2008 Republican Legislative Agenda (recently updated)

Looking ahead to an even better, safer, more prosperous and opportunity filled future, House and Senate Republicans in the General Assembly are championing a forward-looking agenda for governing that builds on their past accomplishments. Their positive vision – consisting of over 15 common sense conservative policy proposals – covers a range of issues that will improve the everyday lives and livelihoods of hard-working, tax-paying and law-abiding Virginians and their families.

The bills below represent the core legislative package being advanced by Republicans in the 2008 General Assembly:

Education / School Construction

Creating a permanent, perpetual School Construction Revolving Fund to better assist local school districts in financing construction and renovation. Leveraging innovative public-private financing and expertise will help build needed classrooms faster, at lower costs and in a more dynamic way. HB 923/ SB 780

Property Taxes

Creating a 20% homestead exemption on primary residences. A constitutional amendment (SJ 354, 2006) sponsored by a Republican lawmaker would authorize the General Assembly to enact legislation that will allow localities to exempt up to 20 percent of the value of residential or farm property that is the owner/occupant's primary dwelling. This amendment has already cleared its first hurdle, having secured the first of two constitutionally required approvals by the General Assembly. HJ 4
Requiring that local governments determine tax rates before authorizing a spending plan. Currently, state law requires local governments have to vote only if the rate increases, even if a reduction still results in higher revenue collections. By enacting this reform, local governments would have to justify the tax rate and the revenues produced by it before adopting a spending plan. HB 927/ SB 783
Increasing transparency in assessment process. With this measure, the previous year's assessment and rate, as well as the rate that would result in flat revenue and the proposed new rate, would be added to the public notice requirements. HB 1009/ SB 779
Transferring the burden of proof for assessment increases to local government when increases exceed 20 percent. Currently, homeowners have to prove that an assessment hike is unjustified. This measure would place that burden on local government when an assessment increase exceeds 20 percent n a single year. HB 602/ SB 789

Mental Health Services

Refining the standard for involuntary commitment, making it more understandable and comprehensive, including criteria for those persons who evidence a likelihood of future danger to self or others. The impetus for this change arose out of the tragedies at Virginia Tech in April 2007. The new standard would allow the detention of individuals known to be a danger to themselves or others, but are not at the exact time of their involuntary commitment hearing. This change will end the deficient application of the current standard of "imminent danger to self and others," ensuring the most serious cases of mental illness will be handled correctly and not fall through the system. The members of the House Health, Welfare and Institutions and Senate Education and Health Committees and the Courts of Justice Committees of both bodies will develop appropriate language that properly balances public safety with protections of individual liberty. HB 499/ SB 106
Expressly requiring a representative of the local Community Service Board (CSB) to attend all commitment hearings for their clients. According to a study completed by the Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice's Commission on Mental Health Law Reform, CSB representatives only attended one-half of the commitment hearings held in May 2007. Enacting this change will ensure the intent of the Code of Virginia is clear and ensure this critical step in the commitment process has sufficient accountability and directly attributable responsibility. HB 560/ SB 769
Expanding the successful implementation of crisis stabilizations units throughout the Commonwealth to improve access for those patients in greatest need. Increasing the number of crisis stabilization units will provide important access to individuals in emergency situations. These units were created by an initiative championed by General Assembly Republicans. Seven were instituted in 2004, with two additional units added through continued Republican leadership in the 2006-2008 state budget. Still, major populations being served by CSBs with significant case loads do not have access to these vital centers. (Budget Amendments)

State Budget / Transportation

Maintaining the $180 million appropriated for transportation construction by the General Assembly in 2007 and diverted by the Governor in his introduced budget. Critical transportation projects that ease congestion and increase the flow of commerce in the Commonwealth cannot afford further delay. (Budget Amendments)

Health Care Reform

Increasing access to health care service in underserved areas of the Commonwealth. The plan includes provisions to partner with Virginia’s higher education system to increase the number of medical residents assigned to underserved areas of Virginia, many of which are rural communities. In addition, the plan calls for continuing to increase the number of free clinics and community health centers that serve low-income and uninsured Virginians. (Budget Amendments)
Decreasing the reliance on Emergency Room facilities by encouraging the use of primary care physicians. By offering incentives to primary care physicians to increase the number of Medicaid patients served and by providing increased reimbursement rates for hospitals with primary care physician practices on facility grounds, access will be improved and the use of costly Emergency Room care reduced. (Budget Amendments)

Illegal Immigration

Mandating that all local Sheriffs, upon a lawful arrest for a crime, confirm that person's legal presence in the United States using the nationwide databases of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This change will streamline and strengthen statewide immigration enforcement. HB 623
Ensuring that at least one person on duty in every jail at all times has been certified under federal 287(g) authority (named for the section of federal law that allows more effective cooperation between federal immigration officials and state and local governments). This change means that, upon a positive identification of an illegal alien, there will be a person with federal authority readily available to detain and begin deportation proceedings, after that individual has served his or her sentence. HB 103/ SB 609
Creating a presumption of no bail for any person who has been charged with an offense punishable by jail or prison time and who has been determined (through ICE databases) to be illegally present in the United States. This change will help stop controversial "catch and release" activities, one of the primary ways criminal illegal aliens currently pass through existing government systems unchecked. HB 440/ SB 623
Making a federal conviction for hiring illegal aliens grounds for suspension of a business license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. This change will serve as an effective deterrent to the unlawful hiring of illegal aliens. HB 926/ SB 782
Prohibiting illegal aliens from attending Virginia public institutions of higher education, unless they have a valid student visa. Recognizing that college entrance slots are fixed and limited, this change will preserve state benefits for in-state students and their families. HB 123/ SB 781