02/22/2018 House Proceedings

Download this Video

Index

HB29—00:15:53
HB297—00:00:16
HB29—00:06:28
Del. Michael Webert (R-Marshall)—00:48
Del. Ben Cline (R-Amherst)—00:00
Del. Matt Fariss (R-Rustburg)—00:54
Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington)—00:00
Del. Roxann Robinson (R-Chesterfield)—00:00
Del. Chris Jones (R-Suffolk)—00:00
Del. Ben Cline (R-Amherst)—00:00
Del. Scott Garrett (R-Lynchburg)—00:42
Del. David Toscano (D-Charlottesville)—00:00
Del. Ben Cline (R-Amherst)—00:00
Del. Scott Garrett (R-Lynchburg)—03:54
Del. Glenn Davis (R-Virginia Beach)—02:30
Del. Rob Bell (R-Charlottesville)—01:18
Del. Ben Cline (R-Amherst)—00:36
Del. Scott Garrett (R-Lynchburg)—01:12
Del. David Toscano (D-Charlottesville)—02:01
Del. Chris Jones (R-Suffolk)—00:00
Del. David Toscano (D-Charlottesville)—02:18
Del. Ben Cline (R-Amherst)—00:54
Del. Todd Gilbert (R-Woodstock)—02:00
00:00
00:01
00:02
00:03
00:04
00:05
00:06
00:07
00:08
00:09
00:10
00:11
00:12
00:13
00:14
00:15
00:16
00:17
00:18
00:19
00:20
00:21
00:22
00:23
00:24
00:25
00:26
00:27
00:28
00:29
00:30
00:31
00:32
00:33
00:34
00:35
00:36
00:37
00:38
00:39
00:40
00:41
00:42
00:43
00:44
00:45
00:46
00:47
00:48
00:49
00:50
00:51
00:52
00:53
00:54
00:55
00:56
00:57
00:58
00:59
01:00
01:01
01:02
01:03
01:04
01:05
01:06
01:07
01:08
01:09
01:10
01:11
01:12
01:13
01:14
01:15

Minutes

Called to order at 12 m. by M. Kirkland Cox, Speaker

Mace placed on Speaker's table by Sergeant at Arms

Prayer offered by Pastor Nick Koopalethes, The Victory House, Purcellville [at the request of Delegate LaRock]

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

Attendance roll call - Quorum present

Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2018, approved by the Speaker

Senate Communication Received - more

Committee report

Appropriations reported on 02/21/2018

Transportation reported on 02/22/2018

HB 278 - Conferees appointed: Collins, Bell of Albemarle, Mullin

HB 1008 - Conferees appointed: Gilbert, Bell of Albemarle, Mullin

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

HBs 29 and 30 taken up under special and continuing order 

HOUSE BILLS READ SECOND TIMEREGULAR CALENDAR

HB 29 - Uncontested Committee amendments agreed to 

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.

[Unknown]
[gavel pounding] >> The House will come to order. Members, please take their seats. Sergeant at arms.
[Unknown]
The House is now in session. All persons not entitled to the privileges of the floor will retire to the gallery. >> The members will rise and be led in prayer by nick koopalethes, pastor of the victory House, purcellville and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance which will be led by the Delegate from Shenandoah, Delegate Gilbert. >> Thank you. Let us pray. Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth, we humbly come to you today as recognize you as the source of all authority and power. Father, as we stand here in this sacred chamber, I ask for divine wisdom to govern justly, divine courage to make righteous choices. Father, I ask on behalf of the commonwealth of Virginia for spiritual revival and awakening. As your word declares in the book of acts, the times of ignorance God has overlooked. But now heismaned he's he has commanded all to repent. So God, because of your great love, we repent by turning to you with all of our heart, mind, and soul. And I pray that this chamber would exemplify both in public platforms and private lives the faith, the character and the wholliness of christ. I declare today the blessing of the lord over all deliberations, representatives and their families. May the lord less you and keep you. May the lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the lord give you Peace. We humbly thank you for these things in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit, in jesus holy an precious name. Amen.
[Unknown]
Amen. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america. And to the republic, for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
[Unknown]
The members will answer the roll call by indicating their presence on the electronic voting board. The clerk will close the roll. >> Mr. Speaker, a quorum is present. >> Pursuant to House rule 3 I 've examined and approved the journal for the House of delegates for February, 21st, 2018. Motions and resolutions under rule 39 pursuant to provisions of rule 40 are now in order. The clerk shall announce the first morning hour of business, including any clerk's announcements and communications.
[Unknown]
No communications but the speaker appoints for the committee of conference on House bill 278, patroned by Delegate Collins, Bell, and mullen. House bill 278, Collins, Bell and mullins. Mr. Speaker, also, appoint for committee of conference on House bill 1008, patroned by Delegate Gilbert. The following delegates -- Gilbert, Bell and mullen, for House bill 1008. Gilbert, Bell, and mullen.
[Unknown]
The Delegate from Newport News, Delegate Yancey .
[Unknown]
I rise for an introduction. >> The Delegate has the floor. >> Joining us today there are several members of the Hampton Newport News community service board visiting us in the capitol today. I would ask them to stand. With us, including members of the board, the director of communications and business development, the peer recovery coordinator and specialist. They serve over 15,000 individuals with mental illness, substance abuse disorders and developmental disabilities. I would ask that the House give them a warm House welcome. [applause] >> The House would like to welcome the members of the Hampton community services board to the capitol. Delegate Murphy. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for an introduction.
[Unknown]
The Delegate has the floor.
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker and members of the House, as the proud mother of two langley graduates, I 'm pleased to welcome students and I and visitors. And if they are in the gallery, it would be great. Langley high school is one in of the best schools in all of Virginia. It's located in my district. And rick Sullivan, our very own Delegate, is a graduate of langley. Langley is one of 26 secondary and high schools in Fairfax County public school system. Langley students are given a challenging and enriching academic environment that inspires our students to develop skills necessary to become educated, ethical, and productive citizens. I -- most of the students here today are seniors. They are in some of the most exciting times when they are looking at planning for college, going forward. Some of them were old enough to vote in the last election and hopefully, they did and voted for me. [laughter]
[Unknown]
All of them are engaged and interested citizens and we are glad they are going to be part of the citizenship of our commonwealth. We're delighted to host them here in Richmond today, and I ask that you give them a warm House welcome. [applause] >> The House would like to welcome the langley high school government students to the capitol. The Delegate from Richmond city, Delegate bourne. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for an introduction.
[Unknown]
The Delegate has the floor. Purr
[Unknown]
Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the House, we're joined by a group of students who are here from thomas jefferson high school. I see them in the gallery. So I would ask them to please stand. Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, this group of students led by distinguished and dedicated faculty are here in celebration of career and technical education month as well as to learn about the legislative process and how they might be more engage nd as they mature and become adults. I would hope and ask the House to give them a warm House welcome. [applause] >> The House would like to welcome the students and teachers from thomas jefferson high school. Hope you enjoy your stay at the capitol. Delegate LaRock. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for an introduction.
[Unknown]
The Delegate has the floor. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's my pleasure to inthrow dues nick and -- introduce nick and jackie koopalethes. Mr. Speaker, you did a great job with that. Good friends of mine. The lord brought nick and his wife together in 2002 while they were serving in ministry in denver, comes. They were -- colorado. They were married in 2003. The lord has blessed them with three precious, beautiful daughters, sophia liliana and grace. Together, they have had the opportunity to impact the next generation of leaders and influencers through student ministries in both new jersey, and Hampton, Virginia. In late 2010, they reloyal re -- they relocated to Virginia. Together they are praying and believing from the mighty move of God in northern Virginia. Amen to that. In 2017, the lord led nick and jackie to expand their ministry horizon. While the victory House is their heart and home church, they will follow the holy spirit's call and venture to na places to preach the gospel through living fire international. The heart is to advance the kingdom of God all over the globe by the transformational power. I will just close by saying that nick and his beautiful daughter sophia come to my House for an hour or two once a month. We thank you for that, nick, and thank you for the making the drive down here. Thank you, jackie. [applause]
[Unknown]
Delegate Gilbert. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for an introduction.
[Unknown]
The Delegate has the floor. >> Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to welcome to the capitol, the 2018 dairy princess and her court. If they can stand. I think they are in the gallery. The 2018 dairy princess is mika Smith. She's 20 years old. She works full time at southern states while attending college. She owns several dairy animals showing them at local state and dairy shows. This year, the dairy partnership ses and princess will promote dairy products and honoring the farmers that have produced these results. The purpose of the program is to promote the dairy sales in Virginia. I would add we would have been more impressed if you had brought ice cream today. But if you didn't, that's fine. [laughter] >> It seems like a perfect opportunity to promote these products, Mr. Speaker. But idy -- but I digress. They educate people in creating this home and contributing to the agriculture industry here in Virginia. It's my pleasure to welcome mika and her court to the capitol. If you all would join me in welcoming them today. [applause] >> Mida, we -- mika, we certainly welcome you and your court to the capitol. Ignore Delegate Gilbert. He doesn't need any more ice cream. [laughter]
[Unknown]
The Delegate from Rockingham, Delegate Wilt. >> Mr. Speaker, I 'm scared to say anything. [laughter]
[Unknown]
I rise for an introduction.
[Unknown]
The Delegate has the floor. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, there is a group of 7th grade civic students from cornerstone christian school in the central Shenandoah valley. They are accompanied with some parents and their teacher, miss burggy. I would ask if they are in the gallery that they would stand. But regardless, that we would give them a warm House welcome. [applause]
[Unknown]
The House week with like to welcome the students from the cornerstone school. >> Delegate ayala.
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for an introduction. >> The Delegate has the floor.
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today in the gallery, we have five girl scout troops from Prince William County. If they are in the gallery, can you please stand. All right. These girls have been doing incredible things. They've learned critical schools in four main subjects that form the foundation of the girl scouts leadership experience, stem, outdoors life skills and entrepreneurship. The girls transform these ideals into action, from laying wreaths at quantico to picking up trash in their neighborhoods to supporting homeless shelters across the county. Girl scouts play an active role. The girl scout program provides girls with the tools to become leaders. I know these girls are on the path of a lifetime of leadership, adventure and success and I 'm thrilled they are joining us in the gallery. So Mr. Speaker, members. Gallery, on behalf of the members of the Prince William delegation, please join me in welcoming the girl scouts. [applause] >> The House would certainly like to welcome the five girl scout troops from Prince William. Thank you for coupling. Hope you enjoy your stay. Delegate rhone.
[Unknown]
I rise for a request. >> The Delegate has the floor.
[Unknown]
I would like to withdraw my four minutes to item 449. >> That item is withdrawn.
[Unknown]
The clerk shall announce the next order of business. >> Mr. Speaker, the second morning hour order of business, move legislation from the uncontested to the regular calendar. There are not any such requests. >> The clerk shall announce the next order of business. >> The third morning hour of business is legislation -- go by members that legislation go by. There are two. On Page 3 of the printed calendar, first category of bills, Senate bills third reading, regular, sb 513. That has been requested to go by for the day by Delegate Leftwich. And within the same category on the next Page of the printed calendar, Page 4, Delegate -- cause me, Senator 's sb 451. That has been requested to go by for the day by Delegate Orrock. That's all of the questions we have. >> Delegate Gilbert. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would move that the legislation as announced by the clerk go by for the day. >> Delegate Gilbert moves that the legislation announced by the clerk go by for the say. All those in favor say aye. [ayes expressed]
[Unknown]
Those opposed no? The motion is agreed to. The clerk shall announce the next order of business.
[Unknown]
Fourth and final portion of the morning hour, now in order member requests for points of personal privilege. >> Delegate Rasoul .
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for a point of personal privilege. >> The Delegate has the floor.
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen of the House, I know that we have discussed a lot more than many of us even want to hear about on this rate freeze and utility regulation. There's been a lot of discussion. But this is probably one of the biggest bills we're going to face in the session. Tomorrow we're scheduled to hear Senate bill 966, which is the companion to House bill 1558. I have introduced a floor substitute to Senate bill 966 to be considered tomorrow. I did it intentionally today because I didn't want to spring it on you. I wanted you to have time on able to look through it. This floor substitute is pretty straightforward. It has all of the good provisions we've talked about. It has renewable energy, undergrounding, energy efficiency, the tax saving, broadband, hydroelectric, all of the pieces that we've discussed that we have celebrated are in and have actually helped to improve 1558 are in the floor substitute that's before you to consider over the next 24 hours. The difference being that this changes the way the oversight process happens. Base rates will be reviewed every two years as opposed to every three. There will be a possibility of rate reductions around that time as well. And most importantly, the scc would actually overview the past few years to see what overcharges should be refunded back to the ratepayers. So to me, this is the best of all worlds. We've got all of the good pieces that we've celebrated, we've enjoyed in 1558. But this restores the authority of the scc to be able to protect the ratepayers in a proper way. I'm asking you to carefully consider this floor substitute for tomorrow. We will be taking a vote to reject -- I will be asking you to reject the committee substitute and accept the floor substitute. Some people are going to say that the floor substitute isn't perfect. And, in fact, it isn't. These bills are difficult. There are lots of pieces to it, for sure. But understand that the floor substitute represents what I believe to be sound public policy. Us coming together troying to represent the ratepayers and incorporating a lot of the wonderful points that have improved 1558 and 966 over time. Using these consensus provisions, I hope you will look favorably on the floor substitute. I thank you in advance for carefully considering that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
[Unknown]
Delegate weber. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for a point of personal privilege. >> The Delegate has the floor.
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, and ladies and gentlemen of this House, I rise to speak in regard to the policy decision that's been enshrined in the budget. I and my colleagues realize we're the last line tied to the ship as it embarks across the ocean. The ocean will hold many storms, changes and at times period of time. While the line to keep the ship will be broken, I hope you will indulge me to outline my cautious opposition to the medicaid expansion that's been placed in our budget. Every time we speak of healthcare, there is a sentiment that because one is against the policy, one is against the result. This could be further from the truth. Recognizing the storms and having a different route is certainly not a call for mutiny. There is no magic pill that will cure our healthcare system. Many said that health insurance is the key to affordable healthcare, Mr. Speaker. Areas like Charlottesville and my own story show that this is misleading. You see, my son suffers from seizures. He had three -- he's had three during his lifetime. His seizures are not a typical seizure. He merely twitches, his lips turn blue from a lack of oxygen and his eyes roll to the back of his Head. During the last seizure, I pulled him from his car seat, took him to the back of the car and began to strip him down, counting the seconds until I could administer a su poss tori to the seizure. Luckily, he came out of it before I had to administer the medicine. It's through this terrifying experience that I realize having health insurance does not equal affordable healthcare. When we went to refill the prescription, cvs said it would cost $2500. That's for ten doses that we May never use. As this was a refill, we knew there was a deeper way. We asked our physician if we could have the medicine compounded. They changed the prescription slightly to abide by federal law and $45 later, without insurance, we had our assurance. It's the same as the ship of medicating expansion setting sail. While navigating, the ocean I urge you to be cautious of certain storms on the horizon. I rallized the first storm while talking to my son's pediatrician. He made the biggs decision to not take new medicaid patients. There's only so many transactions that somebody made before the losses affect the bottom line. This is why doctors across the nation have a limited ability to sustain a stearn number of medicaid patients. Push so now we're going to add hundreds of thousands of patients to an already stressed system. What if the demand is too great and too costly as it has been in other states. What are we going to do? Force doctors to see patients? In the words of vice president mike pence, obamacare has put too many able-bodied adults on the medicaid rolls, leaving many disabled and vulnerable americans at the back of the line. It's true. It's heart breaking. As this vessel moves forward, we need to ensure that we have reforms in place that the needy rest taken care of first. Funding of the program, yet is another storm. The funding model is a split of 90-10. How do we pay for our 0%? With an assessment on our hospitals. Mr. Speaker, not only are we going to expand medicaid with the promise from the federal government, a government that has shut down and has not passed a budget since the invention of the ipad. We're going to add costs to our healthcare system. 7 cents 1 cents on the dollar is still a losing proposition. Mr. Speaker, my third cautious warning -- we are in the midst of a hurricane. My district in the words of attorneys general mark Herring is the etchpy center of our opioid epidemic. Wisconsin Senator ron john son released a report from the Senate homeland security and governmental affairs committee that beas that we cannot neglect as we embark on expansion. This is a storm that we need to do all that we can to avoid. The report concedes that everything from too many prescriptions to drug marketing contribute to the epidemic. However, Mr. Speaker, fraud is always possible with any government program. And I quote -- sorry, Mr. Speaker. Fraud involving the opioid crisis is obviously most concerning to me. And I quote from the committee report, "more than 80% of the 298 separate medicaid opioids cases identified were filed in medicaid expansion states led by new York, michigan, louisiana, new jersey and ohio. The number of criminal cases increased 55% in the first four years after medicaid expansion, from 2014 to 2017. Compared to the four-year period before expansion. While correlation is not necessarily causation, Mr. Speaker, it certainly warrants closer attention. We have a loaded gun in regard to our opioid he epidemic, Mr. Speaker. Let's not load it with buckshots. If we move forward, let us make sure we have the reforms in place to ensure that this epidemic does not expand. Mr. Speaker, we are all elected to represent our perspective constituents and all have our various views on issues. That is why we are a representative government. Of here, everyone here, inbelieve, has the best interest of their constituents, their district and the commonwealth at heart. We've put in very necessary reforms when it comes to medicaid, from work requirements to the kill switch. However, I 'm afraid the cost will be too much to bear. While I suspect many want to set sail on the expansiontion, I hope you will give these points consideration as you plot the course. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [applause]
[Unknown]
Delegate reed. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for a point of personal privilege. >> The Delegate has the floor.
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to pay tribute to Black history month and the men and women whose contributions have made us a wiser and stronger commonwealth. Today, I would like to pay tribute to benjamin banneker. He was born in maryland and contributed to our nation in many ways e was a entrepreneur, an invent ef, a self-taught mathematician and an astrong store. When 15, he built a pioneering irrigation system that was widely doppyed in the colonies. He incented the first clock built -- he invented the first block. He became known for his ail almanacs. His almanac was the first-of-its-kind by a Black author in america. He proved that a Black mind was no different than any other and in his case, intellectually superior to most minds. Part of his later life ent twines with the founder of this institution, thomas jefferson. Ept wrote to jefferson in 1791, when jefferson was secretary of state imploring him to ready embrace every opportunity to toeradicate false opinions.. We are all of the same family. Jefferson responded that his almanac was a document to which your whole race had a right for the justification against the doubts which had been entertained of them. In other words, he thought he was right. So impressed was jefferson that he recommended he be part of a team that was laying out the plans for Washington, d.C. His faith in him proved Wise. When the chief architect quit and took his plans, he re-created them from memory, thereby saving the project. He was a man who contributed to his country and advocated to the truths we all know today. But all of us, regardless of our circumstance, race, gender or creed, are part of the same american family. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [applause]
[Unknown]
Delegate Cline. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for a point of personal privilege. >> The Delegate has the floor. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen of the House, I want to follow on my remarks on Friday which took a little bit longer than I planned. Today I 'm going to be brief. I'm not going to talk about kentucky. I'm going to focus on our commonwealth. When I , when I talk about the budget. The most important bill funds all of the core priorities of governments, schools, roads, public safety. It's critical to the functioning of the commonwealth. While we have to look over the next two years of the budget cycle, we also have to look forward. We have to make sure that the policies we adopt in this budget are sound policies that over the course of the next, not just two hours but four years, ten years and on and on are sound policies that will keep us in the top rankings of the states where we should do business, where we should start businesses, raise a family. Virginia's proud of its rankings. It's proud of its aaa bond rating. But this budget, unfortunately, includes -- by including medicaid expansion, we put at risk that record. We put at risk that sound, fiscal policy, even with work requirements, the medicaid expansion from obamacare is not sustainable for the long-term in the commonwealth. And it's been seen in other states, expansion per person costs have exceeded original estimates by 76%. Medicaid expansion has cost those states that have accepted it 2.5 times as much as promised. The expansion cost overruns have cost taxpayers 157% more than expected. Medicaid spending here in Virginia was 22% of the general fund budget in fy '16 compared to only% ten own ten years ago. When I say we can't sustain medicaid expansion, I think it goes without saying because we can hardly sustain our own medicaid program as it currently exists. We're having a hard enough time. So we instituted the reforms that my colleague spoke of recently and our appropriations committee and this chamber has a great done of implements reforms to try to rein costs, to try to bring down costs. If we don't down this road of medicaid expansion, we do run the risk of crowding out other core functions of government, the core functions I just spoke of -- public safety, roads, education, our future generations of leaders. These are the core functions of government that we should be focused on and while we can continue to work on reforming our medicaid system, I would hope that my colleagues would give pause and consider not going forward with medicaid expansion in this budget and working on a sound balanced budget that will retain our aaa bond raiding, that will retain our top rankings and lay the groundwork for the success of future generations of virginians to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >> Delegate tran.
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for a point of personal privilege. >> The Delegate has the floor.
[Unknown]
Mr. Speaker and members of the House, today is the 286th birthday of george Washington. Our great nation's first president. Thanks to his leadership from serving in our country's continental army to the Virginia House, to serving as our first president, our commonwealth and country remain strong beacons for democracy and freedom. In January, we began another session of the assembly. This is the same body that george Washington proudly served and his legacy lives on. Today I 'm reminded of a quote from george walk in a letter in 1785 who wrote, democrat states must always feel before they can see. It is this that makes our government slow, but the people will be right at last. We've listened to the voices of our constituents as we try to govern with their best at heart. While we May not always agree on some of our issues, I think we all remain committed to the common goal that we must do right by those that she represent. I'm really excited to see the continued interest in george Washington 's legacy. This past summer I had the honor of visiting his early childhood home, the 42nd district also includes his distillery which was one of the largest in the nation at the time and a testament to his entrepreneurship and he began the distillery after he left the presidency and we see today many distilleries flourishing across the commonwealth. This past Monday, we had more than 19,100 visitors to mount vernon, which was the third largest ever. That was also very exciting. I hope that we can renew our commitment to the values and vision of george Washington, an entrepreneur, leader and veteran. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [applause] >> Delegate Freitas .
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for a point of personal privilege. >> The Delegate has the floor. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm sure all of us at some point have gotten one of these e-mails or facebook posts or whatnot, which highlights different charitable organizations and how they take money and how they spend their money and honestly, I was fairly surprised by how some of them allocated resources within their organizations. You have some that do a fantastic job, 90% plus of every dollar spent goes right to the intended purpose. You have an incredibly low administrative overhead cost. They are well run and then you have other ones where 97% of every dollar you give them goes to ceo's salaries, administrative pay. It actually doesn't get to the intended recipients. There's also universal condemnation of those organizations. In fact, the more pressed they get, the worst they do with respect to fund-raising and appropriately so. As I was looking at one particular organization, I was looking at -- about the amount of money they take in and how they spend that money and then finding out that less than 70% actually went to the intended recipient, there was 20%, 30% estimates of fraud, waste and abuse, that the overall net medical benefit, because this was a medical organization, the benefit was next to nothing when compared to people that qualified but didn't get the program or the assistance. I would think if that was a private organization or a private charity there would be many members of this body coming here with legislation, either severely regulate them or ban them. But because it's medicaid, it's okay. And that's how government programs work. Government programs try to address the problem, I think a lot of times there's good intentions. They will constantly fail to make good on the promises. The promises they made to justify the program in the first place. But then they assure us they come back year after year after year. If they gave us more power, more regulatory authority, more money, then we would fix it. And they don't. And most of the time with welfare programs it's predicated on the idea that we're going to provide temporary assistance and someone will get on their feet and move beyond. Medicaid started with 4 million americans. It now has over 73 million. Medicaid has become a program that's not just acying, it's creating dependency on a government program that's unsound and not providing a recognizable health benefit to a lot of the people it's promising one to. Every time comes up to opposition, we're presented with this either/or proposition. Either you will support this massive bureaucracy or you want sick peopling to without healthcare. That May be a real popular politically and the media, but it's not the accurate lead flexion of the debate that should be going on, which is what is the best way to everyone has access to quality healthcare. As we consider expanding this program, which, again, makes no sense of me. I look out of the studies in oregon. Oregon had a very unique of expanding medicaid. They did a lottery. You had a lot of people that qualified for it, but only some people got it. After going back and studying this for years, they found that the overall net, physical benefits who got it was 2%. It increased emergency room visits which it was supposed to decrease. When we look at the fiscal component of this, I don't understand the logic behind it. We deep keep saying the federal government was going to cover 100% and now it's 90% and we look at the billions of dollars the federal government is going to send down, they don't actually have that money. I lack at the -- I look at the billions of dollar, I see debt, I see the printing press. The question is not whether or not we should do something. The question is what is the best mechanism to ensuring that the products give the most amount to the people at market prices. Look at anything we have. Look at these government-issued ipads. Look at your iphones and the various products we have. Most of the prices are gone do 70%. Your ipad is more powerful than your laptop and it's more affordable. The same thing in the medical industry. Why? Less regulation, more competition, more market forces. I don't -- there's been a lot of comments and I realize people are very passionate about this. I want to reject some of the comments made about people in this room that disagree with me on this issue. I believe that the people in this room desperately want to find a solution and we disagree with respect to the process. But I 'm asking my colleague, especially the ones that have voted this against this year after year after year for all. Reasons I just mentioned. If we've lou we we're we allow this to pass, we're kidding ourself that it's going to provide long-term care for people in the future. We will be back here in two, four, six years and cut from other areas for this program. I'm asking, please hold the line on this. Not because I question your intentions but .
[Unknown]
Delegate Fariss. >> Mr. Speaker. I rise for a point of personal privilege.
[Unknown]
The Delegate has the floor. >> Mr. Speaker, today, the lunch that a lot of us got was provided by the Virginia cattlemen's association and the Virginia dairymen's association. [cheers and applause]
[Unknown]
For those worrying about reporting it, I left a check for the members of this floor, this House. [cheers] >> The Virginia beach and dairy industry includes over 2500 producers, at one point 6 million cattle providing for 15 billion for the economy each year. The beef and milk you are being provided is complement from the producers here in Virginia, proudly the best products. Rib eye steaks were sourced from glen eye farm and processed in Lynchburg in Dr. Garrett's district. The milk was from various dairies all over Virginia but it was processed in Newport News, Virginia. The potato chips were from mount jackson in Shenandoah and the little debbie snacks were from Augusta County. They appreciate the support and work that is done and wishes to continue the best with the 2018 session. Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the body, as I normally, do that the cows provide the good stuff that goes down the streams to make the oysters. >> Delegate from Arlington. Delegate Lopez. [laughter] >> Mr. Speaker, I would like to move back to the first morning hour of business. >> The Delegate has the floor.
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a motion and introduction. >> I think it's a request.
[Unknown]
A request. >> Yes. The Delegate has the floor.
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to move to withdrought item -- 2941-h. >> Withdrawn. >> Thank you. I have an introduction. In the gallery today and I hope they will drive are members of casa Virginia. It's an amazing immigrant justice organization. They are passionate people working to organize, advocate and expand opportunities for latinos and immigrants across the commonwealth led by the amazing Dr. Michelle larue and lewissing sing a Lewis fish fish aguilar. I would ask that we give them a warm House welcome. [applause]
[Unknown]
The House would like to welcome casa Virginia to the capitol. Delegate Robinson. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to go back to the second order of the day. Can we do that? >> The Delegate has the floor. >> Okay. Thank you. I would would like to request that 309 on Page 24 go by for the day. >> Does any member have any further announcements, introductions or motions? If not, it's time for the special continuing order on House bills 29 and 30. The clerk will report House bill 29. >> H.B. 29. A bill to amend and reenact chapter 836 of the 2017 acts of assembly, which appropriated the public revenues and provided a portion of such revenues for the two years ending, respectively on the 30th day of June, 2017, and the 30th of June, 2018. Reported from committee on appropriations with amendments. They've been printed separately and have opinion provided to the members' desks. There's one floor amendment being offered by Delegate Boysko to House bill 29.
Chris Jones
Delegate Jones. >> Mr. Speaker, House bill 20, otherwise known as the caboose budget, is before this body. I do believe there are a handful of oxes, objections as the clerk has noted with one floor amendment. If there's no other items objected to, I would ask that we proceed to vote on those underlying amendments that were not objected to.
[Unknown]
Are there any further -- okay.
[Unknown]
The clerk is going to announce the objections.
[Unknown]
We have received six objections to House bill 29 to the amendments offered by the committee on appropriation. They are as follows -- on Page 5 of the committee amendments, objection has been offered by Delegate Cline to item 306, number 1-h. Objection raised by Delegate Cline. On the same Page, an objection to 306, 2-h. Looking ahead to Page 1, Page 11 an objection has been raised to item 310, number 1-h. Again, by Delegate Cline. Page 11, item 310 1-h. On Page 14, Page 14 of the committee amendments, objections has been raised to item 476 by Delegate Toscano. Page 14, item 47 -- 476, number 1-h. On Page 17, an objection has been raised to item c-14.50, number 1-h. That's been -- that objection was made by delegates to Delegate Toscano and the last objection offered is on Page 19, to the last item, 3-5.20 number 1. That objection has been made by Delegate Cline. Page 19, item 3-5.20 number 1-a. >> Are there any further objections? The Delegate from Suffolk, Delegate Jones. >> I move that the remaining committee amendments for which there's no objection be agreed to on the block. >> Shall the remaining committee amendments for which there's no objection be agreed to on block? Clerk will close the roll. >> Ayes 100. Noes 0.
[Unknown]
Ayes 100. Noes 0. The motion is adopted. The clerk will now proceed with those committee amendments for which there was an objection so they May be considered by the House .
[Unknown]
On Page 5, Page 5 of the committee amendments objection was raised to item 306, number 1-h, Page 5, item 3 a 6, 1-h. That item is before the body.
[Unknown]
If I could everybody, if you will hit your speak light. It's extremely helpful. Delegate Cline. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaking to the amendment.
[Unknown]
Delegate has the floor. >> Thank you. It's my understanding that these three -- the next three amendments are the medicaid expansion amendments and I spoke to those earlier. This would capture savings to the general fund matching federal medicaid funds and medicaid disproportionate hospital care payments because an out of state hospital chose not to participate in the program. I spoke to medicaid expansion earlier. I think for the long-term fiscal sustainability of the program and the commonwealth, I would ask you to reject the committee amendment.
[Unknown]
Delegate Garrett. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaking briefly to item 306, this is a technical amendment which captures savings to the medicaid program from one hospital, that being children's national hospital, which has not chosen to participate in Virginia 's medicaid disproportionate share hospital payment program. Children's national center did pay the dish payment from the first quarter. The hospital system would have received two more payments in this fiscal year had it wished to continue receiving the payments. Instead, the hospital has requested to hospital these dish payments or disproportion nat -- disproportionate payments. It's an attempt to work with one hospital. I would urge the body to reject -- accept the amendment. Yes. Thank you, sir.
[Unknown]
Delegate from Charlottesville, Delegate Toscano .
[Unknown]
Speaking to the amendment. >> The Delegate has the floor.
[Unknown]
I think the gentleman's ex exation made ation and I -- explanation made sense and I hope you will agree. >> Shall the committee amendment be agreed to? Clerk will close the roll. >> Ayes 75. Noes 25. >> Ayes 75. Noes 25. The committee amendment is agreed to. Mr. Speaker remaining, on Page 5 of the committee amendments, again, objection was raised on item 306, number 2-h by Delegate Cline and that item is before the body.
[Unknown]
Delegate Cline. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaking to the amendment. >> The Delegate has the floor. >> Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the House, I believe this is a large language amendment which lays the groundwork for medicaid expansion so we can apply that much earlier during the current fiscal year in the caboose budget and then proceed earlier with medicaid expansion through hb 30 in the next fiscal year as with the earlier amendment, I hope it will be the pleasure of the House to reject the committee amendment.
[Unknown]
Delegate from Lynchburg, Delegate Garrett. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members of the body, I think there's been a lot of conversations. There's a lot of emotions and politics associated with the reality of what is before us today. I would be happy to go through sort of aspect by aspect of this and happy to do so if it would help the gentleman from Rockbridge or others in the body should you need me to do so. I would merely state this, Mr. Speaker -- we've had a number of recorded votes. I've had six over the last four years in opposition to obamacare medicaid expansion. In my opinion, this is not obamacare med dade expansion. This is putting into place realistic and achievable and -- goals that are laudable for all virginians. This would put in place a requirement for folks to better themselves along with their health opportunities. I agree with the gentleman when he mentioned and spoke to the issues in his family. I agree with the gentleman with the gentleman from Rockbridge. We do need to address the access to care. We do need to continue to transform our medicaid program and, medical, that's -- and Mr. Speaker, that's exactly what this does. This will put in a process where the department of medical services, which, within 45 days of passage of House bill 29, will submit a state plan amendment. That's required by cms for all states that receive medicaid dollars. Concurrent with that, we'll be. This would add provisions for health savings accounts. This would add provisions for the proper use of emergency room services. Something that each and every one of us have heard from our hospitals is the greatest challenge which are super utilizers. This would add provisions for enhanced fraud prevention efforts. This would also require folks to have skin in the game. There will be a sliding scale premium process that will be put into place with we have expanded the size of our program. We're over a million today. Pun pun we have to get grips on that. Absolutely agree and the cost of this is consuming other -- key services that are provided across the commonwealth. This is one effort to do so. And finally, Mr. Speaker, I do believe there is sufficient language to assure that should this program as the Delegate mentioned, should the feds not beable to hold their end of the bargain that there is a taxpayer safety switch involved in this. I would remind the members those letters went out to -- I think 61,000 chip recipients this past December when that was on the forefront as well. Mr. Speaker, I would be happy to answer any questions that the members May have about the specifics of this. I would encourage the body to accept the amendment. >> Delegate from Virginia beach, Delegate Davis .
[Unknown]
I rise to speak to the bill.
Glenn Davis
Delegate has the floor. >> Thank you. Up until last night, I expected to walk into this chamber to vote against these medicaid provisions. I had a speech prepared related to that. That May surprise some of you because of -- in 2014, I had a proposal to draw down federal funds. I've always believed when we did something, we need to have certain protections, not just the ones today, but the medicaid bridge, the ability let people walk off the system, but instead, I find myself rising to to -- you see. While I have significant problems with some of these medicaid provisions are and especially when it comes to putting a new group of able-bodied young individuals making minimum wage into a system that I don't believe they belong and especially we make it more difficult to come out, I believe the alternative is even worse. The problem that we're having, Mr. Speaker, is that -- well, elections have consequences. And there was a time when we could hold strong and not have to expand a system that we were concerned about, that we could force overwhelming concerns and what we have now, we have negotiated a scenario where we have -- we have what I think is most important, the kill switch. The concept, that if the federal government turns down this money, we don't vote to stop them. They stop. Some of what we hold dear is in there. And I think the concept of not doing anything is sa false choice at this point. I think that by some of us looking at this and negotiating to have some of this the protections, that the commonwealth of Virginia ends up with a better position and a better process and a better bill than what we would have had than the alternative which is what we're staring at today. There are a lot of places around the commonwealth that are begging for medicaid solutions, that are putting bad and understandably, we need to do something. Mr. Speaker, I know a lot of us and probable -- a lot of us would not like to go down this route. This provides us a better scenario than I believe what it would have had than the alternative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >> Delegate Bell .
[Unknown]
I rise to speak against the amendment. >> The Delegate has the floor.
[Unknown]
This is one of the -- this is one of the big votes. This is one of the big votes that affects everything we do today. When I came heres the med dade budget was 1.3 million. This budget is 4.8 billion. That's more than tripling and because of that increased medicaid spending, we don't have money for other things. We keep having tax increases. In 2004, we had a tax increase that was for education. But really what it was, it was to pay for medicaid increases. In 2012, we had the big transportation tax increase. We didn't have money for roads but the reason was because medicaid kept growing. Later today we're going to vote to pay for the money that we're spending on medicaid. Nobody looks at this math and says the current program is sustainable. Everybody says we have all of these hard voices. One day we'll get those made and one day and one day and one day. And we're about to hit the gas. We're about to increase the spending prior to the reforms we would need to rein it in. Whatever your priorities might be, on our side, they might be tax cuts. On your side, k-12 education, can cheaper tuition for colleges. Those are great priorities that people might have but they can't get to it because of the medicaid growing. >> Shall the committee amendment be agreed to? Clerk will close the roll. >> Ayes 69. Noes 31. Ayes 69. Noes 31. The amendment is agreed to.
[Unknown]
Turning to Page 11 of the committee amendment -- I 'm sorry. Yes. Page 11 of the committee amendments. An objection has been raised to item 310, number 1-h. That's by Delegate Cline. It's before the body.
[Unknown]
Delegate Cline. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaking to the amendment.
Ben Cline
The Delegate has the floor. >> Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, I believe this is the third of three medicaid exfans amendments. This provide the 3.5 million from the general fund to assess with the demonstration waiver application to transform the program. As my colleagues indicated for the core functions of government that we have been focused on, lawout this session and in the past, I hope it will be the pleasure of the body to reject this committee amendment.
[Unknown]
Delegate Garrett. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me explain sort of -- >> Speaking to the amendment?
[Unknown]
Yes, sir. Sorry. >> The Delegate has the floor.
Scott Garrett
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This will bribe 3.5 million and match it with 3.5 million with medicaid matching funds that will go to demass to contract for assistance in designing the section 1115. As the members know 1115 is the section of the social security act that requires the states for innovations or broad reforms to apply for a specific waiver. The resources would be to set out parameter foss the waivers. Cms is going to want very detailed information from the state medicaid agency on how this program is going to work along with analytical information on the financial costs, the potential savings and whether it would meet certain tests related to budget neutrality. The state is going to need to be able to assure the federal government that we've fought through all of the elements in the waiver and have a detailed road map to successfully implement it. The details are going to need to be such that the agency will be ready to go with policy manuals and regulations, guiding the operation of the program as it rolls out in January. Mr. Speaker, that's what this amendment does and I would urge adoption of the amendment sir. >> Shall the committee amendment be agreed to? Pedestrian
[Unknown]
Ayes 68, knows, 31.
[Unknown]
The amendment is agree to.
Kirk Cox
An objection has been raised 471 by Delegate Toscano. >> Will the gentleman from Suffolk rise for a question? >> I yield.
[Unknown]
Debt Jones yields. >> Thank you.
[Unknown]
I would ask the gentleman to explain how the 176,000 got in here which probably doesn't belong in here and what we're going to do about it and then I would like to ask another question. >> Mr. Speaker, I would say that the gentleman that the 176,000 should have been in the next amendment. If you look at the amendment, had been 29, you will see it's the same exact amount of hours included in the second year. That was just a -- I guess a clair -- a clerical error, I would say. >> Parliamentary inquiry?
[Unknown]
Delegate May state this. >> Since this is an error, do we technically have to reject this amendment in order to fix the problem? >> No. I'm sorry. [laughter] >> Delegate Jones. [laughter] >> Excuse me, Mr. Speaker. The answer is no. >> Delegate Jones says no. [laughter]
[Unknown]
Parliamentary inquiry. >> Delegate May state it.
[Unknown]
Who is Delegate Jones, after all?
[Unknown]
Do we have to do that, Mr. Speaker, or can we handle it -- --
[Unknown]
I think it can be fixed. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the gentleman yield for another question. >> I yield. >> Thank you. There is a lot of language in here about the ability to remove members appointed by the speak or the joint rules committee to any authority commission board with or without cause and I guess I would ask the gentleman what is the source of this language? Was there a bill that we considered?
[Unknown]
Delegate has the floor. >> I want to make sure I 'm okay to respond before I say anything. >> That should be the point of order at the same time. But go ahead. [laughter] >> I would say to the gentleman in reviewing and talking to some individuals, it was brought to my attention, it wasn't clear and what this does, it puts this in the same joint rules and the speaker in the same position as the governor does, when he makes an appointment, with few exceptions. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaking to the amendment.
David Toscano
The Delegate has the floor. >> Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the House, this -- in the scheme of things, this is relatively minor, but I hope that you will understand what we're about to do here. We're about to do in the budget something that we did not consider by any kind of legislation or by any kind of change in the rules of the House or changes in the rules through the procedural resolution. And when we're doing this, we're essentially saying that whoever appoints these non-legislative citizen members can at any time just remove them for whatever reason they want with or without cause. This is something I don't think we've done. I would hope that you would simply reject the amendment. It does not do any harm to the budget. If we want to consider this later, we can consider it through a rule change or some kind of legislation that we can consider in the next session. >> Delegate from Suffolk, Delegate Jones. >> I would say that the gentleman, it's not uncommon for the committee to have an amendment to the budget. I mean, that's commonplace. I think this is clarifying in nature and I would ask that we would accept the amendment. >> Shall the committee amendment be agreed to? Clerk will close the roll. >> Ayes 58. Noes 40. Abstentions one. >> Ayes 58, noes 40. Abstentions one. The amendment is agreed to. >> Mr. Speaker, turning to Page 17 of the committee -- of the appropriations committee amendments. Page 17. Objection has been raised to item c-14.50 number h. Page 17, c-14.50, number 1-h. >> Delegate from Charlottesville .
Kirk Cox
This objection was only for the purpose of an abstention so that people can vote however they want on the amendment and those who want to abstain can abstain as well. >> Shall the committee amendment be agreed to? Clerk will close the roll.
[Unknown]
Ayes 99. Noes 0. Abstentions one. >> Ayes 99. Noes 0. Abstentions one. The committee amendment is agreed to.
[Unknown]
And finally, Mr. Speaker, the last objection to item -- objection is on Page 19. Objection by Delegate Cline to item 3-5.20 number 1-h. It's before the body. Delegate kline. >> Thank you, Mr. Delegate Cline. >> Speaking to the amendment.
[Unknown]
The Delegate has the floor.
Ben Cline
This is a very important distinction between this amendment and the last three on medicaid expanding spangs. This is how medicaid expansiontion is going to expansion is going to be paid for. It's not a tax that went through the normal committee process. It's not a tax that -- well, it's being called a provider assessment, but never mind the creativity. It's a tax. It's going to be on the hospitals. It's going to be passed through to patients, to virginians as they seek medical care. So if you thought healthcare costs were too high, well, we're going to tax them and make them even higher. I hope it would be the pleasure of the House to reject the committee amendment.
[Unknown]
Delegate from Lynchburg, Delegate Garrett .
[Unknown]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just explaining -- >> Speaking to the amendment?
[Unknown]
Yes. >> The Delegate has the floor.
[Unknown]
Just briefly so folks understand what the hospital assessment would be going forward, there's been a strong commitment from the governor and the previous governor that the burden of enhancing the number of folks that are covered under medicaid as we continue to transform our medicaid system, that that burden will not be borne directly on the backs of virginians, specifically. The hospitals have said loud and clear they will benefit from having more medicaid covered lives. We've heard from all of our hospitals that the super out losers in the emergency rooms, the folks uninsured, are their greatest burden. They stand to benefit directly from having medicaid covered lives and that's been a vote that's been vocalized quite frankly from them. I would also remind the body. We've already crossed this rue rubicon. They pay $350 for having a license in the state of Virginia. It's not a brand-new practice. This is going to generate moneys that are sufficient to pay for the system. Hospitals will be paying these fees on a quarterly basis based on the costs that are incurred by d-mass as the elements are rolled out. I would encourage the body to support the amendment, sir. Thank you. >> Shall the committee amendment be agreed to? Clerk will close the roll. >> Ayes 69. Noes 31. >> Ayes 69. Noes 31. The committee amendment is agreed to. The clerk will -- >> Mr. Speaker. >> Delegate Gilbert .
[Unknown]
The minority leader asked me for a few minutes and I think we need a few additional minutes. I would move that the House stand in recess until 1:45 p.M. >> Delegate Gilbert moves the House stand in recess until 1:45 p.M. All those in favor say aye? [ayes expressed] >> Those opposed no? House stands in recess until 1:45. >> Mr. Speaker, the House republican caucus will meet immediately upon the recess in House room. The democrat caucus will meet in House loom 2. -- in House room two.