Bills to Limit Northam’s Emergency Powers – Vote Tomorrow!
Tomorrow (August 25) at 9:00 a.m., the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee will hear several bills that would limit the Executive branch’s emergency powers, stop anonymous reporting of alleged executive order noncompliance, and prevent Virginians from being forced to receive a vaccine for COVID-19.
HB 5023 (R-Byron) would provide that any emergency order or regulation adopted by the Health Department is valid for no longer than 45 days, with the possibility of a 45-day extension if it gives notice and receives public input. The bill also limits the duration of any executive order issued by the Governor during a declared state of emergency to 45 days maximum, unless the General Assembly takes action.
HB 5023 would also ensure that the Virginia Department of Health will only accept a complaint alleging a violation of an emergency order or regulation if it includes the first and last name of the person making the report and at least one form of contact information, which is made part of the public record. This would greatly reduce petty complaints against businesses and churches, while encouraging people to work out their concerns with one another rather than going straight to the government.
HB 5018 (R-Webert) is similar to the anti-snitching provision of HB 5023, plus it would add a Class 1 misdemeanor for someone who knowingly makes a false report.
HB 5025 (R-M. Cole) and HB 5075 (R-LaRock) would prohibit the government from quarantining or otherwise limiting the movement of anyone who isn’t sick or showing signs of sickness during a state of emergency. HB 5075 also prohibits the Commissioner of Health from making any emergency order or regulation unless it satisfies certain criteria, including that its objective is to suppress a dangerous nuisance, that there are no other valid alternatives, and that the provisions of the order are sufficiently narrow in scope.
Urge your Delegate to Support HB 5018, 5023, 5025, and 5075!
This morning we warned you about the Health Commissioner’s plan to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine if one is developed and made public. Tomorrow, during this same committee meeting, HB 5016 (R-Cole) and HB 5070 (R-LaRock) will be heard. Both bills would prevent the Commissioner from mandating a COVID-19 vaccine if or when one is developed without a religious exemption.
Tomorrow is a big day for limited government and individual liberty, which is why it’s so important that your legislator hears from you.
