[VABS] Legislative Update

André Hill andrehill6188 at gmail.com
Tue Apr 16 20:16:20 UTC 2019


 Dear Members of VABS,



I would like to update you on the progress that we are making with respect
to our legislative agenda for this session. This report includes both
national and state bills. The information is accurate as of April 16, 2019.



*National Legislation:*



*Affordability Technology Access Act (S. 815) *

3/14/19 Introduced to Senate and Referred to the Committee on Finance

Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR] (03/14/2019) (Sponsor)

Cosponsors (11)

*= Original cosponsor

Cosponsor   Date Cosponsored

Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]*    03/14/2019

Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]*         03/14/2019

Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]*      03/14/2019

Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]*         03/14/2019

Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]*      03/14/2019

Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]*      03/14/2019

Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]*         03/14/2019

Sen. Jones, Doug [D-AL]*        03/14/2019

Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]*       03/14/2019

Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]          03/26/2019

Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]          04/01/2019



*(H.R. 2086)*

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a refundable tax credit
against income tax for the purchase of  qualified access technology for the
blind

4/4/19 Introduced to House and Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5] (04/04/2019) (Sponsor)

Co-sponsors (3):

* = Original cosponsor

Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16]*   04/04/2019

Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]        04/08/2019

Rep. Gaetz, Matt [R-FL-1]        04/08/2019



*Transformation to Competitive Employment (S. 260) *

01/29/2019

Introduced in the Senate and Referred to Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions.

Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA] (01/29/2019) (Sponsor)

Co-sponsors (5):

* = Original cosponsor

Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]*        01/29/2019

Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA]          03/12/2019

Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]         03/26/2019

Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH] 04/01/2019

Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]     04/04/2019



*Transformation to Competitive Employment (HR 873)*

01/30/2019  Introduced in House and Referred to the House Committee on
Education and Labor.

Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3] (01/30/2019) (Sponsor)

Cosponsors (22)

* = Original cosponsor

Cosponsor   Date Cosponsored

Rep. Rodgers, Cathy McMorris [R-WA-5]* 01/30/2019

Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-11]     02/07/2019

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]    02/11/2019

Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24] 02/14/2019

Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]   02/14/2019

Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9] 02/14/2019

Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]         02/14/2019

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14] 02/22/2019

Rep. Gonzalez-Colon, Jenniffer [R-PR-At Large] 02/22/2019

Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]     02/22/2019

Rep. Gabbard, Tulsi [D-HI-2]   02/27/2019

Rep. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]     03/06/2019

Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]       03/06/2019

Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] 03/12/2019

Rep. Burgess, Michael C. [R-TX-26] 03/14/2019

Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-10]    03/14/2019

Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray, Jr. [D-CA-39]    03/14/2019

Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18]        03/21/2019

Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]      03/27/2019

Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13]      03/27/2019

Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]       04/03/2019

Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2] 04/12/2019



Unfortunately, many of our Senators and Representatives, here in Virginia,
have not signed on and we must urge them to do so.

While the following National topics have not been introduced Congress, we
are still working behind the scene to achieve these goals:

Greater Accessibility and Independence through Nonvisual Access Technology
(GAIN)

Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education (AIM HE)



*Commonwealth of Virginia*

This legislative session, we asked that our initiatives be included in the
budget and here are the results.

*DVBI Funding- Failed and Passed*

Passed- Funding for additional drivers

Passed- Funding for Deaf-Blind Services

Failed- Vocational Rehabilitation



Here is an update on the banking bill

*HB 2296 Bank Web Site Accessibility*

Passed- General Assembly (2/23/2019)

Failed- Governor proposed amendment the Bill

Original bill goes to the Governor and we are urging him to veto it



In closing, I will continue to update you as more information becomes
available. We are going to need everyone help in advancing our causes and
push against any legislation that will negatively impact our lives.





-- 
André E. Hill

-Chair, Legislative Committee
Virginia Association of Blind Students
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia



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