We just hit Crossover yesterday, the halfway point for Virginia's 2018 Legislative Session. Since session started in early January, I've focused on the issues that will once again make Virginia #1 in the nation for business and job growth. Virginia needs to utilize new technology to modernize governmental operations, implement policies to make Virginia businesses more competitive, and grow job creation across the Commonwealth.
There have been over 2,000 bills and resolutions filed this session, and I'm excited to report that many of the bills I patroned have passed the House and are now being considered by the Senate. A few of them are:
HB 373 Multi-State Tax Commission; the Commonwealth to become associate member. Virginia may finally become a member of this Commission to help prevent other states from adopting policies that would negatively impact Virginia businesses. Every other state with a state income tax is a member, and after 3 years of working on this issue, I hope to report in March that Virginia will be also.
HB 1530 High schools; awarding student a diploma of achievement, etc.
Works to ensure that students who graduate with multiple years of manufacturing, robotics, or computer coding classes are recognized with the same "advanced" diploma as those students who graduate with multiple years of foreign language classes. Today, those students only qualify for a "standard" diploma.
In addition, a number of my other bills concerning
bold tax reform initiatives, controlling college tuition costs, and utilizing blockchain technology will be studied over the next year as we look to modernize our tax code, make higher education affordable for our students, and make our state record keeping and procurement processes more efficient and secure.
I was also Chief Co-Patron of HB 443, a bill to allow computer coding to replace a foreign language class for students with disabilities and English language learners that pass a second language proficiency exam. It is now being considered by the Senate.
Additionally, I was Chief Co-Patron of HB 1251, a bill to broaden the allowable medicinal uses for cannabidiol oil. I was the Patron of this bill last year and am excited to see it pass the House.
It's been an exciting and successful session so far, and I look forward to the next few weeks as we consider the Budget bills, review the bills passed by the Senate, and work to ensure passage of my bills by the Senate and onto the Governor for his signature.
