Senator Toddy Puller on the ABC Bill and 'Ashley's Law'

I refused to bring up legislation to privatize Virginia’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) operation before the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services that I chair last week. Previously I had informed Governor Bob McDonnell’s office that I would take up ABC legislation only after it was considered in the House of Delegates. At the time of my discussion with the Governor’s office, the bill had not even been referred to a committee in the House.

No member of the Republican majority in the House introduced an ABC bill. Delegate Bob Brink (D-Arlington) introduced the legislation. Shortly after my conversation with the Governor’s staff, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Laws but never taken up for consideration in the House. Delegate Chris Jones (R-Suffolk), the House Committee Chairman, declined to bring the ABC privatization bill up for discussion. 

Senator Ryan T. McDougle, (R-Hanover), a member of the Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services, made a late hour attempt to breathe life into legislation to privatize Virginia’s state owned liquor stores before the February 8 crossover. After the crossover deadline, only legislation passed by one chamber may be considered by the other with the exception of bills sent over by the Governor.

Senator McDougle asked that the ABC bill be placed on the committee agenda. I stated that I would put the ABC bill on the committee docket as soon as the House dealt with the issue, as I have made perfectly clear from the beginning.

I deemed the senator’s request out of order. Senator McDougle then requested a committee vote to overrule my ruling. The committee voted to uphold my ruling 8-6.

The Governor still has the option to send legislation to the General Assembly. However, at this time, there does not appear to be enough support to pass ABC privatization. There is some speculation that the ABC system brings in too much money to the State to give it up and, in an election year, some don’t want to increase the number of Virginia liquor stores from 333 to 1000.

“Ashley’s Law” was passed out of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee 15-0, by unanimous vote. 

SB 762, Emergency vehicles; proceeding past red lights, was introduced after a Fairfax County police officer ran a red light in a Route 1 intersection without having her siren on resulting in the death of Ashley McIntosh in 2008. Ms. McIntosh lived in my Senate District. This bill would require that emergency vehicles have a siren on or come to a complete stop when proceeding through an intersection. The first reading took place last Friday. The second reading on the Senate floor is to be on Monday, February 7.

I first introduced the bill in 2009. Because a civil law suit was in process, the Crime Commission would not consider this issue until the suit was resolved. During 2010, the Crime Commission studied the issue and endorsed the proposed legislation unanimously. I hope this year will be the year we can pass this important legislation.