A coalition of nonprofit and advocacy organizations says the General Assembly’s legislative process needs to be more open and clear to the public.
Members of “Transparency Virginia” attended more than three-quarters of the Assembly’s 101 committee and subcommittee meetings during its recent session. They found a less-than-stellar record of adequate notice for meetings, recorded votes, and full consideration of bills.
The members acknowledge that the frenetic pace of addressing thousands of bills during the brief legislative sessions is a challenge for lawmakers. They found that some committee chairs vet all bills with full public input, but the Virginia Coalition for Open Government's Megan Rhyne says that was not universal.
“Bills were introduced but then left in committees without ever being added to an agenda—much less being given a hearing. Bills were defeated by unrecorded voice votes, allowing some lawmakers to avoid responsibility.”
The report says committees or subcommittees killed 76 percent of House and 7 percent of Senate legislation without a recorded vote or any vote. Richmond First Club President Michael Jackson also says some meetings were called at a moment’s notice.
“The Transparency Virginia report speaks about how some meetings are called at the close of the session—immediately following at the desk of the chair. Or how some docket changes are made and given little to no notice to the general public the changes in the agenda.”
The members add that the findings should not be seen as criticism, but as an opportunity to do better.