Conduct of elections; vote counting; requiredlive video recording. Requires the general registrar of each county and city to provide for a live video recording of each pollingplace while absentee ballots are cast, votes are counted, and returnsare completed, and of each central absentee precinct while ballots are handled and returns are completed. The general registrars arerequired to ensure the video coverage is recorded and retained untilthe deadline to request a recount has passed and, if any contestor recount is pending thereafter, until it has been concluded. The bill provides that each live video recording must include date andtime indicators and be linked to the official website of the countyor city. The Department of Elections is required to post links onits official website to the video coverage for viewing by the public.The bill provides that any disruption in video coverage shall notaffect or prevent the continued casting of absentee ballots, countingof votes, or completion of returns, and is not grounds for an electioncontest.
Sponsored bills
Constitutional amendment (first reference);right of parents. Adds to the Constitution of Virginia the fundamentalright of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care oftheir children. The amendment prohibits the Commonwealth from infringingthese rights without demonstrating that the governmental interestas applied to the person is of the highest order and not otherwiseserved. This section shall not be construed to apply to a parentalaction or decision that would physically harm or end the life ofthe child.
Alcoholic beverage control; mobile retailerlicense. Creates a mobile retailer license, which authorizesthe licensee to sell wine and beer during events within designatedareas for on-premises consumption or in closed containers for off-premisesconsumption. The bill requires such licensees to (i) comply withany requirements or limitations imposed by the Board of Directorsof the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority and (ii) servefood, prepared on or off premises, whenever wine or beer is served. The bill allows such licenses to be granted to persons operatinga mobile retail venture that sells wine or beer to patrons at specialevents or private gatherings through trucks or trailers equippedwith beverage taps.
Facilitate the administration of the COVID-19vaccine; emergency.
Local planning commissions; review deadlines.Adds rezoning or generalized development plans, special use permits,and special exception applications to various review deadlines andrequirements for local planning commissions.
Commending Spotsylvania County.
Celebrating the life of the Honorable AugustusBenton Chafin, Jr.
Golf carts and utility vehicles; County ofWestmoreland. Authorizes the governing body of the County of Westmorelandto, by ordinance, authorize a golf cart or utility vehicle to beoperated on a designated public highway where the posted speed limitis 40 miles per hour or less and the annual average daily trafficvolume is less than 1,000 vehicles per day.
Children's Services Act; special education programs. Expands eligibility for services under the Children's Services Actto students who transfer from an approved private school specialeducation program to a public school special education program establishedand funded jointly by a local governing body and school divisionlocated within Planning District 16 for the purpose of providingspecial education and related services when (i) the public schoolspecial education program is able to provide services comparable to those of an approved private school special education programand (ii) the student would require placement in an approved privateschool special education program but for the availability of thepublic school special education program.
Celebrating the life of the Honorable AugustusBenton Chafin, Jr.