>From: stillson@tsfsrv.mitre.org (Ken Stillson) Subject: Virginia legislative update Date: Wed, 2 Feb 1994 22:32:03 -0500 (EST) Here's some interesting news about legislative activities in Virginia... Orig to: All Virginia Internet Folks (distribution) 1/31/94 >From: Pat Heck, Virginians for Justice Subject: 1994 General Assembly Update All legislation has been submitted that will be considered during the 1994 session that ends Mar. 12. All bills have not yet been publicly released due to the record number of bills submitted, but the legislation below is public. The deadline for them to consider bills is Feb. 15, so act now! Please spread this widely in VA. ----------- HOUSE BILL 1314 (HB1314): Patron- Darner (D-Arlington) with Jones (D-Norfolk) and Cohen (D-Alexandria) as co-sponsors. An addition to the code that would legalize non-commercial intimate sexual acts between consenting adults. It does not repeal the Crimes Against Nature law, but in fact contradicts it. VJ will send clarification on that contradiction when available. OUTLOOK: Chance of passage: 1%. Too many spineless legislators. VJ sees it as a first step in a multi-year process. It may initially escape notice due to the fact that it doesn't mention sodomy, but the cat will get out of the bag and the right wing will go wild. It's very submittal is a victory for us. ACTION: Ask the following members of the House Courts of Justice Committee to support the bill. At this point we ask that you not call unless you live in their district. Almand (D-Arlington), chair of the committee, 804-786-6893 Cranwell (D-Vinton), a powerful legislator, 804-786-6891 Woodrum (D-Roanoke), ditto, 804-786-2898 Melvin (D-Portsmouth), good chance, 804-786-6888 Johnson (D-Abingdon), iffy, 804-786-6685 We will concentrate our efforts this year on a small number of legislators. Next year, we will have more co-sponsors. The idea is not to generate thousands of calls, but several well-thought out calls from constituents. ----------- You may also leave messages for legislators by calling 1-800-889-0229. Not as effective, but free! Call 804-786- 6530 to get office phone numbers if the 1-800 number does not appeal to you. If you do not know your legislator's name, call your local voter registrar. ----------- HB889: Patron- Plum (D-Reston) with co-sponsors Dels. Albo, Almand, Cantor, Connally, Cunningham, Darner, Diamonstein, Harris, Hull, Keating, Puller, Scott, VanLandingham, VanYarhes, and Sens. Calhoun & Howell. A hate crimes bill that is modeled after the Wisconsin legislation that has passed a Supreme Court test. It addresses bodily harm and property damage, NOT hate speech. It DOES include sexual orientation. OUTLOOK: Maybe a 50% chance of passage. It is rumored that the right-wingers will fight it tooth and nail unless sexual orientation is removed. A NoVA/DC Jewish group asked Plum to submit it and they may be willing to let sexual orientation fall by the wayside to get their bill passed. ACTION: Ask Plum and the co-sponsors to fight to keep sexual orientation in the bill. We may lobby more reps later, but it is crucial to get inclusive language first. Once again, it is appropriate to call only if you live in their district or if you are a hate crimes victim. ----------- SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 119 (SJR119): Patron- Waddell (D- Leesburg) with many co-sponsors. Would begin process to amend state constitution to allow voter referendum. BAD, BAD, BAD. OUTLOOK: Supported by Gov. Allen and Republican leadership. Democratic leadership is against it. Could be a real battle. ACTION: Call your Senator and Delegate letting them know that this experiment has failed in California (insurance mess, etc.), has fostored anti-gay referendum and other ridiculous measures. ----------- HB1185: Patron- Cunningham (D-Richmond) with many co-sponsors. Will allow conversion of life insurance benefits for terminally ill persons with Virginia Retirement System-supplied life insurance. OUTLOOK: Good. A similar bill passed last year, but was narrowed to one individual. ACTION: Call your Senator and Delegate letting them know that you support this bill. This is not likely to draw controversy or much attention, so a polite call to the 1-800 number will suffice. ----------- Email if you have questions. THANKS! heck@virga.larc.nasa.gov 804-643-4816 (Virginians for Justice Richmond office) -- ______ | The Pledge of Allegiance says \ / | "Liberty and Justice for All" stillson@mitre.org | Which part of "All" don't you understand? \/ | - Rep. Pat Schroeder ** PS: Please direct non-MITRE mail to "ken.s@glib.org" **