BLACKSBURG, Va., March 12, 2007 – More than 3,000 bills were introduced during the 2007 Virginia General Assembly session; this was a record number for a "short" 46 day session and 200 fewer bills than were introduced during last year's 60 day "long" legislative session. Virginia Tech tracked 253 of those bills dealing with higher education issues ranging from financial aid, admissions policies, research, tuition, and fee limitations and issues pertaining to state employees and agency operations.
Transportation funding, pay day lending, eminent domain, and energy re-regulation legislation dominated many of the headlines during the session.
Two significant pieces of legislation relating to student financial assistance were introduced by Del. Callahan and Sen. Stosch, both proposing a two year college transfer grant program. In order to receive a grant, the student must have an associate’s degree from a Virginia two year institution; be enrolled in a Virginia four-year public or private institution of higher education by the fall following the award of the associate degree; have applied for financial aid, and have financial need. Eligibility is limited to three academic years or 70 credit hours.
Currently, the bills differ in the amount of financial assistance provided and the effective date of the program. One bill requires transferring into a high demand field such as engineering, science, and nursing. The two bills are headed to a conference committee that will work out the differences.
There were a variety of research related bills introduced during this year’s session. Legislation included creating a research fund for nanotechnology, publishing results from human research review committees, and budget language prohibiting stem cell research. A resolution passed both chambers requesting the Secretary of Technology to create a Nanotechnology Users Network, in conjunction with the Virginia Research and Technology Advisory Council, to develop recommendations to enable the networking of and access to nanotechnology instrumentation at Commonwealth institutions of higher education.
During the past few legislation sessions, legislation has been introduced to allow guns on college and university campuses. This year the “gun bill” affected higher education institutions as well as all state agencies. The bill would have allowed a person to carry a gun in any state agency. This was of particular concern for higher education institutions as it would have overridden our current policies that prohibit students from carrying firearms on campus. With the help of campus police officers from across the state, the bill was defeated in subcommittee.
A number of Virginia Tech faculty were involved in the legislative process this year. Kathleen Meehan and Mary Kasarda, faculty in the College of Engineering, participated in subcommittees of the Joint Commission on Technology and Science. The Commission studies various aspects of technology and science and promotes the development of public policies in these areas.
Subcommittees are organized with experts from academia and industry to advise legislators on current and emerging trends in a variety of disciplines related to technology and science. Many times faculty are asked to provide a historical perspective or non-biased background on issues.
This session, Richard Hirsch, professor of history of technology and science and Faculty Fellow, Office of the Vice President for Research, addressed the House Commerce and Labor Committee on the history of energy deregulation. Irene Leech, associate professor of consumer studies, is a familiar voice to legislators on the topic of energy regulation in her role as president of the Virginia Citizens Consumer Council.
Students and alumni participated in the legislative process when they came to Richmond for Hokie Day in the General Assembly. The Alumni Association coordinates Hokie Day each year for alumni to meet with legislators and advocate for Virginia Tech and higher education. Over 70 alumni and students came to Richmond for the day, which ended with a photo opportunity with Governor Kaine. In addition to participating in Hokie Day, the Student Government Association organized a group of students to visit legislators in the fall prior to the legislation session.
The Governor is in the process of reviewing about 1,500 bills which passed both chambers during the next 30 days prior to the reconvened session in early April.
For information about the 2007 legislative session, contact Laura Fornash, director of state government relations or visit the Office of Government Relations.