Area Lawmakers Set Session Goals

Lawmakers have returned to Richmond for the 2012 General Assembly.

Delegate Mark Cole (R-Fredericksburg) has introduced, among others, a bill which would completely cut a state Board of Health program which funds abortions for low-income women pregnant with a fetus believed to have incapacitating birth defects. This bill is awaiting a vote in the Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee.

Cole takes aim at abortion with a second bill requiring a pregnant woman to have an ultrasound exam before she can undergo an abortion. This bill is awaiting a vote in the Courts of Justice Committee.

Another Cole bill would amend Virginia's Freedom of Information Act to allow state governing bodies to withhold names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses contained in correspondence with elected officials unless the correspondence relates to an issue before the governing bodies. This bill is awaiting a vote before the General Laws Committee.

Cole also wants to make concealed handgun permit information confidential. This bill is awaiting a vote in the Courts of Justice Committee.

Another bill introduced by Cole would require Virginia's public school systems to determine the nationality and immigration status of all of their students and their parents. School systems will be required to use the information prepare a report on the impact of illegal immigrants and their children to send to the U.S. Department of Education to request reimbursement for the costs of educating those students. This bill is awaiting a vote in the House Education Committee.

Newcomer Senator Bryce Reeves (R-Spotsylvania) has so far introduced six bills, including two which would increase the value of property stolen to qualify as grand larceny.

Reeves, who campaigned on a platform of lower taxes, also introduced a bill which would apply state sales tax to public transportation companies.

Another Reeves bill removes the sunset clause on a sales tax exemption for textbooks.

The bills are all still awaiting their committee votes.

A full list of Cole's bills introduced for the 2012 session can be seen here.

A full list of Reeve's bills introduced for the 2012 session can be seen here.