Quick bill updates: AEP power rate charge | Liquor stores | 'Guns in bars' | Disposable grocery bags

House votes to suspend AEP rate charge, bill goes to Senate

RICHMOND -- The House of Delegates has passed emergency legislation that would suspend an interim rate charge imposed by Appalachian Power and provide some degree of relief for Southwest Virginia homeowners and businesses struggling with skyrocketing electric bills.

The House accelerated action on the bill (House Bill 1308) this afternoon and passed it by a vote of 97-0.

Under terms of the bill, Appalachian would suspend a 12.8 percent interim rate charge it began assessing in December and had planned to collect until the State Corporation Commission decided whether to approve or reduce the rate request. The legislation also would require the SCC to rule on Appalachian's base rate request by July 15 and for new rates to take effect Aug. 1.

The measure now heads to the Senate, which is considering an identical measure. The rate reduction would take effect as soon as Gov. Bob McDonnell signs the legislation into law.

A House subcommittee later today will consider legislation designed to put Appalachian under more restrictive regulatory rules. But those measures are likely to be defeated after Appalachian agreed to the compromise bill passed this afternoon.

Liquor store bill put on hold

Legislation that would privatize Virginia’s state-run liquor stores has been put on hold, but the bill’s sponsor and Gov. Bob McDonnell remain committed to a concept that is critical to the new governor’s transportation funding strategy.

Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, asked the Senate Finance Committee this morning to take no action on a bill calling for the auction of package store licenses and the transfer of property controlled by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Obenshain said the legislation is unlikely to resurface in this legislative session, which ends March 13. He said he hopes the issue becomes part of a broad government reform effort undertaken by McDonnell’s administration. The issue could resurface in a special session later this year.

“We’re working together on it,” Obenshain said.

McDonnell called for privatizing the state’s liquor stores during the campaign and using proceeds to help fund the state’s cash-strapped transportation program. McDonnell spokeswoman Stacey Johnson said the issue will be part of a government reform and restructuring effort that McDonnell launched by executive order on the day he took office last month.

The executive order calls for the creation of a commission that, among other things, will examine “potential privatization of government operations where appropriate, and restore focus on core mission oriented service.”

Obenshain said he wants to get the state out of the liquor retail business in a way that generates revenue and is “socially responsible.”

“The details are negotiable,” Obenshain said.

'Guns in bars' bill advances to the House

The perennial “guns in bars” bill is on the march again, and this year it has a friend in the Governor’s Mansion.

Del. Todd Gilbert’s bill, HB505, would let Virginians carry concealed weapons into restaurants and clubs that sell alcohol. It was approved this morning by the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee and now advances to the House floor. If passed there, it will go to the Senate.

A similar measure was passed by the General Assembly last year but vetoed by then-Gov. Timothy M. Kaine. Gov. Bob McDonnell has expressed support for the idea.

Gilbert, R-Woodstock, amended the bill this year to prohibit gun-toting bar patrons from consuming alcohol on the premises.

Gun-rights groups back the measure, while gun-control advocates and the restaurant lobby oppose it.

Fee to discourage use of disposable grocery bags tabled

Everyone agrees they’re a problem, but the General Assembly doesn’t seem to be ready to impose a fee to discourage the use of disposable grocery bags.

Del. Adam Ebbin’s bill, HB1115, would have required retailers to charge 5 cents per bag, paper or plastic. The store could keep 1 cent, or 2 cents if it has a customer bag credit program, and the rest of the revenue raised would go into the Virginia Water Quality Improvement Fund. Ebbin, D-Arlington, estimated the measure would raise $47.9 million the first year.

The bill was tabled this morning by a subcommittee of the House Finance Committee, meaning it’s unlikely to progress any further.

Acknowledging that the ubiquitous bags are “a significant public policy problem,” Del. Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, said “the Virginia way is to do things on a voluntary basis.”

Environmental groups and the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation supported the measure, saying plastic bags in particular are a menace to marine life and farm animals.

Retailers and plastic bag manufacturers opposed the bill.