News

Greetings from your state capitol.  We have reached the half-way point of our 2022 legislative session.  As of Tuesday, February 15, all House bills had to be acted on and sent to the Senate or the measures were dead for this year.  In this update I will highlight several legislative actions and report on several specific bills on which I received a large number of contacts.

One measure has passed both the House and the Senate and been signed by the Governor.  This bill will require our public schools to develop a means of providing in-person instruction for those students whose parents don’t want them to have to wear a mask.  While there is still some controversy, this action is consistent with the current trend of relaxing most of the recommendations from the CDC and with the Governor’s pledge to recognize the parent’s ultimate authority over their children.

Other education related measures that have passed the House include legislation to improve school safety, provide more funds for local school construction, allow greater flexibility for innovative education programs and broaden the ability of students to achieve an advanced diploma by including career and technical classes in elective course work.

In the area of public safety, we have increased the oversight of our Parole Board, ensured that individuals charged with certain serious violent crimes have a thorough screening before possibly being granted bail, increased focus on gun violence prevention, and increased human trafficking recognition training for our entire law enforcement community.

We have provided significant tax relief for all Virginians.  We have passed bills totally eliminating the state’s share of the grocery sales tax, repealing the sales tax on gasoline and diesel for one year, doubling the standard deduction on state taxes, and granting a one-time tax rebate of $300 for each taxpayer.

On bills that received a lot of comment:

HB509, repealing the so called “red flag law” that seized guns from the homes of individuals without due process, merely based on a report that a person might be a threat.  There are other current laws that allow for law enforcement to immediately take someone into custody that is believed to pose a potential threat to themselves or others.  These laws work to ensure that these individuals receive the help they need, not just remove guns from their homes without addressing the underlying problem.

HB775, prevents Governors executive orders from mandating that individuals cannot assemble for worship.

HB304, requires that any child who is born alive after an unsuccessful abortion attempt must be given appropriate medical care.  Unlike our former Governor, a pediatrician, who stated “they would be laid on a table while the Doctor and Mother decided what to do”.

HB511, this bill passed stating that local school divisions may allow home school students to participate in public school athletic programs.

HB330, would have mandated nursing homes and other assisted living settings to have minimal staffing levels.  While there is wide-spread support for the concept, this bill failed to pass but was carried over until the 2023 session for the House Health, Welfare, & Institutions Committee to conduct a study to determine how to achieve the objective.

Some of the problems to be addressed are the costs of hiring more caregivers, a shortage of available caregivers, and insufficient training programs available to address the shortage.

The bills that passed will now be considered within the next two weeks in the Senate.  We will now be considering only Senate bills.

I appreciate the opportunity to represent the diverse opinions and try to find common ground on the myriad of issues before us.  Please continue to monitor the process at virginiageneralassembly.gov.

If I can answer any questions or be of assistance in any manner, please contact me at [email protected], or (804)698-1054.

Greetings from our state capitol.  As we approach the mid-point of our 2022 session, I will advise you of the status of legislation I introduced this year.  All bills in both bodies must be resolved in their respective bodies by Tuesday, February 15, 2022.

Of the 17 bills I introduced, 11 will be sent to the Senate, 1 was incorporated in another Delegates bill, 2 were carried over to the 2023 session for further consideration, and 1 is being addressed through agency directive.  Here are more details on the 11 bills that have passed the House.

Six of my bills are related to improving health care access, quality, or accountability.  HB1323 will make it easier for pharmacists to administer certain vaccines, HB910 will help the legislature to understand emergency department utilization and help us to find ways to encourage patients go to a  primary care physician rather than an emergency department, HB234 will look for ways to improve the oversight of our nursing homes and assisted living facilities and to ensure adequate patient care, HB912 will require a study to ensure patients can continue to receive medical care when his insurance carrier is no longer recognized by their previous health care provider, HB917 will ensure that our medical public assistance dollars are allocated to those with the highest priority financial needs, and HB235 will work to ensure that needed out-patient services (such as; rehabilitation, therapy, home health care) are arranged before a patient is discharged.

HB236 will give the Dept. of Education the flexibility to extend a teacher’s time to be recertified by one year if the teacher has had difficulty, due to Covid-19, in fulfilling all of the requirements by the current deadline.

HB231 will allow our dedicated Va. National Guard members additional days of paid leave from their civilian job if they are called into Guard duties.

HB238 will ensure state-wide uniformity in local government recertification of agricultural land-use tax eligibility for our farming community.

HB911 will allow local governments to consider additional ways to encourage and reward volunteer community service participation such as fire, rescue, auxiliary police, and others.

HB919 will ensure that our water supply systems comply with all Federal standards and will allow additional regulations to be considered but not be implemented without thorough investigation.

Next week I will address more of the broader measures that the House considered.

As always, I appreciate the contact that I’ve received on many of the issues before us, and I encourage your continued input.  Further, if I can be of assistance in any manner relating to our state government, I welcome the opportunity.

Greetings from your state capitol!  As we are in the middle of week 3, the pace has increased dramatically.  Each of the past 3 days has had me in the Capitol by 6:30 a.m., and I haven’t left the past 2 evenings until after 7 p.m.  My days are filled with hearing bills in subcommittee and committee meetings, presenting my bills, attending floor sessions, and meeting with citizens as much as possible.  With the new majority this session, the workload has increased as I now chair a full committee and a subcommittee, as well as sit on three other committees and three other subcommittees.  Given my experience in working through the process and my background in parliamentary procedure, I’m also glad to be a resource for the new speaker and other members in the proper way to conduct our business.

Legislation has started to make its way to the floor for passage to the Senate, and that pace will increase for the next two weeks with the deadline for us to handle all House bills by February 22 and then consider bills that have made it over to us from the Senate.  Also, during that week, we will take up the House budget, which will establish our spending priorities for the next two years.

As many of my bills are still being considered, I will give a more detailed report of their status in my next report.  I will also give an account of several measures that have generated a lot of interest.  Typically, the most controversial measures aren’t resolved until the last week of consideration.  One measure that has generated over a thousand emails demanding action on the “Red Flag” gun law; the committee hearing this bill doesn’t meet until these last two weeks.  Therefore, all bills in the Rules committee haven’t been heard but will be considered this week or next.

All committee, subcommittee, and floor sessions can be viewed live or in archive on the internet.  Also, you can sign up to speak remotely or submit written testimony on any bill when it’s being heard at the subcommittee level.  You can access this opportunity and follow all legislation by going to virginiageneralassembly.gov.  We are open for visitors this year, masks are encouraged, and I would welcome the opportunity to see you.  You may email me at [email protected], or reach my Richmond office during session by calling (804)698-1054.

Thank you for the honor of representing you and our community.

We’ve just completed the first week of the 2022 General Assembly Session, and I wanted to provide a quick update on what’s been happening in Richmond.

My colleagues and I in the House of Delegates are working hard on behalf of the people of Virginia. On Saturday, I was honored to be part of the inauguration of our new Governor, Glenn Youngkin, Lt. Governor, Winsome Sears, and Attorney General, Jason Miyares. For the first time in 8 years, we will have a Republican in each of the three statewide executive offices.

House Republicans have hit the ground running, with legislation that will ensure our schools remain high quality, teach children how to think not what to think, provide opportunities for innovation, and continue to have high academic standards. Other legislation we’re working on will repeal the grocery tax, send $300 per filer rebates back to taxpayers, and double the standard deduction.

We’re also working on legislation to bolster our law enforcement community to keep our communities safe. We will be addressing the unfortunately historic spike in the murder rate we’re seeing in Virginia. Public safety will be a priority of House Republicans.

This session, I am serving on the Health, Welfare, & Institutions Committee as Chairman and the committees of Agriculture, Conservation & Natural Resources – Finance – and Rules.  My service on these very diverse committees will enable me to be more directly involved in many issues that will affect our daily lives.

I have introduced a total of 16 bills, mostly at the request of constituents.  A brief overview of these measures is:

– HB 231 & 233: these two bills are intended to provide support for our dedicated members of the Va. National Guard

– HB 232: will help to discover and reduce Medicaid Fraud

– HB 234 & 235: will address issues in patient care in Rehabilitation and Long-term Care Facilities

– HB 237, 912 & 923: all of these bills are designed to increase the ability to access or retain health care insurance

– HB 910, 917 & 921: all of these bills will work in different areas to facilitate access to necessary health care services and to ensure that our State medical assistance is prioritized to those with the greatest financial need

– HB 911: will enable local governments to develop programs that would work to encourage volunteer activities that serve the public good

– HB915: will require that any new regulations changing the current school vaccination standards cannot take effect until after there has been a legislative session.  This will ensure that no new vaccinations can be required without the legislature having the opportunity to consider them

– HB 919: delays the implementation of certain needed water quality improvements because of unexpected delays.  This will not change the necessary improvement mandate, it will simply allow the department to continue with the changes as soon as possible and not be in violation of the law

– HB 238:  will require the Department of Taxation to develop a land-use revalidation form for use across the state, just as they have done for the initial qualification process.  At present, farmers are dealing with different standards for revalidation from one county to another even when the land is all part of the same farm parcel, just sitting in both counties

If I sponsor more legislation, I’ll keep you advised.  To track these bills or any legislation, go to virginiageneralassembly.gov.  This site will also let you view committee and floor sessions, either live or archived.

As the delegate representing the 54^th District,  I hold your concerns as my highest priority. If ever I may be of assistance to you and your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected]. or call me in Richmond at (804)698-1054.

Let me first say that I hope you and yours are well since I missed holding our customary meetings in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. On the positive side, the social isolation may have caused us all to focus on our families, friends, and general well-being.

This short session of General Assembly will soon end, and it has been one for the history books. Our House of Delegates is the only legislative body in the country that has met 100% virtually, and that has had a major impact on the ability to work across the aisle and resolve differences—since interaction is the key to being able to communicate. Under the present circumstances, the public could only observe what the majority party leaders chose to show on the screen. By contrast our state Senate demonstrated that with appropriate precautions, legislators could meet in person and the process be truly transparent to the public.

As a result, many Republican initiatives were never heard but were sum-marily killed without explanation. One of my bills–intended to encourage volunteer service to our communities–met this fate, despite several groups speaking in support of it. My two other bills have passed both the House and Senate and are on their way to the governor: one seeks a more reliable funding source for our wonderful state Parks System, and the other better ensures the health and safety of our youth in congregate living settings.

You may have heard reports of other bills passed this session: public funding of abortions and birth control, parole for many previously ineligible violent offen-ders, removing any state assistance to some religious organizations doing adoption and foster placements, a policy that continues the current mostly virtual school status, and further eroding accountability in our voting process, to name a few.

The most difficult vote I personally faced this session was on repealing the death penalty. Given the recent release of several convicted murderers who had received life sentences, and the further liberalization of the parole process, it is obvious that a “life in prison” sentence is no longer true. I think we all can agree that there are some individuals who should never again be allowed to prey on society. Therefore, while I would like to see the death penalty eliminated, it is really the only sentence currently available that will protect us from true predators, so I voted against the measure, but it did pass.

The 2021 session has been the most partisan that I’ve ever experienced. When I was first elected, the Republicans held a smaller minority in the House, with Democratic majority in the Senate and a Democratic governor, but our minority views were considered and often integrated into policy. I can only hope that the current Democratic-led autocratic process will soon return to the representative democracy that we all swore to uphold.

Session is scheduled to conclude next week, but we still must finalize the state budget (and there are significant differences between the House and Senate versions to reconcile) and some other matters yet unresolved. Then we convene again in early April to consider any of the governor’s amendments or vetoes to passed bills. I will provide a final update to you after that.

As always, I thank you for the honor of being your representative. And I am happy to assist you with any state matters of concern to you. My local office is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9-12, and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-5. Do not hesitate to call or email; that is why we’re here.

I would like to share with you all my first newsletter of the 2020 Session! I’ve taken the time to recap the first two weeks here in Richmond and I hope you’ll give it a read.

Delegate Bobby Orrock Newsletter 1

We are underway here in Richmond with the 2020 Session and I’d like to share with you all some updates!

I have been named to three committees, on which I am excited to serve:

• Finance
• Health, Welfare and Institutions
• Privileges and Elections

I have introduced a number of bills and posted summaries of each under the “Your Delegate” tab of my website.

Also, I successfully withdrew HB 192 from consideration after valued feedback from many of you. Please continue to share your comments and concerns with me so that I may best serve you here in Richmond!

The following nine House bills that I introduced have been signed into law by the governor:

HB 1625: addresses appropriate care of animals with regard to exposure to extreme weather;

HB 1626: further defines the state ban on animal fighting with a presumption against tethered fowl;

HB 1627: directs the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services to prioritize resources for inspecting child welfare agencies along four criteria;

HB 1679: clarifies taxation of all-terrain vehicles, mopeds an road motorcycles;

HB 1826: forbids advertisement for marijuana sales by anyone other than pharmaceutical permit holders;

HB 1828: limits the sale of caskets at-need;

HB 2702: requires Virginia Tech and Va. State University to jointly develop a plan for a new bachelor’s degree program to prepare career & technical education teachers due to the state shortage;

HB 2219: imposes Truth in Advertising regulations on nursing homes;

HB 2648: requires notification of crime victims upon their request, when defendants committed as “unrestorably incompetent” are released.

They will become effective July 1, 2019.

Happy New Year to all! I also want to thank you for putting your trust in me again this past election by allowing me to serve you as your delegate from the 54^th district in the Virginia General Assembly. It is a great honor and privilege to be able to serve you, and all the people of Virginia.

The 2018 General Assembly session officially convened on January 10^th at 12 noon. It started with Republican Delegate Kirk Cox being unanimously elected as the 55^th Speaker of the House. Speaker Cox has pledged to focus on governing, working across the aisle and leading with character and integrity. On Saturday, January 13^th, Governor Northam was sworn in as the 73^rd Governor of Virginia. I congratulate him on his victory and look forward to working with him.

As of now, I have introduced 22 pieces of legislation this Session:

HB 865-Pet Shops; local ordinance; bond for out-of-state breeder.

HB 866-Scenic river designations.

HB 867-Private preschool programs; licensure exemptions.

HB 868-Licensure exemptions; private preschool programs.

HB 869-Private preschool programs; background checks.

HB 870-Cash bond; pet shops obtaining animals from a dealer.

HB 871-Real property tax; land use violation.

HB 872-Hospitals and nursing homes; frequency of inspection.

HB 873-Child care providers; criminal history background check; sunset and contingency.

HB 874-Certificates of public need.

HB 875-Veterinarians; compounding of drugs.

HB 877-Pet shops; sale of dogs; maintenance and availability of records.

HB 878-Delivery of Schedule VI prescriptions devices.

HB 879-Hospitals and nursing homes; frequency of inspections.

HB 881-Background checks; Department of State Police to recommend options and expedite process.

HB 885-Onsite sewage systems; authority of the Board of Health

HB 887-Onsite sewage systems; maintenance.

HB 888-Onsite sewage systems; evaluation and design services.

HB 889 Dogs, tethering of; locality authorized to adopt an ordinance to restrict.

HB 1441-Taxation of all-terrain vehicles, mopeds, and off-road motorcycles.

HB 1442-Real property tax; assessment of wetlands.

HB 1494-Suspected adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation; mandated reporting; vulnerable adults.

All bills can be seen on the Virginia General Assembly website at: http://Virginiageneralassembly.gov. by entering the bill number.

House Republicans have made government more transparent. We passed unanimously a rules package that expands the existing rule on proportional representation on committees, an illustration of bipartisanship that must and will be a major theme of this Session. All committees and subcommittees require that the House utilize electronic voting equipment to record votes. The House will be live-streaming all full committee meetings. We also instituted a two-day waiting period before voting on the Budget so the public could review the proposal, and we have prohibited committee meetings from being held on the chamber floor.

No changes have been made to my committee assignments. I am still Chairman of the Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee, I am also a member of the Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Rules Committee, along with several subcommittees. Again, you may find all this information at the above-mentioned website by clicking on Members and Session.

As always, I welcome input from all my constituents. You may e-mail me at [email protected]. gov, or call my Richmond office at 804-698-1054 with any questions or concerns that you may have. Should you be planning a trip to Richmond, please stop by our new office location, Room E309 in the Pocahontas Building. The public entrance is at 900 E. Main Street. Should you want to speak with me regarding a particular matter of interest to you, you may also make an appointment. We can also set up tours of the Capitol, the Governor’s Mansion and arrange for Gallery seating in the Chamber.  However, these should be done in advance of your visit to Richmond.  Again, I appreciate your support and trust.  It is a great honor and I will certainly do my best to serve you, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Sincerely,

Robert D. “Bobby” Orrock, Sr.

Tomorrow, the new laws passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor this session will go into effect. A summary of all of them is available here:
http://dls.virginia.gov/pubs/idc/idc17.pdf

However, I’ve highlighted a couple that may be of interest below:

• State Budget
  The budget includes no tax increases, eliminates all of the Governor’s fees such as the restaurant inspection fee and shellfish inspection fee; all the while providing a 3% salary increase for state employees and faculty, a 2% raise for all state-supported local employees, and a 2% raise for all teachers.
• Right to re-sale electronic tickets
  We passed legislation that requires online ticket issuers to not impede individuals from re-selling their electronic tickets to professional concerts, sports events, and theatrical productions—no matter the ticketing platform the individual chooses to re-sell them on.
• Left-lane drivers
  The General Assembly passed legislation that fines drivers $100 who fail to drive on the right side of the highway.
• Bullying
  Under new legislation, public school principals will be required to notify the parents of any student involved in a bullying case within five days, including the status of the investigation.
• Opioids
  The General Assembly passed a number of new laws to fight the opioid epidemic: including the establishment of a needle exchange program and increased access to the overdose-reversal drug naloxone.
• Colleges
  Legislation passed mandates that public colleges and universities must report to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia the value of investments every year. Legislation also requires that schools must also give notice of any proposals to increase tuition and fees.
• Blaze Pink
  A new law allows hunters to wear blaze pink instead of blaze orange hunting apparel when required during firearms deer hunting season or the special season for hunting deer with a muzzle-loading rifle.