Delegate Jim Scott's Richmond ReportDelegate Scott represents the 53rd District in the Virginia House of Delegates
New laws on July 1Rather than try to list bills that will be mentioned by others, here a few of mine. Some passed; some did not. All were suggested by constituents or local governments.PassedHouse Bill 20 resulted from a constituent complaint. Karen Milligan, a judicially appointed marriage celebrant, discovered that she could not perform marriages outside Fairfax County because of a law passed in 2003.My bill, now law because it was adopted on an emergency basis, allows celebrants to perform ceremonies elsewhere. Richard Klein, who lives near Falls Church in the Ellison Heights-Mt Daniel community, suggested another proposal. He discovered that he could not lodge a claim against a credit card company because the place of the transaction (purchase) was in dispute. My bill H.B. 1189 solved that problem by stipulating that the most recent address registered with the credit card company was the official address for the purpose of any claims. A constituent living on Great Falls Street in McLean suggested the third measure. He found that a cable installer had dug under his yard, damaging his driveway and shrubbery. He found no satisfaction from VDOT even though the company held a VDOT permit. The Attorney General opined that, because the cable had not been installed in the VDOT right-of-way, VDOT could take no enforcement action. My H.B. 1194 requires future cable installation applicants to notify adjacent property owners and gives VDOT clear authority to take action against the installer if the installer does not satisfactorily deal with adjacent homeowner’s complaint. My ophthalmologist brought another problem to my attention. He explained that many elderly citizens with poor eyesight were having their driver’s licenses renewed inappropriately. My bill made it clear that anyone over the age of 80 must have an eye test before having their license renewed. Since several bills addressed the same issue, my bill, among others, was incorporated in Delegate Dwight Jones’ bill. Similarly, a bill I introduced at the request of a special task force on impaired drivers established by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. The task force recommended that the third drunk driving conviction by a driver of a motor vehicle should result in the forfeiture of the driver’s vehicle. No such action would be taken if the offender was not the driver. Emergency notification bill carried overAfter the difficulties experienced by area local governments during Isabel, I introduced a bill to make it clear that localities have the power to require the presence of utility representatives in emergency operations centers (EOC’s) after a declaration of emergency issued by the Governor. The bill was carried over for further review and action.Electricity rate cap continuesSenate Bill 651 extends the electricity rate cap until 2010, and encourages competition among electricity providers. In contrast to Maryland where the rate caps were not continued and rates are projected to increase significantly, Virginia consumers’ electric rates will be frozen for at least 5 ½ years except for a one-time opportunity for electricity providers to claim relief from extraordinary fuel price increases. Any such request would be subject to the approval of the Virginia State Corporation Commission. |
Local & Regional News & Commentary
General News & Commentary
Arts & Entertainment
Sports
