Senate committee advances dozens of measures, orders studies on election timing, judicial caseloads and utility cybersecurity

At a morning meeting, the Senate committee reported out a slate of bills, moved several items to committee letters or tabling for agency follow-up, and advanced studies on election timing, judicial caseload measurement and utility cybersecurity.

The committee approved Senate Joint Resolution 253 to study whether Virginia should consolidate state and local elections with the federal cycle and, if so, how to implement such a change. Senator Surrabel said the effort would be complex — “probably 6 to 8 year[s]” if pursued — and the resolution directs a study of the options and timetable. The committee voted to report the resolution as amended (ayes 12, nays 3).

The panel also asked JLARC, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, to take a deeper look at the Commonwealth's weighted caseload process after a subcommittee patron said the current methodology recommended deleting judgeships in ways that appear inconsistent with local experience. Senator Servo described errors and data problems in how judicial effort is measured and said the Senate and House chairs had agreed on a temporary methodology for judicial selections over the next two years; the resolution was reported to the next stage with the committee's endorsement.

Lawmakers amended and approved a measure to create a Legislative Compensation Commission. The commission will include former members and citizen appointees,…