Jen Kiggans in VA legislative records

On Immigration: Allow questioning immigration status of victims or witnesses

Legislative Summary: HB 262: Prohibits law-enforcement officers from inquiring into the immigration status of a person who (i) reports that he is a victim of a crime or a parent or guardian of a minor victim of a crime or (ii) is a witness in the investigation of a crime.

Analysis by University of Richmond Capital News Service: HB 262 addresses a public safety issue in the Commonwealth. In Del. Alfonso Lopez's district, American Latino communities saw staggering decreases in crime reporting statistics. Sexual violence reports, for example, fell 85% in the first eight months of 2017. "What you have are people who are too scared to report when they are the victims or witnesses of crimes because they or a loved one might get caught up in the ICE detention process."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 20-19-1 on 2/19/20; State Sen. Jen Kiggans voted NO; Passed House 54-42-4 on Feb/21/20; Signed by Governor Ralph Northam on Mar/11/20.

Source: Capital News on Virginia voting records HB262 Feb 19, 2020

On Government Reform: Disallow no-excuse absentee voting for all elections

Legislative Summary: HB1: Permits any registered voter to vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he is qualified to vote. The bill removes the current list of statutory reasons under which a person may be entitled to vote by absentee ballot.

Analysis by Blue Virginia: The Virginia House Democratic Caucus eagerly anticipate their new laws making voting more accessible. These pieces of legislation include creating a permanent absentee vote-by-mail program, removing the excuse requirement for absentee voting, enacting same-day registration, establishing Election Day as a state holiday...

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 25-15-0 on Feb/24/20; State Sen. Jen Kiggans voted NO; Passed House 62-34-4 on Feb/26/20; Signed by Governor Ralph Northam on Apr/11/20

Source: BlueVirginia.US on Virginia voting records HB1 Feb 24, 2020

On Jobs: Allow paying as tipped employees though banned from tips

Legislative Summary: HB56: Prohibits an employer from classifying an individual as a tipped employee if the individual is prohibited by applicable federal or state law or regulation from soliciting tips.

Analysis by 32BJ SEIU Service Union: Wheelchair attendants at Virginia airports were banned from asking for or soliciting tips yet could be still legally be paid as low as the $2.13 per hour, the Virginia tipped worker minimum wage. Because of this legislation, they will no longer be classified as tipped workers and now qualify for the airport minimum wage.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 86-14-0 on Jan/22/20; Passed Senate 23-17-0 on Mar/5/20; State Sen. Jen Kiggans voted NO; Signed by Governor Ralph Northam on Apr/11/20

Source: 32BJ SEIU on Virginia voting records HB56 Mar 5, 2020

The above quotations are from Legislative voting records for Virginia House and Senate. Click here for other excerpts from Legislative voting records for Virginia House and Senate. Click here for other excerpts by Jen Kiggans. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Feb 13, 2023