Today, we are wrapping up the first of six weeks that make up the 2017 Virginia General Assembly session. Each January, our elected legislators convene in the Capitol to introduce, debate, and vote on potential policy change. To keep Network Partners and conservation supporters informed how these debates may influence our air, water, landscapes, and wildlife here in Virginia, Virginia Conservation Network will publish a weekly blog post throughout session highlighting the most notable bills and the status of those the conservation community has take positions on. Each week, we will also include upcoming events to add to your calendar, as well as noteworthy articles covering the Virginia General Assembly.
Bill tracker
The positions listed below have been taken by Virginia Conservation Network (VCN)’s Legislative Committee and Board of Directors and are supported by Virginia’s conservation community. To access talking points for these bills, simply click on the bill number.
[table “7” not found /]Mark your calendars!
Conservation Lobby Day | January 23 | Richmond, VA
Bills move fast in the Virginia General Assembly! Virginia Conservation (VCN) organizes Conservation Lobby Day to ensure a strong conservation voice is heard early in the legislative session. Volunteer advocates are invited to join professional staff of VCN Partners as we meet with state legislators and encourage them to support environmental policy advancements.
Featured Speakers
Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam
Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter
Conservation Lobby Day Information
Monday, January 23, 2017
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church | Richmond, VA
Tickets $25 (student discounts available) | Register today!
Please note: Registration closes Friday, January 20, 2017.
Public Health Festival
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters will be hosting a public health festival at the Unitarian Church in Norfolk on Saturday, January 28 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
The Hampton Roads region is seeing the impacts of climate change on public health matters like air and water quality at an expedient rate, so this event will serve as a resource with local community partners who can offer solutions to help protect families from the dangers of changing climates. Healthcare professionals will be on site to help answer questions and provide resources for community members. We will also be joined by local elected officials who can speak to the solutions most helpful in responding to threats to clean air and water in Hampton Roads.
Questions? Please contact Jennessa Agnew at jagnewlcv@gmail.com
New to the General Assembly process? Here is the quick summary on what you need to know.
The Virginia General Assembly—the oldest lawmaking body in the United States—is composed of two chambers: the State Senate and House of Delegates. Forty senators serve four-year terms, while one hundred delegates are re-elected every two years. Each chamber uses committees to review the many bills presented each year. Energy bills are typically presented before the Commerce and Labor Committees. Bills on rail, roads, and similar issues go before the Transportation Committees. Most other conservation issues stand before the Agriculture and Natural Resource Committees.
A bill must pass through a committee before being considered by the full chamber in a floor vote. It then crosses over into the other chamber to go through the same process. Once passed by both chambers, the bill goes to the Governor for signing. The Governor can amend or veto legislation. The Virginia General Assembly reconvenes each April for a veto session to accept or override the Governor’s actions.
Virginia has one of the shortest General Assembly sessions in the country. Forty-five days in short-sessions and sixty days in long-session. 2017 is a short session.