THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 9, 1996 TAG: 9602090505
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BRIAN KELLEY AND DAVID M. POOLE, STAFF WRITERS
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
The ``motor-voter'' bill ran into trouble Thursday in the state Senate amid concerns from Republicans about the possibility of fraudulent voter registrations.
The compromise bill to implement a federally mandated loosening of voter registration laws passed the Senate 26-14. But that was six votes short of the four-fifths required for an emergency measure. All the opponents were Republicans.
Virginia, which lost a federal court challenge to the law, is under the gun to implement the motor-voter law by next month. The new law would allow for registration by mail, and at various public offices.
State Sen. Joseph V. Gartlan Jr., D-Fairfax County, said the bill is a compromise between the governor's office and motor-voter proponents. The governor's office wanted voters who register by mail to have to present ID when they go to vote. The compromise would have such voters show ID the first time they go to vote, not every time. Moreover, if they don't have an accepted form of ID, first-timers can sign a form to confirm their identify.
Sen. Malfourd ``Bo'' Trumbo, R-Fincastle, questioned Gartlan on safeguards against fraud. ``How are we going to monitor this situation?'' he asked.
Gartlan said he would trust Virginia voters. Moreover, he said, fraudulent registration hasn't occurred in other states with similar laws.
The compromise bill will be back for debate today.
Legislation opening the door to partial deregulation of natural gas companies cleared the House Committee on Corporations, Insurance and Banking. The bill would allow gas companies to apply to the State Corporation Commission for alternatives to current cost-based pricing systems.
Gas companies say they need flexibility as competitors - such as electric companies - are deregulated. Consumer advocates warn the measure could lead to higher rates from lack of competition.
Legislation giving obstetricians a greater say when mothers and their newborn infants leave the hospital moved forward to the House floor.
The measure seeks to bar insurance companies from forcing mothers to leave the hospital within 24 hours after giving birth.
The so-called drive-thru delivery bill avoids establishing minimum lengths of stays on maternity wards. Rather, it requires hospitals and insurance companies to follow guidelines set by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Academy of Pediatrics.
Del. C.A. ``Chip'' Woodrum, D-Roanoke, said the bill establishes the presumption that ``the doctor will determine the length of stay.''
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