House of Delegates Speak

Public Comments for 02/09/2024 Appropriations

HB102 - Court-appointed counsel; raises the limitation of fees.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

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Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

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Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Alexandria is a vibrant city based on history, culture, a waterfront and lots of tourism. If Virginia has money and space to build an arena then you have money and space to build new schools. Our school system is deplorable. It’s overcrowded. Think of your citizens before thinking about your quick money grab that eventually leads to an inevitable loss. We don’t want or need an arena. This is pure greed.

Last Name: Vogan Organization: Private Attorney Locality: Norfolk

I heartily endorse the well-reasoned comments submitted by my colleague, Cassie Hargrave, Esquire. The miserly amounts paid by our state for professional legal advice & representation of indigents reflect poorly on the dignity of the Commonwealth. Our legislature can and should enact this bill, which will help close a gap of fair compensation that has been too long in place.

Last Name: Hargrave Locality: Chesapeake

Court-appointed attorneys in the Commonwealth of Virginia have not had an increase in pay in more than TWENTY YEARS. Meanwhile, the cost of living has increased astronomically, and the Commonwealth of Virginia increases minimum wage every year. Other states around the country have recognized a need to appropriately compensate their court-appointed attorneys. As a court-appointed attorney for the last 16 years, I can report that from the view in the trenches, it is a precarious situation. Very talented attorneys are leaving the court-appointed attorney lists in droves, not because they cannot do the work, but simply because they cannot afford to not be paid for the hard work that they do. Imagine being a court-appointed attorney and appearing in court for FIVE FULL DAYS on an appeal, only to be paid $158.00 TOTAL. (And this doesn't include the actual preparation it takes outside of court to try the case). This is happening in Virginia. Imagine being a court-appointed attorney that is making LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE, yet having to pay your support staff a minimum wage that increases every year. This is happening in Virginia. Imagine being a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, whose children have been (often times, unjustly) taken and placed into foster care, and you do not even have an attorney appointed to you (which is your RIGHT under the law) because there are no attorneys willing to do this amount of work for free. This is happening in Virginia. Imagine being a judge who is trying to enforce a litigant's right to counsel, but you cannot find a single attorney to represent the litigant because all of the court-appointed attorneys have quit. This is happening in Virginia. And lastly, imagine being a child who wants to (and should be) home with your parents, but your parents do not have quality representation because all of the qualified attorneys have quit, and your parent's rights are terminated and you never see them again. THIS IS HAPPENING IN VIRGINIA. This is not sustainable. The court cannot run without court-appointed attorneys. If the rate of pay for court-appointed attorneys is not increased, the court system is going to implode. There is no easier way to say it. This is not just about court-appointed attorneys. It is about parents, children, and families, and how much those people really matter to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Please do right by the citizens of Virginia, and the court-appointed attorneys who are working tirelessly to represent them and support this bill. It is time. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Last Name: Bryant Locality: Hampton

I would like for the committee to consider the the bill on the table today. So many individuals incarcerated are far removed from the people they were 10, 5 ,20 years ago.

Last Name: Smallwood Organization: VACDL Locality: Pittsylvania

Hello, I am M. Lee Smallwood, II, the co-chair of the Legislative Committee for the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. I also participated in the study process that resulted in the JLARC study that provides the factual support for this bill. While I am not a court appointed attorney, I am a public defender and am therefore acutely aware of the circumstances that exist. The compensation offered for the typical court appointed case is insufficient to attract appropriate levels of experienced and talented criminal defense attorneys who can assist the indigent with defending themselves in vindication of their constitutional rights. Locally I practice in Danville and keep track of the circumstances throughout Southside Virginia. Our court appointed lists are short, and our judges have been actively recruiting members of the Bar and even appointing cases to attorneys who are not on the court appointed list. The latter practice is problematic because the Indigent Defense Commission has no oversight of persons who are not on the court appointed list pursuant to the statutory process. Our founders fervently believed that our criminal justice system required the ability for a person accused to vigorously defend himself, and it is for that reason that Gideon recognized the requirement for states to provide legal assistance to those who cannot afford it. We have certainly become a more enlightened society in the time since that decision, and we must keep the defense provided to all persons vigorous by adjusting the very low compensation levels provided in Virginia. The exact dollar amounts vary from this bill to SB356, but the most important issue is providing for an increase in the ballpark of the figures in either bill.

HB179 - Imprisonment; consecutive terms.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Eason Organization: HB834,HB179,HB45 Locality: Newport News

I fully support those bills.

Last Name: Eason Organization: HB834,HB179,HB45 Locality: Newport News

I fully support those bills.

Last Name: Byrd Organization: Myself Locality: Petersburg

I fully support these bills HB45 HB179 HB 834

Last Name: Hancock Locality: Chesapeake

I fully support HB179 I am also in full support of HB834. This bill is not proposing that individuals should not be held accountable for their mistakes. And it's not suggesting a get out of jail free card for everyone who commits a crime. It is about taking a second look into the sentences of people who have served a significant amount of time and who have proven their sincere growth and remorse for their mistakes. I believe that redemption, compassion and justice can all be possible. There are people who are currently incarcerated who would be so much more of a contribution to society and their families if given the opportunity to have their sentence modified.

Last Name: Bryant Locality: Hampton

I would like for the committee to consider the the bill on the table today. So many individuals incarcerated are far removed from the people they were 10, 5 ,20 years ago.

Last Name: Landsman Organization: FAMM Locality: Washington, DC

Comments Document

Attached is written testimony in support of HB 179. The testimony highlights FAMM's support of the reforms contained in HB 179 and the evidence that supports Virginia adopting such reforms.

Last Name: Smith Locality: Waverley

Dear Committee, I extend my sincere gratitude for considering my story. It is crucial for me to convey the depth of remorse and responsibility I feel for the actions that led to my incarceration. I am Russell H Smith, and I want to express, with utmost sincerity, that my plea for assistance in no way diminishes the acknowledgment of the profound impact my choices had on others' lives. In 2005, at the age of 22, I found myself entangled in a home invasion that resulted in significant legal consequences. I accepted guilt for charges spanning from wearing a ski mask in public to the grave offense of first-degree murder. Despite the severity of my actions, I am compelled to emphasize that I take full accountability for the pain inflicted, recognizing the destruction caused that fateful night. As I serve a 70-year sentence, it is important for you to understand that my plea is not a plea for innocence but a plea for a chance at redemption and a second lease on life. I acknowledge the enormity of my wrongs, and I am acutely aware of the suffering endured by those affected. Throughout my 18+ years of incarceration, I have committed myself to personal transformation. I have actively participated in numerous rehabilitation programs and educational initiatives, culminating in the attainment of my GED and ministry licenses. Importantly, I have maintained an impeccable record, remaining infraction-free for the past 16 years. Prison, in an unexpected twist, became a catalyst for positive change in my life. It provided me with an opportunity to reflect, learn, and grow. I do not take lightly the gravity of my past actions, but I firmly believe that every individual deserves a chance at redemption and renewal. At the age of 40, I stand before you as a changed man, yearning for the prospect of reintegration into society as a productive citizen. My journey within the prison system has been marked by stability, employment, and various achievements, all indicative of my commitment to rehabilitation. I implore you to consider supporting my plea for freedom and a second chance. I understand the complexities surrounding my case, but I believe in the transformative power of genuine remorse and sustained positive change. Your advocacy could be instrumental in affording me the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society once again. Thank you for your time, and I earnestly hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, Russell H Smith

Last Name: Smith Locality: Waverley

Dear Senator Kaine, I extend my sincere gratitude for considering my story. It is crucial for me to convey the depth of remorse and responsibility I feel for the actions that led to my incarceration. I am Russell H Smith, and I want to express, with utmost sincerity, that my plea for assistance in no way diminishes the acknowledgment of the profound impact my choices had on others' lives. In 2005, at the age of 22, I found myself entangled in a home invasion that resulted in significant legal consequences. I accepted guilt for charges spanning from wearing a ski mask in public to the grave offense of first-degree murder. Despite the severity of my actions, I am compelled to emphasize that I take full accountability for the pain inflicted, recognizing the destruction caused that fateful night. As I serve a 70-year sentence, it is important for you to understand that my plea is not a plea for innocence but a plea for a chance at redemption and a second lease on life. I acknowledge the enormity of my wrongs, and I am acutely aware of the suffering endured by those affected. Throughout my 18+ years of incarceration, I have committed myself to personal transformation. I have actively participated in numerous rehabilitation programs and educational initiatives, culminating in the attainment of my GED and ministry licenses. Importantly, I have maintained an impeccable record, remaining infraction-free for the past 16 years. Prison, in an unexpected twist, became a catalyst for positive change in my life. It provided me with an opportunity to reflect, learn, and grow. I do not take lightly the gravity of my past actions, but I firmly believe that every individual deserves a chance at redemption and renewal. At the age of 40, I stand before you as a changed man, yearning for the prospect of reintegration into society as a productive citizen. My journey within the prison system has been marked by stability, employment, and various achievements, all indicative of my commitment to rehabilitation. I implore you, Senator Kaine, to consider supporting my plea for freedom and a second chance. I understand the complexities surrounding my case, but I believe in the transformative power of genuine remorse and sustained positive change. Your advocacy could be instrumental in affording me the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society once again. Thank you for your time, and I earnestly hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, Russell H Smith

HB218 - Health insurance; health care provider panels, continuity of care.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

HB310 - Judges; maximum number each judicial district and circuit.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

HB316 - Virginia Recycling Development Center; established, report.

Last Name: Bocanegra Locality: Schonherrn

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Last Name: Birchell Locality: Newark

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Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Donald Locality: Newark

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Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Felton Organization: AMERIPEN Locality: Springfield

Comments Document

AMERIPEN – the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment – appreciates the opportunity to submit the attached written testimony testimony on House Bill 316 (Bulova) that would establish the Virginia Recycling Development Center for the purposes of furthering the development of markets and processing for recycled commodities and products within the Commonwealth of Virginia. AMERIPEN supports policies that improve recycling, consumer education and move materials into circularity. This includes government support for the development, implementation, and maintenance of robust state recycling market development centers. We therefore fully support HB 316 as drafted and urge this sub-committee to support its passage.

Last Name: Peer Organization: American Chemistry Council Locality: Washington, DC

Comments Document

The American Chemistry Council (ACC), acting on behalf of its Plastics Division, appreciates the opportunity to submit these comments in support of H. 316 that would establish the Virginia Recycling Development Center (Center). ACC and our members are deeply committed to creating a more circular economy for plastics and helping prevent used plastic in the environment. That is why ACC and our Plastics Division members were among the first to establish ambitious, forward-thinking goals that all plastic packaging in the United States is reused, recycled, or recovered by 2040 and that all U.S. plastic packaging is recyclable or recoverable by 2030. Achieving these goals will require industry, manufacturers, brands and retailers, recyclers, and waste haulers, as well as citizens, communities, non-profits, academics, and federal, state, and local governments, to come together to support policies and programs to increase the supply of and demand for recycled materials and create the circular economy we all want. Under this legislation, the Center would focus on increasing end markets for recycled content through applied research and development, marketing, and policy analysis. The Center would be the Commonwealth’s focal point for producers, recovery facilities, packaging manufacturers, retailers, local governments, environmental organizations, higher education, and in-state agencies. This proposal acknowledges that recycling is not just an activity designed to improve the environment, but also a part of the economic system. The Center’s activities aim to enhance the supply of material so that it is of sufficient quality and quantity to be of value to end markets and increase the demand for the material and goods made from recycled content. These important features of the Center will help Virginia transition from a linear economy to a circular economy. Again, ACC urges the committee to support this legislation. Thank you for this opportunity to provide information to the committee.

Last Name: Caywood Locality: Virginia Beach

Ever since the City of Chesapeake ended curbside recycling, as a Virginia Beach resident, I feared we were next. Therefore, I've been researching the issue and it is apparent that lack of markets is a big factor in the rising cost of curbside recycling. I support HB316 as a step toward developing markets for materials with post-consumer content. Please create the Virginia Recycling Development Center and the Recycling Market Development Fund so we can move forward on the Governor's Executive Order #17. I will eagerly await the report of the Virginia Recycling Development Center Advisory Committee.

Last Name: Avril Garland Organization: Friends of Accotink Creek Locality: Fairfax County

Friends of Accotink Creek supports HB 320. Allowing volunteers apply best practices for controlling invasive vines (painting herbicide on freshly cut stumps/roots) will allow them to do the job properly. Just cutting the vines is a waste of time. Uprooting vines on a regular basis risks serious back injury to volunteers. Some infestations like lesser celandine and ailanthus trees can ONLY be controlled by herbicides. Virginia hasn't the funds to pay herbicide crews to treat all its invasive-infested areas. The slack will have to picked up by volunteers.

Last Name: Clarke Locality: Richmond, Virginia

HB47 Please support this bill. Invasive plants should not be available for sale in Virginia nurseries. Our state government has estimated that invasive plants are costing Virginia's economy upwards of $1 billion per year. I walk around our neighborhood clipping English Ivy off of trees as these invasive vines slowly kill trees. Much of the general public, landscapers and nurseries are ignorant about the cost of invasive plants. They spread and over take our landscape destroying habitat and food for our birds, pollinators and other wildlife. HB320 Please support this bill which would allow the many volunteers that are tackling the invasives problem to do an effective job in eliminating them once and for all by using herbicides. HB316 Please support this bill so we can move to a circular economy. We need a recycling vision and facilities so that Virginians can keep plastic out of the ocean, re-use glass, paper and aluminum. Business opportunities exist at the local levels. Food waste and compostable packaging need a digester. Plastics can be recycled into toys and other consumer products. There should be no single use products that pollute our land and our oceans. Without commitment this won't happen. HB245 Please support this bill and let's see what chemical companies are dumping into our environment. PFAs are dangerous and are accumulating in all of our bodies. They are everywhere. We need to stop and protect ourselves and our children. The toxic chemicals surround us and we allow the chemical companies to dupe us into thinking that they are safe.

Last Name: Mayhew Locality: Fairfax

I support HB316 because recycling will only be effective if there is a profitable use for the materials collected. Fairfax County has developed a use for glass, which would otherwise not be cost-effective to collect. The Virginia TREX factory uses recycled plastic to make its product, thus encouraging recycling plastic bags and bottles. These examples show that recycling can be cost-effective. The current low price of natural gas - the source material for plastic - has made recycling plastic unprofitable. More local uses for recyclable materials that do not involve large shipping costs will help balance those costs. Virginia should lead in removing recyclable waste from the environment by developing more new local cost-effective uses.

HB348 - Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Moran Locality: Manassas

I'm not sure which bill I'm commenting on entirely. All I know for sure is I'm a type 1 diabetic of 30 years. And our government seems to care very little about my health or the insane costs of the medication that I absolutely have to have to live. Or getting the care I need. Which has been expensive, and has kept me struggling to survive pay rent or see the many doctors I need to see. I am ready to share my story. About my lows where I wake up in the hospital then wind up with an $8000 hospital bill as well as a $4000 bill for a 10 minute ambulance ride. Or about my highs, or just about the struggle of being a Diabetic who was uninsured who struggles to survive in a government that seems to care more about pharmaceutical companies profits than it's citizens health. I have quite a bit to say on the subject and my struggles as a diabetic.

Last Name: Kanoyton Organization: Virginia NAACP Locality: Hampton

The Virginia NAACP strongly support hb 348 paid sick leave

Last Name: Kanoyton Organization: Virginia NAACP Locality: Hampton

The Virginia NAACP strongly support hb 348 paid sick leave

Last Name: Logan Organization: UCWVA/Virginians for Paid Sick Days Locality: Richmond

Please vote YES on this critical piece of legislation. We're just coming out of a particularly challenging respiratory virus season--we know that illnesses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV are not going away. 1.2 million working Virginians do not have paid sick days. That's 1.2 million Virginians who aren't able to rest, recover, or protect their coworkers from catching illness if they're sick. This is not just a humane or ethical bill; it's one that makes business sense. Employers lose $160 billion annually in productivity due to workers coming to work despite illness or injury. This bill would make a huge difference in the lives of working Virginians attempting to keep themselves and their families healthy. Please vote yes!

Last Name: Parks Organization: United Campus Workers of Virginia Locality: Albemarle

Vote YES on HB348 to give all workers paid sick days. Not having paid sick days means that workers have to choose between paying rent and taking care of themselves or their family members, and that choice is not fair to them or to the rest of society. This is a personal health issue (people can't care for themselves or their children or families) and a public health issue. More than half of all Norovirus outbreaks can be traced back to sick food service workers who were forced to choose between working sick and losing pay or their job. I personally know multiple food service workers who don't want to go to work sick because they know the risks of spreading disease, but they feel like they must because they need to buy groceries. It's also a financial issue. Without paid sick days, workers go to work sick, infecting others and impacting productivity. Employers lose $160 billion annually in productivity due to workers coming to work despite illness or injury. Having paid sick days will also save money in lower healthcare costs.

Last Name: Pearson Locality: Richmond

Représentatives, My name is Amber Pearson and I am a member of United Campus Workers, and I support HB 348. If the pandemic has taught us nothing else, it is that we all suffer when people are forced to choose between their or their family's health and paying the bills. Please support this bill. Amber Pearson

Last Name: Codding Organization: IWEA Locality: Fairfax

STATEMENT OF FRED CODDING IRON WORKERS EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE - SUBCOMMITTEE #2 COMMITTEE JANUARY 25, 2024 I AM FRED CODDING OF 10382 MAIN STREET, FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA 22030. THIS STATEMENT IS SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF THE IRON WORKERS EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION (IWEA). WE WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS CONSTRUCTION’S CONCERNS WITH HOUSE BILL 348 AND HOUSE BILL 737. THE IRON WORKERS EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION (IWEA) CONTRACTORS WORK THROUGHOUT VIRGINIA. ITS CONTRACTOR MEMBERS, WHICH INCLUDE MINORITY CONTRACTORS, WORK ON SMALL AND LARGE PROJECTS. MEMBERS OF THE IRON WORKERS EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION ITSELF SUPPLY AND INSTALL REINFORCING STEEL, STRUCTURAL STEEL, WINDOW WALL, CURTAINWALL AND RELATED PRODUCTS ON PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH. WE SHOULD POINT OUT THAT MANY OF OUR MEMBERS ARE SMALL BUSINESSES. OUR MEMBERS EMPLOY IRON WORKERS WHO ARE WORKING ON JOBS THROUGHOUT VIRGINIA AND NEIGHBORING JURISDICTIONS. THEY MAY BE ON A JOB HERE IN VIRGINIA, BUT TOMORROW MAY BE IN NORTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, WEST VIRGINIA, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA OR DELAWARE. THEY TRAVEL EXTENSIVELY. IN ADDITION, THEY MOVE FROM ONE CONTRACTOR TO ANOTHER IN RELATIVELY SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. THIS IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE INDUSTRY. AS A RESULT, THEIR PAY LEVELS REFLECT MOBILITY. IN ADDITION, CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS FREQUENTLY PROVIDE COSTLY PENSIONS, HEALTH CARE, WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE AND PREMIUM TIME ON A NUMBER OF HOLIDAYS AS WELL AS WEEKENDS. IN ADDITION, THEY PROVIDE DISABILITY INSURANCE. IN ADDITION TO THESE, OUR MEMBER CONTRACTORS ALSO CONTRIBUTE $1.55 PER IRON WORKER MANHOUR WORKED FOR CONTINUING TRAINING OF APPRENTICE AND UPGRADING PROGRAMS. THE BURDENS THE LEGISLATION PLACES ON CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS INCREASES THOSE THEY ALREADY BEAR. THE LEGISLATION SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASES RECORD-KEEPING REQUIREMENTS. NUMEROUS OTHER JURISDICTIONS HAVE RECOGNIZED THESE CONCERNS. IF A BILL PASSES, WE ASK THAT THE CONCERNS OF CONSTRUCTION BE ACCOMMODATED. WE REQUEST AN EXEMPTION FOR CONSTRUCTION. ABSENT A FULL EXEMPTION, WE REQUEST AN EXEMPTION FOR THOSE WITH COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS. AS NOTED, THIS HAS BEEN DONE IN MANY OTHER MAJOR JURISDICTIONS.

Last Name: Gonzalez Locality: Fredericksburg

HB385: there’s an importance and safety to having two man crews.. safety for the company and the public.

Last Name: Levinson Organization: UCW Locality: Richmond

Nearly all workers will need to take time away to deal with a serious personal or family illness, or to care for a new child or an aging parent. These life stages shouldn’t mean economic insecurity for Virginia’s workforce. Providing access to paid sick days for Virginia’s workers would allow them to maintain economic security and ensure a healthier, more productive workforce in the Commonwealth. More than 80 percent of food industry workers and 75 percent of childcare workers have no paid sick days. Moreover, employers lose $160 billion annually in productivity due to “presenteeism” (the practice of coming to work despite illness or injury). Additionally, providing paid medical and family leave results in reduced turnover. Paid Sick Days Benefit Workers, Families, Businesses, Public Health & the Economy! When sick workers are able to stay home, the spread of disease slows, and workplaces are both healthier and more productive. Plus, workers recover faster from illness and obtain timely medical care –enabling them to get back to work sooner and holding down health care costs. Providing paid sick days would protect hard working families and level the playing field for small companies.

HB489 - Fire Programs Fund; increases annual assessment used to fund.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Doe Locality: Virginia Beach

Please stop trying to make criminals of law abiding citizens who just want to protect themselves. Me and my partner have recently become firearm owners because of situations that have arisen in our day to day lives, such as harassment of my wife almost to the point of altercation, sketchy characters waiting in front of our door/ducking in and out of our bushes at all times of the night, people breaking into cars in the neighborhood etc (many times the police/security were called only to arrive 45mins to an hour later). with many of these nonsensical bills you condemn us to allowing any possible violence to happen to us without a chance of defending our selves. Instead of helping fix the problem, you seek to make criminals out of any Virginian who has followed the law and legal purchased a firearm. Shame on you. I am Virginian native and since I was 18 I voted leaning blue in local and state elections you all are making me think this was a mistake. I am not proud of Virginia “progressives” who would rather strip my wife of her chance and right to defend her self rather than try to address the root of crime. Don’t make law abiding people criminals. Do some actual work and address the criminals! 2 of the proposed bills would make in illegal to bring your concealed firearm into a restaurant and another makes it a crime to have the firearm in your vehicle…. Like really? This is literally just to fill jails and strip people of their rights.

Last Name: Devich Locality: Purcellville

The 2nd amendment states "shall not be infringed". All of these bills are infringement and are therefore unconstitutional. Should we pass laws that people must pass a test before they can have freedom of speech? What about pass a test before you can vote? What about if someone does not have training they will be slaves again? Name one other right outlined in the constitution where a citizen has to jump through hoops before they can use that right? I oppose all of these bills as they will do more harm than good. I can understand wanting to keep people safe but gun control does the opposite. These bills will only make it harder for law abiding citizens to exercise their rights while criminals will still ignore the law. Criminals will still get illegal guns or weapons and will commit more crimes since they know the public is unable to defend themselves. Benjamin Franklin once said: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." You writing bills saying "give up your rights and guns and we will protect you". Well ask the Native Americans how that worked out for them. Ask a Jewish person who was under Nazi control how that worked out for them. Well Hitler's first step was to take away the guns from the public so they could not protect themselves and over 6 million people lost their lives. Since you do not know history you are writing bills which will doom us to repeat it. You know 75 years ago when you could just buy a gun in a catalog and it was shipped to your house we did not have this issue. In the 60s and 70s when people would have a gun in their truck at school or take one in for show and tell we did not have a gun issue. This is a mental health issue. Deal with mental health and you will fix the public safety issue. Zero of my guns have killed people because guns do not kill people. People kill people. Look at Ukraine and Israel for just one form of example why we need LESS gun control. All of these gun laws are unconstitutional and should be thrown out. Do the right thing and let us law abiding citizens have their rights as outlined in the constitution. Do not pass laws which infringe on our rights. If the 2nd amendment falls, the 1st will follow . When the 1st and 2nd fall the 13th will fall and our country will be lost and we will be back in chains.

Last Name: Lopez Locality: Virginia Beach

I strongly, along with many fellow Virginians oppose any villainous disarmament bills disguised as "public safety". The second amendment clearly states "SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED" and out of touch elitist politicians who enjoy the luxury of armed security are choosing to ignore the constitution and force us to rely on sub-par police protection. The same people who want to defund the police want to disarm us. Embracing the second amendment is what is keeping our crime rates low compared to New York and California. We have seen the blatant disregard that criminals have for these so-called laws; emboldened criminals who are not afraid of the consequences and innocent law-abiding people who are forced to live in fear because a bunch of tyrants are letting power corrupt them. I do not want to live in fear and neither do the rest of us. In addition; a lot of counties and cities have declared themselves as second amendment sanctuaries to protect the rights of free individuals from the overreach of tyrannical politicians. These bills are a Trojan horse that will lead to more crime. You anti-gun politicians should be ashamed of yourselves; give up your private security and train yourselves. Then you will change your minds; because in the end, nobody is coming to save you. I would rather have a fighting chance against armed assailants than die waiting for help to arrive. These bills are pure evil

Last Name: Rust Locality: Chesterfield

I oppose all these unconstitutional, dangerous, and pointless laws.

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Pahuja Organization: Virginia Moms for Change Locality: Henrico

I am a member of Virginia Moms for Change, a gun violence prevention group, and I support the following bills: HB1174, HB1181, HB1195, HB12, HB1424, HB1462, HB158, HB175, HB183, HB23, HB270, HB318, HB319, HB351, HB362, HB585, HB602, HB637, HB791, HB797, HB798, HB799, HB861, HB916, & HB945 I am a member of Virginia Moms for Change, a gun violence prevention group, and I oppose these bills: HB1030, HB1141, HB1198, HB1230, HB1235, HB1321, HB1325, HB1386, HB289, HB389, HB756, & HB872 Innocent children are dying on our watch. Please do something.

Last Name: Phillips Locality: North Chesterfield

The end of solitary confinement must be done My son was murdered in solitary confinement at Red Onion Prison in Pound Va on 1/3/22.

Last Name: Goodman Locality: Floyd

Our Constitution does not provide citizens with privileges. It establishes a government with checks and balances and specifically limits the governments ability to remove the rights of its people. In regards to the matter at hand, it specifically says the the government cannot place limitations on the right of a citizen to keep and bear arms. Before I get the typical response, I know you are already aware that the phrase "well regulated" specifically refers to an being trained and ready to bear said arms. The language at the time did not use the term "regulated" as we do with modern regulations. It has been proven in the courts repeatedly that the laws you are currently considering are unconstitutional. Of this I am sure you are already aware. By spending time and tax dollars discussing laws that you know to be unconstitutional, you are in fact wasting time and tax dollars that could be spent on productive issues. I can only assume your intent is to intentionally waste time, and force members of the firearms industry to waste money on legal fees defending the constitution you have sworn to uphold. Please consider actual data and actual facts when considering gun legislation. No data supports the claim the "assault weapon" bans actually reduce gun related crime. More guns are being purchased now than ever before, yet now that the latest FBI data has been released, we can see that gun related crimes have not increased. Also, like every year that the FBI has released data, so called "assault weapons" make up a very small portion of all gun crimes. For your general knowledge the term "assault weapon" was first coined by Adolf Hitler. He renamed one of their new automatic firearms, the Sturmgewehr, because he felt that the name "assault weapon" would strike fear in allied forces. This is also the exact reason the gun control community uses this term as well. The fact is that these firearms are not fully automatic and cannot be made so without a high degree of machining skills and mechanical knowhow. Plus doing so is already illegal. The fact is the Biden's latest gun control act has not been equally enforced. It was supposed to provide additional support for school security and mental health services. It was supposed to provide stronger punishments for those cought breaking existing gun laws. It was supposed to allow FFL's to use the NICS system to check employees. It was supposed to allow FFL's to be able to instantly check inventory or potential purchase/trades by their serial number to determine if the firearm has been stolen or used in any crimes. None of these provisions have been acted upon or enforced. Please drop these latest gun control bills. They are unconstitutional and will never pass. Please do not waste your time and our tax dollars on these wasted efforts. Regards, Jonathan Goodman

HB502 - Nonbinary sex or gender; all forms or applications to offer any applicant the option to designate.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: wyatt Organization: equality virginia Locality: norfolk

State documents should reflect one's true gender. I support trans men and women.

HB515 - State hospitals; discharge of individuals.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Powell Organization: CVTC Families and Friends Locality: Henrico County

I am a legal guardian and the President of CVTC Families and Friends . I oppose HB515 as written, although Delegate Hope's Legislative Aide has informed me that there will be an amended version. The unamended version conflicts with a number of state and federal laws and regulations and the Supreme Court's Olmstead ruling. Furthermore, forced discharges from training centers would also violate the state's settlement agreement with the DOJ, which is still in force. (From Judge Gibney's final ruling on the settlement: “no resident of a Training Center shall be discharged from a Training Center to a setting other than a Training Center if he or his Authorized Representative chooses to continue receiving services in a Training Center.”) Furthermore, the Virginia Code definition of "guardian" states that guardians are responsible for making residential decisions. A number of individuals were forcibly removed from CVTC's nursing facility to Hiram Davis Medical Center, and they may also be at risk, absent a language amendment, as Hiram Davis is associated with, and is on the grounds of, Central State Hospital. Please amend the bill's language to specifically exclude training centers and Hiram Davis Medical center, or oppose the bill.

Last Name: bryant Locality: Amherst

Comments Document

HB 50 support. Currently Hiram Davis medical center Petersburg serves psychiatric and violent individuals in the same building as intellectual disabilities. Please prevent harm to defenseless Cognitive impaired. I have witnessed armed guards and sharing same hallways as intellectual disabilities populations. HB313, request amend to include Hiram Davis medical center and Sevtc Chesapeake Training Center. Equal protection and investigations for individuals with intellectual disabilities. HB 515 Oppose. Violates Olmsted Supreme Court case federal law protects choice by guardian. Lack of due process timeframe for Medicaid and Medicare recipientsm Individuals with profound intellectual disabilities cannot make their own decisions. Mental health discharges intended but remains Linked in the code section. See Olmsted and ADA federal laws. I'm a legal guardian for son Taylor Bryant at Hiram Davis medical center after displaced from CVTC. Vote No.

Last Name: Gupta Locality: Lynchburg

Comments Document

HB 515 This proposed change is apparently intended to permit DBHD bureaucrats to discharge patients with 15 days’ notice and without parental consent. Parental consent for Medicaid patients is required in the earlier language of section 3.C. This creates an ambiguity through which the Department can act until a court issues an injunction, which is not likely to happen in 15 days. There is no other reasonable explanation for this proposed change. It is my opinion that this is a sneaky bureaucrat-generated attempt to create a loophole to remove the powerful guardian consent limitation on their personal power. Most of the patients in State hospitals and training centers are of color (including my daughter). This amendment is clearly targeted at empowering the Department bureaucrats to discharge most of them on very short notice and over the objections of their families and guardians. The proposed change contradicts the long-existing language at lines 25-27. That right is protected by US Supreme Court case Olmstead v. L.C. (and settlement we had with Commonwealth in United States Court Western District of Virginia; attached.). This is bill is extreme and inhumane and negatively targets minority disabled population.

HB570 - Prescription Drug Affordability Board; established, drug cost affordability review, report.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Westrich Robertson Organization: AiArthritis (International Foundation for Autoimmune & Autoinflammatory Arthritis) Locality: Saint Louis

The International Foundation for Autoimmune & Autoinflammatory Arthritis (AiArthritis), a patient organization led by people affected by AiArthritis diseases, shares the committee’s goal of lowering patient out-of-pocket costs so that they can more easily maintain their health. However, we urge the committee to reject empowering a prescription drug affordability board (PDAB) to lead these efforts, which could ultimately cause more harm by creating more barriers between patients and their needed medications. AiArthritis has been actively involved in other states that have recently implemented local PDABs, including Colorado and Oregon, and have seen firsthand the limitations of the PDAB model in those states. Based on what we have seen, we believe that PDABs are ineffective in identifying and solving the actual problems patients with chronic conditions are facing when attempting to access their medications. Focusing solely on the price of drugs ignores the many complicated factors that ultimately drive costs up for patients and oversimplifies a very complex process. To employ a healthcare analogy, with PDABs policymakers are seeking to address a symptom rather than the underlying condition. We encourage policymakers to focus on these existing and pressing affordability and access issues, which originate from payers (insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)). Additionally, reviewing only a handful of medications positions PDABs to create further inequities, picking winners and losers among patients and patient populations. We urge your committee to focus instead on the broader healthcare industry when considering reforms and identify long-term solutions rather than short-term relief for a limited few. Some PDABs have been given the authority to review prescription drug costs and set upper payment limits for them. Setting upper payment limits (UPLs) for drugs might endanger their accessibility in the state or limit appropriate reimbursement for the physicians that administer them. Patients with complex and chronic conditions often spend years identifying treatments that work for them. UPLs will not lower prescription drug costs for patients because they do not lower out of pocket costs. Additionally, treatments can also work for years but then become less effective, forcing patients to change therapies. There is no “one size fits all” health solution; therefore, it is critical that health policies do not impede access to treatments or lead to fewer options for patients. Proposals such as these target the most innovative medicines, disproportionately impacting patients with diseases where there is high unmet need and where low-cost treatment options are not available (e.g. rare diseases), running counter to the aims of personalized medicine and availability of new treatments.

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Sizemore Organization: SAARA of Virginia Locality: Richmond, Virginia

I am here to speak and endorse Del. Delaney's Prescription Drug Affordability Board bill.

Last Name: Gardner Organization: Freedom Virginia Locality: Southampton

My dad is battling stage 4 prostate cancer. He was diagnosed on 4/27/2023 and on 6/15/2023 we learned it was all over. Things looked scary yet we learned about a drug called Xtandi that could keep him with us longer. It is $8800 a month and we started going through the process of getting insurance to approve it. If they did approve it the cost would be $1905 a month. My parents are retired teachers and my dad gave 36 years to the students in Welding and Ag classes. My brother and I vowed they would get whatever they needed to fight this monster. I learned $8800 is pretty cheap for a life sustaining drug. $25,000 up to $90,000 is what some are charged. 1 in 4 Virginians don't take the right amount of prescriptions because of cost. My dad is lucky that we've made it work yet he taught me to look out for others. When you're fighting for your life you don't have the time to fight for drugs that will save you. Please support this bill and make it easier for others to get their prescription drugs. I'm currently on leave from my job to care for my dad and help my parents. If you need to ask any questions please feel free to email at robing98@gmail.com. Please vote the right way!

Last Name: Moran Locality: Manassas

Last Name: fishman Locality: falls church

discussing impact of changes to payment structure for independent infusion centers.

Last Name: Eging Organization: Rare Access Action Project Locality: Purcellville

I am the Executive Director of the Rare Access Action Project. My family has been affected by rare diseases. Because of that I have spent much of my career in the life sciences advocating for access to rare disease therapies and supporting rare families. Only 5% of rare diseases have an FDA approved treatment. For one-third of individuals with a rare disease, it can take between one and five years to receive a proper diagnosis. Half of all patients diagnosed with a rare disease are children, and as many as 3 in 10 children with a rare disease will not live to see their 5th birthday. For the few fortunate to have a treatment, patients face barriers to these therapies across our health care system in addition to facing a patient journey filled with misdiagnosis and lack of treatment options. Having seen PDABs in other states, we are very concerned. Since the first PDAB was created in 2019 by the Maryland legislature, PDAB legislation has been passed in 8 states (Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington). Since 2019, the experiment in government drug price controls has amassed a dubious record of success. Maryland, the oldest of the PDABs, has yet to become operational, and others have struggled to fulfill their mission. The pharmaceutical ecosystem is more complex than proponents portray it, and PDAB legislation patches on a state bureaucracy with little understanding of pharmaceutical pricing policies and the implications of their decisions. Pharmaceutical products are purchased across the United States with Virginia involved in an interstate marketplace that includes a network of federal and state discount and rebate programs (Medicaid best price, 340b pricing, VA, FFS as well as the calculations and penalties that are attached to them). Further, many commercial plans and PBMs negotiate substantial discounts, and some payers have already begun to implement value-based pricing. States such as Arizona are exploring risk pooling for therapies and the uninsured, as well as reinsurance. Price controls from PDABs could jeopardize efforts to innovate value and payment in the pharmaceutical ecosystem. Also consider, rare disease patients increasingly participate in Center of Excellence care. Universities and larger hospital systems have become hubs for both care and treatment. Drugs are purchased and administered for some rare patients outside of Virginia. Challenges will face Virginian rare patients who are on a therapy purchased outside the state beyond the purview of the Virginia PDAB. And payment for those medicines will create risk for those providers, potentially choking off access to that necessary treatment. We urge you to ensure that no patient is left fearful of losing access to treatments that offer them a chance at a better tomorrow. We believe there are solutions that can enhance affordability across healthcare. But proponents of PDAB are focused on an experimental program that has generated zero savings for patients since the first PDAB was created in 2019. We urge you to vote no on HB570. We look forward to working with you on meaningful solutions to healthcare affordability.

Last Name: Srebnik Organization: Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) Locality: Arlington

Comments Document

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) respectfully opposes HB 570, which would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board tasked with reviewing prescription drug costs and setting upper payment limits for specified prescription drugs. Government price controls like those proposed by this bill are an especially drastic action with unpredictable consequences. While the intent of this bill is to lower drug prices, we fear HB 570 will fail to bring down costs for consumers or institutions and instead disincentivize development of new therapeutic breakthroughs. This bill will not lower prescription drug costs for patients because it does not address out-of-pocket costs. Patients pay a given price when they visit a pharmacy based on what their health insurer determines—it is for this reason why two patients will pay a different price for the same drug. Out-of-pocket costs have been rising for patients as a result of decisions made by health insurers. HB 570 does not address the price patients pay out-of-pocket and will therefore not directly impact patient affordability for prescription medications.

Last Name: Srebnik Organization: Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) Locality: Arlington

Comments Document

Please see the attached letter from The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) in opposition to HB 570.

Last Name: Modlin Locality: Powhatan

Comments Document

Small business support for PDAB and why it's critical to my workforce.

Last Name: Memphis Organization: Healthcare Distribution Alliance Locality: Washington, DC

Comments Document

HDA respectfully opposes HB 570, Establishing a PDAB. HDA is the national trade association representing healthcare wholesale distributors — the vital link between the nation’s pharmaceutical and healthcare manufacturers and more than 330,000 pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare settings nationwide. Wholesale distributors are unlike any other supply chain participants. Distributors are primarily responsible for the physical handling and logistics of medicines and healthcare products, and have no role in determining the list prices for drugs or the amount patients pay at the counter. Rather, HDA members ensure that over 95% of all pharmaceutical products arrive to over 5,800 sites of care in Virginia. While HDA supports the state’s efforts in seeking a better understanding of the prices that consumers see at the pharmacy counter, based on our members' supply chain expertise, we have strong concerns regarding the upper payment limit (UPL) established in the legislation, the use of maximum fair price (MFP), and the impact of these policies on the physical supply chain. State-level UPLs do not adequately reflect how prescription drugs are bought and paid for in the U.S. A state-level UPL, especially a UPL following federal MFP limits, would place caps on in-state purchases but not out-of-state purchases, ultimately limiting the ability of pharmacies, clinics or other points of care to recoup costs for administering or dispensing these products, which could result in sites of care being unable to stock these medications. In short, a UPL puts patient access to timely medications at risk. While HDA is concerned over the impact of this type of proposal, we would like to express our appreciation for the inclusion of “a representative with knowledge in…supply chain business models” on the Stakeholder Council. As noted, wholesale distributors do not set list prices or play any role in determining the amount patients pay for medicines at the counter, our members are the logistical experts of the supply chain, and HDA believes it is important that the stakeholder council is representative of the full supply chain. We invite the Committee to review our full letter, and to contact HDA at any time to discuss why we oppose HB 570. Thank you for your consideration of our concern.

Last Name: Karmo Organization: Tigerlily Foundation Locality: Loudoun County

Comments Document

Tigerlily Foundation is a national women's oncology organization providing education, advocacy, & hands-on support for young women before, during, & after cancer. I write to you today to express our organization’s concerns over HB 570, legislation that would establish a prescription drug affordability board (PDAB) in Virginia. Establishing a PDAB in Virginia will block access to essential medicines that Virginians rely on to manage symptoms & lead healthier lives, particularly for patients living with cancer & other chronic conditions & could further exasperate already existing health inequities. Prescription drug price setting policies that often accompany PDABs, such as upper payment limits (UPLs), fail to protect access to timely & effective care & can actually increase risks for patients who need consistent access to medications to manage their health. UPLs limit reimbursement for hospitals, doctors, & pharmacists who dispense effective treatments that help patients manage disease. As a result of the proposed PDAB, Virginia patients could be forced to search elsewhere to access medications they need & could end up forgoing critical treatments altogether, which can lead to adverse health consequences including death & higher medical costs in the future. In addition, establishing a PDAB in Virginia could divert critical research resources elsewhere & have a chilling effect on the development of new medicines for patients who have limited or no treatment options today for their condition. Furthermore, any proposed PDAB should be designed to include patients & be representative of those populations. This would also include patient advocacy organizations as community advisory representatives of the Virginia House to ensure that these & future recommendations include all stakeholders. For patients who are diagnosed with complex cancers like triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), a hard-to-treat type of breast cancer that has limited treatment options & is diagnosed in Black & Hispanic women at younger ages & later stages, timely & equitable access to medical treatments prescribed by one’s physician is critical. However, drug price controls can unintentionally threaten vital pathways for patients to access cutting-edge medicines that can help them survive disease. While we commend the Virgina General Assembly & other elected leaders in Virginia for exploring solutions that alleviate health care access & affordability challenges & reduce health disparities, any policy solution must not come at the expense of vulnerable communities in Virginia, particularly Black & brown communities who already face disproportionate barriers. TNBC, among other cancers and diseases, disproportionately affects Black women, & establishing a PDAB in Virginia would have disastrous consequences on access to care, future innovative treatments, & efforts to achieve health equity. On behalf of the communities Tigerlily Foundation serves, we thank you for your leadership in seeking policy solutions to address barriers to care that Virginia patients face. However, HB 570 falls short of that goal. On behalf of our community & as an 18 year survivor of TNBC myself & a Virginia resident, I thank you for your consideration of our concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly at maimah@tigerlilyfoundation.org if Tigerlily Foundation can be a resource to you and your staff. Sincerely, Maimah Karmo Founder & CEO , Tigerlily Foundation

Last Name: Lanford Organization: Virginia Association of Hematologists and Oncologists (VAHO) and Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Locality: Alexandria

Comments Document

Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments. Please see the attached letter.

Last Name: Boyer Organization: National Infusion Center Association (NICA) Locality: Austin

Comments Document

The National Infusion Center Association (NICA) is a nonprofit organization formed to support non-hospital, community-based infusion centers caring for patients in need of infused and injectable medications. Our organization writes to express concerns with the Board’s ability to establish an upper payment limit for prescription drugs. We applaud Virginia lawmakers for attempting to address drug costs for patients, and we appreciate that the bill notes this will be done with consideration for administration costs. However, we are still concerned that an upper payment limit will not only fail to achieve the intended goal, but it will also harm vulnerable patients in the process. Establishing a ceiling for how much an infusion provider can be reimbursed for a drug will disrupt the delicate economics of medical benefit drug delivery and put smaller, community providers—that represent the lowest-cost care setting for these expensive medications—at risk. Infusion providers typically acquire, administer, and bill for drugs through a buy-and-bill model. Under this model, providers are reimbursed for drugs they previously purchased and stored along with a small payment for professional services that does not begin to cover the overhead of their business, known as the admin fee. To remain in business, infusion centers rely on their drug payments to offset the incredible cost-reimbursement disparity on the professional services side. Drug payments are the economic lynchpin to offset practice expenses, including inventory management, staff salaries, and office space. Lower drug payments to infusion providers will force most of the state’s community-based infusion centers to shutter their doors or discontinue administering certain drugs, forcing patients into more expensive hospital care settings or potentially ending their treatments. Upper pricing limits put a ceiling on the reimbursement for certain drugs, but they do not guarantee that the drug will actually be cheaper for patients. An upper payment limit will only establish how much insurers in the state pay for a drug. It will not change the actual cost of drug acquisition and administration for providers, and it will not change what insurers require from patients through copays and coinsurance (most infusion patients use copay assistance to cover the cost of their medications, which insurers are trying to prevent through copay accumulator programs). Though well-intended, we fear that upper payment limits will harm infusion providers and their patients, leading to access issues across the state. Taking time to better understand the buy-and-bill model that most, if not all, infusion providers rely on, will only benefit the welfare of providers and patients in the state. We hope that the Committee will be open to exploring other options, such as an amendment that would exempt infusion providers from the impact of this bill - a provider carve-out. This would avoid disruptions to community-based care delivery and keep Virginia infusion centers and patients safe.

Last Name: Wartman Organization: National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) Locality: Washington DC

Comments Document

January 31, 2024 RE: Written Testimony for House Committee on Health and Human Services February 1, 2024 hearing for HB 570 by Delegate Delaney. The National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit research and advocacy organization based in Washington, DC. The mission of NMQF is to reduce patient risk by assuring optimal care for all. Our vision is an American health services research, delivery and financing system whose operating principle is to reduce patient risk for amenable morbidity and mortality while improving quality of life. NMQF is committed to reducing patient risk and ensuring equitable access to beneficial treatment and care for Virginians and communities nationwide. The National Minority Quality Forum is writing to you to share our concerns that a Virginia Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) may only serve to impede the progress toward achieving health care equity for all Virginians. Price setting policies that accompany the PDAB such as an upper payment limit (UPL) increase risks for amenable morbidity and mortality for patients who depend on Medicaid to assure effective and consistent access to prescription medications to manage their health. UPLs limit reimbursement to hospitals, doctors, and pharmacists who dispense drugs deemed the most effective to help patients manage a chronic condition. While healthcare systems that serve a patient mix with higher-income levels may be able to withstand the losses from the lack of reimbursements, hospitals that are responsible for disenfranchised communities may not. Ensuring the affordability of high quality, efficacious medications is essential to the elimination of inequities in health care and outcomes. This affordability must not be effectuated by promulgating public policy that increases the health and financial costs vulnerable populations and communities in Virginia, particularly rural, Black and brown communities who are reliant upon and equity-centric public policy construct. Price setting policies that confound access to care are a barrier to inclusion in data collection and investment in research efforts that improve the quality of care for historically excluded populations. In closing, the National Minority Quality Forum shares your concerns regarding the need to assure that Virginia’s health care safety net is financially viable; however, that financial viability must not service to compromise the health and financial security of Medicaid beneficiaries. We would welcome an opportunity to partner with the Commonwealth of Virginia to explore effective and sustainable policy avenues to improving the quality and outcomes of care for all Virginians. If you have any questions regarding this public comment, please direct them to Gretchen C. Wartman, NMQF Vice President for Policy and Program (gwartman@nmqf.org). Sincerely, Gary A. Puckrein, PhD President and Chief Executive Officer National Minority Quality Forum

Last Name: Varkonyi Organization: Freedom Virginia Locality: Fairfax County

Comments Document

I am submitting my statement in support of HB 570, PDAB, patroned by Del Delaney. I must take four injections per year of Skyrizi which has a co-pay of thousands of dollars per injection. Medicare pays the rest of the cost. For Virginians who are not on Medicare, they must pay as much if not more, subject to their private insurance. If on Medicaid., then the Commonwealth must pay the entire cost. HB 570 will limit Virginians copays by capping the upper limit that can be charged for these medications. Tens of thousands of Virginians, like me, must take expensive prescriptions or allow their health to suffer by not taking prescriptions. I will be protected by the Biden Adminisrtation's Inflation Reduction Act which this year and in 2025 will continue to limit my copays. But Virginians not on Medicare will not have this opportunity. This situation exists because Skyrizi remains on patent. I don't have a choice. As a taxpayer, I will also benefit because the Commonwealth will spend less on prescription drugs for those on Medicaid, those using state health plans and prison inmates. The savings of millions of dollars spent by the state will be greatly appreciated by the constituents of the General Assembly and the Governor when this bill is signed into law. Thank you.

Last Name: Bonnell Organization: The Bonnell Foundation: Living with cystic fibrosis Locality: Michigan

Comments Document

Thank you for accepting my letter in regard to HB 570. I represent cystic fibrosis patients in VA who are rightly concerned about the prospect of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. On their behalf we ask you to read the attached letter and stop moving this bill forward. At the very least seek advice from as many advocates like me as possible. The patient voice needs to be heard, they should have a voice on the board, an appeals process and more. Thank you. Laura Bonnell

Last Name: Peters Organization: Global Coalition on Aging Alliance for Health Innovation Locality: New York City

Comments Document

Please allow us to share our written testimony for Thursday’s House Hearing on HB 570. We write to share our deep concerns of the potentially devastating impact of the newly proposed Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) on patients living in Virginia. The attached letter outlines these concerns in detail. We would be happy to discuss these concerns more or answer any questions you have. The Alliance for Health Innovation (Alliance) is a group of diverse cross-sector stakeholders that together represent patients, providers, caregivers, academia, biopharmaceutical innovators, and business communities. Led by the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA), the Alliance is committed to establishing the importance of innovation in achieving healthy aging and advocates for state policy solutions that support a thriving innovation sector that enables Virginians and other communities to live longer – and healthier – lives.

Last Name: Laws Organization: Community Access National Network Locality: Slidell

Comments Document

Honorable Chairman Ward, Vice Chair Herring, Members of the House Labor and Commerce Committee, and respected staff, Community Access National Network is gravely concerned with the nature of HB 570 as a "quick fix" to complicated issues, posing serious threats to access of timely treatment for people living with HIV in the state of Virginia. Attached is a detailed letter of concern regarding the proposed prescription drug advisory board. As a patient group, our first and foremost concern is the bill's abject lack of focus on patient perspectives and failure to prioritize patient experience as an aimed outcome. In our experience in other states, namely Colorado, boards lacking specified patient voices are dismissive and otherwise unresponsive to patient concerns. This is especially troubling as PDABs are typically targeting medications used to treat rare diseases, cancer, and public health concerns, like HIV and Hepatitis C - threatening patient access to lifesaving care. Similarly, these boards tend to lack expertise across the drug channel and are exceptionally selective in pursuing information - often neglecting to consider conflicts of interest with contractors serving the board or failing to disclose these conflicts. Nothing in HB 570 requires assessment or monitoring of potential unintended consequences. Nothing HB 570 requires pass through of any "savings" to patients or plan sponsors. Rather HB 570 seeks to establish "winners" and "losers" among industry interests while leaving patients behind. Whether the "winners" are pharmacy benefit managers or particular manufacturers, patients are removed entirely from decision making of our own care but for the mere afterthought of public comments. CANN urges the committee to seek a different route, one focused on patients, evaluating barriers to care, like consolidation of the provider and pharmacy spaces, addressing payor originated administrative burdens, and tackling the self-dealing nature of "vertical integration" among these interests at the expense of patients, our employers, and the state. This is NOT that bill. We urge you to vote NO on HB 570. CANN is ever at your service and happy to discuss real solutions for patients, should the legislature find the pleasure to do so.

Last Name: Eging Organization: Rare Access Action Project Locality: Purcellville

Comments Document

I am the Executive Director of the Rare Access Action Project. My family has been affected by rare diseases. Because of that I have spent much of my career in the life sciences advocating for access to rare disease therapies and supporting rare families. Only 5% of rare diseases have an FDA approved treatment. For one-third of individuals with a rare disease, it can take between one and five years to receive a proper diagnosis. Half of all patients diagnosed with a rare disease are children, and as many as 3 in 10 children with a rare disease will not live to see their 5th birthday. For the few fortunate to have a treatment, patients face barriers to these therapies across our health care system in addition to facing a patient journey filled with misdiagnosis and lack of treatment options. Having seen PDABs in other states, we are very concerned. Since the first PDAB was created in 2019 by the Maryland legislature, PDAB legislation has been passed in 8 states (Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington). Since 2019, the experiment in government drug price controls has amassed a dubious record of success. Maryland, the oldest of the PDABs, has yet to become operational, and others have struggled to fulfill their mission. The pharmaceutical ecosystem is more complex than proponents portray it, and PDAB legislation patches on a state bureaucracy with little understanding of pharmaceutical pricing policies and the implications of their decisions. Pharmaceutical products are purchased across the United States with Virginia involved in an interstate marketplace that includes a network of federal and state discount and rebate programs (Medicaid best price, 340b pricing, VA, FFS as well as the calculations and penalties that are attached to them). Further, many commercial plans and PBMs negotiate substantial discounts, and some payers have already begun to implement value-based pricing. States such as Arizona are exploring risk pooling for therapies and the uninsured, as well as reinsurance. Price controls from PDABs could jeopardize efforts to innovate value and payment in the pharmaceutical ecosystem. Also consider, rare disease patients increasingly participate in Center of Excellence care. Universities and larger hospital systems have become hubs for both care and treatment. Drugs are purchased and administered for some rare patients outside of Virginia. Challenges will face Virginian rare patients who are on a therapy purchased outside the state beyond the purview of the Virginia PDAB. And payment for those medicines will create risk for those providers, potentially choking off access to that necessary treatment. We urge you to ensure that no patient is left fearful of losing access to treatments that offer them a chance at a better tomorrow. We believe there are solutions that can enhance affordability across healthcare. But proponents of PDAB are focused on an experimental program that has generated zero savings for patients since the first PDAB was created in 2019. We urge you to vote no on HB570. Our written testimony is included in an additional document.

Last Name: Boyer Organization: National Infusion Center Association (NICA) Locality: Austin

Comments Document

Letter attached

Last Name: Gelburd Locality: Charlottesville

Thank you to Chair Ward and Members of the House Labor and Commerce Committee for the opportunity to weigh on an issue that directly affects the health and wellbeing of the patients I serve. I write to you to ask for your support for HB570 in establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in Virginia. As a physician who has practiced in our Commonwealth for years, I see every day how patients struggle to pay for expensive medications that I prescribe. Because every individual is unique, with unique health needs, doctors prescribe the best medications that are tailored to best meet the special needs of our patients. Unfortunately, prescription drugs are becoming more expensive every year. And when prescription drugs become more expensive, my patients feel the pinch. For those who have to pay out-of-pocket, prescription drugs can be downright unaffordable. In some cases, my patients have told me that they pay thousands of dollars for medications they need to be healthy. Many Virginians are in the same boat. Too many of them are skipping their medications or splitting pills. A majority of Virginians are concerned they won’t be able to pay for their prescription drugs. Prescription drugs don’t work if people can’t take them. Medications don’t work if people split pills and skip them every other day. And in the case of certain medical conditions, not taking medications as prescribed can have harmful, even potentially deadly, consequences. No patient should have to ration their care. No patient should be denied their medications because cost is a barrier. By creating an independent panel of health care experts who will weigh data and involve all stakeholders, we can begin the work of bringing down high drug costs and finally bring some balance and fairness to a health care system that has long squeezed hardworking Virginia families. For these reasons, I strongly encourage you to support HB570.

Last Name: Henderson Organization: Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations Locality: Chicago

Comments Document

Details in attached memo.

Last Name: Arthur Locality: Roanoke

Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony in support of House Bill 570 to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. As a physician, I know too well how critical access to prescription drugs is for my patients. Prescription drugs are a key tool in a doctor’s toolbox for helping patients manage health conditions, prevent complications from illness, and improve quality of life. But right now, too many of my patients simply cannot afford the drugs I prescribe them. They may be forced to take a less effective, more affordable alternative, split pills, or just forgo their medication altogether. These patients aren’t alone — 1 in 4 Virginians who depend on prescriptions chooses not to take those medications solely because of the cost. At the same time, large pharmaceutical companies are making record profits. The largest one nearly tripled its earnings over the past two years, making $100 billion in revenues. In 2023, pharmaceutical companies hiked the list prices for 112 drugs at a rate higher than the rate of inflation. No Virginian should be forced to split or skip pills while pharmaceutical corporations are making money hand over fist. It’s time for lawmakers to take action. Doctors like me support the creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to lower the cost of medicine by setting cost limits on how much patients will pay for certain medications. We trust that the health and medical experts who comprise the Board will use a data-based approach to set reasonable rates for patients to pay. By creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, Virginia lawmakers can help hold greedy pharmaceutical corporations accountable and make the market more fair. But more importantly, you can help my patients and all Virginians who rely on prescription drugs better afford the medications they need to live and thrive. I urge you to pass HB 570 without delay.

Last Name: Horn Organization: Arthritis Foundation Locality: Washington, DC

Comments Document

Chair Sickles and Members of the Committee, On behalf of the Arthritis Foundation, representing the nearly 60 million Americans and 26% of Virginia residents living with doctor-diagnosed arthritis, we would like to provide comments on HB 570, a bill to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB). People with autoimmune forms of arthritis often rely on biologic medications to maintain their health, and as these are expensive medications, issues of high drug costs and access are always a top priority. Please find the attached comments for information only on this legislation and considerations for those living with arthritis in Virginia. Thank you for your consideration. Melissa Horn Director of State Legislative Affairs, Arthritis Foundation

HB607 - End Hunger, Virginia Commission to; established, report, sunset date.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Evard Locality: Waterford

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Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

HB610 - Health insurance; coverage for diabetes.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Moran Locality: Manassas

Last Name: Billger Organization: American Diabetes Association Locality: Alexandria

Comments Document

On behalf of the American Diabetes Association, representing 743,024 people in Virginia with diagnosed diabetes and and the estimated 51,233 diagnosed with diabetes every year, please accept the following public testimony in support of HB 610.

Last Name: Kanoyton Organization: Virginia NAACP Locality: Hampton

VA NAACP support HB 238,610 and 935

Last Name: Gonzalez Locality: Fredericksburg

HB385: there’s an importance and safety to having two man crews.. safety for the company and the public.

Last Name: Billger Organization: American Diabetes Association Locality: Fairfax County

Chair Maldonado and Honorable Members of House Labor and Commerce – Subcommittee #1: On behalf of the more than 3.1 million Virginians with or at risk for diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) thanks Delegate Price for her leadership in authoring House Bill 610 - specifying health plan coverage for insulin and certain diabetes equipment, supplies, and services. Specifying coverage for insulin, continuous glucose monitors, accessible blood glucose monitors for individuals who are legally blind, emergency glucagon kits, regular foot care, and eye exams will ensure that Virginians living with diabetes will have access to the health care they need to manage a relentless disease that can lead to costly and horrific complications such as amputation, blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, and even death. The ADA is also strongly in support of the bill's language for diabetes self-management education and training (DSME/T) and medical nutrition therapy (MNT) visits to be covered/conducted in-person or via telemedicine. The COVID-19 pandemic shed a light on the many health care services that can be appropriately delivered via telehealth. Allowing for telehealth services can address barriers to care including transportation, mobility, difficulty in getting time off from work, difficulty in obtaining childcare, and living in a rural community that may be far from facilities providing these much-needed in-person services. Among ADA’s Legislative and Regulatory Priorities are to ensure all people with and at risk for diabetes are covered under public and private health insurance. Proper management of diabetes reduces costly complications. The Association estimated that the total direct medical expenses for diagnosed diabetes in Virginia was $6.1 billion in 2017, with an additional $2.3 billion spent on indirect costs like lost productivity. By keeping supplies, services and treatment affordable and accessible, we can help keep people with diabetes out of the ER and the hospital, and away from expensive and potentially disabling or deadly complications. HB 610 will help achieve that goal and we encourage the Committee's support. Thank you for your consideration. Should you have any questions, please reach out to me at mbillger@diabetes.org

HB614 - Community service work in lieu of payment of fines and costs; work performed while incarcerated.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Chavis Organization: Inmate Support Virginis Locality: Newport News

To allow the men an wemon to come home with their finds and fees paid. Will allow them to start fresh without that weight on them.

Last Name: Turner Organization: Valley Justice Coalition Locality: Harrisonburg

I am a member of Valley Justice Coalition and strongly support this bill. I have personally tried to help those incarcerated arrange to pay their fines and fees with their hard work within the facilities. Some localities accepted their proposal while other localities would not. There needs to be consistency in this honest attempt to pay their financial penalties. Please vote YES for HB614. Thank you.

HB787 - Administrative Process Act; appeals of case decisions regarding benefits sought.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Gordon Organization: Rivercity Residential Services, Bridging the Gap Family Services Locality: Richmond

My name is Michael Gordon. I am a recovering addict. My clean date is 06/06/2008. I writing this letter because it my duty as a health professional to bring to the table how important it is that we change the barrier crime law. I have spent countless hours and days working with other addicts who trying to find their pathway into recovery. The frontlines are thin because the people whom society deemed unworthy because of some past mistakes cannot work in the field that they could do the greatest good. I did not know when I received my sentence in 1990 for distribution of crack cocaine. I would be serving a life time sentence. Luck for me I don’t have a barrier crime, yet today after getting my GED, going to college and graduating with honors. I still can live in certain areas or have certain jobs. I went from the crack house to the White House and still that not enough for Virginia to forgive me of my past mistakes. We need more people who has made a deep commitment to change to share their experiences with others who are suffering!!

Last Name: Lieberman Organization: Legal Aid Justice Center Locality: 22902, Charlottesville, VA

My name is Michaela Lieberman and I’m an attorney and the interim director of Health Justice and Public Benefits at the Legal Aid Justice Center. We support HB 787 because it is an essential step in guaranteeing access to justice for individuals appealing the loss or reduction of their critical benefits like SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid. HB787 amends the Administrative Process Act to allow Circuit Court judges to review legal issues in additional to factual issues in administrative appeals of public benefits cases like SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid. Currently, the APA only allows judges to review how administrative hearing officers ruled on the facts of a case – not on how hearing officers ruled on or applied the law in a case. Here’s why this bill matters: When my client, a 21-year-old survivor of a traumatic brain injury who depended on extensive home-based personal care services to keep him living safely at home, lost more than half of his services after the State arbitrarily reduced them, he appealed the reduction because he faced the grave risk of institutionalization in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Even though my client raised this ADA argument at his Medicaid appeal hearing, the hearing officer assigned to his case ignored it. My client decided not to appeal the hearing officer’s decision to Circuit Court, in part because the APA would have prevented the Circuit Court judge from reviewing the hearing officer's legal analysis (or absence thereof); in its current form, the APA would have only allowed the judge to review whether the hearing officer got the facts right. So the APA- as it’s currently written – gives unelected, unappointed hearing officers the final say on what the law is in SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid cases. HB 787 would change that. It would allow Circuit Court judges to review administrative hearing officers’ legal findings de novo, just as judges can in all other administrative appeal cases that come before them. We urge you to vote yes on HB 787 so Virginians facing reductions in/losses of critical benefits like SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid have access to justice, too.

HB790 - Tobacco products retailers; purchase, possession, and sale of retail tobacco products.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Quinby Organization: TOBACCO 21 Locality: MCLEAN VA

The Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation/Tobacco 21 strongly supports HB 790.

Last Name: Batista Organization: Disabled veteran Locality: Chesapeake

Delta 8 is NOT a nicotine product. It is illegal as of July 1, 2023. Punish those who do not card. Use the intellicheck system to card identification.

Last Name: Staskiewicz Locality: Portsmouth

Don’t bane our vapes

Last Name: Shoumake Organization: Vape xotic Locality: Hampton

Being in the military I started to rape so the I wouldn't use chewing tobacco or smoke cigarettes. It helps relieve the stress from work. Parents should be held accountable for their children. On top of the ban, you would be putting hundreds of people out of jobs, and businesses will have to shut down. I am against the ban of the sale of vape products.

Last Name: Batista Locality: Chesapeake

This actually makes sense, I support and think this is a viable solution.

Last Name: Quinby Organization: TOBACCO 21 Locality: MCLEAN VA

Comments Document

Tobacco 21 organization supports H. 790 to license sellers of nicotine products.

Last Name: Warren Locality: Midlothian

The ability of the under age children to obtain vaping materials is disturbing. We all think it’s happening just in High School, let me just say for sure and as a witness it is happening as early as 6th grade in Middle School. There needs to be stronger fines for stores that sell these products to underage individuals just like ABC laws.

Last Name: Stapleton Locality: Chesterfield

Please pass this bill to help prevent kids from vaping.

Last Name: Zondler Locality: Norfolk

I object!

Last Name: Aponte Locality: Norfolk

N/A

Last Name: O'Neill Organization: Vape Xotix Locality: Norfolk

After reading through both of these bills, they are truly one sided, In favor of banishing vaping as a whole. 1069 is much like most bill enacted politically, where you have to weed through the nonsense in order to get to the actual reasoning. Working for a well established vape shop in the Hampton roads area this bill does nothing but eliminate those finding a safer alternative to smoking. The PMTA when enacted federally was a large was of time for vape juice manufactures since those that submitted there paid out millions all for their product to sit in the FDA waiting status with no movement since 2016. Nearly 10 years later those same manufacturers are still waiting for a denial or an approval from the Fda. 1509 is a joke as to the wording, out right banni.g the sale of nicotine product if it is a vapor related product not smoking, vapor or hemp related. Never mind the fact that your fine with personal choice as long as it's benefits you pockets with financial gain (big tobacco) since for both of these bills so far the only ones allowed in virginia are owned and backed by Philip Morris and R.J Reynolds respectively. Hb 790 literally, tax the people more. My lord let's get one thing straight among the taxes the the virginians are already supposed to pay let's add one more to the Tab. Since that sounds alot like double/triple taxation, which doubled taxation is already frowned upon sound like greedy politician wanting more money to fund project that are unnecessary and unwanted. My lord, all of these bill go against the rights of the free people of the commonwealth, hindering the right to choose how the people work and live, taking their hard earned money to give to your pockets to find you campaign/s. In short good luck running for office the fall and years to come we vape we vote. Take the rights of freedom to do as we please we make sure your not in office much longer by voting you out and voting in better people that only look at the small picture of the harm (which is less than %1) instead of the larger picture the people that have used vaping to get of cigarettes and leading healthier live thank to vaping. I oppose all bill against vaping thank you.

Last Name: Warren Locality: Virginia Beach

Taking away the ability for people who have tried to quit smoking and have a safer alternative is terrible.

Last Name: McCabe Organization: Vape xotix Locality: Virginia beach

I oppose. Blame the parents.

Last Name: Miller Locality: Virginia beach

I am against this

Last Name: Vasquez Locality: Chesapeake

Last Name: Kaba Locality: Va beach

Not bad

Last Name: Marti Locality: Virginia beach

Shouldn’t be banned

Last Name: Rampersad Organization: Vape XOTIX Locality: Virginia Beach

We don’t want vapes to be band

Last Name: Bland Locality: Norfolk

Please do not ban vapes and juices

Last Name: Bracey Organization: None Locality: Hampton

Don’t ban vaping

Last Name: Samuel Organization: Stake center Locality: Chesapeake

Keep vaping

Last Name: Ty Organization: Vape Locality: Norfolk

Please don’t Ban Vaping!

Last Name: ramirez Locality: Virginia beach

Don’t ban vapes help military with stress

Last Name: Carter Organization: N/A Locality: Norfolk

Please don’t ban vaping

Last Name: Baltas Locality: Chesapeake

Adults of age should be allowed to make their choices on whatever if it effects their bodies.

Last Name: Hyde-Cummings Locality: Norfolk

I stand against any ban on vaping. I work at a vape shop and any bill restricting vaping more or completely banning it based on arbitrary FDA rulings would cause me a loss of my job, as well as hundreds maybe even thousands of others across Virginia.

Last Name: Gordon Locality: Hampton

Hey I’m against banning vaping

Last Name: Hoyle Locality: Norfolk

Don't do it

Last Name: TRICK Locality: Va beach

I believe it would be very detrimental to the United States military personnel to limit the sale of nicotine products in the state of Virginia For a lot it’s a relief from work and a lot of the traumatic stuff we have done on deployments. To expand on that point a lot of people are using caping to stop chain smoking cigarettes which are worse for us military members , a lot of us are known to be soo stressed that military members will smoke a whole carton of cigarettes a Day which is very bad long term then just inhaling nicotine. The VA offices already don’t do very well with the mental health of most veterans like me and others that I’ve served with and I think it would be a bad idea all around.

Last Name: Phelps Locality: Virginia beach

Vaping has improved my quality of life. I refuse to give up capimg to support the big tobacco and caner industries

Last Name: Vandergriff Locality: Virginia Beach

Don’t do it.

Last Name: Anyamele Locality: Virginia beach

Hope we stand

Last Name: snee Locality: yardley

Do not ban

Last Name: Davis Locality: Va Beach

The vape industry helps everyone espicha the military be able to work without any complications

Last Name: Pickett Organization: N/a Locality: Virginia beach

I wish to vote against. Everyone uses these for relaxation and would be a huge disappointment to have this happen to us

HB801 - Electronic communication systems within state correctional facilities; telephone calls.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Rust Locality: Chesterfield

I oppose all these unconstitutional, dangerous, and pointless laws.

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: zielanski Organization: my family Locality: Newport News, VA, USA

Dear Sir or Madame. Last year in Newport News I was assaulted by a 27 year old black man from Chesapeake because of his road rage.. This was at my local bank 11;30 in the morning. This young man almost lost his life at my hand because you cannot reel in your problem young men. His words feet from me were ' im going to kick your ass and then kill you'. My pistol changed his mind. I saw for myself the woke judges and a woke system that perpetuates the problem. The criminal justice system has been flung far far left which IS causing a public safety hazzard. No new gun control is needed. More jail time for the trash that i dealt with is. My Congressman Bobby Scott and Delegate Cia Price do not represent me.

Last Name: Jefferson Organization: Lunenburg CC Locality: Victoria

As a single income mother and wife who provides financial support to my husband that is incarcerated, I fully support this bill. While thankfully I've not had to miss other utility bills to fund the phone account so that I can remain in contact with my husband; it is a debt and a burden each month to have to account for the $300-$400 dollars it costs me to communicate with them. I do think that constant communication with my husband has contributed greatly to their rehabilitation. I also feel that because of our communication, he has become a better men who has accepted and are remorseful of his actions that landed him in prison. I just don't know how much longer I will be able to afford this bill given the increase in prices for rent and other utilities. I hope you would pass this legislation so that I can continue to communicate with them . Thank you for your support for HB801.

Last Name: Moore Locality: Henrico

This debate over guns was settled in 1791. We have all the laws we need to cover the action of a criminal. Murder is illegal no matter the tool used. Assualt is illegal no matter the tool used. Your ridiculous attack on the rights of all Virginians is just another chapter in the failure our our legislature to deal with the true issues that plague our state. Restore our rights and work to better the state and stop with the petty and vindictive law making that only hurts the innocent. Every day our governing bodies from congress to you become less relevant as a part of our lives, since all you ever manage to do is destroy and steal.

Last Name: Davis Locality: Saltville

In Ohio one year after constitution carry passed gun crimes went down

Last Name: Jackson Locality: Mineral

Please vote YES in support of HB801. Connection to the outside world allows men & women to remain relevant in their families’ lives, it allows them to be more than just a person behind prison walls and gives them a purpose when there seems to be none. Ensuring that ALL families can remain in contact with their loved ones who are incarcerated is PROVEN to be effective in their reintegration into society. The current cost of the most basic of communications with loved ones inside can make or break most people’s budgets on any given day/week- BUT it doesn’t have to be this way!

Last Name: Barnes Organization: Citizen Locality: Bedford

I've commend prior on these issue but would like to reemphasize that more laws of these nature only impose on those of us that already obey the law and I think that you could explain this to your constituents demanding more gun control. I always find it ironic and dubious that those wanting more gun control either don't own a gun, have never fired a gun or don't want to purchase one but wish to infringe upon those of us who are responsible gun owners. Many of these bills on gun control shouldn't even be proposed and if you are supporting these bills you're being dishonest to your own base in tell them that this will reduce crime. It can't reduce crime and never has since other cities such as Chicago ,crime ALWAYS increases with more gun control and Always goes down with less in most situations. I have friend who lives in Chicago and had to sue because they outlawed all firearms several years back. The citizens won that case and were allowed to own AR-15's and all various forms of semi automatic fire arms pistol and rifle. According to him and the data CRIME WENT DOWN. The exception to gun laws which are already on the book as always is proper back ground checks so criminals cannot exploit the legal process by purchasing as a felon. As for removing someone's rights to own a gun under a DUI or DWI I fail to see any relevance or correlation and causation to the issue of guns in general. I am apposed to all these gun control bills and support the two pro guns bills being proposed.

Last Name: James Organization: Incarcerated loved one Locality: Woodbridge

As a single income mother and wife who provides financial support to my son and husband that is incarcerated, I fully support this bill. While thankfully I've not had to miss other utility bills to fund the phone account so that I can remain in contact with my son and husband; it is a debt and a burden each month to have to account for the $300-$400 dollars it costs me to communicate with them. I do think that constant communication with my son and husband has contributed greatly to their rehabilitation. I also feel that because of our communication, they have become better men who has accepted and are remorseful of their actions that landed them in prison. I just don't know how much longer I will be able to afford this bill given the increase in prices for rent and other utilities. I hope you would pass this legislation so that I can continue to communicate with them . Thank you for your support for HB801.

Last Name: Long Locality: Bedford

The price of communication in prisons and jails are ridiculous. Even though someone made a mistake they should still be able to afford communication with their loved ones. I know personally I spend well over $200 a month just on phone calls and emails. This money could be used on other bills in my home or even help with me spending more money at stores in my local community increasing the local revenue rather than a huge communications company that does absolutely NOTHING for Virginia say YES to HB 801 free phone calls

Last Name: Seiler Locality: Bartow Fl

I'm in support of this bill. My Loved One at Keen Mountain would greatly benefit from this bill. The rising prices living a normal life is very difficult for everyone both incarcerated and those that are walking free. Also, this would help with the rehabilitation of inmates and allow more Loved ones to call and visit bringing stability to those that are incarcerated. This is a good bill!

Last Name: Chaffin Locality: Alexandria

As a special education teacher, I spend countless hours providing individualized instruction and crafting personal plans for educational success. I should not then also have to work as a tutor and adjunct professor just to ensure my beloved husband can call our family. This is especially important for his young child, so I work extra to ensure he can be an active parent. Being able to tell his father about his school day and sporting events and get stories and advice in return is fundamental to his development. Every child deserves to hear their parents say, “I love you,” and the cost of a call should never be the reason they can’t. That is why I am asking you to please support bill HB801. Saying I love you shouldn’t cost a thing!

Last Name: Mahaney Locality: MIDLOTHIAN

This practice is so detrimental to the well-being of all people. It has been studied and confirmed to cause more harm than good and it is well past time to discontinue. We need oversight of the jails and prisons to assure it stops.

Last Name: Mahaney Locality: MIDLOTHIAN

Last Name: Phillips Locality: North Chesterfield

The end of solitary confinement must be done My son was murdered in solitary confinement at Red Onion Prison in Pound Va on 1/3/22.

HB824 - Indigent defendant; rate of fees for legal representation.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Mergler Organization: Fines and Fees Justice Center Locality: Arlington, VA

Comments Document

We urge the Committee to support HB 824. Written testimony in support of the bill is attached.

Last Name: Long Locality: Bedford

I am in support of the second look bill, the people who have turned their lives around deserve an opportunity to show they are changed and be productive tax paying members of society. The money that is spent on housing those people could be spent on much better things than the DOc the money could go towards schools or other necessary programs. Some people have been in for 25 plus years, no infraction’s and have changed their lives, gone to school, got trades . Not everyone is eligible to get a second look and it is only for the ones who prove and show they would make good members of society. The bill allows a judge to determine if they deserve a second chance.

HB857 - Fines and costs; changes period of limitations for collection.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

HB884 - Vehicle exhaust systems; inspection and administrative fee.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Mackaness Locality: Schweizersberg

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Last Name: Slough Locality: Smyth

Instead of helping alleviate the problem of loud motor vehicle exhaust, HB 884 will actually make the problem worse in Planning District 8 if the 95db(A) allowable limit is not reduced in the bill. HB 884 is derived from the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) model legislation which seeks to legalize louder than OEM exhaust systems for the benefit of some companies it represents. 95dba exhaust systems produce sound at least 10 times more intense than the federally mandated 80db(A) for automobile OEM exhaust systems In addition the A-weighted measurements underestimate the perceived loudness, annoyance factor, and stress-inducing capability of noises with low frequency components. In many cases, aftermarket companies design their exhausts to maximize the low frequency component of the sound and advertise this fact as a major selling point. HB 884 and SB 714, as they now stand, will benefit certain companies but are detrimental to the quality of life and health of the great majority of the citizens of Planning District 8. I don't reside in that planning district, but for the aftermarket business this is just a foot in the door and it will attempt to expand this legislation to include the entire state. Reduce the allowed decibel limit to no more than the mid 80s and the legislature will be doing something to help the problem, not exacerbate it.

Last Name: Filling Organization: Route 17 Traffic Calming for Public Safety Fauquier County Locality: Fauquier County, The Plains

Comments Document

I support HB 883 and 884 because they will apply a $250 fine on tractor trailer drivers who modify their exhaust stacks on purpose to be VERY LOUD, vibrationally percussion felt and used as a tool of harassment towards smaller vehicle drivers that obey the 55mph speed limit on Route 17 in Fauquier County. Signs can then be posted that state the fine for this is $250.00 instead of where it is now at only $30.00 if the police even pull them over for it. On the police citation it would fall under the topic of "Equipment Failure", but it's NOT really failure all the time as it sometimes can be from the exhaust stacks internal components falling apart to muffle the sound. A tractor trailer driver will purposely modify the exhaust system in the following ways to PURPOSELY use it as a tool of Harassment towards other drivers and homeowners. 1. Install stacks that are much wider in diameter and can be x1 or x2 Exhaust stacks. This creates a more bellowing sound affect, kind of like a church piano organ but without the heavenly sounds. More like obnoxious adults that have personal issues it seems. 2. Removal of the top curved portion of the Exhaust stack that muffles the sound that State Police have informed me is known as a "Straight Stack" once top curved portion is removed. 3. Removal of internal baffling muffling component's. When these adjustments are made and a tractor trailer then uses their ENGINE BRAKES which is also known as a JAKE BRAKE it creates that LOUD noise and percussion wave that is heard for miles. If you are within 1000 feet of the trucker then you will also FEEL the blast wave as well as HEAR it coming thru walls of a home, windows and doors. It wakes children up from sleep at night, makes it hard to study school work or for anyone to sleep or focus. Truckers are supposed to use the normal quiet braking systems, but many will use the ENGINE Brake (Jake Brake) instead that were designed to be EMERGENCY downhill heavy load braking systems and DOES NOT wear out as quickly as normal quiet braking systems. When a trucker modifies their exhaust stacks to be purposely louder and then chooses to use their ENGINE Brakes (Jake Brakes) it creates the LOUD sound and wave percussion that NO ONE LIKES in society except for a trucker. A law exists that protects truckers from being harassed, however they are ALLOWED to harass other drivers to speed up past a established speed limit, or harass homeowners along roads. Dump trucks are also notorious for this problem, but typically it occurs because they let there exhaust stacks wear out and DO NOT maintain them which police refer to "Falling out of calibration". SB 883 and 884 will help this PROBLEM to stop in ALL of Virginia by raising the fine, and posting SIGNS to alert truckers NOT to do this. It's TIME for Virginia to fix another LONG term society problem. I am NOT anti-truckers, but I am against truckers harassing other drivers and homeowners like BULLIES. Cyber bullying exists and laws have been implemented to address that. These bills will help STOP the bullying in this way also. The ports of Virginia will be at full operating capacity in 2027 per VA Transportation Secretary Sheppard Miller statements at 2024 General Assembly. That will bring more truckers onto Route 17 to deliver cargo to the inland marine port in Front Royal Virginia. Many will most likely have modified exhaust stacks and use Jake Brakes.

HB892 - Farmland Preservation, Office of; transfers Office to Dept. of Forestry.

Last Name: Bocanegra Locality: Schonherrn

Last Name: Birchell Locality: Newark

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Donald Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

HB893 - Attorneys appointed to represent parents or guardians; qualifications and performance.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Oien Locality: Virginia Beach

My caseload consists primarily of court-appointments from Juvenile and Domestic Relations courts. I serve as a guardian ad litem for children and (in separate matters) as counsel for parents in child dependency cases. There are several times when as Parent's Counsel I would have been able to provide better preparation to my clients and to save the Court time during hearings if I had had more training targeted to serving parents in Child Dependency Cases. Although I am confident that attorneys who serve as guardian ad litems can also adequately represent a parent's interest in child dependency matters (See language from 1.F., "On or after July 1, 2025, no person currently serving or accepting appointments from a court in the Commonwealth as a guardian ad litem for children shall be appointed to represent a parent or guardian in a child dependency case."), I support HB893 in other respects and feel that it would serve the public and the court system to provide this training for attorneys serving as Parent's Counsel.

Last Name: Crim Locality: Manassas

Decades ago, when I first started representing Departments of Social Services, the pay provided to court-appointed counsel and guardians ad litem was insufficient. Since then, it has not increased even at a rate to match inflation. The courts find it difficult to get attorneys willing to do the work, and those who are willing must take on heavy case loads. It is long past time for the Commonwealth to support them and make their compensation reasonable. To be clear, this bill does not benefit me directly, but as counsel for DSS's I see the need for competent, dedicated, and fairly compensated attorneys to be on the other side of cases that I handle.

Last Name: Sherrard Locality: Alexandria

As a national expert in child welfare policy and practice, with over a decade of experience in the Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau, and as a former foster parent in Fairfax County and volunteer parent advocate in Alexandria City, I am writing in strong support of this bill which promotes equity and justice for children and families involved in Virginia's child welfare system. Data is clear that Virginia does not achieve positive outcomes for children and families. Extremely low reunification rates and high rates of emancipation demonstrate that Virginia's system does not rightly prioritize safely preserving family connections which are key for long-term well-being of children. Federal case review data also indicates that only 14% of Virginia parents had their needs appropriately assessed and had needed services provided after their child was placed in foster care. Without robust legal representation, parents will not experience justice in a system often set against them from the start. I have personally witnessed numerous situations in which VA's system did not follow its own policies and procedures and parents had no recourse. This is particularly concerning when what is at stake is the severing of parent-child connections and the loss of parental rights. As a parent advocate I have witnessed VDSS unnecessarily remove a healthy, nursing baby from her mother and refuse to ensure that mother could visit often enough to feed and bond with her baby. Without legal representation and strong community support fighting VDSS, this mother would have permanently lost her rights to her child despite the fact that there were no safety issues with the mother. As a result of this mother's traumatic experiences in VA, after being reunified with her child (which only occurred because she had an attorney willing to do the hard work of appealing her case) she moved to another state. It is a shameful reality that a state as great as Virginia treats its most vulnerable citizens in this way, effectively chasing them out of the state they called home. We can do better and I believe HB893 is an important step in that direction. I have done this work for over 20 years, with over half of that time assessing child welfare systems across the country. There are states that are doing a much better job than Virginia is in ensuring high quality legal representation for parents, and implementing innovative and effective practices such as multi-disciplinary teams. It is time that Virginia joins these states in ensuring justice, safety and well-being for its citizens. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this important matter.

HB909 - 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services Medicaid Waivers; state plan amdmts., prog. modifications.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Benson Locality: Louisa, VA

My name is Donald Benson, and my wife and I recently adopted my almost 4 year old daughter that was severely abused and traumatized by her bio-father and left with injuries that will affect her for the rest of her life. She is a bright, loving, and amazing miracle and I would not trade her for anything, but due to the trauma she has had it is very hard for her to trust others and especially with her personal care. My daughter is one of many disabled children and families that are being affected by the proposed changes which are scheduled to go into effect on March 1, 2024. • ‘new guardrails’ that will compel many parents of minors to become employees of agencies and demonstrates a bias in favor of agencies and institutions. This makes a mockery of consumer directed service option. • Modify the 40-hour-per-week work limit to allow legally responsible individuals (LRI) with more than one waiver-receiving child to receive reimbursement for 40 hours of work per week per child receiving a waiver; Soft Cap of 56 and this still penalizes families with multiple waiver children • Eliminate the requirement that, in order for a legally responsible individual to receive reimbursement for personal care services, no one else be available to provide services to the member; No other state agency makes the Parent the last option and to be honest if it wasn’t for the fact that many parents step up to provide care for their family member- the system would collapse. Even though the system does not function correctly without these parents, these guardrails seem to assume the worst of intentions on the part of these same parents. • Allow a legally responsible individual or stepparent to be the employer of record when a member under the age of 18 receives personal care through consumer direction. EOR is an unpaid position that also has significant access to personal information and details of attendants and the person receiving waiver services. EOR is vital to the safety of the individuals that are involved, and I could not think of anyone that would be able to put the best interests and care for these children further to the forefront than their parents and forces families to disclose personal information and also takes away their right to act in their loved one’s best interests. • DMAS has stated that CMS is requiring these new ‘guardrails’ in order to continue to allow parents of minors and spouses to provide personal care. o In recent public communications as well as Emails from Directors Alissa DeBoy and Curtis Cunningham with CMS stated “CMS continues to encourage states to use the array of flexibilities allowable under existing Medicaid authorities to incorporate reimbursement of legally responsible individuals into HCBS programs on a longer-term basis. While there are no federal barriers in place, it is ultimately at the state’s discretion” • the guardrails proposed by DMAS are their proposals- and unfortunately, they place an undue burden upon families and in the eyes of many treat these families as guilty until proven innocent.

Last Name: Benson Locality: Louisa, VA

My name is Donald Benson, and my wife and I recently adopted our almost 4 year old daughter that was severely abused and traumatized by her bio-father and left with injuries that will affect her for the rest of her life. She is a bright, loving, and amazing miracle and I would not trade her for anything, but due to the trauma she has had it is very hard for her to trust others and especially with her personal care. My daughter is one of over 1700 disabled children and families that are being affected by the proposed changes which are scheduled to go into effect on March 1, 2024. Unfortunately, DMAS is making it much more difficult for parents (of minors) to be reimbursed for providing personal care for their child. DMAS is enacting ‘new guardrails’ that will compel parents to become employees of agencies. This makes a mockery of consumer directed service option and demonstrates a bias in favor of agencies and institutions. DMAS has failed to address significant problems with these guardrails such as the finding and enrolling of new consumer directed providers due to shortages and delays in the processing of forms needed to hire attendants. To be honest, if it wasn’t for the fact that many parents step up to provide care for their family member- the system would collapse. It seems strange to me that even though the system does not function correctly without these parents, DMAS would rather assume the worst of intentions on the part of these same parents. I understand that there may be bad actors but to implement a system where parents are treated as guilty of this until proven innocent is absurd. This is not the assumption with the any other state agency. Honestly no parent is making a living off of the under $13.50/hr. that most of the state is reimbursed for this care. Teenagers working in fast food make more than that. DMAS is also making it impossible for parents to be the EOR (Employer of Record). The EOR is an unpaid position that also has significant access to personal information and details of attendants and the person receiving waiver services. This role of the EOR is vital to the safety of the individuals that are involved, and I could not think of anyone that would be able to put the best interests and care for these children further to the forefront than their parents. With that being said, expecting families to have a friend or neighbor act as an EOR (instead of a parent or guardian) forces families to disclose personal information and also takes away their right to act in their loved one’s best interests. I DMAS has stated that CMS is requiring these new ‘guardrails’ in order to continue to allow parents of minors and spouses to provide personal care. However, in recent public communications as well as emails from Directors Alissa DeBoy and Curtis Cunningham with CMS stated “CMS continues to encourage states to use the array of flexibilities allowable under existing Medicaid authorities to incorporate reimbursement of legally responsible individuals into HCBS programs on a longer-term basis. While there are no federal barriers in place, it is ultimately at the state’s discretion”. These guardrails proposed by DMAS are their proposals- and unfortunately, they place an undue burden upon families.

HB949 - Hazardous Substance Facility Response Plans; reporting of substance discharge, etc.

Last Name: Bocanegra Locality: Schonherrn

Last Name: Birchell Locality: Newark

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Donald Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

HB1069 - Liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor products; certification, removal of exclusion from directory.

Last Name: Ok Organization: Decent Virginians who don’t want to be around drugs Locality: Richmond

Opposed any Bill that allows citizens to smoke weed, cannabis, marijuana. Shameful policies by government officials who don’t care about people. https://www.foxnews.com/health/daily-weed-smokers-higher-risk-heart-attack-stroke-american-heart-association-study

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: White Locality: Norfolk

I’m against

Last Name: McNeely Locality: Hemet

I oppose

Last Name: Wrobel Locality: Poquoson

I’m against it

Last Name: Sharp Locality: Norfolk

I'm against

Last Name: Delaney Locality: Norfolk

I oppose these bills.

Last Name: Batista Organization: Disabled veteran Locality: Chesapeake

Delta 8 is NOT a nicotine product. It is illegal as of July 1, 2023. Punish those who do not card. Use the intellicheck system to card identification.

Last Name: Belle Locality: Norfolk

I oppose

Last Name: Suzuki Locality: Norfolk

Smoked for short time 2018. Move to vape as it is was affecting my ability to breath while doing outdoor laborous job during that time period. Because of vaping, I can still run, sprint, exercise without feeling unable to breathe. Don't punish retailers doing a very good deed to the community. Kids getting their hands on the product should be the fault of their Gardians. Kids that are mature and disciplined know the consequences of underage smoking and will refrain until they are of age. These bills if passed will just create a black market, which in turn make it way more accessable to minors and products will also be more unsafe as there will be no one to be held responsible in selling unsafe products.

Last Name: Jefferson Locality: Norfolk

Jdjdjfjf

Last Name: Loera Locality: Virginia beach

Everyone should have the right to vape regardless of it’s effects

Last Name: Ahina Locality: Virginia Beach

As a resident please don’t proceed with the act of banning vapes

Last Name: John doe Locality: Virginia Beach

Don’t ban vape

Last Name: Arp Locality: Norfolk

I'm against the vape ban

Last Name: Staskiewicz Locality: Portsmouth

Don’t bane our vapes

Last Name: Fenby Locality: Norfolk

America is a free country!

Last Name: KC Organization: Navy Locality: Norfolk

People will be addicted to cigarettes rather than vapes, which are 10x worse.

Last Name: Johnson Locality: Newport news

Military survives off of vapes

Last Name: Phee Locality: Norfolk

I’m against this bill. Vaping helped me get off of cigarettes and was a great alternative.

Last Name: Honeyman Locality: Virginia Beach

Don’t ban vape sales

Last Name: Lewis Locality: Norfolk

CIGARETTES ARE CANCER NO ONE NEEDS TO SMOKE NOR BUY THEM

Last Name: Cohen Locality: Virginia Beach

Vape products are a fantastic alternative to smoking harmful cigarettes. This option has helped me quit smoking cigarettes all together and I don’t even vape very much now too!

Last Name: Beaty Locality: Norfolk

I'm against this.

Last Name: Holbert Locality: Virginia Beach

We need these!

Last Name: Shoumake Organization: Vape xotic Locality: Hampton

Last Name: Brown Locality: Virginia Beach

This bill would effectively kill the one thing that gives me and 1000's no millions of people a fighting chance against smoking cigarettes which is proven to be worse than vaping. I quit smoking cigarettes in 2012 and haven't looked back. This will kill any option or free agency that I have to decide and determine what i choose to use because it will drive me back to cigarettes. Myself and many others will reopen ourselves back to increased risk of cancer and other dreadful death causing ailments that smoking tobacco has been proven unequivocally to cause, and yet no one is proposing banning any cigarettes. People will lose jobs and businesses because of this. Please stop this. Cancer runs in my family (caused by cigarettes) and i can honestly say that vaping has and continues to save my life from the horrors of smoking tobacco and the effects that i have watched it have on people that I love and cherish. Respectfully please dont take away my choice, my right, and the only hope that i have to continue to keep from smoking cigarettes. People who are against vaping dont have to vape. And parents who are worried about their kids vaping need to parent their kids better. The state should not be their personal babysitter nor should my freedom of choice be infringed upon due to someone else. I fought for this country honorably. I am a 100% disabled veteran but to see bills that restrict and revoke the freedom of one group over another is not what I fought for.

Last Name: Brooks Organization: Vapexotix Locality: Norfolk

Banning vaping and or implementing the PMTA will make businesses go out of business and that is not good at all. Keep in mind i quit smoking and started vaping because it was a healthier option. For someone who has heart problems I am not willing to go back to smoking cigarettes and supporting (big tobacco) we as grown adults have a say what we put into our bodies. If you are worried about children then you should hold the parents responsible and watch the numbers decrease while letting us adults control what we can/are allowed too. Implementing these bills will also put people who work at vape shops that have a passion for providing customers (21 and over) a healthier option out of a job . Working for a vape company has been the best decision of my life and knowing we are helping people become healthier is one of those big satisfaction moments we get to have. If you take that away from us because you are scared of big tobacco and big pharma then you need to reset your priorities. Thank you for your time and have a good day

Last Name: Capers Locality: Norfolk

I am opposed to the ban of vapes !

Last Name: Schlieper Locality: Virginia Beach

Vaping has helped me quit smoking s packs of cigarettes a day and definitely has improved my lugs over the time I’ve been vaping

Last Name: Sanders Organization: Vape xotix Locality: Norfolk

Being a free individual of the state it is sad to feel oppressed by the governed body. Please take into consideration of our amendments and due process. Free individual should have the right to participate in legal activities if choosing to do so.

Last Name: Koser Locality: Norfolk

I'm against these bills because if they shut down vaping I will wind up moving back to cigarettes which have been proven as a higher risk of developing cancer, heart disease. Vaping offers a cleaner, and more efficient way of allowing others have a source of stress relief if vaping is banned, you will have completely destroyed a source of stress relief for so many people.

Last Name: Sampy Locality: Carencro

Vapes are almost essential in military towns like this

Last Name: Collera Locality: Virginia Beach

Please don’t ban something I can make my own health decisions on.

Last Name: Garces Organization: Vape Industry Locality: Norfolk

If bill goes through… I would have to have to go back to smoking cigarettes that I have tried to quit for years. Disposables and vape juice have been my go to for nicotine. It has been better for me as far as the taste, the smell, its discreet, there are definitely more health benefits to me than there are cigarettes. Being in the military & the stress of our day to day I would go through the worst withdrawals if taken away. Oppose. Not for bill.

Last Name: Quinby Organization: TOBACCO 21 Locality: MCLEAN VA

Comments Document

Tobacco 21 opposes HB 1069 - Please do not advance.

Last Name: Casper Organization: American Lung Association in Virginia Locality: Richmond

Comments Document

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments. The American Lung Association in Virginia opposes House Bill 1069 and Senate Bill 550 which would develop a liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor products certification and directory. While we appreciate the desire to address the youth e-cigarette crisis, we do not believe that this type of legislation is an effective way to address the high youth use of e-cigarettes. These type of registry bills do not address the fundamental problem of manufacturers that make flavored tobacco that are attractive to youth. These types of bills are also distracting focus on proven public health policies to address tobacco use, such as: increasing tobacco taxes, funding for tobacco control and prevention and removing flavored products from the market. Registry bills that are tied to the Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) process have very little public health impact. The American Lung Association supports proven tobacco control policies that provide public health benefits for youth. Tobacco industry registry bills like House Bill 1069 and Senate Bill 550 are unnecessary and will have minimal public health benefit. We encourage the committee to oppose these bills.

Last Name: Mcguire Locality: Virginia Beach

It’s my freedom to choose what I want

Last Name: Thoman Locality: Virginia Beach

Please vote against this bill. It doesn't protect kids. Stop letting the government take away people's choices

Last Name: Ugarte Locality: Norfolk

I oppose.

Last Name: Zondler Locality: Norfolk

I object!

Last Name: Love Locality: Virginia Beach

I feel so much better since switching to vape products. This is a fraud to protect big tobacco companies.

Last Name: Aponte Locality: Norfolk

N/A

Last Name: Posada Locality: Norfolk

Oppose ban.

Last Name: Loomis Locality: Norfolk

I oppose.

Last Name: Mase Organization: Disabled Veteran Locality: Virginia Beach

I haven't smoked a cigarette in nearly 10 years because I changed to vaping. My health has NOT deteriorated in the least from vaping and I haven't cougcoughed in a decade. Leave us Vapers alone.

Last Name: O'Neill Organization: Vape Xotix Locality: Norfolk

Last Name: Justice Locality: Norfolk

Marlboro only wants to ban vapes because it cuts into their profits

Last Name: Matchett Locality: Norfolk

I appose

Last Name: Schexnayder Locality: Norfolk

The fact that the state is choosing tobacco companies over the people is absurd. Instead of trying to temporary not tank the tobacco economy, invest into something else. It's been proven tobacco has been dying off over generations. Don't punish the people for other's mistakes.

Last Name: Livingston Locality: Alexandria

Don’t take my vapes, it’s a form of free will

Last Name: Goodlow Locality: Norfolk

i’m against

Last Name: Michael Locality: Virginia Beach

Vaping has helped me quit smoking cigarettes and I feel way healthier ever since I started vaping. I oppose these laws. Cigarettes are terrible.

Last Name: McCabe Organization: Vape xotix Locality: Virginia beach

I oppose. Blame the parents.

Last Name: Davis Locality: Knoxville

Keep my vapes

Last Name: Smith Locality: Norfolk

I oppose the banning of flavored vapes

Last Name: Harsley Locality: Virginia Beach

Vaping has actually improved my health. Making this illegal will only tempt black marketers to move in and fill a void that is missing. Keep vaping legal.

Last Name: Milner Locality: Norfolk

I am opposed to any vape ban

Last Name: Valerio Locality: Norfolk

I oppose this

Last Name: Cole Locality: Virginia Beach, Va

Vaping has allowed me to avoid smoking and it’s far better for the environment as it does not require people to feel the need to leave cigarette butts everywhere. There is zero chance that vaping is more harmful to one’s health than cigarettes. Do not ban vaping.

Last Name: Cole Locality: Virginia Beach, Va

Last Name: Jackson Locality: Norfolk

I’m against, this is against my freedom to choose as an adult.

Last Name: Dowling Locality: Chesapeake

Against banning vapes see no harm

Last Name: Brown Locality: Virginia Beach

This keeps people from smoking tabacco that kills

Last Name: Allen Locality: Norfolk

Against

Last Name: sprouse Locality: Norfolk

i’m against

Last Name: Ross Locality: Virginia Beach

Don’t ban vapes cigarettes are worst

Last Name: Llamas Locality: Norfolk

These products may not be healthy but they are a lot healthier than going back to cigarettes.

Last Name: Randol Locality: Norfolk

I have not smoked a single cigarette in 7 years thanks to vaping. And taking away an alternative is just not right

Last Name: Seifert Locality: Norfolk

I oppose.

Last Name: Tippett Locality: Norfolk

Don’t start a vape prohibition, waste of time, people will get it still

Last Name: Sweazy Locality: Norfolk

I strongly oppose these bills

Last Name: Miller Locality: Norfolk

Been smoke free for 20 years. Still want vape products available for purchase

Last Name: Simpson Organization: Vape xotix Locality: Newport News

Better then cigarettes

Last Name: Obrero Locality: Norfolk

I oppose this as this is one of my stress relievers

Last Name: Brooks Organization: Myself Locality: Norfolk

I vape on a daily basis and oppose these bills

Last Name: Mo Locality: Norfolk

I’m against

Last Name: Stevens Locality: Norfolk

I oppose this bill.

Last Name: Garcia Locality: Norfolk

I'm against

Last Name: Wojtkowski Locality: Virginia Beach

Vaping helps quit smoking and other worse substance abuse. In my opinion it would lead to a worse society if vaping were banned.

Last Name: Santiago Locality: Virginia beach

Please don't ban Vapes in Virginia

Last Name: Oneill Locality: Norfolk

I’m against.

Last Name: Derr Locality: Portsmouth

I just want to say please don't change anything vape related. I was an avid smoker for 30 years and have been smoke free since 2012. Thank you for your time

Last Name: Reed Locality: Norfolk, VA

Vaping has been a much preferred option vice smoking cigarettes for myself and my family.

Last Name: Lish Locality: Norfolk

Please don't ban vaping.

Last Name: Martin Locality: Norfolk

I oppose

Last Name: Jayson Locality: Norfolk

Recommend vaping not be banned

Last Name: Willyerd Locality: Chesapeake

I would prefer to continue to have a healthier alternative to smoking instead of going back to cigarettes.

Last Name: Link Locality: Norfolk

Don’t ban vaping

Last Name: Negron Locality: Virginia Beach

Don’t do this!

Last Name: Hoolehan Locality: Norfolk

I don’t support this ban, it’s pointless and less harmful than actual cigarettes

Last Name: Evans Locality: Norfolk

Please don’t ban vaping .

Last Name: Clanton Locality: Virginia Beach

Please don’t ban vapes.

Last Name: Laramore Locality: Virginia Beach

Vaping saved my life.

Last Name: Issac Locality: Norfolk

Please don’t band vapes it’s a stress reliever.

Last Name: Birch Locality: Virginia

Don’t ban vapes!

Last Name: Marti Locality: Virginia beach

Shouldn’t be banned

Last Name: Randleman Locality: Norfolk

I oppose the Willett & Seibold bills.

Last Name: Nelson Locality: Norfolk

Don’t ban vaping

Last Name: Brown Locality: Virginia Beach

I’m sorry, I thought this was America. Don’t ban a safer alternative to smoking you morons.

Last Name: Austin Locality: Norfolk

Do not support a ban on vaping

Last Name: Ritchie Locality: Notfolk

Don’t ban vaping helps with anxiety

Last Name: Jones-Santana Locality: Virginia Beach

Granite smoking is bad but vaping is more convenient and last longer than cigarettes. Banning vape sales will not make anyone just want to buy cigarettes. All Cigarettes mainly taste the same but vapes you have different flavors which makes it less boring to smoke.

Last Name: Ogrodnik Locality: Norfolk

I oppose

Last Name: Gracey Locality: Chesapeake

If we're gunna ban vapes we might as well ban cigarettes. Ban all or none

Last Name: Phouamkha Locality: Virginia beach

I want to choose what I want to do with my time and my money without government intervention

Last Name: Holt Locality: Va Beach, VA

How dare you? This is a clear violation of our rights. We can do what we please.

Last Name: Schillinger Locality: Virginia Beach

Vaping is a great relaxent for me in times of stress. It’s also a perfect alternative for people who smoke cigarettes. There’s also been many accounts of people who turned to vaping to stop smoking completely.

Last Name: dasilva Locality: Virginia Beach

I oppose

Last Name: Rampersad Organization: Vape XOTIX Locality: Virginia Beach

We don’t want vapes to be band

Last Name: Phan Organization: Navy Locality: Norfolk

As a member of the Armed Forces, I do not want this bill to be passed. I rely on stores like these everyday, and I know plenty of others that are in the same situation.

Last Name: Shipp IV Locality: Portsmouth

I oppose

Last Name: Klein Locality: Virginia Beach

Vaping is more than a hobby or something people do for fun. Vaping got me off of 5 years of cigarette smoking. My lung health dramatically improved as has my overall health. Vaping is a valid need in the community.

Last Name: Bland Locality: Norfolk

Please do not ban vapes and juices

Last Name: Bracey Organization: None Locality: Hampton

Don’t ban vaping

Last Name: Samuel Organization: Stake center Locality: Chesapeake

Keep vaping

Last Name: Ty Organization: Vape Locality: Norfolk

Please don’t Ban Vaping!

Last Name: Artis Organization: Vape xotix Locality: Norfolk

Vape helps with my anxiety

Last Name: Carlton Locality: Alexandria

Yes, I support as this is not a vape ban. This will remove illegal product from the market.

Last Name: ramirez Locality: Virginia beach

Don’t ban vapes help military with stress

Last Name: Taitague Locality: Virginia beach

Dont ban vaping

Last Name: Carter Organization: N/A Locality: Norfolk

Please don’t ban vaping

Last Name: Baltas Locality: Chesapeake

Adults of age should be allowed to make their choices on whatever if it effects their bodies.

Last Name: Hyde-Cummings Locality: Norfolk

Last Name: Gordon Locality: Hampton

Hey I’m against banning vaping

Last Name: Barney Organization: Atlantic Dominion Distributors Locality: Virginia Beach, VA

Comments Document

Also Attached: Chairperson and Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to submit written comments today on HB 1069 / SB 550. My name is Kevin K. Barney. I am Executive VP of Atlantic Dominion Distributors, Headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA. Our company has been in business since 1875, We supply over 300 retail locations in Virginia, mostly Convenience stores, Grocery stores & Tobacco Outlets in Virginia and have 108 employees. Currently most e-vapor products in the Virginia market are in violation of the FDA rules and federal law. We do not sell any vapor products that has not submitted a valid PMTA that is under review by the FDA. It is challenging for wholesalers, retailers, and consumers to discern which products are authorized to be sold and which products are not. This is due to the sheer number of PMTA applications that have been rejected or remain under review by the FDA. The adoption of an e-vapor directory in Virginia will allow responsible distributors and retailers to know what is compliant and what is not. In addition to protecting consumers, an e-vapor directory would facilitate an equal playing field for all distributors in the state and protect Virginia businesses from federal enforcement for selling or distributing noncompliant products. Right now, we have no clarity and may be enforced against at any point. This proposal is good for Virginia law abiding distributors in our state want to adhere to the rules, but we need a mechanism to understand what products are legal for sales and distribution. We are competing with some rouge “pop up” distributors and on-line sellers that are ignoring the FDA vapor product bans and selling these wantonly to C-stores & Vape/CBD Shops that have sprung up across the state. Many of these distributors and on-line sellers are not collecting and remitting the state vapor tax and they encroach on our retail customer base with these products and other goods they supply. What are the ingredients of these illegal products and where are they coming from? Many 21 and under children and young adults can purchase these products which is very concerning. This unregulated and unenforced market has also been a detriment to our sales as we are unwilling to break the law by selling products the FDA has deemed illegal. With the “Wild West” market that currently exists we are uncertain if we will be able to sustain our business to 2025 for our 150th year anniversary. An e-vapor directory will provide wholesalers with the information we need to ensure that we are distributing compliant products and avoiding penalties. The proposed e-vapor directory will also help fund equitable enforcement across the state. Registry fees and violation fines will help support the enforcement efforts needed to ensure that all distributors and customers are compliant. An organized and regulated market will facilitate the long-term sustainability of a category that has been shown to be substantially less harmful than traditional combustible cigarettes. In conclusion, I urge you to support HB - 1069, an e-vapor directory in Virginia. Thank you. Kevin K. Barney Executive VP Atlantic Dominion Distributors 5400 Virginia Beach Blvd. Virginia Beach, VA 23462 757-648-8102 Direct Kevin.barney@atlanticdominion.com

Last Name: Hoyle Locality: Norfolk

Don't do it

Last Name: Maria Organization: Vape xotix Locality: Norfolk

Getting ride of vaping will definitely bring a lot of people into more bad habits or an outlet to actually go to when they want to quit on a sustance that’s actually the same as what they’ve already been doing something that’s less harmful …I can go on and on about it but my son passed away two years ago instead of going into a hard substance I choose to vape nicotine it helped me realize that I didn’t need anything else but my vape to realize that what I went through wasn’t a dream or try to block it out

Last Name: Handy Locality: Richmond

I support this bill. It is time for state to address the thousands of illegal vape products on the market in Virginia.

Last Name: Lovely Locality: Henrico

I support this measure to keep manufacturers accountable.

Last Name: Novak Locality: Chesapeake

Vaping is much better than cigarettes. I smoked for 20 yrs and have been vaping now for 7+ years and do not want to have to go back to cigarettes ever

Last Name: Morgan Locality: Norfolk

Banning vapes isn’t going to stop underage tobacco use.

Last Name: Luttrell Locality: Virginia Beach

Do not ban vapes. Thanks

Last Name: Quade Locality: Norfolk

No no and nooo!

Last Name: McGarry Locality: Virginia Beach

it keeps people from smoking tobacco it's our body to do with as we wish.

Last Name: Brasko Locality: Virginia Beach

It’s my right to vape. You shouldn’t have to decide for me. I know the dangers of it

Last Name: Phillips Locality: Norfolk

Please do not close down VapeXotic. It’s a convenient location for me and the employees are amazing. It’s not fair because the FDA is dragging their feet to approve the products.

Last Name: najera Locality: Norfolk

It’s a right to choose the way we gat nicotine and its consumption

Last Name: Willis Locality: Virginia beach

VAPING saved my life please done take it way

Last Name: Burton-Brooks Locality: NORFOLK

I'm a smoker that has switched to vaping. This bill makes it harder for me to get products legally. The bill proposes that it will make it harder for children to get products however children are getting them through illegal outlets that will still be available after the bill is passed.

Last Name: Cruz Locality: Norfolk

I oppose

Last Name: Alldridge Locality: Virginia Bch

Please don't take away my nicotine. All my military service has made me dependant and I'm ok with that.

Last Name: Taisipic Locality: Norfolk

Vapes help me get through my day

Last Name: Weaver Locality: Virginia Beach

Don't pass this bill

Last Name: Jimenez Locality: Virginia beach

Should keep Vapes for adults

Last Name: Fitch Locality: Virginia Beach

Vaping helps me not smoke cigarettes and helped my mother quit smoking cigarettes after decades of not being able to quit.

Last Name: Ely Locality: Virginia beach

Banning vaping would be a hide loss of income to the stores and the state. It would encourage individuals to spend that same money over the state line in other states. Vaping will continue just at a revenue loss for the state of Virginia.

Last Name: Sepulveda Santiago Locality: Norfolk

These businesses are tax paying and there is no reason to close them down. The state will lose tremendous revenue which could go to social program funding and infrastructure. You vote yes and I will do everything in my power to campaign against everyone and support your opponents.

Last Name: Lopez Locality: Norolk

Alternatives to smoking should remain legal

Last Name: Gonzalez Locality: Virginia Beach

They help release stress. Cigarettes have been out for so long, what is the problem now ?

Last Name: Harlan Locality: Virginia Beach

Against

Last Name: Zaragoza Locality: Norfolk

Vape really helped me with my tobacco addiction

Last Name: Salinas Locality: Norfolk

No reason for people to not have access to nicotine, it makes no sense. We understand it’s not good for us but we know what we’re doing to ourselves. Regardless, it doesn’t make sense to restrict us based on the FDA knowing this is a toxic chemical.

Last Name: Wilson Locality: Virginia Beach

I don’t think it’s right to take away our choice of vaping, no one’s bans cigarettes so why is vaping getting taken away from everyone same boat same actions should be taken

Last Name: Cadwell Locality: Virginia Beach

Vaping does not harm the body any more than cigarettes do. Vaping has been a proven method to help stop smoking. After 8 years in the Marines and 6 of those years smoking cigarettes, vaping helped me stop and now I'm completely off of smoking. Banning vaping would take away healthier and easier ways for people to get off of tobacco and help stop their habits.

Last Name: Loy Organization: Vape Xotix Locality: Norfolk

Against bills. Detrimental to community

Last Name: Carrier Locality: Virginia Beach

I highly oppose these bills. I rely on local vape stores for my products.

Last Name: Days Locality: Norfolk

I oppose these bills

Last Name: Gould Locality: Portsmouth

I’d rather vape than smoke cigarettes and risk cancer.

Last Name: Ghazala Locality: Chesapeake

Opposed it

Last Name: Lateefuddin Locality: Chesapeake

Opposed it

Last Name: Metcalf Locality: Virginia Beach

Stay away from our vapes. People can kill they self with tobacco what's the difference?

Last Name: Bailey Locality: Hampton

I love vapes. I’m a 50 plus woman that smoked cigarettes and this help me avoid the horrible smell of cigarettes.

Last Name: Baker Locality: Virginia Beach

Dont

Last Name: Sturtsman Locality: Virginia Beach

Please allow vape stores to continue to stay in business

Last Name: Pagan Locality: Virginia Beach

I’m against this bill because we had this happen to juuls along time ago

Last Name: Brimm Locality: Virginia beach

Stoping the sales of vapes, can lead to even worse things like buying them off the black market

Last Name: Boone Locality: Washington

Stoppage of Vape sales could potentially start the black marketing of Vapes and really wouldn't stop people from buying them.

Last Name: Westlove Locality: Norfolk va

Vaping helps me with my stress. Better then smoking cigarettes

Last Name: Doubikin Locality: Norfolk

Numerous small businesses, which serve as the main source of income for their respective families, would face the risk of closure and face severe financial losses as a consequence of this bill. It is my professional opinion that depriving individuals of their freedom to pursue their desired endeavors is unjust.

Last Name: Collins Locality: Virginia Beach

Please keep vaping alive, it's helping so many people quit smoking cigarettes

Last Name: Rios Locality: Virginia beach

Vaping helps relieve steer in the military

Last Name: Crawford Organization: united states navy Locality: Virigina Beach

No reason to restrict what people want to do

Last Name: Brennan Locality: Virginia Beach

Vaping changed my life. I can actually breathe much better and don’t smell like cigarette smoke 24 hours a day

Last Name: Mayhis Organization: None Locality: Virginia Beach

I think the mental health will decline drastically. Keep it legal!

Last Name: Jaquez Organization: None Locality: Virginia Beach

Because I don’t want to smoke cigarettes

Last Name: G Locality: Virginia Beach, VA

Helps me stop smoking

Last Name: Jentgens Organization: Hb1069 Locality: Virginia Beach

Against

Last Name: Rugenus Locality: Virginia Beach

Vaping has helped myself and people I know successfully quit smoking.

Last Name: Thomas Locality: Va. Beach

Didn’t do it right I love vaping

Last Name: Thomas Locality: Va. Beach

Didn’t do it right I love vaping

Last Name: Harper Organization: N/a Locality: Virginia Beach

Vaping helps my anxiety

Last Name: Dolan Locality: Dam neck

If cigarettes are not banned, than neither should vaping.

Last Name: Gullett Locality: Virginia Beach

Keep vapes

Last Name: TRICK Locality: Va beach

Last Name: Arthur Locality: Virginia Beach

no don’t do it please

Last Name: Zanghi Locality: Virginia Beach

Passing laws to increase sales for tobacco is a monopoly.

Last Name: Underwood Locality: Virginia Beach

Against this big time

Last Name: Burnett Locality: Virginia Beach

Screw big tobacco! I started vaping to quit smoking cigarettes, other people should also have that option.

Last Name: Webb Locality: Virginia Beach

Don’t take away my way of quitting cigarettes

Last Name: Jeter Locality: Virgina Beach

What is your reasoning for getting rid of Vape products? If your are staying it is harm full why have we not gotten rid of cigarettes? Sounds and awful lot like we are just picking and choosing.

Last Name: Williams Locality: Virginia Beach

Against. Vaping helped me quit smoking cigarettes.

Last Name: Cowan Locality: Virginia Beach

Stop this and let us choose to vape!

Last Name: Perkins Locality: Virginia Beach

Just stop interfering in my life choices.

Last Name: Davis Locality: Virginia Beach

Adults right to make personal choice on their method of consuming nicotine needs to stay out of lawmakers hands.

Last Name: Quarles Locality: Virginia beach

I appreciate how much vaping has helped me quit smoking cigarettes and helped me feel healthier, and it would help if we do not ban vaping.

Last Name: Borachuk Locality: VIRGINIA BEACH

With a majority of the military vaping trying to quit smoking it would be a detriment to them and their progress. Being safer then cigarettes it wouldn't make any sense to ban something better. Why not ban cigarettes if they are so concerned.

Last Name: Kelley Locality: Virginia Beach

Smoke less than ever.

Last Name: Phelps Locality: Virginia beach

Vaping has improved my quality of life. I refuse to give up capimg to support the big tobacco and caner industries

Last Name: Sullivan Locality: Wisconsin

Don’t ban

Last Name: Deal Locality: Virginia beach

Vape sales should not be banned as it’s part of what keeps businesses open and operating in order to provide for themselves or for families.

Last Name: Palmer Locality: virginia beach

I am against banning vape sales. People over the age of 18 should be able to do as they please.

Last Name: Cayabyab Locality: Virginia Beach

Its not th3 product buy the irrespnsible people who do noy properlu ducard

Last Name: Vandergriff Locality: Virginia Beach

Don’t do it.

Last Name: Barlow Locality: Virginia Beach

I am in complete disagreeance and I hope this will not be allowed to pass.

Last Name: Mav Locality: Oceana

Freedom of consumption is a basic human right

Last Name: Davis Organization: Vape xotix Locality: Virginia Beach

Vaping has helped me quit smoking and I believe the sale should still be available for those who choose to participate in vaping.

Last Name: Bruns Locality: Virginia Beach

This bill could put great people out of business who have worked hard to form their businesses. This will also affect employees of vape shops and their well being. They have many healthy alternatives in the stores as well and buy quality products.

Last Name: Smith Locality: Virginia Beach

Tobacco products have always been a staple of Virginia. Making people go through withdraws will just force them to go elsewhere. A small drive just to get vapes is a small price to pay a ban wont stop anything.

Last Name: Roeters Locality: Virginia Beach

Keep the vapes dawg

Last Name: Effler Organization: Na Locality: Virginia beach

I'm an adult over the age of 21 and I have a history of agressive behavior. I use Vaping to directly decompress in highly stressful situations and this has directly helped others to remain safe and helped me to stay out of prison.

Last Name: Heather cassel Locality: Virginia Beach

Don’t ban you have no right to chose how I live

Last Name: Guevara Locality: Virginia Beach

My life, my decision please

Last Name: Ensign Locality: Virginia Beack

Vaping is a better alternative to smoking, and yet we won’t take down big tobacco? Come on.

Last Name: Lievano Locality: virginia Beach

I’m a currently stationed in virgina beach and vaping helps me cope with all the stress from the military. There is no need to ban vaping, it is a lot better than smoking cigarettes!

Last Name: Surmaj Locality: Virginia Beach

Internet crimes are more important than stopping vaping. Bigger issues then vaping

Last Name: Pickett Organization: N/a Locality: Virginia beach

I wish to vote against. Everyone uses these for relaxation and would be a huge disappointment to have this happen to us

Last Name: Batista Locality: Chesapeake

I STRONGLY OPPOSE this bill. I am writing as a voter and taxpayer in Virginia urging you to reject HB1069, which would force the state to enforce the FDA’s disastrous anti-vaping regulations. If this legislation is enacted, I and thousands of people like me in Virginia will lose access to smoke-free products that are helping us live smoke-free lives. This law would ban the sale of more than 80% of products sold in vape shops. These products would remain available in neighboring states as well as online through unscrupulous, unregulated sellers on social media sites like Snapchat and TikTok. To be blunt, support for these bills is sacrificing the lives of people who smoke in the name of protecting a tobacco company’s share of the nicotine vapor market--not protecting youth or public health. The FDA is failing to regulate smoke-free nicotine products in a way that protects public health. The federal regulator’s delay in decision making and arbitrary denial orders are also bogging the agency down with the lawsuits and reputational damage. Enforcing a de facto ban on products that FDA is supposed to be reviewing will come at the expense of Virginia taxpayers and public health. Please reject HB1069 and thank you for listening to my comments. I, and my fellow members of the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association appreciate your time and look forward to your response.

HB1125 - Virginia Business Ready Expedited Permitting Program; created.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

HB1185 - Prescription Monitoring Program; overdose information.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

HB1186 - All-terrain power wheelchairs in state parks; DCR shall establish two-year pilot program.

Last Name: Bocanegra Locality: Schonherrn

Last Name: Birchell Locality: Newark

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Donald Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Nicholls Locality: chesapeake

Excellent bill.

Last Name: Baxter Locality: Richmond

I support this bill which makes difficult terrain accessible to all citizens.

Last Name: Miller Organization: disAbility Law Center of Virginia Locality: Richmond

The disAbility Law Center of Virginia supports this good bill . We appreciate Delegate Tran's commitment to make Virginia's state parks more fully accessible to people with disabilities.

HB1226 - Workers' compensation benefits; post-traumatic stress disorder incurred by firefighters, etc.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

HB1246 - Law-enforcement training; communication with individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Rust Locality: Chesterfield

I oppose all these unconstitutional, dangerous, and pointless laws.

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Nevill Locality: Charlottesville

I am a clinical psychologist who provides regular crisis intervention to the autism community. I am in support of this bill.

Last Name: Hamilton Organization: Autism Society of Central Virginia Locality: CHESTERFIELD

Good morning, Mr. Chair, and members of the committee. I am William Hamilton, a retired NYPD Sergeant with twenty-two years of service and the parent of a seventeen-year-old diagnosed with Autism. Throughout my time with the NYPD, I frequently interacted with people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I credit my ability to manage these situations effectively to the expertise and understanding I obtained from parenting my son, William. I believe the encounters would have been different if I didn’t have a son with Autism. Police officers frequently encounter situations where they must make split-second decisions. I strongly think that providing appropriate training will help prevent officers from mistakenly seeing behaviors associated with Autism as a potential danger to their safety. Furthermore, law enforcement personnel will receive enhanced training on how to effectively de-escalate tensions during interactions with those on the Autism spectrum. Kind Regards William Hamilton

Last Name: Davis Organization: Town of Culpeper Police Department Locality: Culpeper

Dear Committee, Thank you for your time in regards to this matter. I have attached testimony, from not only a law enforcement perspective but a trainer of law enforcement for over ten years. The attachment details why I enthusiastically support HB 1246.

Last Name: Seibert Organization: Virginia Moms for Change Locality: Richmond

I am a member of Virginia Moms for Change, a gun violence prevention group, and I support this bill.

Last Name: Phillips Locality: North Chesterfield

The end of solitary confinement must be done My son was murdered in solitary confinement at Red Onion Prison in Pound Va on 1/3/22.

HB1261 - Unemployment compensation; continuation of benefits, repayment of overpayments.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

HB1273 - VA Public Procurement Act; additional public works contract requirements, delayed effective date.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

HB1347 - Health insurance; coverage for autism spectrum disorder, cost-sharing requirements prohibited.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Moran Locality: Manassas

HB1348 - Pharmaceutical Services, Office of; establishes in Department of General Services, report.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Gordon Organization: Rivercity Residential Services, Bridging the Gap Family Services Locality: Richmond

HB1355 - Information Technology Access Act; numerous organizational changes to Act.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Zunder Locality: Charlottesville

I am writing in strong support of HB1355. This provides a much-needed overhaul of Virginia state code to support the digital accessibility needs of all Virginians with disabilities. As our lives are increasingly played out in a digital environment, we are leaving behind an important segment of our population by allowing schools, state agencies, and Universities to purchase or develop technology that is inherently inaccessible. We need this common-sense legislation to better align our state code with the intent of federal codes, such as Section 508. This legislation does that by laying out a framework to address accessibility in the procurement and development of technology. This legislation is overdue and much needed.

HB1419 - Electronic sales by dealers; titling.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Mackaness Locality: Schweizersberg

Last Name: Foster Locality: Charlotte County

Comments Document

Please vote NO on the proposed amendment to recall Virginia Gentleman (Lee) license plate. Where does this erasure stop?

Last Name: Hartsoe Locality: Lunenburg County

Please vote NO on the proposed amendment to recall the Virginia Gentleman (Lee)license plate. Lee was one of Virginia's finest sons and deserves his place in our history. Removing him from this form of admiration does absolutely nothing to bring us together as citizens of the Commonwealth. In fact, it serves to divide us even further. Where does this erasure stop?

HB1455 - Virginia Memory Project; established.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Bluestein Locality: Virginia Beach, VA

January 31, 2024 Respected House Health and Human Services - Behavioral Health Committee Members: I am writing to state my utmost support for passage of the 2024 Virginia House of Delegates Bill NO. 1455. I am most hopeful that passage of this bill will codify and underwrite the establishment of the Virginia Memory Project (VMP) as a population-based, statewide Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) registry. I am passionate about the VMP. To be sure, national and statewide data on ADRD incidence, prevalence, and cost is chilling. More personally, as a Geriatrician, I have cared for many Virginia patients and families with ADRD. I thus have seen over and over the suffering these devastating disorders inflict. I see the VMP as a leader and a cutting edge innovation in Virginia’s battle against ADRD. In establishing the VMP, Virginia becomes only the 4th state to boast a statewide ARDR registry. Benefits are multiple, first as a means of examining ADRD distribution and determinants, and second by offering crucial insights on unmet needs for purposes of planning of medical and social services, examining ADRD-related socio-demographic disparities, and supporting ADRD research. Moreover, the VMP goes above and beyond registry” functioning as usual.” In its intentional design to allow self-reporting by ADRD caregivers and persons with undiagnosed cognition issues, it gives voice to constituencies that would otherwise be overlooked. With its linkages to education, support, and access to care, the VMP is of immediate benefit and help to its enrollees, thereby becoming the first and only “ADRD registry with a heart”. Although there is excellent return on investment, the VMP needs monetary support-for staff, consultants, infrastructure for data entry and management, structures and processes to ensure accuracy and confidentiality, and the capacity to generate accurate and timely reports. That such support would be forthcoming for the VMP via House bill 1455 would indeed be a huge win for this Commonwealth. Sincerely, Daniel Bluestein MD, MS, CMD-R, AGSF-R, Certificate Added Qualifications-Geriatrics Adjunct Professor, Virginia Geriatric Education Center/Virginia Center on Aging Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions Professor Emeritus Department of Family & Community Medicine Eastern Virginia Medical School

HB1460 - Virginia Verified Meat; certification, labeling of product.

Last Name: Bocanegra Locality: Schonherrn

Last Name: Birchell Locality: Newark

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Donald Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

HB1496 - Surveillance technology; reporting by state & local law-enforcement agencies, etc.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Schrad Organization: Va. Assn. of Chiefs of Police Locality: Hanover

HB 1496 constitutes state government overreach into local government with no stated public policy purpose. The courts determine whether the use of surveillance equipment is justified in each case that comes before them. The publishing of technology equipment purchased in support of law enforcement investigations puts law enforcement officers at extreme risk. This violates the intent of FOIA protections against releasing security information that would put officers and innocent persons at risk. Surveillance equipment and tactics change all the time. Law enforcement would have to post equipment lists but criminals and private investigators would not. This cripples law enforcement's ability to conduct investigations into stalking and abductions and interferes with the effective investigation of hostage situations.

Last Name: McCarty Locality: Midlothian

I am in support of Del. Rasoul's bill to require that all surveillance technology must be logged in on the registry by localities so that all information is open for the public to see. Its cost must be made known, the type used, the location and the vendors . The Department of Criminal Justice Services must keep this register and request that any new technology not previously registered be submitted to the Commission on Technology and Science and be studied before use. This bill states what any intelligent person would think should happen . The public needs to have access to any surveillance methods used at all times. Please pass this bill.

Last Name: Burkhardt Organization: self Locality: Springfield

I have sworn testimony, affidavits, subpoenas, and court documents for the following. WITHOUT A WARRANT: LE is wiretapping peer-to-peer networks using Torrential Downpour and other tools. They are wiretapping FREENET networks. They are remotely breaking into private computers and stealing copies of citizen's personal files with Shareaza-LE, which is felony computer trespass. They are posting pictures of other young adults on dating sites, impersonating them, and illegally intercepting private communications intended for the person pictured, violating 18 USC 2511 and VA 19.2-62. This is also federal identity theft. ICAC/NCMEC has procured Yahoo and other email service providers to wiretap private emails for content (hash codes) of interest to the government, then file a report with NCMEC. Virginia LE then arrests and prosecutes based on this illegally obtained evidence. Officers use hash codes to "fingerprint" electronic content downloaded or transmitted, so hash codes qualify as "content" under 18 USC 2510 and VA Code 19.2-61. LE cannot obtain hash codes without Court authorization under 18 USC 2516 or VA Code 19.2-68, and they NEVER GET A WARRANT. ALL LE surveillance needs legal review to show it is in compliance with state and federal Electronic Communications and Privacy Act, ECPA, law. Officers swear under oath they have no training on ECPA law, yet they conduct online sting operations and illegally intercept private communications using impersonation. Read my book documenting Virginia LE corruption: "Manufactuing Criminals, Fourth Amendment Decay in the Electronic Age." 9,000 Virginians have been prosecuted and incarcerated using illegally obtained evidence. ICAC is illegally manufacturing criminals to get federal and Virginia grant money - which is racketeering.

Last Name: Schrad Organization: Va Assn of Chiefs of Police Locality: Hanover

The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police is opposed to HB 1496. § 2.2-3706(B)(5) protects against the release of records of law-enforcement agencies, to the extent that such records contain specific tactical plans, the disclosure of which would jeopardize the safety or security of law-enforcement personnel or the general public. The registry proposed in HB 1496 undermines the ability of law enforcement officers to conduct investigations safely and protect victims of personal crimes, such as stalking and fraud. The registry also would make the use of critical security equipment public knowledge, putting officers at risk.

Last Name: Achin Organization: H.E.A.L. of Virginia Locality: Prince William

This bill looks excellent, and is another great step toward transparency and accountability in a democracy where the people allegedly rule! This bill SHOULD ABSOLUTELY provide a listing of what is and is not available and is being used and has been used on the public by the police acting online supposedly for the public good. We know that increasingly police are trolling on social media, esp. dating sites; that they are luring, enticing, and inducing people to commit crimes; and that they are destroying lives. The members of this group are such people devastated wrongly by police actions or our members know someone who has been so victimized by police acting online. See more about this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4hTB5G5NZXTeOxslVb82QQ

HB1499 - Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority; powers and duties, definition.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: Tosh Locality: Danville

Strongly Oppose

Last Name: Figueroa Locality: Newport News/ Norfolk Virginia

Hi, Im Lydia Figueroa and I’m a nurse educator. As a nurse educator I’m concerned about faculty not being qualified to provide the education needed to teach nurses the critical thinking skills needed to provide quality patient care. Instead of decreasing educational requirements for nursing faculty, could this bill helped secure funding for graduate schools in nursing. It is important that nursing students to gain the knowledge needed to become safe practitioners from highly qualified faculty members. Exactly how will this bill help the body of nursing education, research and practice. Moreover, I do not believe this is the answer for underrepresentation of remote locations or minority health care. Funding more qualified healthcare facilities in those locations will help with that. My final statement reflects upon the large number of nurse educators who were not aware of this bill in a timely manner. Was there a survey or other opportunities for our input? Where did this come from. Nursing should be more respected. We put in the work for our profession and we need to maintain the integrity. Thank you.

Last Name: Smith Organization: Nurse Educators Locality: Portsmouth

I am extremely concerned about the potential change of education requirements. There are potential ramifications they may not have been considered. Where academic nurse educators made aware of this desired change prior to this point?

Last Name: Gaffney Organization: Nursing Innovation Group Locality: Burke

As a faculty member teaching in both the graduate and undergraduate nursing education program in an accredited school of nursing, I am writing to provide comments to HB 1499. Over the past year, I have worked collaboratively with representatives from nursing education, practice, and regulation to create an actionable strategic plan to address the unprecedented nursing workforce the Commonwealth is experiencing. Yet, critical steps to address the nursing workforce shortage are visibly absent from the current legislation (HB 1499) being considered. Virginia is projected to experience a shortage of more than 20,000 registered nurses within the next ten years, and some models predict that the national nursing shortage will reach more than half a million nurses by 20301. This shortage compromises the health of all Virginians and the stability of the healthcare system in the Commonwealth. While this proposed legislation attempts to address health care provider shortages, it falls short of addressing the needs of preparing a highly educated nursing workforce to care for the increasingly complex needs of Virginians. Therefore, I ask the committee to consider specific actions to amend this bill and address the nursing workforce crisis. One key action is to allocate funds within the Virginia Health Workforce Innovation Fund to: 1. Build a sustainable and more diverse nursing workforce • Launch a Virginia Nurse Educator Academy for new academic educators, clinical instructors, and preceptors. • Prioritize debt forgiveness opportunities for contracted worktime for nurses and expand wrap around services to support nurses in school. 2. Create innovative models of nursing education and practice • Establish a designated fund to support research and development of innovative models of nursing education and practice such as the Earn While You Learn program. 3. Strengthen the Nursing Education Pathway • Establish joint academic/practice (employer) appointments to enhance nursing faculty in schools or nursing. • Standardize student onboarding processes across the Commonwealth to streamline clinical education and reduce institutional burden. 4. Engage the Nursing Workforce through Collaboration and Partnerships • Establish a Virginia Nursing Workforce Center to administer innovation funds and coordinate efforts to educate, recruit, and retain a professional nursing workforce. 5. Retain the Nursing Workforce • Develop a clearinghouse of best practices/exemplars for nursing recruitment and retention and workforce development. In conclusion, investing in nursing education and practice is the pathway to ensuring a stable healthcare system in the Commonwealth. Thank you for your consideration of these important requests. Respectfully, Theresa Gaffney, PhD, MPA, RN, CNE

Last Name: Wind Organization: Rappahannock Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Locality: Northumberland County

As one of Virginia’s healthcare workforce educators and leaders, I am writing to support HB 1499. This bill, if passed, has the potential to significantly impact the healthcare landscape in our state and, specifically, the Rappahannock Region, which suffers from extensive health inequities and health workforce shortages. The legislation aims to develop and implement strategies to recruit and retain underrepresented minority and rural populations to join and remain in Virginia’s healthcare workforce.

Last Name: Morrow Organization: Southwest Virginia AHEC Locality: Blacksburg

I am writing to support HB 1499. Passage of this important workforce development bill could significantly allow us to expand strategies to recruit and retain healthcare professionals of all types. Specifically, it would give us the opportunity to impact underrepresented minority, and in the Southwest Virginia area, rural populations. Thank you for all you do!

HB1513 - Service members; active-duty status for any member injured while in the line of duty.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Rust Locality: Chesterfield

I oppose all these unconstitutional, dangerous, and pointless laws.

Last Name: O Locality: Henrico Richmond

Support This Bill: Thank you for our men and women serving the community. Thank you for your service!

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

HB1514 - Virginia Sports and Entertainment Authority and Financing Fund; established, report.

Last Name: Cordeaux Locality: Newark

Last Name: Spiro Locality: Hamburg Finkenwerder

Last Name: Bowman Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: O’Neil Organization: Self - as a resident of Alexandria Locality: Alexandria

Dear Members of the Assembly: I respectfully ask that you reject any attempts to develop an arena complex at Potomac Yard. Rather than reiterate the mountain of research and evidence that demonstrates the fallibility of this development, the bottom line is that an arena will damage the quality of life for our city. Beyond the tax burden, stench of corporate welfare, environmental concerns, unaffordable sports ticket prices, my greatest fear of this development is missing a child’s basketball game or school recital because I am stuck in Route 1 traffic or unable catch a Metro train due to platform overcrowding. These are admittedly simple and parochial concerns, but nonetheless represent the type of quality of life issues damaged by arena development in Potomac Yard. The fact that the Commonwealth and city taxes would be used to not only fund an organization and project capable of going to capital markets, but also to subsidize the degradation of neighborhood life, is especially disheartening. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of the negative impacts arena development would have on our community. Brendan O’Neil

Last Name: Richard Locality: Alexandria, VA

I'm a born and raised Alexandrian and I'm deeply concerned about the proposed Monumental Sports arena in Potomac Yard. I strongly urge you to vote no. The entire process has not been transparent and residents have had no input on this project at all . We were blindsided with the announcement by Leonsis , the governor and Mayor Wilson in December. There have been townhalls after the fact where questions were either not answered and "presentations " have been given or only pro arena pre screened questions have been answered . Furthermore, the studies published have been inadequate and provided insufficient / vague information about environmental impacts, traffic mitigation , how it will be paid for and how much by whom and how it will effect infrastructure in our area. The dense area by Potomac Yard, with its proximity to the new Amazon HQ, new VT campus, and DCA airport is already stretched to the max. Route 1 cannot be widened enough to accommodate the additional crowd flow that would be expected with all the games and events that would take place with such regularity. It would be a nightmare commute for residents, fans and airport travelers alike. Metro has already proven they do not have the resources necessary to make the huge changes needed to this recently built station to accommodate the crowd flow. One or 2 small escalators to enter/ exit and one long sky bridge to enter/exit would be a nightmare. Not to mention -it is the only station within walking distance to the proposed complex and is serviced by 2 lines sharing one track. Both Nats Park and Cap One Arena are walking distance to several stations with several metro lines and in the case of cap one/gallery place-it has multiple lines Available directly below the arena. I also highly doubt fans from DC and MD will travel that far out of the city to attend games-we've seen how poorly attended and difficult to get to Commanders games are at FedEx Field . Attendance would most certainly go down. Not to mention, I’m sure the cost of tickets will greatly increase to cover the costs for the new facilities. It would also hurt the DC economy and hobble the cities' efforts to recover from the pandemic . DC teams belong in DC so they're accessible to all fans in our area. Lastly, my biggest concern is quality of life and cost of living for our area. Rent and mortgage prices are already extremely high and I fear that this would price most families and small businesses out of the surrounding area (and my nearby area by proxy as well)...not to mention, most of the "job growth" being touted would be minimum wage jobs In which the arena workers would be unable to afford to live nearby as well . According to several bits of fine print I’ve seen, some of employees’ withheld money from paychecks could also be used to cover any remaining overhead costs , which is outrageous. I would also be deeply saddened to see many of Del Ray's mom and pop businesses close and numerous chain stores open in their place bc rent is so high. The area cannot and should not become National Harbor 2.0 and simply cannot accommodate the volume considering how dense it already is. I appreciate you taking the time to listen to my concerns and I thank you all for your service to our community and our commonwealth . Sincerely, Meredith Richard 22307 resident (work in 22314, raised in 22314 )

Last Name: Redican Locality: Alexandria

To the elected leaders of VA. Many of us are in FAVOR of the arena and appreciate any leadership to step forward and vote in favor u til it is done.

Last Name: Hales Locality: Alexandria

As a resident of the City of Alexandria, I’m opposed to the bill because the process is moving too quickly, the transportation study shows there will be a negative impact on our quality of life and the funds allocated to remedy traffic and Metro could be better used to serve the residents of Alexandria. Thank you for considering my views as you vote on this bill.

Last Name: Reynolds Locality: ALEXANDRIA

I want to express my firm opposition to HB1514. The proposal to build a stadium and entertainment complex in Potomac Yard in Alexandria would leave Virginia taxpayers in the lurch to pay back millions, while very wealthy sports team owners and real estate developers make a hefty profit. Studies clearly show that these sports arena complexes almost never make back the money that is spent on them--indeed, quite the contrary--and that just a handful of people profit from it, while the public at large is left to pay the piper when the bond that financed the project comes due. Furthermore, I have no interest in having my neighborhood suffer and my quality of life significantly impacted in the most negative possible way from the traffic and hordes of people who would swarm into a very small geographical area attend sports and other kinds of events. I see that the majority of my neighbors feel similarly. I can see no upside to this proposal. The DC arena is more than sufficient to host these events and has the transportation and other infrastructure to handle large crowds. Alexandria would benefit more both economically and socially from a mixed used development corridor as was originally planned. Sincerely, Kelley Anne Reynolds

Last Name: Reilly Locality: City of Alexandria, Alexandria, VA

Hello House of Delegates, I am writing to urge you not to pass HB1514. It is a bad bill because the idea of building an arena in Potomac Yard in the City of Alexandria is a bad idea. We are a city plagued by recent over development. This development has produced many new buildings but little to no infrastructure was added to support it. The roads were not expanded to accommodate more people in cars, the public schools, already at capacity, were not expanded...the list goes on. Route one right in front of where this arena will be built is a traffic disaster. They is constant congestion. The arena will make things much worse in terms of adding too many people and cars to an already over crowded area. In addition, the arena is to be built near a flood area that houses native plants and animals. Building the arena will hurt the natural environment. Instead of an arena, why not establish a park with walking paths, an open area for outdoor concerts and pavilions for picnics. The Wizards and other DC teams should stay in DC and build a new arena there. Thanks for listening and considering voting against this bill.

Last Name: Gabriel Organization: National Landing Buisness Improvement District Locality: Arlington County

On behalf of the business community representing National Landing's three vibrant neighborhoods, I am writing in FAVOR of HB 1514, the legislation for a proposed Stadium Authority for the Sports Arena in Potomac Yard, Alexandria. We support this project because it fits into the shared vision for a vibrant urban corridor established through decades of thoughtful planning for sustainable growth. We know how to do this right, as both Alexandria and Arlington have a proven track record and a foundation to accommodate large-scale development in ways that benefit the community successfully, grow business, and deliver vibrant urban fabric. We will continue to advocate for people-centric mobility investments that will be key to this transformative project's success.

Last Name: Scriven Organization: National Landing Buisness Improvement District Locality: Arlington

Last Name: Scott Locality: Fairfax

No, no, no, no, no to cramming a sports arena into Potomac Yard! Even on a good day, Route 1 traffic is a challenge. The just-opened PY Metro stop isn't big enough to handle game day crowds & I doubt VA will cough up the necessary funds to expand it when it chronically underfunds Metro as it is. The quality of life will also take a huge hit in the otherwise lovely adjacent neighborhoods, mobbed by unruly sports fans. Crime will definitely go up---that's one of DC's complaints with Monumental now. But that's for DC to figure out. DC teams belong in DC & if Monument feels it needs a facility upgrade, let them spend their own funds renovating the perfectly situated & easily accessible arena they already have, not "borrowing" from VA taxpayers who'll likely never see that money again. I live just south of Old Town in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County where all northward access, by the GW Parkway and Route 1, the two main arteries, will be severely impacted if not outright cut off by this sports arena. That means trouble getting to work, forget going to museums or theaters or restaurants (not everything in life is about sports!), and whoa if there's a medical emergency because the main roads will be blocked. No, no, no, no, no to the sports arena at Potomac Yard! Bad, awful, terrible, no good, really bad idea, this sports arena in Potomac Yard---keep DC sports in DC.

Last Name: Roda Locality: Alexandria

I do not support the arena project in Alexandria. I live close to the arena and know that traffic will be greatly impacted. The traffic flow/parking plan that was circulated can't be serious. It has all the cars exiting on to the same single road over 1-2 blocks. Estimates are that it would take up to 90 minutes to clear everyone from the metro and I haven't seen anything about how quickly cars would clear the area. Literally you don't need a degree in civil engineering to see you can't add 2500 cars to that roadway and not expect gridlock. Getting to and from National Airport will be a real challenge any time there is an event, among other things. There are dozens of academic studies that demonstrate that the benefits of stadium/arena investments by states and localities do NOT outweigh the costs. And, this is one of the biggest public investments of all time. How is this going to be different than all the others?? We do not want this in our area. And, last but not least - our tax dollars should not be helping billionaires make money off of their professional sports team.

Last Name: Boyle Locality: Alexandria

Please do not support the arena being built here. We moved to the Del Ray section of Alexandria 26 years ago specifically because it has a small town feel, while being convenient to Washington DC. It was a long and hard search to find a place to settle down and raise our kids. My husband grew up in a city and wanted to have that convenience, but I have panic attacks when surrounded by large groups of people. Alexandria has become our home, but I am truly afraid that the arena being built will force us to move. I have no problem with growth, of course we don't want our city to stagnate, but this is going to be too much, too fast and will not be something that can be absorbed but will instead force the entire community around it to change without any practical benefits to the citizens. There are plenty of more metropolitan areas near here, that people who love the excitement of crowds can live in, but Del Ray should get to remain an oasis for those of us who don not and can not handle them. Thank you

Last Name: Cavazzoni Lima Locality: Alexandria

Dear Distinguished Members of the House of Representatives of the State of Virgina, Please Vote NO on HB1514. As an Alexandria Resident, living in Potomac Yard, I am deeply concerned about the proposed Arena, the traffic problems it will create, the lack of meaningful consultations with the community during the decision making process, the amount of debt that the City of Alexandria will be backstopping. Most of all, I am deeply concerned that you are about to support the largest business incentive ever given to a billionaire team owner. If you are to support this bill under the auspices of “economic development”, you have to do so committing that appropriate funds for infrastructure and impact mitigation will be made available to ensure that quality of life will be protected in the area, and that the DMV will have access to critical Infrastructure such as airports and hospitals on game nights. Make sure families in Alexandria will not have to suffer to ensure the success of Monumental Sports. As proposed, this bill will be a Monumental Failure. Stop the Arena! Best, Rafael

Last Name: Yancey Locality: Alexandria, VA

Dear Representatives, Please vote "NO" on the HB1514 bill for the arena project at Potomac Yards in Alexandria. This city does not need more density/congestion/traffic that this project will bring -- we are FULL already! There are also significant mass transportation and crime concerns. Lastly, I am opposed to any tax dollars being spent to fund this project when there are other, more important, needs in our community and state. Please vote NO. Thank you for your time and consideration. Elizabeth Yancey

Last Name: Quinn Organization: Resident Locality: Alexandria

Kindly consider my .opinion. Vote no for bill HB 1514. The city cannot handle the staggering costs To the taxpayers, the increase in crime and the total gridlock on our streets. One only has to look to the District to see the results. Alexandria is better than this. Vote no on HB 1514. Thank you for your attention to my concerns. Sincerely, Mary Quinn

Last Name: Beychok Locality: Alexandria

Members of the Committee. I want to express my support for this bill. As a resident of Del Ray I am excited about this opportunity for our community. Bringing jobs, housing and economic opportunity is critical in a post COVID economy that isn’t reliant on office rent development. Please support this bill Bradley Beychok 308 E Custis ave

Last Name: McAdoo Locality: Falls Church

Vote NO on HB1514. This arena being placed in Potomac Yard would be a mistake. The proposal would severely increase traffic and congestion in an area already struggling with it's traffic load. The Commonwealth and City should not be providing any financial or tax based assistance to disgruntled sports franchise owners.

Last Name: Williams Locality: Alexandria

I am an Alexandria city resident and voter. I vigorously oppose HB 1514. The bill contains completely insufficient financial protections and will expose the public to financial risk. The bill does not assure residents that the immense incremental cost-causation resulting from the arena will be fully covered by arena revenues. Local benefits are effectively negative. The overwhelming majority of my Alexandria neighbors also OPPOSE this misguided and disruptive proposal. Proponents of the arena have conducted misleading polls that do NOT contain a negative, or Do-Not-Support, option. Please do NOT vote in favor of HB 1514.

Last Name: Doherty Organization: HB 1514 Building a sports center in Potomac Yards Locality: Alexandria

Once again we find our representatives ignoring the quality of life of their constituents for the promise of revenue and to add insult to injury, using our tax dollars to do so. I am vehemently opposed to this arena. Thank you

Last Name: Reich Locality: Alexandria

There should be no rush to create a sports authority, so please vote no today so that projects aligned with the authority can be given more time for review, analysis, and debate.

Last Name: Cherniavsky Locality: Arlington

I fully support HB1514. The Arena will provide jobs and taxes for Virginia.

Last Name: MacKinnon Locality: Alexandria

This arena is a force, and if it continues to be built, reflect that you the representatives do not reflect us the voters, and never really cared about the well-being of us. You believe that you do but at the end of the day it is complete another false, because if you really cared about us, staffing on firetrucks, police; and most importantly, tackled crime would be at the forefront. This is a very frustrating and unholy matrimony that built upon the fact that a billionaire has promised you something that he may, or may not deliver on. It’s an investment that if government gave to an individual person, not a billionaire, they would reevaluate that.

Last Name: Curtis Locality: Alexandria

I am a 15 year resident of Alexandria, VA and I strongly oppose HB 1514. At the end of the day, the arena proposal will cost Virginia taxpayers at least $3.5 billion of taxpayer cash out the door, as debt is unfortunately not free and transportation upgrades are expensive. The legislation in question allows for tax revenues from a significant number of adjacent businesses to be included in the TIF district, meaning ALL tax revenues, including personal and business income taxes, from many businesses, potentially including housing, hotels, convention space, bars/restaurants, etc. will now be diverted from the state and city general funds to pay for a sports venue. Every single dollar of tax revenue diverted towards arena debt is a dollar not spent on other important public works projects that benefit the entirety of the Commonwealth and Alexandria. Additionally, we have NO transparency on the financials of this deal. How do we know if the goals of the plan are achievable if we cannot even evaluate what it takes to get us there? The Virginia General Assembly should demand more. "Trust us bro" and "we'll figure it out later" is not responsible governing. From the City's own consultant's report, it is clear the arena + Phase 1 development returns substantially less economic benefit to VA and Alexandria than the existing Potomac Yard plan. Alexandria officials have publicly confirmed this multiple times. The true economic benefit is purported to be from the long-term phase 2/3 development, which we have no information about. There is no guarantee that this development shows up or that it shows up as modeled. Developer JBG Smith has already pulled out of planned PY development citing economic conditions and high costs of construction. That has not changed and likely will not change any time soon. Research demonstrates that business that are not complementary to sports (everything besides restaurants and bars) usually chose to not located around sports venues due to difficulty in access on event days. And JBG Smith has made clear on recent Alexandria webinar events that they have no plan for how to maintain access to the rest of the development on event days, citing only that this will require "a lot more thinking and planning." How are we supposed to get there during a crush of traffic through a block-style neighborhood development on game day? Are we paying $3.5 billion for a building that will undoubtedly negatively impact our quality of life in exchange for a neighborhood full of chain restaurants and breweries? This is what has happened in Navy Yard and this is exactly what will happen here. We need a compromise that pursues the financial goals of diversifying the tax base and increases tax collections but maintains the character of beloved city. We need development that accomplishes this without diverting hundreds of millions of dollars from the rest of VA towards NoVA traffic problems. We need responsible development that ensures our quality of life and continues to provide important community benefit and access to us all...not just sports fans. Union Market, the Wharf, Mosaic, Mt Vernon Sq, NoMa, and many other new developments did not need a $3 billion sports arena to make them happen. Please vote no on this irresponsible plan. Alexandria deserves better. Virginia deserves better.

Last Name: Robbins Locality: Alexandria

I am writing in support of the arena project at Potomac Yards. As a homeowner and 20 year resident of Alexandria I am interested in doing what is right for both current and future Alexandrians. The studies have established that the arena plan has a high likelihood of being very positive for Alexandria and the state of Virginia. I encourage you to advance the project which promises to bring our community new jobs, smart growth, tax diversification, revenue for the city and state, increased housing, transportation investments, growth stimulus, money for affordable housing and schools. These are things we should all vote for. The studies released so far have also demonstrated that experts believe concerns related to traffic, metro and quality of life issues can be successfully mitigated with modest expenses. The expert analysis also reinforces that the project is a low risk high reward investment in our state with a responsible financing structure. Please vote to advance this bill and help bring new investments to our Commonwealth.

Last Name: Sprague Locality: Alexandria

Big no on the arena, big no on benefiting Youngkin’s bank account. He already has enough. Stop letting him ruin our lives at Potomac Yards!

Last Name: May Locality: City of Alexandria, VA

I am writing to oppose HB 1514. As this legislation is written, the City of Alexandria is not ensured adequate representation given that we would only have 3 seats on the board. Furthermore, the composition of the board does not allow for representation from the Community. The Authority would be composed of very specific individuals - the language as written suggests that Gov. Youngkin has already decided who would fill the seats. I am very concerned by the lack of community involvement in this process, and this bill does nothing to curtail my concerns. The language of this bill suggests that most of the power and decision making would be ceded to the Authority, which would be run by a bunch of cronies who would not consider the impact of their decisions on City of Alexandria residents.

Last Name: Smith Locality: Alexandria

I join with many who would urge a no vote on this legislation. There has been zero opportunity for meaningful input to those locally as well as the entire commonwealth into this process, let alone time to examine all of the various aspects since the surprise news of it less than two months ago. Even if this is the greatest deal in the history of billion dollar sports subsidies, there has simply not been enough time for stakeholders to examine the various claims that appear to have been slow-rolled by the private entity, spearheading this plan and paying lobbyist for it. Paid lobbyists should not have a greater voice in these chambers than the state taxpayers. Please follow the example of what occurred with the Fairfax county casino legislation, and remove consideration of this in the 2024 legislative session. If the merits are there now, they will be there next year, only with adequate time to examine them by all parties involved.

Last Name: Thomas Locality: Alexandria

Dear Senators of the Virginia General Assembly As a proud resident of Alexandria for 30 years, I write to register my opposition to the deal with Monumental Sports Entertainment (MSE) to bring a publicly-funded stadium to the Potomac Yard neighborhood in Alexandria. Please stop this absurd and very ill-advised project proposal - it's insulting to think legislators in Richmond and in our own City of Alexandria think the citizens of Alexandria are not intelligent and are gullible enough to go along with this foolish project. There is zero gain to citizens. We will bear the brunt of the costs, traffic, crowds, increased crime all while the Monumental developers and Ted Leonsis will get tax breaks and get richer. No one buys the argument that it will bring jobs, it will only bring low minimum wage jobs! I realize many Senators don't care about the traffic in Alexandria, but care only about your own traffic issues in your own district but if the Arena becomes reality rush hour will never end in Alexandria. This Arena is destined to destroy the quality of life in Alexandria. This project has all the hallmarks of an overhyped economic development with predictions that will fail to materialize. There will be no rate of financial return adequate to offset the loss of quality of life. My family will certainly consider moving if this becomes a reality. Please oppose funding for this project.

Last Name: Weiner Organization: Coalition to Stop The Arena at Potomac Yard Locality: Del Ray Alexandria

I oppose this arena 100% and urge you to vote no on HB1514-Torian OR at the very least include the proposed reenactment clause that would require the General Assembly to pass the bill again next session before it would take effect. The arena is a horrible gamble for Virginia and Alexandria because: The VA Governor and Alexandria Mayor are trying to rush this deal through without releasing any details or completing any substantive traffic, environmental, or public safety studies or plans. Financial data behind the projections has not been released for independent review. We must have full financial details and all studies and mitigation plans completed before proceeding. This deal is not ready to move forward. Public financing for sports arenas does not provide an economic benefit to the community. Stanford sports economist Roger Noll has this to say about the project: "All publicly subsidized football and baseball stadiums are money losers. A few arenas have broken even if the subsidy was low enough, but no facility with a subsidy of more than two hundred million has ever broken even. A subsidy approaching $1 billion is likely to be a disaster.” Every tax dollar diverted to pay for the arena is a dollar not spent on our schools, roads and infrastructure, healthcare programs, community programs, first responders and public safety, parks and recreation, and other important public benefit projects. We will also not collect almost $400 million in property taxes on the arena complex. The arena will significantly increase traffic on Route 1 in both directions, on the GW Parkway in all directions, and on Glebe Road. There is no way to increase capacity on these roads to handle increased traffic. We will not be able to force everyone to take Metro. Eventgoers will undoubtedly park in close-by neighborhoods. This all creates significant disruption for close-by neighborhoods. There is simply no way to solve the traffic problems this will create.

Last Name: Macdonald Locality: Alexandria

Senate Finance Committee on Arena Bill Madame Chair and members of Senate Finance Committee: I urge you to vote against this bill. This is not a bill that benefits VA taxpayers. It's a bill that benefits the billionaire owner of several sports teams. The financing for this latest arena project is not significantly different than any others. Taxpayers are being asked to backstop one of the largest public subsidies for this sort of project on record. Sports stadiums and arenas are all money losers, according to sports economists. It’s not surprising therefore that none of the economic studies have been released to the public. That includes a report by JPM Chase that owns the land where the arena would be built. This means that all Virginia taxpayers would be on the hook for paying off this mega debt at some point when the bill comes due. Alexandria residents are not fools either. They know when they are being sold a bill of goods. They know that the traffic impacts will be horrendous and the traffic plan is a joke. They know I will hurt small businesses. They know that transportation funds are being diverted from other more important projects to pay for improvements that won’t make PY a suitable spot to put an arena. We are poaching teams from our neighbors and thus hurting our friends. This is robbing Peter to pay Paul. This is a bad deal for every taxpayer in Virginia. We are saddling our children and grandchildren with 40 years of debt payments to help a billionaire get wealthier and wealthier. This bill should be renamed the Glenn-Dome Billionaire’s Bill. It’s not a Monumental opportunity for VA but a monumental train wreck. It should be sent to the scrapyard where all such bills should go. Vote No to moving this bill forward and save Virginians a lot of money. Andrew Macdonald

Last Name: Briscoe Locality: ALEXANDRIA

Dear Members: As a 29 year resident and business owner in the City of Alexandria, I urge you to vote "NO" on MSE Arena Bills (HB 1514/SB 718). The MSE Arena Bills are drafted to provide Monumental Sports Entertainment (MSE), a company valued at $4B USD, a publicly-funded stadium in the Potomac Yard neighborhood in the City of Alexandria. Governor Youngkin's MSE proposal would reportedly require the General Assembly to authorize as much as $2B USD in public bonds and $106MM USD contributed by the taxpayers of Alexandria with only $403MM USD (19.1%) coming from MSE. This represents a taxpayer gift that increases MSE's valuation approximately 50% to $6B USD with no measurable benefit to the citizens of the City of Alexandria, VA. I strongly oppose this activity and I urge you to vote "NO" on MSE Arena Bills (HB 1514/SB 718). Clift Briscoe, 300 Rucker Place, Alexandria, VA 22301

Last Name: Dumermuth Locality: Alexandria

No on Potomac Yard Arena: (1) area is Tech-Education focused zone NOT a Sports/Entertainment district. Non-complementary activities/focus. (2) area is unable to support vehicular volume on game days. Suburban attendees unlikely to use Metro due to lack of Metro access in many DMV suburban areas.

Last Name: Richmond Organization: Preston condominium Locality: Alexandria

To the Committee, I write to you as a lifelong Virginian, born in Newport News, raised in Arlington and McLean, public school educated in Arlington and Fairfax counties. I live in the Preston Condominium and have the unit since 2017. My balcony and living room and bedroom windows all face Rt 1/Richmond Hwy. I am able watch the VA Tech innovation campus flagship building be construction out my window. I attended the community meetings in 2017 for this project. At those meetings we heard about the other projected plans for the adjacent land parcels and long-awaited metro station opening timetable. I was happy to hear that the plans included additional house, retail, dining, and offices to activate this area. Two different owners in our condo have sat/currently sit on the City's Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee as the Potomac West Rep. They were blindsided by the news of the coming arena plan just like the regular Alexandria residents. That seems to call into question this entire enterprise. I think that there is a misperception that the City 's residents don't want progress or change in terms of development. I disagree. This is not a historic preservation, "Olde Towne" idea of the 1700s and Gadsby's Tavern-sorr of objection. Like I have said I live across the street from the Potomac Yard strip mall. This is cut and dried about over extending our credit to finance a billionaire"s vanity project and ill-considered transportation/traffic/transit planning. The arena being in this community, my community is nonsensical based on our location and scale. Don't mortgage our future (VA and the city of Alexandria) on the fake numbers of jobs and revenue based on rosy, unfounded projections from developers with ONLY something to gain here. Tell the masterminds of this plan that great, this site can support the Monumental Sports headquarters, eSports, a practice facility (with ample public access), the performance venue, and other associated development from 2017-shpos, restaurants, apartments, bring it on! NONE of these things will pull 20000 people to the area 330 days a year (the numbers that have been floated) but will still drive jobs and revenue to Alexandria just like the my area state reps and the entire city council are evangelizing with the current deal. And you keep all the fans happy and where they been going all along, the Capital One Arena. Crisis averted and much healthier coffers for the city and state!! Thank you.

Last Name: Walker Organization: Stop the Arena Locality: Alexandria

I want to ice my opposition to House Bill HB1514 to crest a Virginia Stadium Authority in Alexandria. We do not believe subsidizing this project at tremendous taxpayer expense and financial risk to Virginia Taxpayers is a good use of limited state funds, and removing 200 million from the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and having Alexandria Contribute over 100 million for parking and a performance venue at the same time that Alexandria, a much smaller city than DC, wil be sacrificing other projects like schools and affordable housing to fund this mega project. There is only one metro line and one road in and out of the arena so no amount of traffic fixes will solve adding almost 3,000 cars a day. The combined capacity of 26,000 will only have 2,500 parking spaces so this means that we would be relying on a brand new Metro Station to have over 70 million in improvements to accommodate the Arena. Like Metro, we believe the success of the whole region is important and the DC is a better location for these teams and we support our neighbors keeping them.

Last Name: Silberberg Organization: The Coalition to Stop the Arena Locality: Alexandria

Dear Delegates, Thank you very much for your service. I am writing to ask you to please vote AGAINST HB 1514, the legislation for a proposed Stadium Authority for the sports arena in Potomac Yard in Alexandria. A large group of Alexandrians and I visited with many of you and senior staff yesterday in the General Assembly Building. We thank you for your time and consideration. This Arena proposal came out of nowhere on December 13th. Now it’s not even eight weeks later, and you are being asked to approve this legislation today. Rushed decisions are rarely good decisions.This is clearly a rushed decision. As a former mayor of Alexandria, I have never seen such a situation like this in my city. My observation is that the vast majority of Alexandrians are strongly opposed to this proposal. The traffic nightmare scenario is a hard truth with regard to Route 1 and its gateway to Reagan National Airport. Route 1 is already congested, not to mention Glebe Road. People will drive as well as use metro, but the roads will be clogged every night for two-thirds of the year. This is truly a traffic disaster in the making if the arena is built and will negatively impact the quality of life in Alexandria as well as in Arlington. Regarding the financial risk, the $1.5 billion bonding package would be the largest in the nation’s history for a sports arena and the largest in Virginia history. Economists across the board have studied sports deals, and most have come to the conclusion that it’s not a good use of public dollars. Please vote no on this legislation. Sincerely, Allison Silberberg __________________________ The Honorable Allison Silberberg Former Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia 1544 Mount Eagle Place Alexandria, Virginia 22302

Last Name: Daly Locality: Alexandria

The Monumental proposal is fiscally irresponsible. -- Could leave taxpayers with a big bill -- Irresponsible waste of taxpayer money to subsidize a wealthy person --The "benefits" of the proposal have no meat behind them, no guarantees. Just pie in the sky. -- The risks are left unstated -- to the tax payer when the pie in the sky plan fails to deliver. To small businesses in Alexandria. To the Commonwealth as this absurd proposal harms access to the income generating airport and harms the econ magnet of Alexandria's history and charm. To businesses throughout the Commonwealth who find the I-95 and Rt 66 corridors even more blocked. -- The costs are high. Exactly how much money and time do you really think it will take to make metro and road improvements? And we all know even with improvements, traffic will be jammed. -- Opportunity costs have not been factored in. What else could go in Potomac Yards that would NOT COST THE TAXPAYER ANYTHING? What else could go there that would provide better jobs? What could go there that would not require massive spending on transportation and not block airport, 95 and 66? -- Finally, the vast majority of Alexandrians has made clear that we do not want this.

Last Name: Cathcart Locality: Alexandria

You should oppose this bill until more studies can be done. The just released traffic study is not accurate. It indicates rush hour as an actual hour, but anyone who has sat in traffic on 395 or Rt 1 knows that Rush hour is from 4p to 8p. Just this week on Wednesday at 6:30 both Rt 1 and 395 were gridlock. Now you want to add 2800 cars to that. The inadequate study shows a long wait time and that's only part of it. The site is tucked up into a corner of Alexandria with water basically on two sides. You have to cross four mile run on Rt 1 to get there. That is a choke point plain and simple. Adding a bus lane in the middle or turn lanes is not going to solve the problem. It's not realistic. More work needs to be done. Read this article in the post that came out today - https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/02/09/amazon-hq2-capitals-wizards-arena-virginia-alexandria/ Vote NO or at the very least slow down and get more and better info.

Last Name: Anand Locality: Alexandria

Hon. Del. Torian, I urge you to vote NO on H.B. 1514. The sports arena and complex will be a MONUMENTAL disaster. We Alexandrians do not want it. We do not want to be saddled with hundreds of millions of dollars in debt for 40 years. This is money that could be spent on schools, roads and infrastructure improvements, and giving higher salaries to our police officers and firefighters. The arena will NOT benefit Virginians. It is a boodoogle that will line the pockets of a billionaire who can afford to build his own arena wherever he likes. Just not in Alexandria. We do not want our streets to be choked with extra traffic on game days--as it is Rt. 1 is already so congested it's impassable. Additional arena traffic will make it harder for us to go to the National Airport, commute to and from work, and for parents to ferry their children. Our evening rush hour lasts from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., three hours longer than the timeframe touted in the recent transportation study. Local arteries, Route 1 and the two Glebe Roads, cannot be widened, and are already choked. The idea that thousands of people walking or biking to events are going to safely end up on the other side of Route1 in rush-hour traffic is magical thinking. There is no need for heroic, and ultimately insufficient, attempts at traffic remediation at taxpayer’s expense Our neighborhoods will be littered and trashed. And the surge in crime will make it unsafe for us to live in our homes and cause a steep decline in the value of our properties. The supporting financial projections for the arena and entertainment hub development are not credible. Too many studies by impartial experts , negate the project backers’ rosy projections. There are no cost estimates for extra buttressing against the wetland soils, potential brownfield decontamination, pedestrian/bike bridges, and repairing the negative effects this development will have on affordable housing, our general infrastructure, and our natural systems. Moreover, shoring up the sinking, newly built Potomac Yard Metro Station made it the most expensive Metro station to build. Metro administrators say that no funding exists for expansion of this small station. Why chase after more funds to expand this poorly sited Metro station, when four large Metro Stations serve the existing Capital One Arena in DC within walking distance? Alexandria and Arlington residents want DC to thrive. We could instead support shoring up the whole underfunded Metro system for greater public benefit. Once again, I urge you to vote against this bill that will not benefit Virginians. Thank you.

Last Name: King Locality: Alexandria

Stadium and sports arena zones are urban deserts most of the time, but become raging torrents of chaos during events. I know this because I'm originally from Seattle, which has two stadiums south of downtown that are deserted concrete slabs mostly except for game days or concerts when cars and massive crowds reign. Taxpayers ended up funding both stadiums. Please don't repeat Seattle's mistake. I moved to Alexandria for it's residential communities and local business. Most of us cherish this. And none of us want to pay taxes to build this, which you can't guarantee won't happen. Please. Thank you.

Last Name: Lopez Organization: Stop the Arena Locality: Potomac Yard, Alexandria

Decades of economic research unanimously agree that public subsidies for sports venues are not good uses of taxpayer money and do not provide a net economic benefit to their communities. We should not be using billions of dollars of taxpayer monies to subsidize a billionaire. Traffic and transportation planning for this project will add hundreds of millions of dollars to the cost and will not solve the area’s transportation problems. It will require the state to divert funds from other important transportation projects in the state to serve a small area of Northern Virginia. Transportation issues are likely insurmountable. Route 1, GW Parkway, Glebe Road will see significantly increased traffic. These roads are not candidates for widening to accommodate higher traffic volumes and are already over-utilized daily. Proposed new turn lanes as a traffic management solution are not adequate solutions. While they may help maintain through traffic to some extent, through traffic is already a consistent problem during evening rush without thousands of additional cars on the road. The omission of the GW Parkway from the transportation plan is an egregious oversight. Kimley Horn study makes seemingly inappropriate assumptions, including assuming a rush hour of only one hour (5-6 pm), that only 40 nights a year will seriously impact traffic, that scheduling can prioritize Friday nights and weekends, that the GW Parkway will not be utilized, that DCA airport traffic will not be impacted, etc. Attempts to improve traffic flow will likely cost significantly more than the proposed available $200 million dollars. The arena proposal requires a multi-million dollar renovation to the Potomac Yard metro. These massive costs are unaccounted for in the financial projections for the arena and will require significant additional funds from the Commonwealth and Alexandria City likely diverted from other important projects. There is no long-term or adequate solution for WMATA funding. WMATA’s $750 million budget deficit is a serious barrier to transportation solutions for the proposed arena complex. The project relies on long-term transportation planning. Short-term WMATA funding is not sufficient to ensure success. Additionally, the existing Potomac Yard Station was not designed for and does not have the capacity to serve peak arena traffic. We need Metro to be fully funded before we can proceed with considering this proposal. This project requires long-term Metro funding to succeed, not a short-term fix to get a deal passed. The deal continues to lack critical transparency regarding its finances. Neither the public nor the General Assembly have enough information to assess whether this multi-billion dollar subsidy is actually a good deal for Virginia. We need to see the work behind the numbers before we consider proceeding. Virginia has many critical budgetary needs, including funding for education, infrastructure/transportation (including WMATA), affordable housing, public health, and more. These significant budget issues should take precedence over public financing of sports in Northern Virginia. There has been no opportunity for public input into this project. The General Assembly should not rush this through before there has been a chance for meaningful public input and a chance to hear from constituents in their own voices.

Last Name: Talbot Locality: Alexandria

I strongly urge you to oppose the Virginia Sports & Entertainment Authority and Financing Fund. I have lived in Alexandria for 15 years and have serious concerns about this plan and its impact on our local community and the Commonwealth's debt levels. This arena will never live up to the financial projections presented by Monumental and the developers, leaving Virginia taxpayers on the hook for nearly $2 billion in municipal/revenue bonds guaranteed by the Commonwealth. A main reason it will not perform financially is that the location will be inaccessible. There is no possible way to modify the two main thoroughfares in Alexandria (Route 1 and the George Washington Memorial Parkway). The traffic will be horrendous. The metro station cannot handle the volume that an arena would need to accommodate. Parking spillover into Delray and surrounding neighborhoods is sure to occur. The transportation plan released last week is completely inadequate. Arenas never generate the economic boom that team owners and developers promise. There are multiple examples of such failures throughout the US. Additionally, this is being rushed. Many more studies are needed, and more details than currently available. We need to see the full details surrounding the financial projections. I urge you to oppose this bill. It will be dangerous financially for the Commonwealth of Virginia and all tax payers. There is widespread opposition to this plan - please see the attached letter. Please do the right thing. Thank you Leigh Talbot 611 North view Terrace Alexandria, VA 22031

Last Name: Wood Locality: Alexandria

I am writing in oppostion of this bill to create the sports arena. As an Alexandria resident I feel this is being thrust upon us with to little information and too quickly. If this is such a good thing then it should be a real process. Not a compressed review of billions of dollars in spending in 2 months time. It should resonate that the comments that are on here that oppose it are from actual residents who live here and care about the community and life within it. The only support is coming from businesses. Slow this process down! Let's really look at the impact. Look at a real independent traffic study. Why is this being rushed in 2 months time, while it takes years of discussion to get a school built. These "listening" sessions are nothing more than a sales pitch, there is very little listening and an awful lot of selling on why this is such a good thing.

Last Name: Sanzotta Locality: Fairfax

Vote No on the arena proposal it’s a bad deal for Alexandria and the citizens of the Virginia Commonwealth

Last Name: Clemente Organization: Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce Locality: Leesburg

Dear Mr. Chair and Members of the Committee, I am writing on behalf of the Northern Virginia Chamber to inform you the Chamber strongly supports the proposed Entertainment District at Potomac Yard. This novel project represents a unique opportunity to significantly broaden our tax base from commercial and residential property taxes while offering new avenues for cultural engagement in our community. This new entertainment District promises to attract diverse crowds and provide innovative business collaborations that accelerate economic development throughout Northern Virginia and Greater Washington while celebrating and elevating our Region's exceptional character.

Last Name: Dunbar Locality: Alexandria City

I strongly oppose H.B. 1514. I have been an Alexandria City homeowner for nearly 25 years and a Virginia taxpayer and voter for longer than that. During this time, I have been a practicing securities lawyer. There is grossly insufficient data to support the rosy projections for this development, and it would be fiscally irresponsible for the legislature to move forward on such a paltry record with one of the biggest bond issuances in the Commonwealth's history. Taxpayers will be on the hook for 40 years if the development does not live up to its promises. The traffic study is based on faulty assumptions readily apparent to anyone like me who has commuted daily to DC and uses Route 1 regularly. All prudent investors know that when a deal seems to good to be true, it probably is, and far more diligence is needed. Monumental should not be permitted to borrow billions off of the Commonwealth's balance sheet. I support the January 29, 2024 letter submitted to the General Assembly by the Coalition to Stop the Arena at Potomac Yards. At a minimum, this bill should not be reported from committee until there is further study, an economic impact analysis, and substantial opportunities for meaningful public input.

Last Name: Zerpoli Franken Locality: Potomac Yard, Alexandria

Vote NO on HB1514

Last Name: Hamberlin Organization: Taxpayers Protection Alliance Locality: Houston

See attached for my testimony.

Last Name: Margolia Organization: --select an item-- Locality: Alexandria

As a resident of Alexandria I urge you to oppose this bill. We do not have enough information about the finances, it will put a burden on our transportation system and be risky for the taxpayers of Virginia more broadly.

Last Name: Stop the arena Locality: Alexandria

Please don't allow the arena developer. We are being played against DC to get taken advantage of.

Last Name: Hess Organization: Sports Fans Coalition and the Coalition to Stop the Arena Locality: Alexandria, Virginia

As a lifelong Virginian, I urge a no vote on HB 1514. As the Executive Director of Sports Fans Coalition, I also urge a no vote on HB 1514. These kinds of economic arrangements almost never yield the promised benefits. The entire process has also been opaque with nearly zero opportunities for community engagement, and there are still many holes in the proposals that cause concern for Sports Fans Coalition and the broader Northern Virginian community. The proponents of the deal have yet to provide the public with details and the data behind their assumptions. I have attached to this form a letter signed by 260 Virginians highlighting all nearly 30 years of economic consensus about how these deals fail. I am happy to continue having conversations with members of the committee, and can be contacted at hess@istreetadvocates.com. Thank you, Brian Hess Executive Director Sports Fans Coalition

Last Name: Miller Locality: Alexandria

I oppose the new development for the Potomac Yard area. My greatest area concern, a s a local citizen, is tithe impact of increased congestion to an already congested area.

Last Name: Rodgers Locality: City of Alexandria

As a resident of Old Town Alexandria who lives 1.5 miles from the proposed site and who travels along Rt 1 through Potomac Yards multiple times a week, I ask that you vote NO on the Potomac Yards Sports Arena bill. I oppose it on several grounds. First, this bill is a bad use of taxpayer funds and it puts the state and the City of Alexandria at risk of default and ruining their credit ratings when Monument tries to get out of the deal and move the teams again in 10-15 years, as he has done to the District of Columbia, rather than stay the 40 years it will take to pay off the bonds. If this project was so economically attractive, banks would be rushing to finance it. At a minimum, we can expect Monument to come back in a few years under the “state-of-the-art” clause it will insist be in its lease asking for more money to renovate the arena. Plus, the funding it’s seeking is the most ever proposed for a sports venue which should be another red flag. That dollar amounts but keeps changing - generally trending upwards and it is likely to be even higher in the end when there are construction overruns and soil stability problems. Second, given how Potomac Yards is hemmed in by the River, the airport and existing neighborhoods, there are no feasible transportation remedies to accommodate the number of people who will come to the two venues - sports and entertainment, particularly on nights where there are events at both venues. This proposal would negatively impact the daily lives of Alexandrians who live in Del Rey, Rosemont and Old Town and Arlington residents of Crystal City, Pentagon City and Aurora Hills as well as Fairfax County residents who must commute through the Potomac Yards/Rt 1 corridor. Third, Monument has only provided slides on the feasibility study it commissioned and refuses to produce the full study and the underlying data and assumptions. And the transportation report commissioned by Monument is based on ridiculous assumptions like rush hour in the area is only one hour from 5-6. It is more like 5 hours from 3-8. 20,000+ people arriving at the arena at one time for the start of a game and at the arena or entertainment venue for a concert and 20,000+ people all leaving at the same time will create rush hours of their own. Making a few turn lanes longer will not be adequate to fix this. Fourth, Monumental is planning on introducing sports betting at Capitol Center during the day and presumably would want to do that in the Alexandria arena as well. Alexandrians do not want gambling within our city limits. And finally, this proposal was negotiated by the Governor, Mayor Wilson and the Alexandria city council in secret and they are essentially ignoring the objections of Alexandrians and are trying to steamroll this through the Virginia legislature. You, as legislators, do not have enough unbiased information about the risks and rewards of this proposal at this time to vote yes. At a minimum, vote NO now and tell Monument to come back in a year with a fully fleshed-out plan and independent feasibility and transportation studies as well as an independent environmental impact study. Thank you for your consideration

Last Name: Breyault Organization: National Consumers League Locality: Arlington

The National Consumers League urges you to vote "no" on HB 1514. This is a terrible deal for Virginia taxpayers, Wizards and Capitals fans, and residents of the surrounding community. Communities across America continually fall under the spell of billionaire sports team owners who promise the moon in exchange for billions in public money. Please do not vote to make Virginians the state to fall victim to this shell game.

Last Name: Stroot Organization: Core Wellness & Physical Therapy Locality: Alexandria

As a business owner and commercial property owner in Del Ray, I am concerned with the significant influx of traffic and people. The proximity to our community that values a small town feel, and a quiet space amid the DC Metro Area would be negatively impacted. Especially our small locally owned businesses, who work very hard to serve and unify our residents. I’d argue it only benefits residents in proximity to attend events. The hike in taxes alone will push people out. An increase in violence is at the top of the list of my issues with this project. We have enough issues along route one, Braddock road, AC High etc already that needs attention. Thank you

Last Name: Kent Locality: Alexandria, VA

Moving the arena to Potomac Yard is a huge mistake. It will create havoc for the community with the unavoidable traffic, given that there is only one metro line, a tiny station that can’t handle crowds, and a route that is totally impractical for fans coming from Arlington.

Last Name: Gordon Locality: Alexandria

Before this authority is created to fund $2 billion in construction we the residents of Alexandia and the residents of Virginia should see what exactly that money is being spent on. The city is putting in extra money for the parking garage and performing arts center. So what is being paid by the $2 billion. This is important becaue the attractive thing about this deal for the teams is the development rights. There is a news story out today about this very thing. So is the $2 billion going to build an extremely expensive arena or to build an arena and finance the development around it at low rates so the team owner and developer can reap huge rewards. Let's see what is being funded for $2 billion. They have show how the $2 billion is being funded, but now how it's being spent. If it's on development then some of that should also be used to pay down debt so the bonds are paid off quicker and the development money can go back into maintaining the district. That is how it would really benefit the residents of the city and state. Otherwise it benefits a billionaire and a developer. That question needs to be asked and that needs to be shown before this bill can move forward

Last Name: Perry Locality: Alexandria City

As a resident of the City of Alexandria, I’m opposed to the bill because the transportation study shows there will be a negative impact on our quality of life and the funds allocated to remedy traffic and Metro could be better used to serve the residents of Alexandria.

Last Name: Perry Locality: Alexandria

Last Name: McAdoo Locality: City of Alexandria

I’m writing to oppose the bill. As a lifelong resident of Alexandria and someone who routinely drives rt 1 most nights during the week to get my kids to their various activities I am not convinced that the traffic study addresses the problems that will incur if the arena is hosting 200+ events per year. Depending on the traffic on 395S and GW parkway people rerouting to use Rt 1 it can take up to 30 minutes to go 5.5 miles. I also am opposed to allocating funds to improve metro and traffic mitigation for something that only benefits the arena and not the residents. I can only imagine there are bigger issues facing our state that could use this money to actually have an impact on the wellbeing of our citizens rather than just appeasing a NBA\NHL owner that is disgruntled with current DC politics. Thank you for taking the time to consider my opinion and looking out for the best interest of the residents of Alexandria. Sincerely, Katherine McAdoo

Last Name: Berni Locality: Alexandria

I write today in support of the arena and entertainment district in Alexandria. We have a monumental opportunity to have two professional sports teams and a new world-class entertainment district in northern Virginia at Potomac Yard. Virginia is the largest state in the country without a professional sports team, and building the arena changes that in just a few years. The development will spur new dining, shopping and housing, all of which will redevelop vacant and underutilized land. This new, more stable tax base in Alexandria will be used to invest in our local community's priorities such as affordable housing, better schools and better infrastructure. There will be a massive net economic impact for the Commonwealth. Please vote YES. Sincerely, Ryan Berni resident of Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, VA

Last Name: Whitman Locality: Alexandria

I oppose this bill. This is not a good deal for the residents of Alexandria. The citizens did not ask for this. This will make an already bad traffic situation even worse. The traffic study that was completed shows that. These teams already have a place to play. The traffic study shows that it will take 25+ minutes to get from 395 to the arena, that's less than a mile in 25 minutes. That's on peak, but even at non peak it's still an increase in volume. The trade off for the tax revenue is not worth it

HJ41 - Fentanyl crisis; Joint Commission on Health Care to study policy solutions.

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End of Comments