NEWSLETTER
GREETINGS FROM RICHMOND
Greetings!
We have finished the third week of the 2020 legislative session. This week was special because it was the first time I chaired the Natural Resources Subcommittee. I am honored to have this opportunity and look forward to working with Chairman Plum and my colleagues this session. You can view a livestream of the Natural Resources Subcommittee and other select committee and subcommittee meetings here.
As always, if I can be of any assistance, please email me at DelKTran@house.virginia.gov or call (804) 698-1042.
Cheers, Kathy
Survey Reminder
At 11:59pm tonight, January 26, I will close my 2020 Legislative Session Survey. My team and I have been reviewing the priorities of constituents in the 42nd District, and I really appreciate you taking the time to share your input.
Legislation and Budget Requests
The legislative process began in earnest this week as hundreds of bills were heard in subcommittees and full committees, including several of mine. Below are updates on the bills and budget amendments I have introduced.
This session, I introduced 18 amendments to the Governor’s introduced biennial budget. On Wednesday, the House Committee on Appropriations heard testimony about budget amendments, and I appreciate Hillary, Teresa, and Pat, my constituents, as well as Julia from SEIU, for coming to testify about some of my requests. These include critical investments for Mason Neck State Park and the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial, both located in the 42nd District; overtime pay for home health care workers who assist people with disabilities; and an exemption for live-in caretakers from using the Electronic Visit Verification Program.
House Bill 1142 - This bill restricts access to alcohol for attendees at public K-12 school sponsored events hosted at non-school facilities. It was reported unanimously from the General Laws ABC/Gaming Subcommittee and the full Committee on General Laws. Many thanks to Kyle, my constituent, for bringing his concerns about this issue to me.
House Bill 1217 - This bill directs the Virginia Department of Transportation to study and develop recommendations to address road and bridges in Planning District 8, which includes the 42nd District, that are deteriorating because of frequent flooding. The bill passed the Transportation Systems Subcommittee on a 7-4 vote. I have heard from Mason Neck constituents regarding the frequent closure of the bridge at Old Colchester Road and Hassett Road due to flooding, and this bill will help develop recommendations to address the concerns in the community. Thank you to my constituents, John and Annie, for quickly sending pictures of flooding at the bridge so that I could use them during the bill hearing.
House Bill 1200 - This bill extends anti-discrimination protections based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including lactation, or age to all employers. This bill was rolled into the Virginia Values Act sponsored by Delegate Mark Sickles. The Virginia Values Act modernizes our Commonwealth’s human rights laws and adds protections for LGBTQ people in employment and housing. I look forward to working with Delegate Sickles to make progress on this important issue.
House Bill 1209 - This bill would create an Office of New Americans to assist with immigrant integration so that immigrants and refugees can thrive in Virginia and continue to strengthen our social, economic, and cultural fabric. The bill unanimously passed the Health, Welfare, and Institutions (HWI) Social Services Subcommittee. I appreciated staff from the International Rescue Committee and Church World Service that came to testify in support of this bill.
House Bill 1141 - This bill would clean up sections of our Code to align with federal and state laws that prohibit preexisting conditions from being used when considering health coverage. It passed unanimously from the Labor and Commerce Subcommittee #2.
House Bill 1206 - This bill would provide compensation for attorneys appointed as a guardian ad litem in Circuit Court when the compensation is not currently otherwise allowed. The bill unanimously passed the Court of Justice-Civil Subcommittee. Many thanks to Vanessa, a constituent who brought this to my attention because of her experience in private practice and appointments as a GAL, for coming to Richmond to testify in subcommittee. I am grateful for her advocacy and bringing light to this important issue.
House Bill 1222 - This bill would allow individuals living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities to use certain expired IDs when getting their documents notarized. It passed unanimously from the Courts of Justice-Civil Subcommittee. Thanks to Daniel, a constituent, for sharing his experience as a notary and seeing the challenges some seniors in our community face.
Constituent Meetings
This week, my staff and I met with constituents who came to Richmond to advocate for gun safety laws, raising the minimum wage, fighting climate change, and expanding access to paid family leave.
I was honored to introduce Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action (VCCA) from the House of Delegates Gallery. A group of more than 300 health care professionals, VCCA was in Richmond to discuss the negative public health impacts that climate change is having on our communities and to push Virginia to take bold action. Among the visitors were constituents and practitioners in the 42nd District.
I also had the opportunity to catch up with Scott Stroh, Executive Director of Gunston Hall, while he was in Richmond. This year, I introduced three budget amendments to support ongoing projects at Gunston Hall, a historical treasure in the 42nd District.
Lastly, thank you to everyone who attended my Springfield Town Hall yesterday, January 25, with Senators Marsden and Barker. We enjoyed providing a legislative update to constituents and listening to issues that are important to them.