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Not many years ago, automobile manufacturers touted how their vehicles were "tested" before leaving the factory. To highlight this, television commercials would show a car being driven around a track or on a special obstacle course, demonstrating how the manufacturer confirmed the quality of their products.
The legislative equivalent to the automotive test track is the committee system. Before lawmakers send a bill to Governor McDonnell for his consideration, it has been reviewed a minimum of four times by the General Assembly.
After a legislator files a bill, it is assigned to a standing committee. There are 11 standing committees in the Senate, most of which consist of 15 Senators. Each of the committees specializes in limited areas of legislation, allowing their members to gain greater familiarity with the intricate details of bills. For example, all legislation related to the budget or taxes are sent to the Senate Finance Committee, while the bills dealing with environmental issues and agriculture are assigned to the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee.
In the Senate this year, bills are being considered and voted on by a full committee. That's a change from last year, when special subcommittees consisting of a handful of Senators that could stop legislation from even being heard. Committees that continue to use subcommittees have the Senators on them review bills to make a recommendation to the full committee. But even when a bill does not get a favorable recommendation from the subcommittee, it is still presented to the full committee, thereby ensuring it receives a hearing.
If a bill is approved by the full committee, it goes to the entire Senate for a vote. Then it's off to the House of Delegates, where it will again be assigned to a committee and, if favorably reviewed, to the full House. That is a minimum of four times that a bill must receive a favorable vote before it goes to the Governor for his consideration. That's the legislative version of quality control. |
| 2012 Legislative Survey | | |
Please make me aware of your priorities during the 2012 General Assembly session. Click HERE to take my survey. I look forward to your response. |
| Legislation | | |
Some of my bills have already made it through the first half of our quality control process and are headed for the House of Delegates. Others are still making their way through the Senate and its committee system.
I am pleased to report that my legislation to add transparency and accountability to the budget process, Senate Bill 267, was passed unanimously by the Senate. My colleagues in the House of Delegates will now have the opportunity to review this bill.
Senate Bill 411, a reform bill, will consolidate, eliminate, and alter various powers and duties of the Virginia Fire Services Board, the Forensic Science Board, and the State Board of Juvenile Justice regarding regulations, reporting, oversight, and the policy-making functions of the boards. This bill was reported from the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee and will be voted on by the full Senate on Monday, February 6.
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| Mark Your Calendar for Constituent Day! | | |
Due to popular demand, we are again hosting constituent day this year. We will offer complimentary breakfast and lunch, a guided tour of the Capitol, and opportunities to hear from elected officials and other political leaders.
When: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
February 22 or March 1
(select the date on which you can attend)
Where: General Assembly Building & Capitol
Richmond, VA
RSVP: Space is limited, so please reply promptly! When RSVPing, please indicate the date on which you can attend.
A detailed agenda will be forthcoming. |
| Commemorative Session | | |
From time to time, the General Assembly goes to Williamsburg for a ceremonial session in the restored Capitol. Virginia's Capitol moved to Richmond during the Revolutionary War, but, beginning in the 1930s, the General Assembly began a tradition of taking a legislative field trip to the Colonial Capitol for special commemorative sessions. This was the 25th ceremonial session in Williamsburg.
These ceremonial sessions are now scheduled to occur every four years, but they have been held more frequently during the last decade. That's because we've had a lot to commemorate lately.
The General Assembly met in Williamsburg in 2006 for Governor Kaine's Inauguration as the Capitol building in Richmond was undergoing renovations. Legislators were back the next year, meeting at Jamestown for the opening day of session to initiate the 2007 commemorations. Then, it was back to Williamsburg again in 2008 for the regular quadrennial ceremonial session.
This year's ceremonial session was part of Virginia's commemoration of the 150th anniversary (sesquicentennial) of the Civil War. In addition to holding a brief session, lawmakers listened to an informative lecture by James I. Robertson, Jr., who serves as director of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies. |
| Visitors | | |
America's most prominent weather forecasting rodent, Punxsutawney Phil, may have seen his shadow this week, but we have yet to see anything close to winter conditions in Richmond this session. With temperatures that actually made it into the seventies and beautiful sunny days, we had a steady stream of visitors this week.
Among our many guests this week were Barbara Worthen and Linda Rice from the League of Women Voters, James City School Board members Elise Emanuel, Heather Cordasco, and Ruth Larsen, our former intern Lizzie Madison, and Delegate Mike Watson's son Cody. Thank you for stopping by our office! |
| Please visit us in Richmond! | |
We are now working in our office in the General Assembly Building in Richmond. If you are in town, please visit our office in Room 621. You can reach me or my legislative assistant, Amanda Johnston, by phone at 804-698-7503, email at district03@senate.virginia.gov or by mail at
Senate of Virginia
P.O. Box 396
Richmond, VA 23218-0396 |
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Very truly yours,
Senator Tommy Norment |
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Paid for and Authorized by Friends of Tommy Norment. | |
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