As a physician and Adjunct Professor of Health Sciences at Shenandoah University, I am particularly concerned about the growing risks of extreme heat in Virginia. Since 1970, temperatures have been steadily increasing every decade, and this trend is predicted to continue throughout this century. As a result of these rising temperatures, Virginians already are experiencing a growing number of heat-related illnesses, with the number of visits to emergency departments and urgent care facilities rising from 1,774 in 2015 to 2,808 in 2021. These health impacts are not evenly distributed across the state, with eastern and central areas around Richmond and Norfolk recording higher rates of heat-related illnesses than other locations. In addition to the health risks, hotter days are also causing significant economic losses, particularly in outdoor workplaces where productivity is impacted by the need for increased rest and hydration to maintain safe core body temperatures. Studies have estimated that labor productivity losses due to extreme heat in Virginia account for $20.5 million annually, with the construction and manufacturing industries experiencing the largest percentage of overall productivity losses. In light of these concerning trends, it is clear that action is urgently needed to protect the health and wellbeing of Virginians and to mitigate the economic costs of extreme heat. The proposed SB936 is a critical step in developing a comprehensive state-wide plan for extreme heat emergency response. This plan would develop a heat adaptation plan and team to facilitate state agency coordination. In addition, it would provide life saving public cooling spaces, and establish extreme heat health warning systems and protocols. This bill would partner with community organizations to provide services and support for extreme heat events, and examine housing cooling needs. These actions are urgently needed to address the growing risks of extreme heat in Virginia. Therefore, as a health care educator, I strongly support SB936 and urge all Virginia legislators to vote in favor of this important bipartisan solution.

As a physician and retired Public Health Official (Chesterfield Health District), I am urging you to vote for SB396 which is being heard in General Laws Committee this Tuesday. Having a state-wide plan for extreme heat is an important issue to me. We have seen how lack of proper planning for any disaster results in unnecessary loss of life. It is clear that the number of days with an "extreme caution " heat index is increasing, and that many of these days will be strung together in heat waves. Advance planning will save lives and decrease pressure on our medical facilities. This is exactly the kind of proactive step we would all want our leaders to take. SB936 directs the Virginia Department of Emergency Management to develop a comprehensive extreme heat emergency response plan by November 1, 2023. This plan will include (i) developing a heat adaptation plan, (ii) convening a heat emergency coordination team to facilitate coordination across state agencies, (iii) establishing public cooling spaces, (iv) developing extreme heat health warning systems and protocols, (v) establishing partnerships with community-based organizations to provide services and support to all communities, and (vi) examining housing cooling needs. Please vote Yes on SB936, a bipartisan solution that Virginia needs.

I feel this is a timely bill. As a climate activist, I am aware of the increasing incidence of extreme heat events, such as the one that took around 600 lives in the Pacific Northwest USA and another 800 lives across the border in Canada in 2021, according to wikipedia. As a public librarian who serves some homeless people in Hopewell VA, I am aware of one woman who died from heat stroke while sleeping outside, and a male who was hospitalized but recovered from daytime overheating. The male, who was around age 50, had unfortunately lost access to the air conditioned interior of our library for three months during the beginning of the pandemic before we re-opened. These two instances occurred in the past three years. Senate Bill 936, patron Senator Hashmi, directs the Virginia Department of Emergency Management to develop an extreme heat emergency response plan, supporting VDEM’s capabilities to respond to these weather crises in order to save lives. It would be good to enact this now, rather than at some future time in response to a disaster. Not all Virginians have air conditioned homes, and those who do not, especially the elderly, can be at risk from summer heat waves. Climate change is actually causing a greater rise of summer nightime temperatures and humidity than the rise in daytime temperatures. This night heat and humidity does not permit the elderly to recover from daytime heat stress. I support this bill because an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

SB1384 makes me question my support for Jennifer McClellan in next week’s special election for the VA’s 4th Congressional district, which is unfortunate as I was really excited about her candidacy. The last thing Virginia needs is another law that sides with dangerous dog breeds over public safety. Ms. Evangeline Brooks was mauled and killed in her own front yard by a neighbor’s pitbull only a few months ago in Richmond and with no criminal consequences for the dog’s owner. Because in Virginia, the first bite (or mauling) is free, even when it’s a statistically predictable event. Who does that serve? Not the public or our pets. Maybe instead of granting even more rights to dangerous breeds, you could pass some laws that hold owners accountable for their dog’s actions. If you’re truly interested in not punishing the responsible dog owners for the actions of the irresponsible (the reasoning typically touted with such pro-pitbull/anti-public safety legislation), then why not pass something that holds the irresponsible owners accountable? Certain breeds do not belong in neighborhoods, and they certainly don’t belong in under-insured public housing. Pitbulls don’t bite, they maul and if their victim survives, the medical costs are large, and recovery is difficult. Who will pay for those bills in the absence of a homeowners insurance policy? This bill needs to be tabled and actually thought thru in the interest of public safety.

This bill makes me question my support for Jennifer McClellan in next week’s special election for the VA’s 4th Congressional district, which is unfortunate as I was really excited about her candidacy. The last thing Virginia needs is another law that sides with dangerous dog breeds over public safety. Ms. Evangeline Brooks was mauled and killed in her own front yard by a neighbor’s pitbull only a few months ago in Richmond and with no criminal consequences for the dog’s owner. Because in Virginia, the first bite (or mauling) is free, even when it’s a statistically predictable event. Who does that serve? Not the public or our pets. Maybe instead of granting even more rights to dangerous breeds, you could pass some laws that hold owners accountable for their dog’s actions. If you’re truly interested in not punishing the responsible dog owners for the actions of the irresponsible (the reasoning typically touted with such pro-pitbull/anti-public safety legislation), then why not pass something that holds the irresponsible owners accountable? Certain breeds do not belong in neighborhoods, and they certainly don’t belong in under-insured public housing. Pitbulls don’t bite, they maul and if their victim survives, the medical costs are large, and recovery is difficult. Who will pay for those bills in the absence of a homeowners insurance policy? This bill needs to be tabled and actually thought thru in the interest of public safety.

Comments Document

The Animal Legal Defense Fund supports SB 1384. Please fund full support letter attached.

As a longtime dog owner, I recognize the benefits that a pet in the home can provide. It is not only a loving companion in good times and bad, but a source of good daily exercise, socialization and all around well being. After 54 years of marriage, we treasure those memories. The landscape of "normal " dog ownership and what is acceptable dog behavior has skewed dramatically into increasingly shocking statistics. Just over 700 Americans have been killed by dogs since 2005. In the last two years alone 38 were children, mauled to death in many instances by the "family pet." Such data contributed to the Defense Department's decision to ban certain dog breeds from military housing. The glaring problem with SB 1384 is just this: are all breeds acceptable just because one rents or lives in taxpayer supported housing? What about Cane Corso, the XL Bully, the Tosa Inu, the Presa Canario, and as always the wolf hybrid? Are they OK just because folks happen to be renting? As the bill is written, anything goes. There certainly are questions as to who will assume liability for deaths and injuries, as well as destruction of a landlord's property? And who will be responsible for attacks on the neighbors' smaller pets?