It didn’t get very far in 2023, but a local member of the General Assembly has brought back a proposal requiring all school systems across the commonwealth to have a student representative.
The bill, HB 958, is patroned by Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington), and is similar in scope to one he introduced in last year’s session.
That bill died in a House of Delegates subcommittee.
Like the 2023 measure, Lopez’s bill, if it were to become law, leaves in the hands of individual localities many of the implementation details, including whether the student position would be elected or appointed; the term of office; whether the student representative would have voting power; whether there would be term limits; and whether the student would draw a salary.
Currently, school districts across the commonwealth have the option of having a School Board representative. Locally, Fairfax for more than a half-century has had one (selected by the countywide Student Advisory Council), while Arlington never has. Initially, the Fairfax student member had voting powers, but they later were stripped.
Under Lopez’s bill, the student representative would not need to be 18 years or older, or a U.S. citizen, unless the position is popularly elected.
Where the bill goes, nobody knows – last year it was killed by Republicans, who then controlled the lower body of the legislature. While Democrats now are in control, the measure is likely to run into under-the-radar opposition from the more than 130 local school districts across the commonwealth.
Delegate from McLean Wants Local Option to Ban Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers: A local member of the House of Delegates wants to give Virginia localities the authority to regulate or ban gas-powered leaf blowers in their jurisdictions.
The measure was filed Jan. 9 by Del. Rip Sullivan (D-McLean). It also would provide localities with the power to fine those who use gas blowers once they have been banned, although it does not set a minimum or maximum fine amount.
The bill is HB 644.
On the state Senate side, Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-Vienna-Tysons-McLean-Falls Church) has introduced similar legislation. The bill is SB 305.
Legislation Aims to Give Localities More Power to Regulate Towing: A General Assembly member from Arlington is patroning legislation that will close a loophole and make it easier for Northern Virginia localities to regulate towing companies.
Current towing regulations handed down from the state level limit the powers of jurisdictions in Planning District 8 (Northern Virginia) to require operating certificates for towing companies that both are located in, and store vehicles in, that specific locality.
Whether that was the intent of the legislature when it made the rules years ago is unclear, but legislation from Del. Adele McClure (D-Arlington) would remove that restriction, giving localities the power to regulate those towing firms the same as they can for those who are located or store vehicles outside the jurisdiction.
The measure (House Bill 1827) is supported by Arlington’s Trespass Towing Advisory Board.
Existing state law already gives localities plentiful regulatory power over towing operators in other areas.
Delegate Seeks Advisory Panel to Help Set Towing Rates: A member of the House of Delegates has submitted legislation creating a state advisory panel to propose trespass-towing fees across the commonwealth, and as part of the bill would increase the maximum allowable fee for towing vehicles that are parked improperly.
Del. Delores McQuinn (D-Richmond) has proposed establishment of the Commonwealth Trespass Towing Rate-Setting Advisory Panel, to include membership drawn from the executive and legislative branches of the state government, representatives from local governments and participation from members of Virginia’s towing associations.
The committee would report its findings to the governor and legislature each year.
As part of McQuinn’s bill, the current $150 maximum for statewide hookup and initial towing of vehicles would rise to $190. Surcharges for tows that take place at night or weekends and holidays also would increase.
The bill also would remove from the Code of Virginia specific language that guides Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg-area localities in setting towing fees and politicies.
The measure is HB 421.
On the other side of the Virginia Capitol, legislation patroned by state Sen. Mark Peake (R-Lynchburg) aims to cut the existing maximum hookup and initial towing fee from $150 to $50 statewide, and would prohibit local-government bodies from imposing higher amounts.
Peake’s bill is SB 66.
Legislator Seeks More Regulation of Tow-Truck Drivers: Tow-truck drivers across the commonwealth would be required to obtain a state operating certificate, complete a drug test and take educational courses before being allowed to hook up vehicles, under a bill introduced by a member of the House of Delegates.
HB 662, patroned by Del. Joshua Cole (D-Fredericksburg) would if enacted into law and have an delayed effective date of Jan. 1, 2025.
Arlington Legislator Wants Honeybee to Get Its Due: If a local member of the General Assembly gets his way, the noble and environmentally vital honeybee will be named Virginia’s official state pollinator.
Del. Patrick Hope (D-Arlington) has introduced HB 117, which will add the honeybee (Apis mellifera) to the roster of the Old Dominion’s official this-and-thats.
If the bill makes it into law, the honeybee will join the likes of the American foxhound (Virginia’s official dog), Northern cardinal (bird), Eastern garter snake (snake), American dogwood (tree), Chincoteague pony (pony), tiger swallowtail butterfly (insect), brook trout (freshwater fish) and striped bass (saltwater fish).
Freshmen Get Their Assignments: The General Assembly is now in session, and freshman legislators from the local area have received their committee assignments.
There are only two newbies in the GazetteLeader’s coverage area:
• State Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-Vienna-Tysons-McLean-Falls Church) was named to the Agriculture and Natural Resources, Privileges and Elections, and Rehabilitation and Social Services committees in the upper house.
• Del. Adele McClure (D-Arlington) was tapped for the General Laws, Public Safety and Transportation committees in the lower house.
