Delegates', senators' bills run the gamut

Legislators from the Richmond area have submitted bills this General Assembly session that touch on everything from mortgages to massages.

One wants more jail time for anyone who hits a teacher. Another is trying again to abolish the death penalty. Others want to crack down on unscrupulous mortgage lenders.

Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, D-Henrico, wants to allow someone convicted of a crime to have his criminal record expunged eight years later if he could show "that his opportunities for employment, education or professional licensure are prejudiced by the existence of the criminal record."

People convicted of violent felonies would not be eligible, among other exceptions.

"Americans are all about redemption," said Morrissey, who served as Richmond's commonwealth's attorney from 1989 to 1993.

"If a person's conduct and behavior over a long period of time . . . shows that they have been a model citizen, then yes we ought to reward that to the extent that we are expunging that felony or that misdemeanor."

Amid the souring economy, several lawmakers are proposing tax credits to aid Virginians.

In a bill backed by Attorney General Bob McDonnell, Del. R. Lee Ware Jr., R-Powhatan, wants to create a state tax credit of up to $250 per couple, $125 per individual, for anyone purchasing school supplies. The bill would apply to students at public or private schools, home-schoolers and all teachers.

Del. Christopher K. Peace, R-Hanover, wants to allow first-time homebuyers an income-tax credit of up to $2,500. It would have to be repaid in 10 years.

Service on the Virginia War Memorial Foundation Board prompted Del. William R. Janis, R-Henrico, to propose a constitutional amendment to allow fully disabled veterans to be exempt from the real estate property tax.

Janis also is co-sponsoring a bill to encourage small businesses that employ fewer than 50 people to set up retirement accounts for their employees.

"We have to try to help the private sector so we can get out of the recession as quickly as possible," he said.

Del. Jennifer L. McClellan, D-Richmond, and Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, are cooperating on a bill to bring more state regulation to mortgage brokers, who have been blamed, in part, for the mortgage crisis.

Sen. Ryan T. McDougle, R-Hanover, is proposing to change the state budget process. Currently, the two-year budgets begin in even-numbered years. This, in effect, precludes a Virginia governor from having much input in his last budget, because he leaves office while it is being considered by the legislature.

McDougle would change the budget cycle to odd-numbered years. McDougle says this would give Virginia's governors greater accountability.

A bill sponsored by Del. Riley E. Ingram, R-Hopewell, would increase from two to five days the mandatory minimum term of confinement of someone convicted of battery of a teacher, principal, assistant principal or guidance counselor.

Sen. Stephen H. Martin, R-Chesterfield, is seeking the creation of an Advisory Board on Massage Therapy. It would help the Board of Nursing carry out provisions regarding the qualifications, examination, registration, regulation and standards of professional conduct of massage therapists.

Several area lawmakers are offering bills that have become perennials.

Sen. Henry L. Marsh III, D-Richmond, wants to close the "gun-show loophole" that allows people to buy guns at a gun show without undergoing a criminal background check. The Virginia State Crime Commission on Tuesday deadlocked on whether to endorse such a proposal.

Del. Samuel A. Nixon Jr., R-Chesterfield, is again trying to expand the board of the Richmond Metropolitan Authority to allow more input from Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties. The RMA owns the Downtown Expressway, the Powhite Parkway, The Diamond, the Boulevard Bridge and several parking decks.

Under the proposal, Chesterfield and Henrico could increase their membership from one to three members, and Hanover would get one seat on the board.

And Del. Frank D. Hargrove Sr., R-Hanover, again will seek to abolish the death penalty. Hargrove, who once favored capital punishment, has tried since 2001 to abolish it.

Hargrove has said a term of life in prison would protect the public while avoiding the possibility of a wrongful execution arising from an "awful mistake."

Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.

Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6812 or omeola@timesdispatch.com.