Del. Dan Helmer

Constitution of the United States; Equal RightsAmendment. Ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitutionof the United States that was proposed by Congress in 1972. The jointresolution advocates the position that the 1972 Equal Rights Amendmentremains viable and may be ratified notwithstanding the expirationof the 10-year ratification period set out in the resolving clause,as amended, in the proposal adopted by Congress.

Workers' compensation; presumption of compensabilityfor certain diseases. Adds cancers of the colon, brain, or testesto the list of cancers that are presumed to be an occupational diseasecovered by the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act when firefightersand certain employees develop the cancer. The measure removes thecompensability requirement that the employee who develops cancer hadcontact with a toxic substance encountered in the line of duty.

Motor vehicle title loans, payday loans, consumerfinance loans, and open-end credit plans; interest rate. Capsthe rate of interest that may be charged on motor vehicle title loans,payday loans, and open-end credit plans at an annual rate that is25 percent higher than the federal funds rate in effect on the datethe loan was made. The bill prohibits a lender from charging a membershipfee, participation fee, or transaction fee in connection with anysuch extension of credit. The bill also imposes the same maximuminterest rate on loans made by a licensed consumer finance companyand eliminates the existing provision that permits such licensed companies to charge any agreed-upon amount of interest on consumerfinance loans over $2,500. The measure caps the allowable amountof repossession and sales fees in connection with a motor vehicletitle loan; imposes restrictions on open-end lending; and preventspayday lenders and other lenders from using a credit services businesslicense to extend credit that is for less than $5,000, has a termof less than one year, is provided under an open-end credit plan,or has an interest rate that exceeds 36 percent per year. A violationof the open-end lending provisions is made a prohibited practiceunder the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.

Commending the Washington Nationals.

Commending the United States Women's NationalSoccer Team.