What do local legislators have up their sleeves for this year's General Assembly session that convenes Wednesday? Not much so far.
Of the 20 legislators who represent the Richmond area, only seven had introduced bills as of Sunday. But a few of those are noteworthy — particularly one from Sen. Stephen H. Martin, R-Chesterfield, that would alter the state's voter identification laws.
As written, the bill would eliminate voter registration cards as an allowable form of identification at the polls. Martin said Friday that he plans to strike that, noting that photo ID is required when an individual receives a registration card.
The legislation also would scratch the current provision that allows voters to sign a sworn statement that they are who they claim to be if unable to produce proper records. Instead, they would cast a provisional ballot.
"I think we should know who it is that's voting and that there's no fraud involved," he said.
Legislators have until Jan. 20 to file most bills. In an average year, thousands of bills are entered and considered.
Here's a look at some other bills filed by local legislators:
- Del. Riley E. Ingram, R-Hopewell, has introduced a bill that would allow local governments to exclude jail and prison populations when drawing local districts. The bill would allow the exclusion of any federal, regional or state adult correctional facility that exceeds 12 percent of the ideal population of an election district for the locality.
- Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, D-Henrico, has rolled out a number of bills that hit on everything from cigarettes and littering to plastic bags and the school calendar.
One of Morrissey's bills would include cigarettes as litter, making improperly disposing of cigarette butts in public punishable by a Class 1 misdemeanor or community service and a $100 fine payable to the Litter Control and Recycling Fund. Another of his bills would make it illegal to smoke in a vehicle with a child younger than 13 present, punishable by a $100 fine.
Morrissey also wants to impose a 20-cent tax on plastic bags used by grocery and convenience stores. That bill would exempt "durable, reusable plastic bags and bags used for ice cream, meat, fish, poultry, leftover restaurant food, newspapers, dry cleaning and prescription drugs."
Finally, another Morrissey bill would eliminate the post-Labor Day opening requirement for public schools, making local school boards responsible for setting the school calendar and determining the opening date.
- Del. G. Manoli Loupassi, R-Richmond, has introduced legislation that would equalize Richmond Metropolitan Authority board representation among the city of Richmond, Chesterfield County and Henrico County, changing the total number of board members from 11 to 10.
Currently, Chesterfield and Henrico each have two representatives on the board while Richmond has six. Under the legislation, each would have three and the Commonwealth Transportation Board's one member would remain.
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