working middle class families that are already struggling with high costs due to surging inflation. It is also common sense from a public safety perspective. In addition to saving parents money, the passage of this law can help increase awareness of the need to use car seats and upgrade them as a child grows. I urge you to vote yes on this bill. You will be saving us money and saving kids’ lives! Thank you!!

"To date, only two hospitals in the country received fines for failing to comply with the federal price transparency standards, both of which were in Georgia. Northside Hospital Atlanta was fined $883,180 and Northside Hospital Cherokee was fined $214,320. After being issued fines, both hospitals reformed their price transparency policies and PRA has recognized both as compliant." - 8/18/22 https://www.thecentersquare.com/virginia/hospitals-patient-group-dispute-virginia-price-transparency-compliance/article_2a320b84-1f1f-11ed-8583-df44a918a34b.html

Members of the Virginia House: I cannot fully express my absolutely heart-wrenching disappointment in the voting down of bills that are only meant to keep us safer here in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Your lack of awareness around how we here in VA feel day in and day out living in the communities you were elected to support is appalling. Guns have no business on our streets. Especially those designed for war and senseless murder. Our children go to school every day and have to practice lockdown drills because mass murders have tripled in this country over the last five years, many taking place in schools where our babies go every day to learn -- not to fear for their lives. Say that to yourself out loud: MASS MURDERS HAVE TRIPLED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. In AMERICA. Does that sound American? Does that make you proud of this country? To me, it feels like a lie. How can that reality apply to the great United States of America? How bout that - UNITED States? That isn't even valid today is it -- we have never been so divided. As a mother, I have never felt such unrelenting nagging anxiety. Why are you so hell-bent on keeping guns on our streets? Have enough lives not been lost? Despite the incessant violence taking place and destroying lives and communities every single day, you do nothing - and point fingers at mental health. Do you know what doesn't help someone mentally ill? Access to guns. You know that this problem is not fixed with one solution. You know that if we invest in mental health, public schools, AND enact common sense gun laws, we would see a huge difference - paying attention to just one piece of this will never get anywhere. I, and every single person I know, is begging you to stand up and do what is right by the American people – ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines WHILE ALSO looking for ways to improve public schooling and mental health. Work together for once. Haven’t we had enough? Give us a fighting chance at peace and civility. How many more innocent lives must be stolen before elected officials yourself especially see the error of their ways? You are part of the problem if you are not working towards a solution that benefits EVERYONE, including law-abiding gun owners. PLEASE. I pray every night that those who are vehemently against passing measures that only stand to help have a change of heart and finally do what is right for the entire Virginia community so that fewer innocent lives are stolen thanks to shockingly - and dangerously - weak gun laws. ------ Maggie Van Arsdell (703) 485-6551 margaretmvanarsdell@gmail.com

The Virginia State Parks website states that our parks have something for everyone. All -terrain powered wheelchairs would provide disabled visitors with a better way to experience our parks. We should do everything possible to ensure that a disability does not diminish one's enjoyment of our parks. It's the equitable thing to do.

February 3, 2023 Good afternoon members of the Appropriations Committee. I am writing to request your support of HB2453, a bill that would provide for a pilot program bringing all terrain power wheelchairs to our state parks. Due to paralysis caused by a spinal cord injury, I have used a manual wheelchair for the past 25 years. I am a regular visitor at Mason Neck State Park, a place I treasure for the opportunities to see wildlife like bald eagles, owls, and osprey. Although Mason Neck State Park has several trails that are deemed accessible, the sad reality is that they are not useable to many people with mobility impairments. One of this park’s accessible trails, called Marsh View, is described on the park’s web site as “a .25-mile long trail with a stone-packed surface that ends at an elevated platform overlooking the upper marshes of Kane’s Creek.” I was eager to enjoy the view from that platform when I set out on Marsh View Trail a few months ago. Unfortunately, exposed tree roots, holes, rocks, and other obstacles made it impossible for me to push my wheelchair to the end of the trail. An all-terrain power wheelchair would allow park visitors with impaired mobility to cover more distance with greater ease, and to enjoy more of the numerous benefits offered by Virginia’s state parks. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Kris Gulden

I support HB2453 because if all terrain wheelchairs are found practical they will allow wounded veterans who must use them enjoy Virginia’s parks including Mason Neck which is close to Fort Belvoir’s veterans rehabilitation facility.

What a kind thoughtful thing to do, provide wheelchairs so everyone can enjoy our wonderful parks. Patty

I am writing in support of the All Terrain Wheel Chair pilot program funding program for Virginia State Parks. This program would help increase accessibility in Virginia State Parks, so that everyone can enjoy access to our wonderful public lands

Please support Delegate Tran’s bill to study wheel chair access to state parks.

The Virginia Association for Parks Fully supports HB2453. HB2453 will open a whole new world to those currently physically unable to use and enjoy Virginia State Park trails. HB2453 greatly enhances and promotes Virginia State Parks ability to improve ADA accessibility to many underserved guests.

Please evaluate the feasibility of providing all-terrain wheelchairs in amenable state parks to enable a wider population to enjoy their many gifts. Thank you,

I am writing in support of providing all terrain wheel chairs for use in state parks. It would be wonderful if our state parks were more accessible to wheel chair users, who face so many barriers when trying to engage in activities that most of us take for granted. Spending time in nature can be a calming and peaceful experience, but only if you can access it easily. Please vote in favor of this bill.

I am a certified therapeutic recreation specialist representing Pursuit Adaptive Sports and Recreation and want to urge you to support HB2453. We are an organization of adults with physical disabilities who seek to enjoy sports and recreation in the same manner as those without disabilities. We also want to enjoy our state parks, for which our taxes fund, in the same way as other citizens. All terrain (AT) wheelchairs would allow those of us who use wheelchairs to roll along the trails with our friends and family members. The "accessible" trails in most of our state parks are not accessible to regular wheelchair users - they are full of broken pavement, roots coming through the pavement, often are muddy and present many other barriers. Please support this bill to at least pilot the AT wheelchairs to understand just how they would open up the state parks to all of our deserving citizens. Thank you!

Hi Please support the bill that would provide all terrain wheel chairs to state parks. This would make the parks more accessible to wheelchair users. Thanks

Please support the two-year pilot program to evaluate placing all-terrain wheelchairs in state parks. A number of states have already enacted AT wheelchairs in state parks and it has been very successful in meeting the needs of our citizens who use wheelchairs. If you have ever tried to take someone in a wheelchair to any of the "wheelchair accessible" trails you would understand how difficult it is to push the chair, not to mention, to ride in a chair while constantly being jostled. Let's try this pilot and determine what it is like to actually have an accessible state park. Thank you for your support!

I fully support the effort to make state parks more accessible and enjoyed by people with disabilities, especially those whose mobility depends on wheelchairs. Not only are parks meant to offer physical movement and exercise to all citizens, but parks' pristine surroundings and vistas help improve the mental and emotional disposition of those who visit. It's important that this bill allows the Commonwealth of Virginia to leave NONE of its citizens behind, especially some of its most vulnerable population, and especially those who need access to these kinds of environments the most.

Our Parks on Mason Neck are precious; so much so that they truly must be accessible to all users. Delegate Tran’s bill will go a long way towards making that goal a reality. I fully support efforts to ensure our fellow outdoor enthusiasts with disabilities can enjoy the rich resources on Mason Neck along with other members of the community.

I write in strong support of Delegate Tran's bill to establish a two-year pilot program for all-terrain power wheelchairs in state park. As a frequent visitor to both Mason Neck and Sky Meadows state parks, in contact with a friend who frequently visits Mason Neck in her wheelchair, I know first hand the physical challenges presented by hilly, rolling and uneven terrain in these two beautiful parks. The upgrading of park infrastructure to improve accessibility is happening gradually in both places, but that is an enormously expensive and time-consuming process. All-terrain power wheelchairs are a cost effective means of providing greater accessibility in state parks, over the short term. There are precedents for their publicly-funded use in several states -- states as diverse as Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota and South Dakota. According to one state park official in Minnesota, as quoted in a Washington Post story of November 8, 2022, "People have told us this is life-changing." In the interest of better, more accessible, more widely-used state parks, and expanded opportunities for a significant portion of park visitors, I encourage your active consideration of Delegate Tran's bill.

I writing to support bill HB 2453 introduced by Kathy Tran. The acquisition of all terrain wheelchairs for a pilot program in our state parks is an import step toward increased accessibility. I live within walking distance of Mason Neck State Park in Lorton. And am a frequent visitor and Board member if our Friends group. We have been working on increasing accessibility to our trails. While I can walk, many cannot. In walking two trails rated as accessible with a person in a wheelchair I became aware of the difficulty in pushing through roots,gravel, mud and dealing with slope. All terrain wheelchairs would encourage physical and recreational therapists to bring Wounded Warriors from nearby Firt Belvoir and others to the park to enjoy wooded trails and water views. Please support this pilot program. Our friends group stands ready to support the effort and expand the program if the pilot is successful.

Delegate Tran’s bill is a wonderful and creative way to support all those with mobility challenges, especially the very large contingent of wounded warriors at Ft. Belvoir. Disabled warriors and others can see only a small part of the beauty of Mason Neck from the road while in a vehicle or on a specialized bike. The vast majority of the natural beauty of Mason Neck State Park can only be enjoyed while on its trails offering forest, bay, meadow, and river views. Likewise, those are the only places where the park’s wildlife can be seen. As a veteran and decades long visitor to Mason Neck State Park, I wholeheartedly support the bill.

Access for all should be a no brainer when it comes to state parks. There really isnt anything else that needs to be said.

Last year I was injured due to a broken foot and I have continuous knee issues. I love to go hiking in the parks nearby my home on the weekends and bird watch but unfortunately during the time when my foot was broken and when my knee is immobile I cannot enjoy the parks and get outside. Having all terrain vehicles in parks would allow not only myself but also so many people with disabilities get out and enjoy our parks.

I think all terrain wheelchairs are a good idea for state parks, to help disabled citizens enjoy the peace and serenity of park trails and activities.

Delegate Tran's bill dovetails perfectly with the efforts of Mason Neck State Park and the Friends to improve accessibility at the park. There is no guarantee that the pilot program, if it is approved, would result in all-terrain wheelchairs being placed at the park, but every state park could benefit from them. At Mason Neck State Park, Kris Gulden, who is a wheelchair user, has attempted to travel on park paths and found that even those that are labeled as accessible are nearly impassible to wheelchairs. Also, having all-terrain wheelchairs available could be very helpful to soldiers and veterans at Ft. Belvoir's rehabilitation center

I think having adaptive wheelchairs in all state parks is an excellent idea!

I enthusiastically support Delegate Tran's bill. I am a frequent visitor and volunteer at Mason Neck State Park. I know that the park staff makes great efforts to keep the trails accessible, but all of the unpaved trails in the park are nearly impossible for a wheelchair user to navigate because of intrusion from roots and the grades. I am fairly sure the same holds true for other parks, and in particular state parks that are in hilly terrain. Placing all-terrain wheelchairs at Mason Neck would be very helpful to visitors. I am aware of one regular visitor to the park who is a wheelchair user, and I am sure there are others. The park is close to Ft. Belvoir, which has a large Wounded Warrior rehabilitation facility. The facility already uses the park for some events. Having all-terrain wheelchairs at the park would help advance their mission as well as that of the park.

Please authorize the pilot program to place all-terrain wheelchairs in state parks. . As Delegate Tran's bill notes, every state park could benefit from all-terrain wheelchairs. At Mason Neck State Park, Kris Gulden, who is a wheelchair user, has attempted to travel on park paths and found that even those that are labeled as accessible are nearly impassible to wheelchairs. Also, having all-terrain wheelchairs available could be very helpful to soldiers and veterans at Ft. Belvoir's rehabilitation center.

I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.

Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?

Comments Document

A letter in opposition of this bill is attached.

On behalf of the Prince William Chamber, we SUPPORT HB2496. This bill would create the Virginia Recycling Development Center to provide applied research and development, marketing assistance, and policy analysis in furthering the development of markets and processing for recycled commodities and products. Creating this center is critically necessary to successfully promote recycling solutions rather than ban products that are convenient or necessary for consumers and businesses in Virginia. This center’s work will send a signal to the recycling industry that Virginia wants their investment to address discarded plastics. Virginia must improve its recycling capabilities in order to be in the top tier of states in recycling. We join the Coalition for Consumer Choices in supporting HB2496. Thank you for your consideration.