Here’s a round-up of what happened to some of the bills that C-VILLE was following this year. Some of these bills have yet to earn Governor Tim Kaine’s signature.
Illegal immigrants: Mostly failed
Even though more than 100 bills were introduced that pertain to immigrants, only a handful survived. HB1298 requires government contractors to verify the immigration status of its employees and sets up penalties if that rule is violated. HB440 makes the judicial system presume no bail for illegal immigrants. Among those that failed include SB441, which would have protected crime victims and witnesses from being asked about their immigration status.
 On the bills passed, sponsored by Charlottesville Delegate David Toscano, allows the city to create affordable housing requirements for buildings greater than one story. |
Development
Failed: City and county officials can sigh in relief. SB768, which would have dramatically altered the ways that localities and developers work together, didn’t make it out of committee in the House. It worried many of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors because it would have gutted the current “proffer” system, whereby developers give counties cash or public amenities in order to offset the infrastructure costs of new people and business. Had SB768 passed, Albemarle County would have been reduced to $7,500 or less per single family unit from roughly $17,000, though the new “impact fees” could have applied to the rural area development, which accounts for about 250 building permits a year.
Passed: Bills were approved that only affect Charlottesville or Albemarle. HB883, patroned by Charlottesville Delegate David Toscano, allows the city to create affordable housing requirements for buildings greater than one story. HB991, patroned by Albemarle Delegate Rob Bell, allows the county to create a transferable development rights (TDR) program where rights can be banked. It’s a crucial component to make a TDR plan workable.
Smoking ban: Failed
Cigarettes can continue to burn in Miller’s and other local restaurants that allow customers to light up. Several restaurant smoking bans died in subcommittee, the second year in a row that such measures have failed.
Capital punishment expansions: Failed
Governor Tim Kaine vetoed a bill, which passed both House and Senate, that would have allowed prosecutors to seek the death penalty for accomplices to murder even if they didn’t pull the trigger.
Payday Lending: Passed
In 2002, the General Assembly opened up the Commonwealth to payday lenders—“cash advance” companies that doled out small loans of up to $500 while charging annual interest rates in the hundreds. But many legislators have had heartburn about the decision since, and this year, the Senate and House passed a compromise bill that caps interest rates at 36 percent and creates a payday lending database. It goes into effect in January.
Driver fees: Repealed
If you’re taking out payday loans to cover that $2,000 “abusive diver” fee, then maybe you can get out of the lending cycle: The General Assembly repealed the fees and also opted to refund the money to those charged since they went into effect in July and created an angry backlash from across the Commonwealth.
