Hugo Bill Passes Senate on Way to Governor for Signature

Delegate Tim Hugo's House Bill 1076 was filed for one reason:  His constituents had a problem that needed to be solved.


Hugo's bill was initially seen by the Virginia Farm Bureau as an attack on farmers who have to fend off new residents of developments close to existing farms, and it is an issue that has been on the top of the radar for the extremely powerful farm lobby.  


Experienced political observers gave Hug's bill ZERO chance of passage, and simply praised Delegate Hugo for his political skills in filing a bill to help his constituents despite the fact it really had no chance of passage.


Lobbyists in Richmond laughingly dubbed the bill "The Impossible Dream."


But Tim Hugo did not shrink from the challenge.


He asked the Farm Bureau leaders to sit down with him and talk about the issue.  


HB1076 was about the exploitation of farm land by excavation companies looking to dump construction debris on farm land, not the preservation or enhancement of farms for agricultural purposes.


Hugo's bill provides that a locality may require a special use permit for the storage or disposed of certain non-agricultural materials, including construction debris, not originally generated on an agriculturally zoned property.


Hugo's negotiating skills, his persistence, and his willingness to stand up for his constituents paid off:


On February 14, "The Impossible Dream" HB 1076 passed the House of Delegates by a vote of 100 - 0.


Then, on March 2, HB 1076 was passed by the Virginia Senate by a vote of 39 - 0.


Now "The Impossible Dream" is headed to Governor McDonnell for signature.


When Tim Hugo called this blogger to convey the good news on the passage of this bill by the Virginia Legislature, he expressed his thanks for citizens letting him know about the problem.


A class act from a world class servant of the people.


New Virginia laws take effect on July 1st of the year in which they are signed by the Governor, so that is the date when the new powers will be held by Prince William County to restrict the exploitation of farm land by excavation companies.


The outcome is our roads and communities will be safer, and excavation companies have had the welcome mat ripped out from under them for Western Prince William County.

THANK YOU DELEGATE HUGO!