HB1687 stalls

Thanks to everyone who responded to Wednesday’s alert about HB1687.  As the Virginian Pilot reports, the bill passed but with a re-amendment clause, which means it has to pass again next year in order for it to become law.

I had the opportunity to briefly discuss this bill with a several members of the House during my trip to Richmond Wednesday evening. The bill sailed through the House on a 98-0 vote, as a part of the uncontested agenda. None of the legislators with whom I spoke were aware of the consequences of this bill (except, of course, the bill sponsor, Chesapeake  Del. John Cosgrove, who defended the bill).

Which begs the question: I thought the whole idea of limiting the number of bills each legislator could submit was to give them fewer bills to read (and to reduce the number introduced by Del. Bob Marshall). A bill such as this should have had vigorous debate before it was passed by the House. Had that happened, perhaps some of the concerns of consumer protection advocates would have been addressed.

Then again, the bill was supported by Virginia auto dealers. Sometimes, all you have to do is follow the money. This time, the Senate looked out for the little guy. Let’s hope the House does the same next year.