Del. Watkins Abbitt (I-Appomattox)

Photo of Watkins Abbitt
Party
Independent
District
59: Counties of Albemarle (part), Appomattox, Buckingham, Cumberland, Fluvanna (part), Nelson, and Prince Edward (part)
Took Office
January 1986
Left Office
January 2012
Copatroning Habits
62% of bills he has copatroned were introduced by Republicans. Of all of the copatrons of his bills, 70% of them are Republicans. Of all of his fellow copatrons of the bills that he copatroned, 56% of them are Republicans.
Partisanship
?
Bio

Though Del. Abbitt is a Republican -- he votes with Republicans and caucuses with Republicans -- he labels himself as an independent. This may well come from his recognition that his political reputation is inherited from the long-lived political career of his father, Watkins Abbitt Sr., who represented the area in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat for 25 years.

Recent Mentions in the Media

Cardinal News: Republican Eric Zehr trounces incumbent Del. Matt Fariss in 3-way race in House District 51

November 8, 2023 | 3:00 am
  

Cardinal News: Fariss' arraignment pushed back to May

March 15, 2023 | 3:00 am
  

Farmville Herald: Del. Matt Fariss faces multiple charges in alleged hit-and-run

March 8, 2023 | 3:00 am
  

Richmond Times-Dispatch: Longtime Del. Watkins Abbitt retiring from House

July 16, 2020 | 12:42 pm
  

Richmond Times-Dispatch: Va. Senate leader Norment to wed lobbyist

July 16, 2018 | 3:00 am
  

These are all of the video clips of Watkins Abbitt’s remarks on the floor of the House since 2009. There are 14 video clips in all.

Bills

  • HB2163: Abandoned motor vehicle; definition.
  • HB2164: Railroad tracks; funding for construction of industrial access.
  • HB2165: Menhaden fishing; Marine Resource Commission to assess fee for those caught with purse net.
  • HB2166: Summer flounder; MRC to adopt regulations that establish size limits for commercial fishermen.
  • HB2167: Biscuit Run; DCR to negotiate land exchange of certain acres in Albemarle County.
  • HB2168: Uniform Statewide Building Code; harmonizes statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions.
  • HB2457: Abandoned and salvage vehicles; revises definition, penalty.
  • HB2458: Demolished or dismantled motor vehicles; licensee requirements.
  • HJ644: United Cherokee Indian Tribe of Virginia, Incorporated; extends official state recognition.
  • HJ891: Celebrating the life of Edward J. LeSueur.
  • HB939: Insurance agents; continuing education program.
  • HB940: Hunting and trapping; reduces penalty for violations.
  • HB941: Charitable gaming; regulations of Charitable Gaming Board defining electronic, etc., equipment.
  • HB942: Charitable gaming; limits authority of VDACS to revoke permits.
  • HJ372: Commending the Nelson County High School one-act play ensemble.
  • HJ383: Commending Barbara Williams.
  • HR6: Commending the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Virginia Department of Tra
  • HB79: License plates, special; issuance to members and supporters of Citizens Defense League.
  • HB2168: Stormwater offsets; authorizes permit-issuing authorities to allow permit holders to comply.
  • HB2169: Towing and Recovery Operators, Board of; membership, powers & duties relating to suspension, etc.
  • HB2390: Alcoholic beverage control; designates as agents of ABC Board any licensed distiller who blends.
  • HB2624: Central Va. Criminal Justice Acad.; may enter into agreemt. to train private correctional personnel.
  • HB2625: Emergency medical services provider; procedure upon receipt of complaint.
  • HJ795: Celebrating the life of George Frank Harris.
  • HJ801: Commending Ernest Allen Talbert.
  • HJ810: Commending Sandra Moss.
  • HB78: Health insurance; credits for certain retired public officers and employees.
  • HB79: License plates, special; issuance to members and supporters of Citizens Defense League.
  • HB177: Charter; Town of Appomattox.
  • HB1115: Forest protection; increases annual amount a locality pays to State Forester therefor.
  • HB1116: Environmental impact reports; required for any major state construction project over $500,000.
  • HB1445: Schools for students with disabilities; administration of prescription medications.
  • HB1529: Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Awards Committee; clarifies awarding of scholarship.
  • HJ422: Celebrating the life of Laurens Lee Miles.
  • HJ423: Celebrating the life of Thomas Roswell Mayfield.
  • HJ425: Commending Edward Jackson LeSueur.
  • HB2339: Hunting & trapping; Department of Game & Inland Fisheries to sell permits therefor in state forests.
  • HB2340: Victims of driving under influence of alcohol; Transportation Board ot provide for installation.
  • HB2341: Auctioneers Board; continuing education waiver.
  • HB2342: Miller School of Albemarle; eliminates provision that 2 members of Board be appointed by Gov.
  • HB2343: Smith Mountain Lake State Park; changes name to A. Victor Thomas-Smith Mountain Lake State Park.
  • HB3077: Motorcyclists; wearing of helmets.
  • HB3078: Charitable gaming; regulation of bingo callers.
  • HB3135: State forests; designates proceeds generated to Counties of Appomattox, Buckingham, & Cumberland.
  • HB3136: Sewage sludge; prohibits land application thereof.
  • HJ831: Celebrating the life of Ray A. Dunn.
  • HJ851: Commending James H. Partridge.
  • HB22: Motor vehicle safety inspections; increase in fees.
  • HB23: Dealer's license plates; use of transporting other vehicles or parts of other vehicles.
  • HB259: Motor vehicle dealers' transaction fees; repeals sunset provision.
  • HB260: Hunting or trapping in state forests; increases fees to obtain permit.
  • HB688: Sewage sludge; restrictions on land application thereof.
  • HB689: Farmers markets; exempt from restaurant requirements.
  • HB779: Transient occupancy tax; maximum amount Nelson County may charge.
  • HB792: Subdivision streets; do not need to meet VDOT standards if they serve fewer than 3 familes per mile.
  • HB793: License plates, temporary; issuance to dealers and vehicle owners by DMV.
  • HB977: Shortline Railway Preservation and Development Fund; created.
  • HB978: Marijuana; prohibits sale near school, etc. of substance representing drug.
  • HB979: Executive branch supervisory boards; Attorney General to meet with members to explain duties, etc.
  • HJ185: Celebrating the life of Ernest Woodrow Morris.
  • HJ326: On the death of Wallace L. Shumaker.
  • HJ5149: Commending Henry M. Fulcher.
  • HR21: Commending Baptist Union Baptist Church.