What’s happening at the Capitol today?

A bill that would allow holders of concealed weapons permits to bring guns into bars and restaurants comes up for a vote in the House of Delegates.

Senate backs bills on protective orders

The Virginia Senate unanimously passed two bills that would extend the effectiveness of protective orders for domestic violence and stalking.

Senate Bill 468, sponsored by Sens. Janet D. Howell, D-Fairfax, Stephen H. Martin, R-Chesterfield and Thomas K. Norment Jr., R-James City County, would allow a one-year extension on an existing protection order. Typically such orders are good for up to two years.

Senate Bill 467, also sponsored by Howell, Martin and Norment, requires Virginia to coordinate its protective order forms with other states to enable it to better enforce the orders from other states.

House panel OKs governor’s jobs bills

A House Appropriations Committee subcommittee yesterday quickly approved a package of bills proposed by Gov. Bob McDonnell to help create jobs in Virginia.

It recommended without dissent bills to promote the state’s wine industry, to put more money into the Governor’s Development Opportunity Fund and to establish a small business jobs grant fund.

The measures have drawn bipartisan support.

The subcommittee voted to carry over a measure designed to provide renewable energy tax credits for export firms despite a plea from a wood pellets firm that it may locate in Martinsville if such grants are authorized. A General Assembly committee will study the grant program over the next year.

Health ‘freedom act’ sails through House

The House of Delegates passed the “Virginia Health Care Freedom Act” yesterday by a 72-26 vote.

House Bill 10 states that Virginia residents cannot be require to buy health insurance. It’s a reaction to the federal health-care effort in the U.S. Congress.

The state Senate already approved proposals making it illegal to require residents to purchase health-care coverage.

Senate panel backs six license plates

The Senate Transportation Committee gave the green light to six bills for specialty license plates.

This year’s proposed specialty plates include:

Virginia Kids Eat Free Program; BUY LOCAL; Garfield Foundation; Washington Capitals hockey team; TRUST WOMEN/RESPECT CHOICE; and Virginia Recycling Association.

The Democrat-controlled committee rolled the legislation into Senate Bill 18, which passed by a party-line vote of 7-5.

Sen. Stephen D. Newman, R-Lynchburg, made a motion to exclude the abortion-rights specialty plate from the bill, but his motion was defeated 7-5.

Panel OKs measure on parents’ rights

A House subcommittee has recommended passage of a resolution urging Congress to pass a Parental Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and submit it to the states for ratification.

The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk reported that Del. Brenda L. Pogge, R-James City County, is concerned about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has been ratified by 192 nations.

The paper quoted Pogge as telling the panel Wednesday: “If this treaty is ratified, all our parental rights will be usurped.“