The third week of the General Assembly brought action on about two dozen of my bills.
First, my two remaining bills to address education equity were unanimously recommended by the Education Subcommittee. The first bill prohibits localities from requiring children to use âelectronic textbooksâ without providing students with devices to use such âbooksâ at home. Many children in the U.S. 1 Corridor do not have computers or broadband at home and our schools should not mandate electronic learning without providing devices.
My second bill requires school systems to waive all fees and provide computers to students who want to take online classes. Fairfax and Prince William Counties charge low-income students as much as $345 to take online classes and do not provide devices making online classes difficult if not impossible for all students to utilize. The bills will be considered by the Senate this week.
The General Laws Committee reported my bill creating a sanctions process for government officials who abuse the closed meeting process or destroy public records. There have been at least six reported or attempted violations of the closed meetings law in the last two years and reports of local governments advising employees to delete emails to avoid public disclosure.
Predatory lending was on the docket this week. My bill to place a 36% cap on interest rates for loans made by licensed consumer finance companies and prohibit predatory internet lenders from using existing state licenses passed the Commerce and Labor Committee 12-2. This is the first legislation to push back against predatory lending passed by this committee in eight years.
Waze and Google Map driven neighborhood cut through traffic has been a source of significant complaints to my office â especially in Belle Haven, Occoquan and neighborhoods close to the interstates. I introduced legislation that would authorize local governments to designate a small number of residential secondary roads as off-limits to electronic routing services like Waze and Google Maps and keep commuters out of neighborhoods. The City of Alexandria was extremely supportive but the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors opposed my legislation (Supervisors Storck and Foust supported). Unfortunately, the bill died on a 6-6-1 vote in the Transportation Committee.
My legislation to increase the required state auto insurance minimums for the first time since 1989 passed the Transportation Committee. My bill would increase the required minimum property damage minimum insurance from $20,000 to $50,000. Given the increased automobile prices, this is critical.
Teen âsextingâ has continued to create problems for parents, teachers, administrators, clergy, and most importantly children. This year, I partnered with Senator Bill Stanley on legislation to classify such offenses as misdemeanors instead of either Felony Child Pornography Production or Possession. This will allow schools, families, and counselors to take care of these issues informally instead of necessitating law enforcement consultations. Our bill passed the Courts of Justice Committee and will be on the floor of the Senate this week.
Lastly, my legislation to impose a ban on hydraulic fracturing or âfrackingâ passed the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and will be on the floor this week after being amended to a four-year moratorium. A Texas company acquired leases to explore for natural gas on 84,000 acres of property on Virginiaâs Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. This area shares the same aquifer with over four million Virginians living east of Interstate 95 which must be protected.
Approximately a dozen of my bills have not been heard in committee yet including six coal ash bills, bills to reform the credit âfreezeâ process, and studies regarding the decline in arrests for drunk driving. This week is the lead up to the deadline for action on all bills in our own chambers so stay tuned!
Please complete my survey at www.scottsurovell.org/survey and email me at scott@scottsurovell.org if you have feedback. It is an honor to serve as your State Senator.
Scott Surovell (D) represents southern Fairfax, eastern Prince William, and northern Stafford counties in the Virginia State Senate.
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I will speak at the Haymarket Small Business Roundtable on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 9 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn. This is a fantastic opportunity for local entrepreneurs, business owners, and community members to connect, share insights, and discuss the future of small businesses in our area.
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A Night on the Riviera
Experience a magical evening at the Embassy of France with A Night on the Riviera, an event that will transport you to the glamour of the French Riviera while celebrating the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras!
Indulge in an exquisite selection of French wines and champagne, paired with the finest French cuisine prepared by the talented Chef of the Embassy of France. Additionally, Chef Hugh Cossard will be carving ham live, ensuring freshness and exceptional flavor. Donât miss out on the authentic French crĂȘpes, made to order and sure to transport you straight to the streets of Nice.
For those seeking an extra touch of exclusivity, the VIP experience includes unlimited champagne, adding an extra layer of sophistication to this festive celebration.
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Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditionsâno plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isnât just a treatâitâs a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fĂšve (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and donât worryâthere will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But thatâs not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Yearâs wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. Weâre bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
Whatâs in store:
(Webinar) Diet & Dementia: Brain-Healthy Tips to Reduce Your RiskâŠ
Did you know that your food choices can impact your risk of developing dementia?
Kick off National Nutrition Month with an educational discussion on Wednesday, March 5 at 12 PM EST with Sunday Health dementia neurologist Dr. Sara Doyle and