For the second week in a row, the weather became a main topic of discussion at Mr. Jefferson's Capitol. As it turns out, we might have paid more heed to events some 300 miles north in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. There, America's most prominent weather forecasting rodent, groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow and proclaimed six more weeks of winter. And he was right.
The arrival of a record breaking snow storm affecting about two-thirds of the state caused General Assembly members to return home for the weekend a day early. The House cancelled Friday's session and the Senate held a "pro-forma" session, one in which just two members - both from the Richmond area - participated. The goal was to get legislators and staff members home (and off the roads) safe and sound.
Even with a slightly shortened week, legislation is making its way through the General Assembly at a brisk pace. This year though, there are fewer pieces of legislation to consider. Members of the House of Delegates filed 1,386 bills this session, while our Senate counterparts filed 735. That works out to an average of about 14 bills per delegate and about 18 per senator.
Though that may seem like a lot, the total actually represents a reduction in the number compared to the last "long", or 60-day, session held in 2008. That year, the average delegate filed 16 bills and the average senator 20. Overall, 12% fewer bills were filed in the House of Delegates and 8% fewer in the Senate.
While there may be many reasons for the reduction in bills, one in particular is worth noting. The current budget situation, with the Commonwealth having less money to allocate, directly affects the number of bills that can be passed. Considering this, legislators were less likely to file legislation that would cost money. In most cases this year, those bills that would increase state spending (referred to here as "having a fiscal impact") have been carried over to next year's session for consideration or defeated outright.
MY LEGISLATION
My own legislation has been progressing through the House. By request of the Virginia Land Title Association, House Bill 715 passed by a vote of 98-0 and provides for title insurance companies to exercise the authority that settlement agents currently possess to release the lien of a deed of trust and authorizes a settlement agent to release a deed of trust lien upon written confirmation from the lien creditor that such obligation has a zero balance. In the instance that a lender and settlement agent each have gone out of business during the life a loan, this measure gives the title company the authority to release the lien upon receipt of evidence that all requirements of the loan have been met and that the loan is paid in full. Without this legislation, property owners must either pay an attorney to have the lien judicially released, or file a claim on their policy of title insurance. The bill will allow title issues to be resolved with less time and money passing a savings along to the individual consumer.
Another measure, House Bill 714 passed. This bill clarifies that, in the event of a foreclosure sale, which are more frequent in this economy, a trustee shall cause the proceeds of the sale to be applied to the payment of taxes on the property. Simply put, a Trustee's Deed is a deed of foreclosure; a Trustee's Deed is prepared after the foreclosure sale of a property and recorded in the land records of the county in which the property is located. The Trustee's Deed transfers the property to the buyer who purchased the foreclosed property. Peace's bill requires that proceeds of the sale of a foreclosed property go toward paying the taxes.
Also passing by a vote of 98-0 this week was House Bill 719, a measure which establishes in the Code of Virginia a Uniform Durable Power of Attorney that was adopted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in 2006. Powers of attorney will be dealt with in a uniform manner and portability and acceptance of powers of attorney will be improved as well as the protection of incapacitated principals. The original Uniform Durable Power of Attorney Act, last amended in 1987, was at one time followed by all but a few jurisdictions. Despite initial uniformity, the study found that a majority of states had enacted non-uniform provisions to deal with specific matters upon which the Uniform Durable Power of Attorney Act is silent. These legal reform measures will be heard in the Senate of Virginia.
My bill, House Bill 710 passed unanimously. This health care transparency act aims to foster competition among health care providers and increase consumer choice with regard to their health services.
By ranking health care providers and making this important consumer information available to the public, patients can make an informed health care decision based upon a provider's record of treatment outcomes. Improving patient care could result in reduced healthcare costs.
The bill specifically requires the Department of Health to take steps to increase public awareness of the data and valuable information available from Virginia Health Information (VHI), a nonprofit organization charged with compiling, storing, analyzing, and evaluating data submitted by health care providers. VHI has developed a system of ranking or grading health care providers and making such rankings available to the public. Consumers can use the data and information when making decisions about health care providers and services.
The Department will prominently display a link to the VHI website at http://www.vhi.org/, information about accessing and searching data available through the nonprofit organization's website, and information about how consumers can use data available through the nonprofit organization's website to evaluate and make decisions about health care providers and services on the Department's website.
Virginia Health Information began its efforts in 1993 with passage of the Patient Level Database System Act. Virginia Health Information is the organization recognized as the source for health data reporting in Virginia. VHI is a one-stop shop for information on: Assisted Living Facilities; Continuing Care Retirement Communities; HMOs; Home Care Providers; Hospitals; Nursing Facilities; Physicians; And other providers.
VHI works with private organizations and public bodies to use health data to meet the varied needs of the citizens of the Commonwealth. Whether it is private programs to recognize and reward hospitals improving patient safety or helping senior citizens find needed care, VHI is working with groups to cost-effectively use health data to improve care and save lives. Delegate Peace recommends contacting VHI for more information toll free 1-877-VHI-INFO (844-4636) or at their website http://www.vhi.org/.
Also passing the House this week, was House Bill 718, a measure to require the Governor, working with the Department of Social Services and other appropriate executive branch agencies, to develop a plan to reduce the number of children in foster care by 25 percent by 2020 passed by a vote of 91-0. An increase in the number of safe and permanent placements of children with families, promotes healthy families and future positive outcomes for children in foster care. The plan shall provide for the placement of children currently in foster care or children entering foster care in safe, appropriate, permanent living arrangements.
Safely reducing the number of children in foster care by 25 percent by the year 2020 will produce a cost savings to taxpayers by employing strategies and practices that strengthen families and improve our child welfare system. By not having the government raise our children, we will also see an increase in the well-being and self-sufficiency of children in foster care. Ensuring they have access to a quality education, employment and mental health services will boost success stories.
VISITORS
Last weekend's snow storm discouraged resulted in fewer visitors early last week, but many hearty soles still ventured out, often wearing footwear suitable for navigating Richmond's snowy and slushy streets. This week we saw Levetta Nesbitt and Jowanda Rollins of the Virginia Education Association, Michael Powell, Charita Mariner of Healthy Families, Kate Hanger of Lanexa, Chris Hubbard of King William, Tiara Davis of Sandston, Melanie Martin of Quinton, Bob Winsor of Lanexa, Robert Royall of VA Water Well Association, Chad Kelso of Ruther Glen, Ron Thompson of St. Stephens Church, Clay Roberts of Colonial Farm Credit, Robert Mills, Anne Melton, and John Szewczyk of VA Professional Educators, David Sisk of New Kent, and Susan Lewandowski of Beaverdam.
****Please forgive us if we have misspelled your name; some signatures in our guest book may be hard to decipher
CONTACT ME
The week ahead is usually has the longest and most hectic days of the session, as the House and Senate work to finish considering legislation filed by their respective members. Even if you can't come to Richmond, you can still see the progress of debate. The House of Delegates sessions are available for viewing live on the Internet at www.legis.virginia.gov . Just click on the link that says "House video" and you can watch the proceedings on the House floor live. And there's a link to watch the Senate on the same page, if you'd prefer watching their session.
If you want to let us know about an issue that concerns you, contact us here by sending an e-mail to Delcpeace@house.virginia.gov. You can also call the General Assembly's toll-free Constituent Viewpoint Hotline at 1.800.889.0229 to let me know your opinion on an issue or piece of legislation of concern to you.
With an especially wintry winter underway, I hope you stay warm and safe this week. Watch for my column in this same place next week.
