Author Archive

Weekly Update – “Crossover”

February 12, 2016

We are approaching the halfway point of the General Assembly Session known as “Crossover.”  Crossover is the day when each chamber must finish work on its own legislation and then may only consider legislation from the other body. This year Crossover is on Tuesday, February 16, which means that the House must complete all of its work on House bills before the end of that day while the Senate must do the same for bills that originate in the Senate.  The State Capitol is as busy as it has been all year with late night committee meetings and longer floor sessions as we try to finish work before crossover.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve updated you on the work we are doing to promote our priorities for this session such as providing opportunities to improve our K-12 education system and expanding the economy and creating good jobs. I want to update you on several other issues the General Assembly has been addressing this week as we near the halfway mark.

Preventing Domestic Violence

Earlier this session, my colleagues and I announced a lengthy agenda to help prevent domestic violence. I am pleased to report this legislative package passed out of the Court of Justice Committee unanimously this week and will be considered by the full House in the coming days.

The legislation enacts tougher penalties on repeat criminal offenders that commit domestic violence and empowers women to protect themselves in their most vulnerable moments. This legislation builds on our consistent record of leading the effort to prevent domestic violence. The House of Delegates has passed more than 36 pieces of legislation in the last 10 years aimed at combatting domestic violence.

GO Virginia passes

The Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday passed, with major bi-partisan support, HB 834 and HB 846, the legislative centerpieces of the Virginia Initiative for Growth and Opportunity or “GO Virginia” act. GO Virginia is a business-led, bipartisan initiative to provide a new framework for strengthening Virginia’s economy by encouraging collaboration between business leaders, the education community, local government, and state government.

The two bills create an entirely voluntary program that allows localities to identify their workforce needs, apply for grants that must meet an objective scoring criteria to be awarded and then meet performance criteria to keep the money. The program gets the people who know how to create jobs (business leaders) involved in the decision making process. Our goal is to always find innovative ways to foster private-sector growth, strengthen our workforce, promote local collaboration, and maximize our economic development resources. This concept will help grow and strengthen the economy in all areas of the Commonwealth so our families and businesses can thrive.

Virginia’s business leaders, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) and over 80 other organizations support GO Virginia. To read more, visit: http://virginiahouse.gop/2016/02/09/house-of-delegates-passes-go-virginia-legislation-with-major-bipartisan-support/

Agreement to Restore & Expand Reciprocity Passes

On Wednesday, the House passed the legislative proposals that makes up the gun agreement that was reached between Governor McAuliffe and the General Assembly.  The agreement restores and expands concealed carry reciprocity, requires State Police to be available for voluntary background checks at gun shows, and prohibits individuals under permanent domestic violence protective orders from possessing a firearm under state law. The National Rifle Association (NRA) and Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) both strongly support this legislative package.

The agreement secures the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens and takes reasonable steps to make our communities safer.  Restoring reciprocity for concealed carry permit holders was a major priority for the House this session and I am glad we were able to reach an agreement to not only restore reciprocity, but also expand it.

To read more about the specific pieces of legislation, visit: http://virginiahouse.gop/2016/02/11/house-of-delegates-passes-bipartisan-gun-agreement/

Healthcare

Ensuring that all Virginians have access to quality and affordable healthcare is also one of our top priorities this session.  Unfortunately, Obamacare continues to cost Virginians by driving up insurance rates and healthcare costs.

We remain committed to opposing Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion.  Instead of expanding an expensive, broken entitlement program, Republicans in the Virginia House of Delegates are pushing for real health care reforms to increase access and keep health care costs under control.

The House of Delegates has passed legislation to increase access to primary care doctors, expand access to mobile health clinics, and combat prescription drug fraud in Virginia.  These are meaningful reforms that will improve healthcare in the Commonwealth.

I encourage you to keep in touch with me and my office over the coming months.  I value the feedback you provide on a continual basis as it helps me do my job of representing you better.  You can email me at [email protected] or call me at (804) 698-1054.

Links of interest

Weekly Update February 5

February 5, 2016

As we are wrapping up the fourth week of the 2016 General Assembly Session, this was a busy week in the House on an issue that I know is very important to you and your family: jobs and economic growth. 

The House is moving forward on several major pieces of legislation to foster private-sector job creation, encourage long-term economic growth, and protect small businesses. I continue to hear from constituents that these must be our top priorities. Be assured the House is committed to ensuring the Commonwealth is prosperous.

Jobs Agenda

Virginia’s economy continues to struggle.  The Commonwealth is recovering at a slower rate than the national economy and registered zero percent growth in 2014.  That is why this week we rolled out a comprehensive agenda to promote a pro-business climate, incentivize economic growth, and protect small businesses.  My House colleagues and I are introducing specific proposals that will help improve our economy and give your family a better opportunity to succeed. To read more about our jobs agenda, click here. [http://virginiahouse.gop/2016/02/02/house-republicans-outline-jobs-agenda/]

Economic Development

This week the House Appropriations Committee heard a presentation reviewing the Commonwealth’s spending for performance and ongoing economic development incentives.  Virginia has spent $679 million on economic development since 2010.  The presentation revealed that annual incentive payments grew 298 percent since the 2004-2006 biennium.

This presentation detailed our commitment to improving the economy of the Commonwealth. Also, it reminds us that we must carefully guard taxpayer dollars. The committee is taking steps to carefully review all economic development spending and ensure that we are wisely investing your tax dollars. You can read more about this report here:  [http://virginiahouse.gop/2016/02/01/virginia-spent-679-million-on-economic-development-incentives-since-2010/]

GO Virginia

We must ensure that proper oversight is part of every economic deal to protect scarce taxpayer dollars.  Our partners in the private sector can help ensure bottom-up, free-market growth and opportunity through the Go Virginia initiative. This partnership can help vet and secure our economic development dollars are spent wisely.

GO Virginia is a business driven initiative to facilitate more collaboration between the business community, higher education and local governments. There are two bills in the House to establish an innovative new economic development model and encourage local governments to work together to create jobs.

This legislation incentivizes localities, school divisions, and universities to work together on economic and workforce development. It builds on existing efforts and strengths of each region to attract new business, providing a business lens through which to examine economic, and workforce development proposals. After regional councils vet proposals, start-up funding can be awarded, to be matched by local and private resources, for transformational projects that boost private-sector growth and reflect collaboration among business, education, and at least two local governments.

The goal is to create good paying jobs in high demand fields and make our economic development dollars go further.  This is not just another jobs program but will establish the framework and infrastructure for real, long-term economic growth.

House Majority Leader Kirk Cox gave a detailed overview of GO Virginia on the House floor this week. You can watch the speech here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HXqthPTJIQ]

Right-to-work

This week the House passed a constitutional amendment to solidify Virginia’s right to work status.  The amendment, carried by Delegate Dickie Bell (R-Augusta), prohibits union membership as a condition of employment. Virginia already has a right to work statute, but including right to work in the Constitution solidifies this important pro-business policy. This legislation will protect hard working Virginians from being forced to join a union.  The Senate also approved the amendment this week, meaning it will be on the ballot for voters to consider this fall.

Jobs for our Veterans

The House is focused on helping our veterans find the jobs they need and are trained to do.  Introduced by Delegate Chris Stolle (R-Virginia Beach), HB825 establishes a pilot program in which military medical personnel may practice medicine under the supervision of a licensed physician.  Military medics and corpsmen receive extensive health care training while on active duty.  Once they transition to civilian life, their military health care experiences do not easily translate into comparable certifications and licenses required for health care jobs.  As a result, many veteran medics are unable to gain employment.

Virginia has already made progress on efforts to translate veterans’ military experience into academic credit. However, significant hurdles still exist with health care licenses.  This legislation will create a pilot program to help military medics smoothly transition to a medical career in the private sector without having to go through training they have already received in the military.

The House passed the bill this week. You can read more about it here: [http://virginiahouse.gop/2016/02/02/house-passes-delegate-stolles-legislation-to-help-veterans/]

I encourage you to keep in touch with me and my office over the coming months.  I value the feedback you provide on a continual basis as it helps me do my job of representing you better.  You can email me at [email protected] or call me at (804) 698-1054.

Links of interest

Update on HB340

February 4, 2016

For those who have been actively following HB340, please read the update below. Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments at [email protected].

Prior action in 2015 did not truly change the definition of a private animal shelter it simply rearranged the words in the previous definition. However, an attempt by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (oversees animal shelters) this past year to define “purpose” did not allow public input or comment.  The amendment in the nature of a substitute for HB 340 directs the VDACS to enter into the regulatory process to determine “purpose”.  This process will allow for full public comment and participation, thereby ensuring transparency.  The current bill makes no change to the previous definition of “private animal shelter”.

Session News

February 2, 2016

This week was a busy and productive one, as all are during session. I introduced three additional bills:

HB 1270 – Establishes a companion animal care advisory committee

HB 1272 – Claims; Frank and Amy Taylor

HB 1306 – Creating a voluntary listing of certain family day homes.

Seven of my bills were voted out of the House this week.   They are now being considered by the Senate.

The bills are: HB 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315 and 559.

HB 310 – Allows our mobile dental clinics to better serve underserved and elderly citizen.

HB 311 – Insures EMS providers can cross State borders and serve emergency needs.

HB 312 – Make patients records more accessible by medical providers.

HB 313 – Allows the medical provider who actually administered the immunization to sign the verification form.

HB 314 – Allows private school trained personnel to administer emergency medicines as is allowed in public school.

HB 315 – Allows 2 retired Conservation police officers to purchase their hand gun.

HB 559 – Repeals certain obsolete reporting requirements by Social Services.

It is always great to have visitors to the office, and this week we included several groups . Students from the Germanna Dental Hygienist program visited for the annual Dental Association Rally Day.

Also visiting this week were a group of Physician Assistant students including some from the district as well as representatives from our auto dealers.

Rappahannock Area Lodge #15, Virginia Fraternal Order of Police.

Healthy Families, Rappahannock Area Community Services Board.

Committee meetings and speaking to various groups and individuals who are interested in a myriad of legislation before us this session are keeping me busy.

You may follow my bills and all legislation at http://virginiageneralassembly.gov .  Don’t hesitate to call my office here in Richmond at 804-698-1054 or e-mail me at [email protected] . with any concerns that you may have.

Weekly Review

January 25, 2016

Greetings from your state Capitol. As we conclude our first full week of session, I wanted to share with you some of the actions of your General Assembly, so far. Our first full week was cut short due to the significant winter storm headed our way. For the first time since 2010, the House of Delegates cancelled a floor session. It was announced during Thursday’s Floor Session that the House would adjourn until Monday, January 25th at noon.

Majority Leader Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) spoke on the House floor this week about many of our key priorities for the 2016 Session. In his remarks, Leader Cox spoke about the House’s commitment to improving our economy by encouraging private sector job growth. He outlined our intentions to continue our strong support for education and the importance of promoting choice and flexibility for students. Finally, Cox spoke to our healthcare agenda. He reiterated our commitment to stand firm against expanding Medicaid and to promote free market alternatives to increase access to quality affordable healthcare.

This week we became painfully aware of a failed economic development deal orchestrated by Governor McAuliffe and his administration. A recent investigation by the Roanoke Times, revealed that Governor McAuliffe gave $1.4 million dollars to a company with plans to establish a new factory in Appomattox County. The plans were based on false information and not properly vetted. The County will not see new jobs and the Commonwealth is out of those tax dollars. Del. Scott Garrett (R-Lynchburg) in floor remarks called for more oversight and scrutiny on all economic development incentive packages. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Chris Jones has committed to fully reviewing the use of taxpayer dollars for economic development projects like this. I am committed to protecting taxpayer dollars from waste and ensuring that we make wise and prudent investments.

A group of legislators from the House and Senate gathered this week to announce their plans to reform the Certificate of Public Need (COPN) law. Virginia is one of 36 states with COPN laws that were developed in the 1970s to regulate healthcare services. Basically the laws require a provider to obtain a certificate of public need in order to expand services or bring new equipment to their practice. These laws were meant to control costs and protect providers who offer charity care services to the community. Many now argue that COPN requirements reduce access to care and drive up costs by creating healthcare monopolies. The state bureaucracy determines what services are available and the circumstances under which they are offered. I believe reforming or repealing the burdensome COPN regulations would promote free market principles like competition, which will drive down costs and improve access. Del. Chris Peace (R-Hanover), one of the House’s leading proponents for change, spoke on the floor about the need for meaningful COPN reform.

House Republicans also announced their agenda to combat domestic violence and empower women. Delegates introduced a number of bills that provide for tougher penalties on repeat criminal offenders that commit domestic violence. The bills will also empower women with training to protect themselves in their most vulnerable moments. House Appropriations Committee Chairman S. Chris Jones (R-Suffolk) on Thursday also committed to looking at additional investments in the House budget for domestic violence crisis services, treatment, and educational resources. This legislation builds on House Republicans consistent record of leading the effort to prevent domestic violence. The House of Delegates has passed more than 36 pieces of legislation in the last decade aimed at combatting domestic violence.

If you haven’t yet, please fill out my legislative survey to share your priorities for this General Assembly Session

I encourage you to keep in touch with me and my office over the coming months. I value the feedback you provide on a continual basis as it helps me do my job of representing you better. You can email me at [email protected] or call me at 804-698-1054.

Explanation of HB340, 2016 Session

January 18, 2016

The definition as written before the 2015 Session;
“Private Animal Shelter” means a facility that is used to house or contain animals and that is owned or operated by an incorporated, nonprofit, and nongovernmental entity, including a humane society, animal welfare organization, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals or other organization operating for the purpose of finding permanent adoptive homes for animals.

The definition as changed (SB1381) in the 2015 Session:
“Private Animal Shelter” means a facility operated for the purpose of finding permanent adoptive homes for animals that is used to house or contain animals and that is owned or operated by an incorporated, nonprofit, and nongovernmental entity, including a humane society, animal welfare organization, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals or other similar organization.

The shift in language between the 2 versions had no effect to expand or restrain the operations within private animal shelters. The legislative intent was to emphasize the point that these facilities should have the “purpose” of finding adoptive homes. Because “purpose” is a very vague term without definition, it does not require any accountability standard. Plainly, no shelter was any more restricted from euthanizing animals after last years’ act than before. As clearly stated in the House Agriculture Comm., the legislature merely voiced their intent that shelters would exercise all options of adoption available prior to euthanization.

After the changes of last session, there were efforts within the VDACS by the use of a “Guidance Document” to interpret the legislative changes. Although this document was never approved or implemented, because of its distribution subsequent to a FOIA request, it created much concern and confusion among stakeholders. The purpose of HB340 is to clarify that there was no substantive change to the previous definition and providing the code situs where restrictions and requirements are addressed. This bill makes no change to the legislative intent of shelter finding adoptive homes for all animals possible.

New Laws Effective July 1st

June 23, 2015

Most new laws that were passed by the 2015 General Assembly and signed by the Governor will go into effect on July 1, 2015.  Virginia’s Division of Legislative Services has outlined these new laws in their In Due Course publication.  To see the list of these new laws, please visit their website at http://dls.virginia.gov/pubs/idc/idc15.pdf.

End of 2015 Session Update

February 27, 2015

As the 2015 Session of the General Assembly is drawing to a close, I want to give you an update on my legislation.  Eight of my bills have passed both the House and Senate and they are;

  • HB 1567 – dealing with delinquent property tax; multijurisdictional sale
  • HB 1570 – Unlicensed, unregistered family day care homes
  • HB 1956 – Hospital guidelines for patients who are deaf or hard or hearing
  • HB 2173 – Real Property Tax, waiver of delinquent taxes
  • HB 2177 – Certificate of Public Need
  • HB 2276 – Standard diploma; career and technical education credentials; exemption
  • HB 2318 – High School graduation rate; Board of Education’s formula for assessing rates
  • HJ 558 – requesting the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia to report findings and addressing the shortages of qualified teachers

Many of you showed interest in a variety of animal welfare bills including SB 1381, clarifying the role of private animal shelters has passed both Houses as well as SB 1001 that prohibits the sale and procurement of dogs and cats from a roadside, parking lot, flea market and similar places. I voted for both bills.

I received much correspondence regarding your support and opposition, almost in equal numbers, to the Convention of States legislation, HJ 499 and HJ 497.  After thoughtful consideration, I supported those resolutions in committee. By sending those measures to the floor we had more time for discussion and input.  After much discussion I supported the motion to re-refer these bills back to committee where they have been left.  I hope that we may find a common path to address our shared concerns and fears of the problems with our Federal Government.

A variety of House bills and final budget amendments relating to veterans have passed the House of Delegates and Senate.  Included is HB 1721 – real estate tax exemption for surviving spouses of members of armed forces killed in action.  HB 1275 and HB 1276 providing funding for Veterans Care Centers in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.  The final budget includes funding for providing grants to qualified businesses for each veteran it hires; funding to support the Lewis B. Puller Veterans Benefits Clinic at the William and Mary Law School; George Mason University receiving additional funding to support the development of new bachelors program in cybersecurity that also supports the development of pathways for veterans to apply their military training and experience towards the degree and for military veteran enrollment in the nursing bachelors program; provides additional funding the second year from general funds for access to supportive services for homeless veterans to help them obtain and maintain stable housing; grants will be awarded to organizations providing these services.

Included in the final 2015-2016 Budget are the following:

K-12 Education

  • State Budget share for 1.5% teacher pay raise, including support staff
  • Overall increase of $60 million for K-12 education compared to Governor McAuliffe’s budget proposal
  • Deposits an additional $43 million into teacher retirement fund compared to Governor McAuliffe’s budget proposal.

Compensation

  • Provides 2% across-the-board raise for state police and state employees, including compression for senior classified employees
  • 1.5% teacher pay raise, including support staff
  • 2% college faculty pay raise

Local Government

  • Restores $30 million in funding cuts adopted by the supplemental budget to address shortfall
  • 2% pay raise for state-supported local employees

Higher Education

  • Includes an additional $42 million for higher education,
  • $19.8 million to incentivize enrollment
  • $10.1 million for financial aid
  • $5 million for research
  • 2% faculty pay raise
  • $1,000 per student incentive to encourage colleges and universities with low graduation rates to accept transfer students

Health Care Safety Net

  • $132.9 million for healthcare safety net
  • Funding to provide targeted services to ~22,000 seriously mentally-ill patients, including a prescription drug benefit
  • Nearly doubles operational funding for free clinics – total of $6 million in funding
  • Increases funding for children’s psychiatry and crisis services

All anti-gun legislation, such as re-instating the “one gun a month” law, regulating private gun sales, revoking concealed carry permits for certain gun owners, just to name a few, were tabled in committee.

Pro-gun legislation that did pass are as follows;

  • HB 2286 – restoration of rights of possession of firearms by convicted felons and
  • HB 1666 – permits petition for restoration of rights to circuit court where felony occurred
  • HB 2009 – Law-enforcement certification of certain firearms

Again, I appreciate all the visitors that came by my office here in Richmond this session and all the input on legislation I received.  I hope that I served you, my constituents, with honor and I look forward to hearing from you should you have any concerns during the remainder of the year.  You can reach me by e-mail, [email protected] .  My Fredericksburg office number is, 540-891-1322, mailing address – P. O. Box 458, Thornburg, VA 22565.  You can also find me on Facebook and at my webpage www.bobbyorrock.net .

Robert D. “Bobby” Orrock, Sr.

Crossover Update

February 13, 2015

This week we made it to crossover in the General Assembly, the deadline for consideration of legislation that started in the House.  All bills passed in either Chamber will now be considered by the other Chamber.  I am pleased to report that seven of my bills have passed the House of Delegates and are now before the Senate.

At the start of session I told you that I would support policies to reform K-12 education, make government work more efficiently, make higher education more affordable and accessible, and oppose new taxes on Virginia families and support healthcare initiatives that would be in best interest to all Virginians but particularly to those in need.  Throughout session, I have heard from many of you that those are your priorities as well.

We have made difficult choices over the last year in the House of Delegates to address the budget shortfall. The governor proposed in his budget more than $10 million in new fees on Virginia families and $42 million in new government debt.

The House took a different approach, paying for building projects with existing revenues and eliminating $10.2 million in fees. We put $99.5 million in Virginia’s rainy day fund to guard against future tax increases.  We included a 1.5% pay raise for teachers, an overall increase of $60 million for K-12 education and we targeted more money to classrooms and making college more affordable and accessible, where it can make the most difference for Virginia families. We also deposited an additional $40 million into the teacher retirement fund.  Also included is a 1.5% across-the-board raise for state police and a 2% pay raise for state-supported local employees and state employees.

The governor wanted to expand Medicaid and tried to bypass the General Assembly in creating his own new health care entitlement program. The House budget rejects Governor McAuliffe’s attempt to expand Medicaid under Obamacare.  Instead, the House budget includes $124.5 million in funding to provide targeted health care safety net services to the neediest Virginians. We are providing services to 29,000 seriously mentally ill, doubled the operational funding of our free clinics and build on past investments in community behavioral health services and increase funding for children’s psychiatry and crisis services. Included is $2 million for cancer research at VCU & UVA.

Several House and Senate bills dealing with veterans and their needs have passed the House and Senate.  Additionally, the House budget has included monies for administrative positions to veteran’s service representatives, implementing a career development plan for all staff to open 2 new benefit offices, authorizing continued delivery of critical core behavioral health, rehabilitative, and supportive services for veterans and an additional funding increase for construction of Hamptons Roads and Northern Virginia veterans care center.

Also included is $20 million in funding for the Governor’s Opportunity Fund, but less than the $28 million the Governor requested and $1 million for the “See Virginia” tourism advertising initiative, which is a partnership with broadcasters that leverages $3 for every $1 invested.

Also, over the last couple of years trust in lawmakers has eroded. That trust must be earned and not expected. That is why I have supported additional reforms in the House this year to Virginia’s ethics laws that create a $100 gift cap. Also included in the ethics package would prohibit the Governor from accepting campaign contributions from companies knowingly seeking grants from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund.

Again, don’t hesitate to contact me with any concerns that you may have.  You can either call my office in Richmond while session is in progress at 804-698-1054, e-mail me at [email protected] or visit my webpage at https://bobbyorrock.net.

Delegate Bobby Orrock

End of January 2015 Session Update

February 4, 2015

Now that the General Assembly is moving along and cross-over will be upon us shortly, I want to give you an idea of some of the legislation before us. Committee meetings are well underway and legislation dealing with jobs creation, improving education, energy, health care, veterans, transportation, and budget proposals are all high on everyone’s agenda.

A steadying economy is increasing revenues by approximately 6.8% year to date.  A conservative house budget proposal will use the modest revenue increase to eliminate fees, protect our AAA credit rating by paying cash for capital projects, protect tax incentives that work for families and businesses and provide pay raises for state police, state employees and teachers and no additional cuts to higher education or K-12.  Transportation and road projects, as always, are also on the high priority list.

The House is also working to take some of the bureaucracy out of K-12 by expending the retake of any Standards of Learning test, with the exception of the writing SOL assessment, to all students regardless of grade level and supporting teachers by increasing opportunities for professional development.  The House Budget also supports an additional $60 million in funding for K-12 education.

Several motor vehicle bills are before us.  The use of body-worn cameras by the Department of Police; increased penalties for driving on suspended or revoked license and causing death of another person; and preserving the current motor vehicle sales and use tax exemption, just to site a few.

 I am glad to report that we have passed bills funding Virginia’s share of construction for Veterans Care Centers in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. Also, there have been 32 bills and 9 budget amendments submitted in the House showing strong support for veterans

As your Delegate, I am committed to protecting older Virginians from fraud, and increasing access to the healthcare and the medicine they need.  Also, we are working to ensure that we can address the medical care needs of the uninsured, without expanding Medicaid.

The House of Delegates is standing strong for the Second Amendment.  The House has or will soon defeat the anti-gun measures proposed by Gov. McAuliffe.  Some are already before the full House of Delegates for consideration and others are still in committee.  As a longtime supporter of our Second Amendment Rights, I will continue to and support those bills that protect those rights.

I welcome input from all my constituents on issues of interest to you.  Contact my office in Richmond by phone at 804-698-1054 or e-mail at [email protected].  Again, I appreciate your trust and support in representing you in the 54th District.

Sincerely,

Robert D. “Bobby” Orrock, Sr.

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