News

Greetings from Richmond, as we conclude our fifth week of Session, I wanted to update you on some events at the General Assembly this week, and share some actions taken by the House.

House Republicans are focused on issues that all Virginian’s care about. This week we held two press conferences devoted to initiatives we’re supporting to better the lives of the Commonwealth’s citizens. The first showcased legislation aimed at providing additional resources for sexual and domestic violence intervention, prevention, and counseling services. The second addressed transportation reform initiatives.

The first press conference focused on the troubling trend of increased sexual and domestic violence across the Commonwealth.  While there has been a decline of 8% in overall homicides between 2006 and 2010; the rate of intimate partner homicide has increased 65%.  At any given time, there are approximately 14,000 protective orders on file in Virginia.  These numbers highlight the adamant need for reform to improve access to critical intervention and prevention services.

Our approach is two-fold with both a legislative and budgetary component. HB 1, carried by Delegate Barbara Comstock (R-Fairfax), will streamline existing and new funding for intervention, prevention, and counseling services. This legislation dedicates a funding stream for Sexual & Domestic Violence Agencies to increase access to the important treatment and crisis services they provide. The House Budget Proposal will include $10.6 million in new funding in 2015 for Virginia’s domestic and sexual violence treatment and crisis prevention centers.

I believe this legislation will better serve victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

This week we also held a press conference to highlight House Republicans’ seven transportation reform initiatives aimed at increasing the use of technology, prioritizing congestion-relief, and ensuring return on investment in transportation spending.

One piece of legislation presented is HJ 122, patroned by Delegate Jim LeMunyon (R-Fairfax), which requires the Secretary of Transportation and VDOT to create and implement statewide transportation technology goals and a five-year plan of action. These goals are to be directed at enhancing the efficiency, safety, and convenience of all modes of transportation throughout the Commonwealth. This legislation passed the House unanimously and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Rules.

HB 1183, patroned by Delegate Barbara Comstock (R-Fairfax), changes the name of the Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability to the Virginia Transportation Solutions Working Group and authorizes it to advise the Commonwealth Transportation Board on matters pertaining to transportation policy, transportation innovation and technologies, and traffic congestion relief strategies. This legislation passed the House with a vote of 66-29, and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation.

These are just a few pieces of legislation being carried by Republican members that will improve our transportation system. They highlight our goal of investing our transportation dollars wisely and in a way that will benefit the most Virginians.

This week, the General Assembly is at a stage of “crossover”, where the House has completed work on all bills that have come from our members.  At this point, legislation that has passed the House or Senate is referred to the other body for action.

Next week, I will be giving a more detailed account of my bills and other specific legislation that was acted on in the House.

I encourage you to monitor legislation by going to http://virginiageneralassembly.gov and you may watch our daily sessions, that usually convene at noon, on line.

I welcome your contacts and visits and my staff will be more than happy to assist you in any way that we can. If you would like to visit the Capitol and stop by my office, please feel free to call my office in Richmond at 804-698-1054, to set up an appointment or set up a tour of the Capitol. My new office number is 701 in the General Assembly Building.  My e-mail address is: [email protected]  should you want to voice your opinion on any legislation of interest to you.  Our mailing address is: P. O. Box 406, Richmond, VA 23218. You may also visit my website at https://bobbyorrock.net.

Again, I thank you for the opportunity to represent you and all of the folks of the 54^th District.  I’m humbled by your trust and continue to commit to serve.

Bobby Orrock

UPDATE:  I’m happy to announce that agribusiness bill, HB268, passed in the Virginia House of Delegates on January 28, 2014 with a 73 to 24 vote.  It has been referred to the Senate Agriculture, Conservation & Natural Resources Committee.  I will continue to update you on this bill’s progression through the Senate.

I am proud to report that my bill that will make it easier for farms to sell their product to the public and to open their properties for other uses, like weddings, parties, hayrides, and other events that capitalize on the natural beauty and attraction of farms, passed out of the House Agriculture, Chesapeake & Natural Resources Committee today.  This bill, HB268, is the result of a lot of effort from those representing the full scope of the farm industry, from small to large, and reflects their common desires.  I look forward to addressing this bill on the floor.

Greetings from your state Capitol.  As we conclude our second full week of session, I wanted to share with you some of the actions of your General Assembly, so far.

In several of our committees, we focus on measures that will help to improve the business climate of our state and work to increase the number of jobs available and the overall economy.   I will be sharing more details on the individual measures as they will be moving to the House floor for consideration.

Further, we have several measures coming up that will address issues in ethics and the taking of gifts that have come to light by public officials.  Also I and others will be working to improve financial transparency in election campaigns and honesty by the candidates as they communicate with voters.

One of the most controversial measures to emerge so far, is a bill that will permit Sunday hunting throughout the Commonwealth, all year long.  This bill was heard in the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Chesapeake Committee on which I sit.  After prolonged testimony and debate, the bill passed and has gone to the House floor.  My negative vote on the bill was one of the most difficult votes I’ve ever had to make.  As a life-long hunter, a hunter safety instructor for over 30 years, and a strong supporter of hunters’ rights, I completely understand the desire of so many of my constituents who want the chance to enjoy the hunting experience even more.  The dilemma that I faced, was that from surveys and personal communication, the number of my constituents who opposed the expansion was overwhelming.  I understand that there may be amendments offered to the bill on the floor of the House next week, so I will keep you advised.

I’m glad to report that my bill to allow farms to be “Agritourism” attractions will be voted on by the full house next week.  This bill will allow farmers to use their farms as occasional event venues and make it easier for them to sell directly to consumers.  This measure strikes a balance between protecting the interests of adjoining property owners and allowing farms greater freedom in the use of their property.

The most recent development in Richmond, is the Attorney General’s decision to not defend our state constitution in a pending Federal suit against our constitutional requirement that marriage is only between a man and a woman.  Regardless of how you stand on the issue, it is unprecedented for an Attorney General to not support our state constitution on the grounds that he “thinks” it is a conflict with the Federal constitution.  I believe that until our Supreme Court has ruled against our State constitution, that our Attorney General has a sworn obligation to defend the constitution that you, the voters, approved.  For the large number of you who have contacted my office on this matter, I suggest that you contact the Attorney Generals’ office directly and make your views known.

We are at about the mid-point of the time that the House will be working on bills that have come from our members.  These next two weeks will be even busier as even more challenging matters will come before us.

I encourage you to monitor legislation by going to http://virginiageneralassembly.gov and you may  watch our daily sessions, that usually convene at noon, on line.

I welcome your contacts and visits and my staff will be more than happy to assist you in any way that we can. If you would like to visit the Capitol and stop by my office, please feel free to call my office in Richmond at 804-698-1054, to set up an appointment or set up a tour of the Capitol. My new office number is 701 in the General Assembly Building.  My e-mail address is: [email protected]  should you want to voice your opinion on any legislation of interest to you.  Our mailing address is: P. O. Box 406, Richmond, VA 23218. You may also visit my website at https://bobbyorrock.net.

Again, I thank you for the opportunity to represent you and all of the folks of the 54^th District.  I’m humbled by your trust and continue to commit to serve.

Bobby Orrock

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my constituents from the 54^th District, comprised of parts of Caroline and Spotsylvania Counties, for re-electing me as your delegate to the Virginia House of Delegates.  It is with great honor and pleasure that I serve our area and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Virginia State General Assembly convened on January 8, 2014 and Governor Terry R. McAuliffe was inaugurated on Saturday, January 11^th as the 72^nd Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Ralph S. Northam was sworn in as Lt. Governor and Mark R. Herring as Attorney General.

Most legislation has been introduced and committee meetings are in full operation.  I am honored to have been re-appointed as Chairman of the Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee.  I am also a committee member of: 1) Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources, 2) Finance, 3) Rules.

I have introduced thirteen bills and they are as follows;

• HB 266 – Special license plates bearing Virginia Adopts
• HB 267 – Special license plates issuance for members & supporters of Law Enforcement
• HB 268-  Local regulations of certain agricultural operation
• HB 1029 – Libel & Slander; candidates for office
• HB 1030 – Campaign finance; independent expenditures disclosure
• HB 1031 – Immunizations
• HB 1032 – Board of Pharmacy; automatic review of certain case decisions
• HB 1033 – Risk management plan for impounding structures
• HB 1034 – Liability of owners of certain dams
• HB 1035 – Veterinarians; dispensing compounded drug products
• HB 1067 – Animal shelters; definitions
• HB 1068 – Eligibility for TANF; drug-related felonies
• HB 1124 – Liability of owners or operators of dams

All legislation has been referred to the committees dealing with these issues.  You may follow my bills and all introduced legislation at the Virginia State website http://virginiageneralassembly.gov and entering the bill number under Track a 2014 Bill.

I always look forward to seeing visitors from back home.  If you would like to visit the Capitol and stop by my office, please feel free to call my office in Richmond at 804-698-1054, to set up an appointment or set up a tour of the Capitol. My new office number is 701 in the General Assembly Building.  My e-mail address is: [email protected]  should you want to voice your opinion on any legislation of interest to you.  Our mailing address is: P. O. Box 406, Richmond, VA 23218.

Again, I thank you for your support and I wish you and your family a very “Happy and Healthy New Year”.

You’re invited to my next advisory committee on August 24th from 5 PM to 7 PM. This meeting will be a family-friendly cookout at my farm, 12387 Nancy Wrights Dr, Woodford, VA 22580.

I always enjoy these meetings as it is a great opportunity to connect with community leaders and discuss ways to make our Commonwealth a better place to live and work.

You can RSVP for the meeting by calling my office at 540-891-1322 or by emailing [email protected].

For more information on my advisory committee, including how to join, please visit www.bobbyorrock.net/advisory-committee.

Virginia’s annual Back to School Sales Tax Holiday will take place from August 2 – 4. Items that will be exempt from sales tax include most articles of clothing, footwear, and school or office supplies. There is no limit to the number of items you can purchase without paying the sales tax, provided each item meets the holiday restrictions.

Click here to view the full list of items that will be tax exempt.

Virginia voters now have the ability to register to vote or update their voter registration information online.

The State Board of Elections recently announced the launch of a new webpage, www.vote.virginia.gov, that allows voters to register to vote or update voter information online. This site will not only make it easier and more convenient for voters to keep, but this will also help local registrars keep more accurate voter records.

To register to vote or update your voter information online, simply visit www.vote.virginia.gov and follow the instructions on the page.

Today, we pause to celebrate our nation’s independence and recognize the sacrifice our founding fathers made in pursuit of freedom from a tyrannical British government. Our founding fathers charted a brave new course for a nation founded upon the principles of freedom and representative democracy.

It is also important for us to recognize the sacrifice that those who came before us have made since the founding of our nation in defense of our country and those principles.

Did you know that most of the legislation passed during the 2013 legislative session became law on July 1st?

The Division of Legislative Services has published “In Due Course: 2013 Changes to Virginia’s Laws” to provide a brief summary of legislation that went into effect on Monday. The descriptions of the new laws are separated by subject area.

Click here to open “In Due Course: 2013 Changes to Virginia’s Laws.”

Thanks for all of the support, as once again, I didn’t win the election, WE did. I humbly accept the responsibility of representing the Republican Party on the ballot for the House of Delegates in November.

I welcome your suggestions and advice as we move toward victory in November.