Ever interested in what one of my days looks like in the General Assembly? Here’s a closer look at my calendar for Monday, January 29.

8 AM – I started my day in Courts of Justice Committee. In the process of becoming a law, each bill must first be heard in committee. I chair the Courts of Justice Committee, which considers “matters relating to the Courts of the Commonwealth and the Justices and Judges thereof,” according to the Rules of the Senate. One of the oldest Senate committees, we have 151 Senate Bills to take action on before crossover.

Monday’s docket included 25 bills, including my own SB 258, legislation designed to strengthen Virginia’s Red Flag laws.

During the committee meeting, which lasted for three hours, I had to turn the chair over to Sen. Creigh Deeds so I could present bills that were in other committees. The Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education considered SB 501 and SB 506.

SB 501, which I discussed in my week one newsletter, would create Virginia Opportunity Scholarships for low-income Virginia students to attend Virginia colleges. SB 506 provides that colleges and universities should employ their own counsel. Currently, they report to the Attorney General rather than the boards of these institutions.

I also had SB 729 being heard in the Local Government Committee, which would create the Virginia Climate Innovation Authority to finance clean energy projects, greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects, and other qualified projects. The committee determined that this legislation more appropriately belonged in the Commerce & Labor Committee.

11:30 AM – I joined my Democratic Senate colleagues for our caucus meeting. This is where all of the Democratic senators meeting prior to the General Assembly session to discuss what will be coming up that day and general strategy for the legislative session.

12 PM – Most days the Senate convenes at 12. The bills on each day’s calendar are those that were recommended by the various Senate committees. On Monday, the calendar included 61 bills. According to our rules, bills are heard on the floor of the Senate three times. On the second reading (when a bill is heard on the senate floor), a bill can be amended and are discussed and voted on in their third reading.

On Monday, 13 bills that had been unanimously voted out of committee were considered. Typically, that includes only a short explanation by the patron. Bills that had a divided vote in committee elicit more discussion. On Monday, that included seven bills. You can see the floor calendars for any day in the Senate and House of Delegates here.

2 PM – After session, it was time to go back into committee. On Mondays, the Commerce and Labor Committee meets 30 minutes after the adjournment of session. I serve on this committee, which is charged with the responsibility to “study and review, on a comprehensive basis, all matters relating to science and technology, oceans policy, transportation, communications, and consumer affairs, and report thereon from time to time,” according to our Senate Rules.

On Monday, the committee also considered three of my bills. SB 253 and SB 255 are designed to support “shared solar” programs. A growing number of consumers want to take advantage of the benefits of solar power – both because it is environmentally friendly and because it can lower their power bill.

But rooftop solar panels are not a solution for everyone – for example, their home tree canopy is an impediment, they are renters, their rooftop will not support panels, or the upfront costs are prohibitive. These bills address many of the technical issues related to shared solar programs.

An example of what a shared solar project looks like

Because of the length of the committee docket, these bills were “passed by” for the week. They will be considered next week.

The committee also considered my SB 256, designed to protect consumers when insurance companies act in bad faith. This bill was also carried over to next week.

4:30 PM – Finance Subcommittee – Bills with a fiscal impact must be heard by the Finance Committee. This subcommittee considers budgetary policy relating to economic development and natural resources. In this meeting, we received updated from the directors of the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Department of Environmental Quality.

8 PM – Dinner with Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caryn Merrick and Director of the Department of Energy Glenn Davis. Relationships matter in Richmond, and getting to know leaders on both sides of the aisle is part of my work as Majority Leader.

And that is just one day, full of long committees and bill hearings. Many days I am meeting with constituents and stakeholders of specific legislation. No day is ever the same, but know we pack as much as we can each day to help make the Commonwealth a better place!