Dear Friend,
Week 4 was a busy week with nine of my bills heard in subcommittee. You will note that all the pictures below are from Week 3 that did not fit into my prior newsletter, since I tested positive for COVID-19 on January 29. Thankfully, my symptoms remained mild and I was able to fully participate in the legislative process virtually. I am glad that I was fully vaccinated and boosted, which surely minimized my symptoms.
Advocacy Meetings Last Week:
Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters
Virginia Healthcare Association
Virginia Charitable Gaming Association
James Madison University
Virginia Conservation Network
Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Tourism
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Medical Society of Virginia
Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers
American Civil War Museum
New Virginia Majority
Rx Partnership
GenEDGE
GENETWORx
Center in the Square Roanoke
AARP
Virginia Coalition for Human Rights
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
Bills in subcommittee
HB632 - Addressing “Macho Mufflers”
I have heard from countless constituents about loud exhaust systems or “macho mufflers” disturbing their neighborhoods at all hours of the day and night over the past several years. While this was a concern prior to 2020, legislation that passed a few years ago limited law enforcements’ ability to properly address this issue. HB632 enables law enforcement officers to pull over vehicles that are excessively loud. Thank you to the many constituents who advocated for this change, including several who participated in the subcommittee testimony virtually. This bill passed the Transportation subcommittee and I am hopeful for its passage into law.
HB633 - Clarifying the 15 mph Legislation
In 2021, I introduced legislation to allow localities to reduce their speed limits in residential and business districts to 15 mph, which passed into law. At the request of the Virginia Association of Counties, I introduced HB633 to clarify that localities with state roads in residential and business districts could also lower their speed limits. Unfortunately, the bill had opposition from the Virginia Department of Transportation and failed to pass. My 2021 legislation remains in effect.
HB635 - Inclusionary Zoning
HB635 would have allowed the City of Richmond to have local authority to establish an inclusionary zoning ordinance to mandate a specific number of affordable housing units within a development. The share of low- and middle-income renters with cost burdens is increasing in the city, as the median rent has reached a record high. Minimum- and average-wage workers cannot afford most available market-rate rental units. Although the rental stock is increasing, most new additions are not considered affordable to Richmond residents. This bill was continued to 2023 in the Counties, Cities, and Towns subcommittee. I look forward to continue working with stakeholders such as the City of Richmond, Virginia Poverty Law Center, and others to develop this legislation for next session.
HB636 - No Child Left Inside
HB636 would allow public schools to implement programs that get students outside and help them to engage with their environment through hands-on, innovative, and STEM-based projects. The concept of “No Child Left Inside” has been successfully implemented by Principal Michael Powell at John B. Cary Elementary School in my district. Some examples of the program include heat islands, community and butterfly gardens, solar panels, and weather stations. While the bill failed to pass, I appreciated the support and engagement from many environmental and education groups, and I look forward to continue working on this legislation for 2023.
HB638, HB639, and HB640 - Addressing VEC Issues
Last fall, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) issued a comprehensive report on the Virginia Employment Commission. As many know and have experienced, the onslaught of unemployment in the Commonwealth shed unfortunate light on issues in the unemployment benefit insurance process, which resulted in severe delays in payments and communications. I introduced three bills - HB638, HB639, and HB640 - to address some of JLARC’s recommendations. These bills directed the VEC to develop a resiliency plan, streamline the appeals process, and created an oversight subcommittee. While my bills failed to pass, Delegate Kathy Byron introduced similar legislation, which included more recommendations, and my recommendations were included in her bill. I am chief co-patron of her bill, HB270.
HB641 - TNC Cash Fares
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passengers with disabilities who also do not have a bank account must be allowed to pay cash for an ADA eligible ride with a Transportation Network Company (TNC), such as Uzurv. Currently, transit systems, like Richmond’s GRTC, contract with service providers to meet this need. However, in current Code, TNCs are unable to accept cash fares. HB641 enables wheelchair bound passengers without credit or debit cards to access transit systems. This bill passed the Transportation subcommittee unanimously.
HB1194 - Allowing EDAs to Support Affordable Housing
Currently, the Code authorizes localities to establish Industrial (or Economic) Development Authorities to help facilitate job growth and economic development in their locality across a variety of sectors including manufacturing, commercial, and single and multi-family housing. However, the authority of EDAs and IDAs related to single-family and multi-family housing are limited to localities without a housing authority. HB1194 allows EDAs and IDAs to issue grants to residential economic development authorities even if there is a local housing authority. This will help address housing supply in localities where demand is surging, such as in the City of Richmond. This bill passed the Counties, Cities, and Towns subcommittee unanimously.
How to Participate in the Legislative Session:
For in-person meetings, please review my COVID policies. Basically, please wear your mask and provide proof of your COVID vaccination before your meeting.
Email me your legislative priorities and concerns at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org.
Take my 2022 Legislative Survey
Watch session at noon each day via livestream (as well as committees and subcommittees)
Sign up to speak virtually in a committee or subcommittee through HODSpeak (you can also do it in-person)
Celebrating Black History Month
February is Black History Month. I encourage you to take time this month to participate in the many events happening around the City both in-person and virtually. Visit Richmond VA has a comprehensive list of events here. Additionally, check out BLK RVA, a celebration of Black culture in Richmond and free travel guide to Richmond’s past and present history.
Black Food & Spirits: Untold at Main Street Station on February 20 from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
3 in 30: African American Artists of the Modern and Contemporary Art Collection at the VMFA - all month
Who They Were: Lives Worth Knowing at the Virginia War Memorial - all month
A Conversation with Rohulamin Quander (virtual) at the Library of Virginia on February 17 from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Thank You
It is an honor to serve in the House of Delegates. Please never hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful to you. I look forward to hearing from you about your legislative priorities during the 2022 session.
Sincerely,
Betsy