Saxman drilling-revenues bill headed to House

Item by Chris Graham
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Legislation from Chris Saxman that would dedicate future revenues and royalties from offshore drilling to Virginia’s Transportation Trust Fund appears to be in line for passage by the House of Delegates this week.

House Bill 6006 passed the House Rules Committee by a 12-3 vote. It will be considered on the floor of the House during the continuation of the special legislative session on transportation called by Gov. Tim Kaine last month.

“Though federal officials will ultimately decide whether to lift the ban on offshore drilling, it is important for Virginia, possessing potentially significant offshore resources, to prepare for that possibility now. By passing House Bill 6006, the Virginia General Assembly can send a strong message to Congress that we are ready to act,” Saxman said in a statement released today.

Similar legislation introduced in the Virginia Senate by Sen. Frank Wagner, R-Virginia Beach, failed on a party-line vote in the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee.