Requires the Department of Education to collaborate with the existing educational advisory committees in the Commonwealth that advise on student assessments to review multipart Standards of Learning assessment questions and determine the feasibility of awarding students partial credit for correct answers on one or more parts of such questions. The bill requires the Department to report its determination to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by November 1, 2017. The bill prohibits the Department from taking action regarding the awarding of partial credit prior to the 2018 Session of the General Assembly.
Changes the membership of the Hopewell Water Renewal Commission (the Commission) from a total of eight members appointed by the city council, five of whom are nominees of five manufacturers, to up to nine members, three of whom shall be a member of the city council, the city manager, and the city attorney, and the remainder of whom shall be appointed by the city council from nominees each submitted by a manufacturer who shall provide a capital contribution in an amount determined by the city council. The bill removes the city council's authority to provide for additional nominees to the Commission by manufacturers not involved in planning assistance and requires the Commission to assist in the maintenance and expansion of the city's regional wastewater treatment facility. This bill is identical to
Provides that it is the policy of the Commonwealth to promote and increase the employment of individuals with disabilities. To further this policy, the bill establishes a goal to increase by five percent the level of individuals with disabilities employed by state government by fiscal year 2023. The bill designates the Secretary of Administration to coordinate efforts to achieve the goal and requires the Secretary to establish a reporting system for tracking and reporting the progress of state agencies toward meeting the employment goals and to report annually on the number of individuals with disabilities employed by the state. The bill requires each state agency to submit a plan to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities to the Secretary no later than December 31, 2017, and each July 1 thereafter. This bill is identical to
Exempts from the public hearing requirement prior to disposal of real property by a locality the conveyance of utility easements related to transportation projects. This bill incorporates
Permits the nonjudicial sale of unimproved real property valued at less than $5,000 if taxes are delinquent for at least three years. The bill also permits the nonjudicial sale of real property valued at no less than $5,000 but no greater than $20,000 if taxes are delinquent for at least three years, the property is not subject to a recorded mortgage or deed of trust lien, and the property (i) is unimproved and measures less than 4,000 square feet; (ii) is unimproved and has been determined to be unsuitable for building (the bill expands the bases on which unsuitability may rest); (iii) has a structure on it that has been condemned by the local building official; (iv) has been declared a nuisance by the locality; (v) contains a derelict building; or (vi) has been declared to be blighted by the locality. The bill also modifies current law regarding notice of the sale, redemption of the property, and application of excess proceeds. Current law permits the nonjudicial sale of unimproved real property valued at less than $10,000 if taxes are delinquent for at least three years and the property (a) measures less than 4,000 square feet or (b) has been determined to be unsuitable for building.
Requires local departments of social services to collect from every applicant for public assistance alternative contact information, such as the applicant's email address and cell phone number, and the applicant's preferred method of contact, including direct mail, email, text message, or phone call. Under current law, local departments of social services are required to obtain only the applicant's best available address and telephone number.
Provides that when there is more than one independent candidate for an office, their names shall appear on the ballot in an order determined by the priority of time of filing all required paperwork for the office. In the event that two or more candidates file simultaneously, the order of filing is determined by lot by the electoral board. Currently, this order applies only to the names of candidates for school board, and the names of all other independent candidates appear alphabetically. This bill is identical to
Makes several changes to the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program, including adding requirements that (i) each student eligible for the Program receive a grant from the institution's appropriations for undergraduate student financial assistance before Commonwealth Award grants are awarded to students with equivalent remaining need, (ii) each eligible student receive a Program grant in an amount greater than Commonwealth Award grants awarded to students with equivalent remaining need, (iii) each eligible student receive a Program grant in an amount greater than the grant of each eligible student with equivalent remaining need in the next-lowest class level, and (iv) each Program grant be determined by a proportionate award schedule adopted by each institution and vary according to each student's remaining need and the total of tuition, fees, and other necessary charges, including books. This bill is identical to
Authorizes the Superintendent of State Police to provide, upon request, verification of the inspection status of a vehicle and to charge a reasonable fee for providing such information. Fees shall not be charged to government or other public entities. This bill is identical to
Authorizes issuance of bonds in an amount up to $13,637,000 for revenue-producing capital projects at institutions of higher education. The bill contains an emergency clause. This bill is identical to
References the specific Code section outlining the scope of a nurse practitioner's activities in the context of the current provision that authorizes a nurse practitioner to testify as an expert witness within the scope of his activities.
Provides that a candidate who has qualified to have his name printed on the ballot for an election is not deemed to have withdrawn from such election until he has submitted a signed written notice declaring his intent to withdraw and that notice has been received by the general registrar. The Department of Elections is required to include in its candidate guidance documents the requirements and process for candidate withdrawal. The bill also provides that when ballots are not corrected to delete a candidate's name, the general registrar shall provide a list of candidates who have withdrawn to be posted in each polling place and made available to the public.
