Representing Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax

Mark's Bills

I believe constituents have a right to know what their elected representatives are up to, particularly with regard to legislation they introduce. I plan to uphold what I call the Gold Standard of Transparency by directing my staff to video-record the proceedings on each of my bills as they come before subcommittee and committee. That way, every constituent can know exactly what was said and done on each of the 20 or so bills I introduce.  Scroll down to see my bills for the 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016 sessions.

Committee Assignments

(2020, 2021)

  • Courts of Justice
  • Health, Welfare and Institutions
  • Privileges and Elections
  • Public Safety

(2018, 2019)

  • Health, Welfare and Institutions
  • Militia, Police and Public Safety

(2016, 2017)

  • Health, Welfare and Institutions
  • Science and Technology

 

Legislation (2020)

Click here for Mark's Letter on the 2020 Legislative Session Introduced (Patron) Chief Co-Patron Co-Patron

Fornication; repeal (HB 245)

Believe it or not, sex out of wedlock is still a crime on the books in Virginia. While rare, people do still get arrested for this. And they shouldn't.

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Law-enforcement agencies, local; body-worn camera systems (HB 246)

Sets up the first Virginia law on police body-worn cameras and requires localities to adopt written guidelines with public comment prior to implementation.

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Legislation (2019)

Click here for Mark's Letter on the 2019 Legislative Session Introduced (Patron) Chief Co-Patron Co-Patron

Protecting Vulnerable Animals: Cruelty to animals with intent to intimidate or threaten a household member (HB 2642)

Making it a felony to use cruelty toward animals to threaten, intimidate, or terrorize a household or family member

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Protecting Vulnerable People: domestic violence and child abuse (HB 2650)

Allowing courts to consider domestic violence and child abuse in determining the best interests of children in custody disputes. This is a bill that I have introduced every Session that I have served in the House.

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Legislation (2018)

Introduced (Patron) Chief Co-Patron Co-Patron

Guardianship; communication between incapacitated persons and others (HB 406)

Prohibits a guardian of an incapacitated person from restricting such incapacitated person's ability to communicate with, visit, or interact with other persons with whom the incapacitated person has expressed a desire to communicate with, visit, or interact with, or with whom the incapacitated person has an established relationship.

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Animal shelters; administration of Schedule VI biological products (HB 424)

Provides that a public or private animal shelter may purchase, possess, and administer certain Schedule VI biological products for the purpose of preventing, controlling, and treating certain communicable diseases that failure to control would result in transmission to the animal population in the shelter and may administer such biological products only pursuant to written protocols.

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Legislation (2017)

Introduced (Patron) Chief Co-Patron Co-Patron

Protecting free speech against intimidation lawsuits (HB 2446)

When I joined other locals and protested the opening of a gun store in Arlington, the owners of the store sued us, hoping to intimidate us into being silent. When we didn't back down, they dismissed the lawsuit because they knew that they would lose. Since many people cannot afford the time & counsel to defend against frivolous lawsuits like this (known as SLAPPs) I have introduced legislation prohibiting lawsuits intended to prevent people from exercising their constitutional right to protest.

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Allowing Virginians to re-elect future governors (HJ 699)

Currently, citizens of 49 States can re-elect their governor if the job is being done well. Virginia is the only exception, and I have proposed to change this rule. My amendment would only apply to governors elected after it goes into effect, giving no partisan benefit to the last few governors who were Democrats.

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Legislation (2016)

Introduced (Patron) Chief Co-Patron Co-Patron Budget Request

Bring Virginia into Federal Compliance (HB 1278)

Appointing authority for Board of Directors of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Changes from the U.S. Administrator of General Services to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation the appointing authority for the two federal members of the Board of Directors of the Authority and their alternates. The change is made in the WMATA Compact found in Title 33.2 of the Code of Virginia in order to conform with federal law. The bill contains an emergency clause.

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