01/15/2016 House Proceedings

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Minutes

Called to order at 10:00 a.m. by William J. Howell, Speaker

Mace placed on Speaker's table by Sergeant at Arms

Prayer offered by The Reverend Kathleen M. Sturges, Vicar, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Ivy

Delegate Cox led the House in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America

Attendance roll call - Quorum present

Leaves of Absence granted: Delegates Heretick, Morefield, and Pillion

Journal for Thursday, January 14, 2016, approved by the Speaker

Senate communication received
Senate joint resolutions agreed to: SJRs 3, 5, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 36, 39, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69

Committee report
From Militia, Police and Public Safety: HBs 73 (referred), 83 (referred), 91 (referred), 461 (referred)

HB 58 - taken up out of order, 2nd and 3rd Constitutional readings dispensed (Y-97 N-0), Engrossed, Passed (Y-97 N-0)

HJR 68 taken up and agreed to

Bills and resolution presented, ordered printed, and referred pursuant to House Rule 37

Resolution presented and laid on Speaker's table pursuant to House Rule 39(a)

CALENDAR

MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS ON THE SPEAKER'S TABLE
HJR 4 - Agreed to
HJR 5 - Agreed to
HJR 8 - Agreed to
HJR 22 - Passed by for the day
HJR 23 - Passed by for the day
HJR 24 - Agreed to
HJR 25 - Agreed to
HJR 26 - Agreed to
HJR 27 - Agreed to
HJR 28 - Agreed to
HJR 35 - Agreed to
HJR 39 - Agreed to
HJR 40 - Agreed to
HJR 47 - Agreed to
HJR 51 - Agreed to
HJR 53 - Passed by for the day
HJR 57 - Agreed to
HJR 60 - Agreed to
HJR 74 - Agreed to
HJR 89 - Passed by for the day
HJR 111 - Agreed to
HJR 113 - Agreed to
HJR 114 - Agreed to
HJR 118 - Agreed to
HJR 128 - Agreed to
HJR 129 - Agreed to
HJR 147 - Agreed to
HJR 148 - Agreed to
HJR 153 - Agreed to
HR 1 - Agreed to
HR 3 - Agreed to
HR 6 - Agreed to
HR 10 - Agreed to
HR 13 - Agreed to
HR 14 - Agreed to
HR 16 - Agreed to
HR 17 - Agreed to
HR 18 - Agreed to
HR 31 - Agreed to
HR 32 - Agreed to
HR 33 - Agreed to
HR 43 - Agreed to
HR 44 - Agreed to
HR 45 - Agreed to
HR 47 - Agreed to
HR 59 - Agreed to
HR 63 - Agreed to
HR 66 - Agreed to

COMMENDING RESOLUTIONS ON THE SPEAKER'S TABLE
HJR 6 - Agreed to
HJR 10 - Agreed to
HJR 11 - Agreed to
HJR 12 - Agreed to
HJR 13 - Agreed to
HJR 14 - Agreed to
HJR 15 - Agreed to
HJR 16 - Agreed to
HJR 17 - Agreed to
HJR 19 - Agreed to
HJR 20 - Agreed to
HJR 21 - Agreed to
HJR 30 - Agreed to
HJR 32 - Agreed to
HJR 33 - Agreed to
HJR 34 - Agreed to
HJR 36 - Agreed to
HJR 41 - Agreed to
HJR 42 - Passed by for the day
HJR 43 - Agreed to
HJR 44 - Agreed to
HJR 46 - Agreed to
HJR 48 - Agreed to
HJR 49 - Agreed to
HJR 54 - Agreed to
HJR 59 - Agreed to
HJR 62 - Agreed to
HJR 67 - Agreed to
HJR 71 - Agreed to
HJR 75 - Agreed to
HJR 80 - Agreed to
HJR 81 - Agreed to
HJR 85 - Agreed to
HJR 91 - Agreed to
HJR 95 - Agreed to
HJR 98 - Agreed to
HJR 102 - Agreed to
HJR 105 - Agreed to
HJR 106 - Agreed to
HJR 107 - Agreed to
HJR 121 - Agreed to
HJR 122 - Agreed to
HJR 125 - Agreed to
HJR 126 - Agreed to
HJR 127 - Agreed to
HJR 130 - Agreed to
HJR 132 - Agreed to
HJR 133 - Agreed to
HJR 140 - Agreed to
HJR 141 - Agreed to
HJR 142 - Agreed to
HJR 143 - Agreed to
HJR 144 - Agreed to
HJR 145 - Agreed to
HJR 146 - Agreed to
HJR 152 - Agreed to
HJR 154 - Agreed to
HJR 155 - Agreed to
HJR 156 - Agreed to
HR 2 - Agreed to
HR 4 - Agreed to
HR 5 - Agreed to
HR 7 - Agreed to
HR 8 - Agreed to
HR 9 - Agreed to
HR 11 - Agreed to
HR 12 - Agreed to
HR 15 - Agreed to
HR 20 - Agreed to
HR 21 - Agreed to
HR 22 - Agreed to
HR 23 - Agreed to
HR 24 - Agreed to
HR 25 - Agreed to
HR 26 - Agreed to
HR 27 - Agreed to
HR 28 - Agreed to
HR 29 - Agreed to
HR 30 - Agreed to
HR 34 - Agreed to
HR 35 - Agreed to
HR 36 - Agreed to
HR 37 - Agreed to
HR 38 - Agreed to
HR 39 - Agreed to
HR 40 - Agreed to
HR 41 - Agreed to
HR 42 - Agreed to
HR 46 - Agreed to
HR 48 - Agreed to
HR 49 - Agreed to
HR 51 - Passed by for the day
HR 52 - Passed by for the day
HR 53 - Passed by for the day
HR 54 - Passed by for the day
HR 55 - Passed by for the day
HR 56 - Passed by for the day
HR 57 - Passed by for the day
HR 58 - Passed by for the day
HR 61 - Agreed to
HR 62 - Agreed to
HR 64 - Agreed to
HR 65 - Agreed to
HR 67 - Agreed to
HR 68 - Agreed to
HR 69 - Stricken from Calendar
HR 70 - Stricken from Calendar

HOUSE BILLS READ FIRST TIME
UNCONTESTED CALENDAR
HB 31
HB 58 - taken up out of order
HB 378 - Referred to Committee on Appropriations

Motion by Delegate Cox to adjourn agreed to

House adjourned at 10:40 a.m. to meet Monday, January 18, 2016, at 12 m.

Transcript

What follows is a transcript of this day’s session that was created as closed-captioning text, written in real time during the session. We have made an effort to automatically clean up the text, but it is far from perfect.

Bill Howell
The House will come to order. Members, please take your seats. Sergeant of arms.
Bill Howell
The House is now in session. All persons not entitled to privileges on the floor, please retire to the gallery.
Bill Howell
The members are rise and be led in prayer by the Reverend kathleen m. Sturg he -- sturges. Remain standing for the pledge to the flag of the united states of america led by gentleman from Colonial Heights, Mr Cox .
[Unknown]
Let us pray. Loving and gracious God, at the opening of this new day in the House of delegates, we ask your blessing upon the people of the commonwealth of Virginia and upon all their elected officials, particularly those in this legislative body in whom the people have placed their trust and confidence. Bestow about these delegates wisdom, humility and the ability to work together in the midst of conflicting interest and honest disagreement. Grant in them a vision of what our life together can be so that abundance for some does not mean scarcity for others. And in all they do, this day and every day, May your will be done as they seek to serve the common good. Amen.
[Unknown]
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which is stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
Bill Howell
The House will come to order. Members will answer the roll call by indicating their presence on the electronic voting board.
Bill Howell
The clerk will close the roll.
[Unknown]
Mr. Speaker, a forum is present.
[Unknown]
Pursuant to House rule 3, approval of the journal. Motions and resolutions under rule 39 are now in order. Does the clerk have any announcements or communications.
[Unknown]
A couple reminders, all drafts and redrafts to be introduced by next Friday 's deadline must be delivered over to -- or made to the division of legislative services by 5 p.M. Today. Similarly, a 5 o'clock deadline is today for budget amendments due upstairs on the ninth floor to the appropriations staff. Finally, I would remind the body or advise, if you haven't checked your e-mail, I 've communicated with you about scheduling appointments for your composite photo. They will be here next week. If you want to have it updated, for those who have been here or new members to have it, it will be down stairs in the basement of the general assembly building for your convenience, but you will need to schedule an appointment. That completes the announcements I have, sir.
Bill Howell
The gentleman from Charlottesville, Mr. Toscano.
David Toscano
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I rise for a brief point of personal privilege and introduction.
Bill Howell
Gentleman has the floor.
David Toscano
Joining us today to give the prayer is the Reverend kathleen sturgess who is of st. John the baptist episcopal church in ivy, Virginia. Reverend sturgess has served there since 2001. She was born in walnut creek, california and came east after her undergraduate degree to earn her master of divinity at yale divinity school. Then she moved to Virginia where she was ordained as an episcopal priest in 1997. Saint johns is very fortunate to have Reverend sturgess be their leader. Her ministry and church community focuses on encouraging young and old, wealthy and poor, educated and I will -- I will will --it -- I illiterate, peope of all color to engage each other in celebrating that every individual contributes to the whole and is graced by God 's great love. Beyond the Charlottesville area, Reverend sturgess is about to take a seat on the executive board of the episcopal diocese of Virginia in just a few days, so she is really worth getting I hope that you will extend her to know. A warm welcome today. (applause).
Bill Howell
Thank you. The gentlewoman from Bedford, Ms. Byron.
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a motion.
Bill Howell
Gentlewoman has the floor.
[Unknown]
Mr. Speaker, I would move that House bill 58 on Page 20 of today's calendar be taken up out of order for the purpose of dispensing with the second and third constitutional readings so that the bill May be taken up by the House immediately.
[Unknown]
Without objection, House bill 58 is taken up out of order for the purpose stated by the gentlewoman. In addition, the gentlewoman from Bedford, Delegate Byron, moves that the second and third constitutional readings of House bill 58 be dispensed. And your motion will allow the House to act on House bill 58 immediately. The bill will be in an amendable and debatable fashion, and upon completion of the debate, if any, the proper motion will be to to move for passage of the bill. Shall the motion be agreed to? The clerk will close the roll.
[Unknown]
Ayes 97, nos 0.
Bill Howell
Ayes 97, nos 0. The motion is agreed to. Gentleman from Bedford .
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the House. House bill 58, which comes to you today, was a recommendation of the health insurance reform commission, and it was a measure that many of you May recall. We passed a bill to direct our bureau of insurance who handles our insurance plans and policies to change the definition of employer, a small employer, from an average of 50 employees to increase it to up to 100 employees. And we did that to conform with the federal legislation dealing with the affordable care act, and the intent at the time was that the larger pool would be a benefit to the smaller businesses and those businesses up to 100 employees, in order for them to capture this pool and help alleviate some of the rising premiums that they were experiencing with the affordable care act. However, it was noted and taken to the president from the small business group that what they thought was going to be of assistance was actually coming back with premiums that were going to rise in some areas as high as 50%, and the reason for that is a lot of the businesses were going to pull out of that definition and actually self-insure, because it was better for their companies and better for their employees to offer a different venue to offer this benefit for employees. With that, congress got together and in November, they passed the pace act, which allowed states to go back to the other definition of small employer so that we could protect our small employers the best that we were able to and the pace act was one of the only few things that the president obama owe the only thing the president signed that affected the affordable care act legislation and one that he recognized was going to be of benefit to our business community. So what this does is tell the bureau of insurance, because we cannot by executive action make this change in our code. So we are voting on this today to protect our small businesses from the rising premiums that they're seeing. It's not going to fix everything for our small businesses, but it is going to alleviate those concerns of the businesses that are in the 50 to 100. Small businesses come under a much more stringent rating when it comes to rating their employees. So this would be a great benefit to all of them. The reason for the emergency legislation, so you understand, is to try and get this as quickly on the governor's difficult for signage, because those plans took effect January 1, 2016. So in order to alleviate this on your other businesses, the insurance plans need to get new plans out for the February 1 market to try and help the rest of the business community. So Mr. Speaker, I would move passage of House bill 58.
Bill Howell
The gentleman from Charlottesville, Mr. Toscano.
David Toscano
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaking to the bill.
Bill Howell
Gentleman has the floor.
David Toscano
Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the House, I 'll be brief, but I hope you can support this fine bill. It does prove, again, that occasionally congress and the president can work together to fix some things that need to get fixed. You know, when we focus on trying to fix things as opposed to trying to repeal things willy-nilly, we can get some good things done, so I hope you will support this fine bill.
[Unknown]
Shall the bill pass?
Bill Howell
The clerk will close the roll.
[Unknown]
Ayes 97, nos 0.
[Unknown]
Ayes 97, nos 0. The bill is passed. I'm going to step out of order in just a second and recognize a very distinguished guest in the back, representative robby Scott from congress. (applause).
Bill Howell
The gentleman from Colonial Heights, Mr. Cox. Mr. Speaker, I rise for the purpose of a motion.
Bill Howell
Gentleman has the floor.
[Unknown]
Mr. Speaker, I would ask that we take out of order hjr 68 on Page 10 of today's printed calendar and move adoption. I would like to speak to that motion.
Bill Howell
Gentleman has the floor.
[Unknown]
Mr. Speaker, hjr 68 concerns the Colonial Heights boys volleyball team. A lot of you know I now have I think the distinguishment of being the third most senior member, and I 've never had a state championship in Colonial Heights, so I am absolutely thrilled. I've been waiting forever. This is a very unique team. I actually got to see, I think, all their games except for two over the last two years, and they are truly exceptional. Chairman Jones will laugh because I actually left appropriations meeting in northern Virginia, drove home and then drove back. And so for Colonial Heights, this has been sort of a golden era for us. Last year we had three undefeated boys teams. I don't think we've ever had one. In baseball, tennis and volleyball. Last year the boy's volleyball team went undefeated. We got knocked out in the regionals by midlothian who went on to be state champion. This year we've turned the tide. We beat mid my first game of the year and then we beat James river. You know James river is a very large can -- school that's won state boys championships. We over came a lot of adversity, and had a great start. Were you of our great players was injured, came back, and we went through and won the state championship. Ironically, the great thing is, we actually beat midlothian in the state finals. Here's what's sort of neat about it. We have 16,000 people, and my brother who is up in the audience, who is superintendent, he has the real power in life. He actually -- we played at the siegel center, and I went about an hour ahead of the game, and the line was out in the street of colonial height supporters, which was really cool. I've had a chance to coach a lot of the young men in the audience, in baseball, et cetera, one of them is state player of the year. That's noah murdoch. He's going to pitch for uvai want -- uva. I coached him in baseball, and I told him many times when he's in the mlb and he's interviewed, just remember that coach Cox taught him everything he knows. Very quickly, let me name some other people. I mentioned noah was named conference region state player of the year. Stewart krinkl, snowe -- noah sears, noah Bryant, a kid named cameron Cox rocking a bowtie, and dantae jennings were named first team all conference and second team all regional. And so Mr. Speaker, this is just a very special occasion for Colonial Heights. I hope it be the pleasure of the House to give the Colonial Heights boys volleyball team, if they will stand, a nice round of applause. (applause).
[Unknown]
We are delighted to have the members of the team here. We noticed that one did look an awful lot like the majority leader, but I had a chance to briefly talk to y'all this morning. They're a great group of young men. What a wonderful accomplishment for them. We haven't passed a resolution yet, so I guess we better do that. Those in favor of adopting a resolution, please say aye. Opposed, no. Resolution is agreed to. Thank you. Gentleman from Salem, Mr. Habeeb.
Greg Habeeb
Mr. Speaker, I rise for the purpose of an introduction.
Bill Howell
Gentleman has the floor.
Greg Habeeb
Mr. Speaker, thank you. Before I do, I want to congratulate the majority leader on finally getting a state championship after 30 years. I think later this session I 'll be introducing my 30th state championship in six years. (laughter). Mr. Speaker, I 'm not looking to take credit for any of that, but we do welcome the majority leader to the club. It's about time. Mr. Speaker, in the gallery with us today is a group of freshman students from faith christian school, if they would rise. They're here with their teachers, as they are every year. Faith is a school of about 300 students with a rigorous classical curriculum. They've graduated 156 students in their 20 years of existence with essentially 100% college make tricklation -- metriclation right. Mr. Speaker, I hope the body give them a warm welcome. (applause).
[Unknown]
Delighted to have the students with us today.
Bill Howell
Gentleman from Henrico, Mr. O'bannon.
John O'Bannon
Rise for a calendar request.
Bill Howell
Gentleman has the floor.
John O'Bannon
Thank you, sir. On Page 2, request hjr 22 and 23 go by for the day, and on Page 9, hjr 42 by for the day.
Bill Howell
Without objection, the House joint resolution 22 and 23 by for the day and on Page 9 -- what was it? House joint resolution 42 by for the day. Gentleman from Henrico ,
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Bagby. I rise for a point of personal privilege.
Bill Howell
Gentleman has the floor.
Bill Howell
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is with regret that I make this body aware that my seat mate, the gentleman from Portsmouth, is away on pressing personal business. I would ask that this body continue to keep Delegate Heretick 's family in prayer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Bill Howell
Thank you. The gentlewoman from Alexander, Ms. Herring.
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for a point of personal privilege.
Bill Howell
Gentlewoman has the floor.
[Unknown]
Thank you. Mr. Speaker and members of this body, yesterday we heard comments on this floor that I believe do merit discussion. There were statements made about slavery, abolition and the notion that the Black lives matter is being used as a comparison to a woman making her own health care choices about her health and body. I received calls, e-mails, texts from constituents, colleagues and advocates sharing their outrage over what they saw as a step too far in comparing a harrowing part of our history that has had him an impact on race relations still felt today with a woman making her own health care decisions in consultation with her doctor. The u.S. Supreme court has ruled in 1973 that women are guaranteed the right to privacy to make medical decisions concerning their own bodies. Speeches like the one we heard today -- yesterday rather are a tactic which has long been part of antichoice movement strategies of using inflammatory racial arguments and deceptive claims to villainize abortion in communities of color. Abortion is a deeply personal decision for a woman and her family. Ultimately decisions about whether to choose adoption, end a pregnancy or raise a child must be left to a woman, her family and her faith with council as her health care provider. One in five women have turned to planned parenthood at some time in her life for high quality cavity -- confidential health care n addition to providing safe, legal abortion, more than 90% of what planned parenthood does nationally is lifesaving cancer screenings, dispensing birth control, std testing and treatment, yet yesterday they were called a merchant of death on this floor, but in reality, they are a not for profit health care provider. There were many claims made against them. Only one need to look to politicize dot com to see the research remember searched by people trained to screen out political bias. After a rousing state of the commonwealth that was full of hope and ideas that we can work across the aisle focusing on a new Virginia economy, education and our veterans, I was shocked to hear some divisive rhetoric. The state -- stakes for our economy here in Virginia are too high to drag this session into partisan squabbles and the deadlock we see across the pa potomac in Washington. We must work together on issues that boost our economy and leave behind attacks on the women's privacy rights. I'm a daughter of a veteran. I have been an advocate for the military and their family since I was a teenager. We have seen the governor effectively end veteran homelessness in the commonwealth and is a great first step. However, we need to continue our focus on the veterans, concentrating on the care centers in Hampton roads and northern Virginia as well as provide transition assistance for our veterans who seek to maintain a home in Virginia and assimilate into the civilian workforce. At the forefront of our policymaking must be a commitment to insure that we, as a commonwealth, are adapting to safeguard our prosperity and the prosperity of future generations. Now is the exciting time for prospects for economic growth from proposals to go Virginia, regional grants, new research funding for universities of investment into port, our governor has proposed a way for it. We continue to work with this body as we prepare our transportation infrastructure, reduce tolls and congestion that impact our working families. Together we can make sure we pave the way forward and create programs for job training for jobs that exist today. While I will not leave an attack unanswered, I do think first and foremost we are here to do the people's work and find traditions, a way to stand up for what we believe in while working together to help make Virginia strong. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (applause).
Bill Howell
The gentleman from Colonial Heights, Mr. Cox.
Kirk Cox
Mr. Speaker, I rise for an additional introduction.
Bill Howell
Gentleman has the floor.
Kirk Cox
It's always dangerous when you do resolutions. I left out a very important person, and I want to make sure I recognize him. Mark Lee was the coach of Colonial Heights. I've known mark. Mark graduated in 74, and so I don't care, but mark has done a great job with the team, and I want to make sure that he was state coach of the year. So please give mark a nice round of applause. (applause).
Bill Howell
The gentleman from Powhatan, Mr. Ware.
Lee Ware
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on Page 9 of today's calendar, there was a commending resolution for a gentleman that served in this chamber. There are a dwindling number in here who remember serving with john Watkins. I rise for an announcement. I guess I probably should have said that at the outset, Mr. Speaker.
[Unknown]
He's been hired by the Richmond times-dispatch. (laughter).
Lee Ware
Gentleman has the floor.
[Unknown]
He is a man of many parts, that's true, Mr. Speaker. Retiring Senator john Watkins, I do have a commending resolution. There is a co-patron sheet, which is going around. I would ask you to sign up whether or not you served with him in this chamber. Of course, he served down the Hall in the other chamber, as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Bill Howell
Thank you. The gentleman from Henrico, Mr. Farrell.
Peter Farrell
Mr. Speaker, I rise for a motion, motion, and speaking to that, if I could. Mr. Speaker, the motion would be House bill 378 on Page 20. If we could refer that to the appropriations committee, and speaking to that, the bill is not in jeopardy. Nobody likes getting a visit from the chairman from the ninth floor, but I did this morning. He actually is a co-patron on the bill. Mr. Speaker, there is a budget amendment that the ink hasn't even dried yet for the bill, and I think he would just like that to dry and vladimir putin in proper posture before we keep putting the pedal to the metal on the bill. That's all we're doing. The bill is in good shape. We've talked about it. We've just got to follow the process of the House of thank you, Mr. Speaker. Delegates.
Bill Howell
Without objection, House bill 378 will be referred to the committee on appropriations. The gentlewoman from Fairfax, Ms. Filler-corn.
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for a purpose -- actually for a motion.
Bill Howell
Gentlewoman has the floor.
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Page 19, I move to strike hr 69 and 70 for the purposes of introducing joint resolution at a later date.
Bill Howell
Without objection, resolution 69 and resolution 70 will be stricken from the calendar.
Bill Howell
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Gentleman from Hanover, Mr. Peace.
Chris Peace
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Rise for an introduction and an announcement.
Bill Howell
Gentleman has the floor.
Chris Peace
Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the House, with us at the capital today are many foster youth. Their coaches and men terse from the -- mentors from the great expectations program, based out the Virginia college system. We also have mentors from project life, independent living program partnership between umff and Virginia department of social services for older foster youth in care. All these folks were brought to the capitol today by voices for Virginia 's children in order to allow these young people to speak with us, their legislators and administration officials to share their ideas, experiences and challenges, related to aging out of the foster care system here in the commonwealth. I'm very pleased that we have Delegate Lingamfelter, who has introduced important legislation that's related to this subject. These youth, their mentors and coaches will be in House room 1 immediately after adjournment. If you have an interest, if you serve on hwi or the health subcommittee on approaches, I encourage you to go down and spend a few minutes visiting with these foster youth. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
[Unknown]
Thank you.
Bill Howell
The gentleman from Westmoreland, Ms. Ransone.
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for a request.
[Unknown]
Gentleman May see it.
[Unknown]
I would like to request the journal reflect the gentleman, my seat mate from Washington, is away today due to pressing personal business.
Bill Howell
The journal will so reflect.
Bill Howell
The gentleman from stanton, Mr. Bell.
[Unknown]
Mr. Speaker, I rise for a request.
Bill Howell
Gentleman has the floor.
Bill Howell
May the journal reflect that my seat mate, the gentleman from tazwell is away today on pressing personal business.
Bill Howell
The journal will so reflect. The gentleman from Fauquier, Mr. Webber.
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for the purpose of a motion.
Bill Howell
Gentleman May proceed.
[Unknown]
Thank you. I move that House resolutions 51 through 58 be taken by for the day.
[Unknown]
What Page would they be?
[Unknown]
Page 17, sir.
[Unknown]
I don't have the right Page. What Page ?
[Unknown]
17.
[Unknown]
17 and 18.
Bill Howell
Okay. Without objection, House resolution 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, and 58 will go by for the day. Gentleman from Hanover, Mr. Fowler.
Buddy Fowler
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for the purposes of a motion.
Bill Howell
Gentleman has the floor.
Buddy Fowler
I'd like to move that House joint resolution 53 on Page 3 go by for the day.
Bill Howell
Without objection, House joint resolution 53 by for the day. Gentleman from Suffolk, Mr. Jones.
Chris Jones
Mr. Speaker, I have an announcement.
Bill Howell
Gentleman has the floor.
Chris Jones
Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the House, in your inbox this afternoon will be the annual memo announcing the small briefing, small group briefings that will begin next Tuesday. Carla has looked at all of your standing committee assignments and she has tried to arrange for the nonmembers of the community a time that is convenient when you wouldn't have a conflict. They will begin on Tuesday morning at 8:00, Tuesday afternoon at 2:00, and we have Wednesday at 8:00 and 3:00 and Thursday at 8 o'clock. If you cannot meet your scheduled time and you would like to come to one of those other times, we would certainly welcome you. We found these to be very helpful, and the questions that we received from the noncommittee members are very instructive to us as we begin fashioning the budget, so wishing you all back, have a wonderful weekend, and see you next week.
Bill Howell
Thank you. The gentleman from Halifax, Mr. Edmunds.
James Edmunds
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise for an introduction.
Bill Howell
Gentleman has the floor.
James Edmunds
Mr. Speaker, today in the House gallery or in one of the House rooms, we have with us Mr. Steven walker, mayor of Charlotte courthouse, Virginia, with a group of students from southside Virginia community college. They're hour touring the capitol. Mr. Speaker, if you would please, join me in giving mayor walker and the students a warm House welcome. (applause).
Bill Howell
We're delighted to have the students visiting with us today. I hope you enjoy your time in the capital. Gentleman from Virginia beach, Mr. Stally.
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I rise for a request.
Bill Howell
Gentleman has the floor.
[Unknown]
Page 4, can hjr 49 go by for the day.
Bill Howell
Without objection, House joint resolution 89 by for the day. The gentleman from Prince William, Mr. Marshall.
Bob Marshall
Mr. Speaker, I rise for a point of personal privilege.
Bill Howell
Gentleman May proceed.
Bob Marshall
Mr. Speaker, when I was younger, in the early 1950's, my dad and I would listen to a radio program called dragnet, and there was a gentleman on there named sergeant Friday, aka, the actor jack webb. And inevitably during the program he would be interviewing somebody and he would say something to the effect like, just the facts, ma'am, just the facts. Well, let me give you some of the facts about life. Dr. Eric bly Smith writing in 1978 in the genetic basis of human oo anatomy states that today it is known that the early stages of human development are slightly different from the early developmental stages of all other species. We talk of human development not because of a jumble of cells, which perhaps initially is atypical. It gradually turns more and more into a human, but rather because the human being develops from a uniquely human cell. There is no stage in human development prior to which one could claim that a being exists with not yet human individuality. On the basis of anatomical studies, we know today that no developmental phase exists that constitutes a transition from the not yet human to the human, but is it really facts we're arguing about or is it values? Well, Mr. Speaker, an he editorl entitled a new ethic for medicine in society in california med sib, volume 113, September 1970 on pages 67 and 68, and they talk about the tradition of the western ethic has always placed great p emphasis on the intrinsic worth and equal value of every human being regardless of its stage or condition. This ethic has the blessing of the jew day owe christian heritage and has been the basis of most of our laws and much of our social policy. The reference for each and every human life has also been a keystone of western medicine and is the epic which caused physicians to try to preserve, protect repair, prolong and enhance every human life which comes under their surveillance. Now they talk about a switch that was going on in society. The process of eroding the old ethic and substituting the new has already begun. It May be seen most clearly in changing attitudes towards human abortion. In in defiance of the long held western ethic of intrinsic and equal value of every human life, regardless of its stage, status or condition, abortion is becoming accepted by society as moral, right and evenness, and I 'll -- even necessary. I'll just stop for a second. 600 years before christ, he said he would not give a woman a (inaudible) to induce abortion. Since the old ethic has not been fully displaced, it has been necessary to separate the idea of abortion from the idea of killing, which continues to be socially abhorrent. The result has been a curious avoidance of the scientific fact, which everyone really knows that human life begins at conception and is continuous, whether intraor extra uterine until death. The very considerable semantic gymnastics which are required to rationalize abortion as anything but the taking of a human life would be ludacris if they were not often put forth under socially especially -- impeccable as you -- sauce -- while a new ethic is being accepted, the old one has not yet been rejected. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (applause).
[Unknown]
Are there further resolutions or motions under rule 39? If not, the clerk will call the calendar.
[Unknown]
Calendar for the Virginia House of delegates for Friday, January 15th, 2016, Page 1, resolutions laid on the speaker's table, memorial resolutions to be adopted in block are listed on pages 1 through 7 of the printed calendar with the exception of hj 22, 23, 53 and 89.
[Unknown]
Does any member wish to remove a resolution from the block? Hearing none, all those in favor of adopting on block the memorial resolutions laid on the speaker's table as listed on pages 1 through 7 of the calendar with the exception of hjr 22, 23, 53, and 89 will please rise.
[Unknown]
Resolutions are agreed to.
[Unknown]
Continuing with the calendar, Page 7, printed version, commending resolutions laid on the speaker's table. The commending resolutions to be adopted in block are listed on pages 7 through 19 with the exception of House joint resolutions 42 and 68, as well as with the exceptions of House resolution 51 through 58 and 69 and 70.
[Unknown]
Does any member wish to remove a resolution? Hearing none, all those in favor of adopting the commending resolutions laid on the speaker's table on pages 7 through 19 of the calendar with the exception of hjr 42, 68, 51 through 58, 69 and 70, please say aye.
[Unknown]
Aye.
[Unknown]
Those opposed, no. Those resolutions are agreed to.
[Unknown]
Mr. Speaker, that completes the calendar.
[Unknown]
Does the clerk have any additional announcements or communications?
[Unknown]
Yes, sir, Mr. Speaker. I simply remind the body one last time, printed calendar, the budget amendment and bill drafting, deadline today at 5. Also just remind the body today is the first day we did commending and memorial resolutions. A change in memorial and procedure resolution allows members to co-patron those, anything we passed up until one hour after consideration by the other body. Typically the other body handles commending memorials on thursdays. So for all of those that passed today, you have until next Thursday if you wish to co-patron, which is a change in policy and procedures from years past for those who have been here before. Looking to today's meetings, as the chairman said, appropriations will be meeting one half hour after adjournment of the House up on the ninth floor appropriations room. Today's courts of justice committee meeting is cancelled. Looking ahead to next week, Monday, January 18th, Martin luther king day, we will begin first meeting at 7 a.M., transportation subcommittee no. 1. They'll be meeting in the fifth floor east conference room at the jab. At 8 a.M., the privileges and elections subcommittee on the constitution will be meeting at 8 o'clock, fifth floor, west conference room. The committee on education will meet at 8:30 in House room d. The committee on finance will meet at 8:30 in the ninth floor appropriations room, 8:30 on also, the science and technology Monday. Committee will be meeting at 10 a.M. In House room c. The democratic caucus will meet at 11:30 a.M. In hues room 2. Republican caucus will meet in House room 1. Mr. Speaker, that is all the announcements that I have.
[Unknown]
I'd like to take a moment to introduce or recognize -- don't need to introduce -- a former colleague of ours now serving in Washington and is visiting with us today, congressman robert Wittman from the congressional first district. Rob, good to have you back. (applause).
Bill Howell
The gentleman from colonial
[Unknown]
Mr. Speaker, I move that when heights. House adjourn today it adjourn to reconvene Monday, January 18th at 12 noon.
Bill Howell
Gentleman from Colonial Heights, Mr. Cox, moves that when the House adjourn today, it adjourn to reconvene Monday, January 18th at 12 noon. As many as favor that motion will say aye.
Kirk Cox
Those opposed, no. That motion is agreed to. Gentleman from Colonial Heights, Mr Cox .
[Unknown]
Mr. Speaker, I move the House do now adjourn.
[Unknown]
Gentleman from Colonial Heights, Mr Cox, moves the House do now adjourn. As many as favor that motion, say aye. Those opposed, no. Motion agreed to. The House stands adjourned until 12 noon, Monday, January 18th. 12 noon, Monday, January 18th.