PENINSULA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

THE LEGISLATIVE LINE The Legislative Update from VPAR Number 1 January 20, 2020

The 2020 Session of the General Assembly of Virginia convened on Wednesday, January 8th. This “long,” 60-day Session sees a new Democrat majority in the House of Delegates (55 Democrats to 445 Republicans), a new Democrat majority in the Senate (21 Democrats to 19 Republicans) and a Democrat Administration…the first time since 1994 that both Chambers and the Executive Branch are led by the same party.

New majorities bring new leadership, and for the first time in Virginia’s history, the House of Delegates is led by a female, and the first time that the House has been led by a member of the Jewish faith. Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn assumed the gavel, assisted by another first: the first female Clerk of the House of Delegates, Suzette Denslow.

Leadership in both bodies is dominated by Northern Virginia legislators, as are committee chair positions, but Hampton Roads is fortunate to have some dominant members in leadership as well, particularly in the Senate:

Sen. , Portsmouth President Pro Tempore Chairwoman, Senate Committee on Education & Health

Sen. , Hampton Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Chairwoman, Senate Committee on Rules

Sen. , James City Senate Republican Minority Leader

Del. Cliff Hayes, Chesapeake Chairman, House Committee on Communications, Technology & Innovation

Del. Jeion Ward, Hampton Chairwoman, House Committee on Labor & Commerce

Del. Joe Lindsey Chairman, House Committee on Privileges & Elections

Sen. Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Government

We should note, too, that Del. Mike Mullin from Newport News is the Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Rules, one of the most important, and most powerful, committees in the legislature.

The weekly meeting of the Hampton Roads Caucus, which convenes each Thursday morning at 7:30 AM, never has been more widely attended, as legislators, business leaders and other regional influencers work to coalesce around important issues that impact our region and make Hampton Roads, the “757,” as competitive and relevant as Northern Virginia.

For the Virginia REALTORS®, our legislative agenda has begun to move through the subcommittee and committee process. We had a BIG win today in the Senate General Laws & Technology Committee, when our Association Health Plan bill, SB 235, reported unanimously on a 15-0 vote. This places the bill to be heard on the floor of the Senate within the week.

Below is a chart showing the status of our primary bills – those that were introduced at the Association’s request:

Virginia REALTORS® 2020 Legislative Agenda Status

Bill Patron Title Status

Association Health Reported from General Laws and Technology SB 235 Sen. George Barker Plans (15-Y 0-N) on 1/20

Association Health HB 795 Del. Chris Hurst Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce Plans

Referred to Committee on General Laws and SB 653 Sen. Rent Into Escrow Technology

Return of Security Expected full Senate vote on 1/21. Reported SB 388 Sen. Jeremy McPike Deposit from General Laws and Technology (14-Y 0-N)

Return of Security HB 594 Del. Jeff Bourne Referred to Committee on General Laws Deposit

Death/Disability of HB 513 Del. David Bulova Referred to Committee on General Laws Broker

Eviction Diversion HB 756 Del. Lashrecse Aird Referred to Committee on General Laws Program Fix

POA/COA Right of Reported from the House General Laws Housing HB 176 Del. Marcus Simon Recission Extension Subcommittee (8-Y 0-N) on 1/16

POA/COA Right of Referred to Committee on General Laws and SB 672 Sen. Monty Mason Recission Extension Technology

Removal of Restrictive Reported from the House General Laws Housing HB 788 Del. Lamont Bagby Covenants Subcommittee (8-Y 0-N) on 1/16

Also, here is a link to the primary bill list that covers all of the legislation that we are tracking, including those that we oppose, support, will amend, etc. https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A96a3e2fd-03c0-4bf5- b0a2-e0d0f59ee9b5

VPAR’s General Assembly Delegation Contact Information

Del. Emily Brewer, R-64th, Smithfield (804)698-1064 [email protected] Del. Martha Mugler, R-91st, Hampton (804) 698-1091 [email protected] Del. Keith Hodges, R-98th, Urbanna (804) 698-1098 [email protected] Del. Mike Mullin, D-93rd, Newport News (804) 698-1093 [email protected] Del. Amanda Batten, R-96th, Norge (804) 698-1096 [email protected] Del. Marcia “Cia” Price, D-95th, Newport News (804) 698-1095 [email protected] Del. Jeoin Ward, D-92nd, Hampton (804) 698-1092 [email protected] Del. Shelly Simonds, R-94th, Newport News (804) 698-1094 [email protected] Sen. Mamie Locke, D-2nd, Hampton (804) 698-7502 [email protected] Sen. Monty Mason, D-1st, Williamsburg (804) 698-7501 [email protected] Sen. Tommy Norment, R-3rd, James City (804) 698-7503 [email protected]

For additional information or other details, please contact Susan Gaston, VPAR’s Legislative Consultant, at 757-871-1445, or by e-mail at [email protected].