Legislation     
               Hot Issues 2008

 

Letter to Homeowners

Homeowners Survey

 

Insurance Petition 2007 Hot Issue

How a Bill Becomes A Law

A Delegate or Senator has an idea for a bill, usually from a constituent.

 

  • He or she presents the idea to the Division of Legislative Services and requests that it be drafted into a bill. The bill is signed by the patron, introduced, and printed.
  • The bill is referred to an appropriate committee. The members of the committee consider the bill and decide what action to take. This is when the public may speak.
  • First Reading: The bill title is printed in the Calendar or is read by the Clerk, and the bill advances to second reading.
  • Second Reading: The next day the bill title appears in the printed Calendar on second reading. Bills are considered in the order in which they appear on the Calendar. The Clerk reads the title of the bill a second time. A bill on second reading is amendable and debatable. A bill that has passed second reading with or without an amendment is engrossed. If an amendment is adopted, the bill is reprinted in its final form for passage.
  • Third Reading: The next day, the engrossed bill title appears in the Calendar on third reading. The title is read a third time by the Clerk. By recorded vote, the bill is passed or failed.
  • Communication: When passed, the bill is sent to the other body, either by the Clerk in a written communication or by a member in person, informing the other body that the bill has passed.
  • In the other body: The bill goes through essentially the same procedure as it did in the house of origin. The bill title is printed in the Calendar or is read by the Clerk. The bill is referred to a standing committee, considered, and reported by the committee. The title is read a second and a third time before passage.
  • Committee of Conference: If the House amends a Senate bill, or the Senate amends a House bill, and the house of origin disagrees with the amendment, a conference committee, usually three members from each legislative body, may be formed to resolve differences.

Enrollment: After being passed by both houses of the General Assembly, the bill is printed as an enrolled bill, examined, and signed by the presiding officer of each chamber.

 

  •  Governor: The bill is then sent to the Governor for his approval. After being signed by the Governor, the bill is sent to the Clerk of the House (Keeper of the Rolls of the Commonwealth) and is assigned a chapter number. All chapters of a session are compiled and bound as the Acts of Assembly.

 Bills that become law at a regular session (or the reconvened session that follows) are effective the first day of July following adjournment of the regular session unless otherwise specified.

 

Public Policy Advocacy

Advocacy is a process by which you as an individual or as a member can speak up about issues of importance. When you want to share your opinion with your legislator here is information on How to Contact Your Legislator

When trying to call a U.S. Representative or Senator call the Capitol Switch board at 202 224-3121. You will be connected to the legislator’s Washington DC Office.

When writing a letter here is how it is to be addressed:
Senator:
The Honorable____________
Room #____________
U.S. Senate
Washington DC 20510 or
www.senate.gov

U.S. Representative:
The Honorable ___________
Room # _________________
U.S. House of Representative
Washington, DC 20510 or
www.house.gov
The White House:
President_______________
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington DC 20500 or
www.whitehouse.gov

General Phone Line:            202 456-1414
To register an opinion:         202 456-1111
To find out whether a bill is signed or vetoed (202) 456-2226

Please remember when writing a letter to make sure that it is neatly typed, it contains your name and address, reference both the bill’s title and number, and that it is brief and to the point. Always be courteous and respectful in your communication.

Take nothing for granted keep informed by knowing facts and get involved contact your state senator and member of the House of Delegates to let them know what matters to you. The General Assembly meets annually, beginning on the second Wednesday in January, for 60 days in even numbered years and for 30 days in odd-number years. The 2006 session began on January 11, to find out who your representatives are and how to reach them go to the website below.

http://legis.state.va.su/CitizensGuide/Contacting MyLegislator.htm

Big Thanks

On Behalf of the VAFCCA  and the Family Child Care Community, we want to say a  special “Thank You” to the following individuals:  Senator Creigh Deeds, Delegate Rob Bell, and their  respective aides, Delegate Terry Kilgore (who is well acquainted with the insurance industry), Sharon Veatch and John Governor, for their support in our advocacy efforts. Each one played a  vital role in getting us to  effectively navigate the legislative system with favorable results. These individuals took the time to access and validate Providers’ concerns in regards to the disclosure of limited liability insurance coverage requirement and Providers inability to secure adequate homeowners insurance. Each gave of their time and personal resources to help us deal with these insurance issues which affect  providers, working parents, children and the state  of Virginia. Delegate Kilgore and Delegate Bell agreed to write a letter to the Bureau of Insurance asking for a review of policies with regard to Family Child Care Providers inability to obtain insurance. Please take the time to send a personal note of “Thanks” to these individuals. Until the stated issues are resolved continue to send letters and emails to your elected representatives. Keep sending information and new updates to    Delegates Bell and Kilgore Email: