The 2017 Session of the Virginia General Assembly recently concluded. This year, the House and Senate considered 2,959 bills and resolutions, with only a few hundred surviving to make it to the Governor's desk. The Governor has until March 27th to sign or veto the bills.

I serve on the Senate Finance, General Laws & Technology and Rules committees. I chair the Privileges and Elections Committee and chair the Finance subcommittee on General Government, responsible for funding for state employees, Constitutional officers, the Courts and all technology matters among other areas. We had the difficult task of amending the budget to address a $1.26 billion budget shortfall. Meanwhile, my highest priority was to restore lost state employee compensation that had created a hiring and retention crisis. I was thrilled that we passed a final budget that included a 3% increase for state employees, along with significant additional funding for local Sheriffs, constitutional officers and other state-supported local employees. We increased starting salaries for the State Police and also included funding for the state's 2% share of the compensation increase for teachers.

In addition to the budget work, I had a legislative package of bills that included a number of measures. Highlights of my bills include:

• SJ 290 – Redistricting Reform – A constitutional amendment to reform the redistricting process, removing partisanship and requiring districts be fair, compact, and in the public interest.

• SJ 295 – The "Regulatory Rollback Amendment" – A constitutional amendment allowing the General Assembly to roll back burdensome or outdated regulations through a joint vote of the House and Senate.

• SB 1294 – Gift Ban – A bill to enact a total ban on gifts to lawmakers from lobbyists and special interests.

• SB 1295 – No-Excuse Early Voting – A bill allowing all voters to cast ballots up to 21 days before an election.

• SB 1296 – Meals Tax Reform – A bill to reform deceptive meals tax referenda by requiring the full proposed tax rate be disclosed on the ballot. This bill also prohibits the immediate reintroduction of a defeated meals tax.

• SB 1297 – Military Carry – A bill allowing active duty military to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.

• SB 1298 – CBD Oil – A bill to allow cannabidiol oil for patients suffering debilitating illnesses, including cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, ALS, Crohn's Disease, Alzheimer's, MS, and others.

• SB 1299 – Protecting Crime Victims – A bill allowing expedited process of concealed carry permits for victims of domestic violence upon issuance of a restraining order against the abuser.

• SB 1300 – Training Crime Victims – A bill allowing the Commonwealth to fund gun safety training programs empowering victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual abuse to defend themselves.

• SB 1304 – Election Administration – A bill expanding local control over the timing of local elections.

• SB 1305 – Court Fees for the Indigent – A bill to ease the burdens of civil court filing fees on indigent plaintiffs who already qualify for legal assistance by reason of poverty.

• SB 1306 – Industrial Hemp – A bill to expand the production of industrial hemp in the Commonwealth by cutting red tape and streamlining the state permitting required of farmers.

• SB 1307 – Virginia's Online Checkbook – A bill requiring the transparent posting of all state expenditures in a searchable, online database.

• SB 1529 – Aquaculture Protection – A bill protecting aquaculture farming in Virginia.

• SB 1530 – Expanding Opportunity for the Disabled – A bill to help the Commonwealth facilitate state employment opportunities available to the disabled, including veterans.

• SB 1545 – Tax Relief for Families and Businesses – A bill to automatically refund budget surpluses back to taxpayers during years where tax revenue exceeds budget requirements and automatically lower tax rates on all individuals and businesses in years where a substantial surplus exists. This bill pays for tax relief by using the surpluses generated through economic growth – but without cuts to core government services.

• SB 1546 – Fighting Opioid Abuse – A bill fighting Virginia's epidemic of opioid abuse and overdose by banning a number of dangerous synthetic street drugs – some 8 times stronger than heroin currently being sold on the Internet and trafficked regionally.

• SB 1547 – Campaign Ethics Reform – A bill prohibiting candidates for office from using campaign funds from donors to pay for personal expenditures unrelated to their campaigns.

• SB 1594 – Conservators of the Peace – Designates investigators with law enforcement backgrounds currently employed by a Commonwealth's Attorney as conservators of the peace.

Four of these bills have been signed by the Governor and others await his action. The fate of my CBD oil bill was particularly disappointing when it died in a House Committee. It had widespread support and was critical to a lot of people suffering from serious illnesses. While the drug is derived from cannabis, it cannot make you high and is not dealt on the illicit market. It is currently being compounded by pharmacies and is an option to treat illnesses that will not respond to any other treatment. I am in awe of the hard work of those who supported the bill who are very sick or have loved ones in need of the drug. They put in hundreds of hours to educate members of the legislature and it was heartbreaking to have the bill fail.

On a happier note, I was thrilled that we worked to successfully kill a bad bill that would have restricted hunting with dogs in Virginia. Other measures that passed this session include a requirement for principals to investigate and notify parents when children are involved in bullying incidents; expanded protection for free speech on campuses; discretion for judges not to suspend driver's license of a first time marijuana offense; a requirement for judges to consider personal finances when implementing payment schedules for unpaid fines; a prohibition on localities adopting policies restricting enforcement of federal immigration laws (a ban on sanctuary cities); and a requirement for schools to test drinking water for lead in school buildings pre-dating 1986. Bills targeting opioid abuse passed with support for needle exchange programs, expanded access to overdose drug naloxone, changes in prescription rules, and new services for infants exposed in utero. In addition we passed a comprehensive budget bill that closed the budget shortfall without raising taxes.

As you may know, I am running for lieutenant governor and I will be on the ballot in the June 13th Republican primary. I have loved the opportunity to work on constituent service matters and advocate for bills important to our community. I hope to have your support in June and again in November so that we can better resolve so many critical issues statewide.

We have relocated back from Richmond now and as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office at 540-662-4551 or by email at district27@senate.virginia.gov. Thank you again for the opportunity to serve.