Eminent domain; costs for petition for distribution of funds; interest rate; recordation of certificate. Provides that the costs of filing a petition with the court for the distribution of the funds due pursuant to an eminent domain proceeding shall be taxed against the condemnor. The bill also provides that the interest rate on the funds represented by a certificate of deposit from the date of filing of the certificate until the funds are paid into the court shall not be less than the judgment rate of interest. Finally, the bill reorganizes for clarity the provisions governing what happens upon recordation of a certificate by the Commissioner of Highways in a condemnation proceeding. The bill provides that its provisions apply only to condemnation actions filed on or after July 1, 2020.
Sponsored bills
Eminent domain; costs. Eliminates specific provisions for the assessment of costs in eminent domain proceedings where the condemnor is a public service company, public service corporation, railroad, or government utility corporation and provides that all costs shall be assessed in the same manner, regardless of the identity of the condemnor. The bill exempts condemnation actions for easements adjudged at less than $10,000. The bill also provides that its provisions apply only to condemnation actions filed on or after July 1, 2020.
Prohibited discrimination; public accommodations, employment, credit, and housing: causes of action; sexual orientation and gender identity. Creates causes of action for unlawful discrimination in public accommodations and employment in the Virginia Human Rights Act. Currently, under the Act there is no cause of action for discrimination in public accommodations, and the only causes of action for discrimination in employment are for (i) unlawful discharge on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, or childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation by employers employing more than five but fewer than 15 persons and (ii) unlawful discharge on the basis of age by employers employing more than five but fewer than 20 persons. The bill allows the causes of action to be pursued privately by the aggrieved person or, in certain circumstances, by the Attorney General. Before a civil cause of action may be brought in a court of the Commonwealth, an aggrieved individual must file a complaint with the Division of Human Rights of the Department of Law, participate in an administrative process, and receive a notice of his right to commence a civil action. The bill prohibits discrimination in public and private employment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill also codifies for state and local government employment the current prohibitions on discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, or status as a veteran. Additionally, the bill (a) prohibits discrimination in public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as a veteran; (b) prohibits discrimination in credit on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, disability, and status as a veteran; and (c) adds discrimination on the basis of an individual's sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as a veteran as an unlawful housing practice. The bill makes technical amendments. This bill incorporates SB 66 and SB 159.
Local disposable plastic bag tax. Authorizes any county or city, beginning no earlier than January 1, 2021, to impose a tax of five cents per bag on disposable plastic bags provided to consumers by certain retailers, with certain bags being exempt from the tax. The bill allows every retailer that collects the tax to retain a portion of the five-cent tax and provides that the revenue accruing to the county or city shall be used for certain purposes including environmental cleanup and the provision of reusable bags. The measure authorizes the Tax Commissioner to administer the tax. This bill incorporates SB 26 and SB 198 and is identical to HB 534.
Charitable Gaming Board; Texas Hold'em poker events. Allows certain qualified organization to conduct Texas Hold'em poker events in conjunction with its charitable gaming activities. The conditions under which a qualified organization may manage, operate, or contract with operators of or conduct Texas Hold'em poker games and tournaments shall be prescribed by the Charitable Gaming Board. In addition, the bill establishes the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund administered by the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to provide counseling and other support services for compulsive and problem gamblers, develop problem gambling treatment and prevention programs, and provide grants to supporting organizations that provide assistance to compulsive gamblers. The provisions of the bill are contingent on funding in a general appropriation act.
Naturopathic doctors; license required. Requires the Board of Medicine to license and regulate naturopathicdoctors, defined in the bill as an individual, other than a doctorof medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, or podiatry, who may diagnose,treat, and help prevent diseases using a system of practice thatis based on the natural healing capacity of individuals, using physiological,psychological, or physical methods, and who may also use natural medicines, prescriptions, legend drugs, foods, herbs, or other natural remedies, including light and air.
Grantor's tax and regional transportation improvementfee. Provides that, for purposes of the grantor's tax and regionaltransportation improvement fee (the regional WMATA capital fee),the grantor and grantee may arrange that the grantee pay all or aportion of the tax or fee. Current law requires the grantor to paythe tax or fee.
Health regulatory boards. Clarifies themeaning of "license" as used by the Boards of Funeral Directors andEmbalmers and Physical Therapy and the conditions under which a licensemay be denied, suspended, or revoked by the Board of Veterinary Medicine.
Mechanics' liens; right to withhold payment.Specifies that the use of funds paid to a general contractor or subcontractorand used by such contractor or subcontractor before paying all amountsdue for labor performed or material furnished gives rise to a civilcause of action for a party who is owed such funds. The bill furtherspecifies that such cause of action does not affect a contractor'sor subcontractor's right to withhold payment for failure to properlyperform labor or furnish materials and that any contractual provision that allows a party to withhold funds due on one contract for allegedclaims or damages due on another contract is void as against publicpolicy.
Stormwater and erosion and sediment control;acceptance of plans in lieu of plan review. Authorizes the StateWater Control Board or the Department of Environmental Quality, inits administration of a Virginia Stormwater Management Program, VirginiaErosion and Stormwater Management Program, or Virginia Erosion andSediment Control Program, to choose to accept a set of plans andsupporting calculations for any land-disturbing activity determined to be de minimus using a risk-based approach established by the Board.The bill provides that such plans and supporting calculations shallsatisfy the requirement that the Board or the Department retain acertified plan reviewer or conduct a plan review. The bill also directsthe Board to adopt implementing regulations and provides requirementsfor the process of adoption.