Del. Eric Phillips, of Martinsville, took his oath of office last week from House of Delegates Clerk G Paul Nardo. Phillips, R-Martinsville, won a special election for the 48th District House seat after Del. Les Adams, of Chatham, stepped down.
Phillips patroned four proposals so far, House Bill 1445, 1451, 1511 and 1512.
HB 1445 would require the New College Institute to design and implement workforce development programs necessary to support the initiatives of the Office of the Governor, including adult education and workforce training programs, in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Industry, the Virginia Community College System, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the Virginia Board of Workforce Development, and other relevant agencies and organizations.
HB 1451 would mandate the Board of Education to develop policies to establish that any student in grades three through 12 who scores in the 375 to 399 range on a Standards of Learning assessment would be eligible to retake such assessment on an expedited basis.
HB 1511 proposes amending the City of Martinsville’s charter to require the circuit court first require an election to be held on the following question: “Shall the City of Martinsville become a town,” before notifying the Supreme Court of the city’s adoption of an ordinance and petition for an order granting town status. The bill provides that if a majority of the qualified voters in Martinsville voting on the question are in favor of the transition from city to town status, the special court shall enter the order granting town status in accordance with the procedures, requirements, and provisions of general law.
HB 1512 also would amend the city’s charter by allowing notice of special meetings to council members to be given by electronic mail, text message, or telephone call; providing for compensation to members of the city council to be in accordance with general law; providing for action by resolution of the city council to make appropriations or contract indebtedness; and requiring the city manager to become a resident of the city or live within a certain distance of the city. The bill also would make numerous technical changes and repeal several outdated sections.
