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) [map]
Took Office
January 1986
Left Office
January 2012
Copatroning Habits
62% of bills he copatroned were introduced by Republicans. Of all of the copatrons of his bills, 70% of them are Republicans. Of all of the copatrons of all of the bills that he also copatroned, 56% of them are Republicans.
Partisanship
?
Tag Cloud ?
33504c abc albemarle alcohol american indian appalachian church commendation construction dillon rule environment farmville firearm forest gun health insurance helmet hunting immigrant license plate locality lynchburg motorcycle nelson county permission prison retirement scc school tax
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: Court appearance for Del. Fariss postponed again

July 18, 2023 | 3:00 am
  

Richmond Times-Dispatch: Schapiro: Va.'s defeated incumbents in distinguished company

June 30, 2023 | 3:00 am
  

Cardinal News: Del. Matt Fariss files for re-election as an independent

June 22, 2023 | 3:00 am
  

Cardinal News: Fariss, who faces legal troubles, misses his party's deadline to run for reelection

March 31, 2023 | 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.