ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, February 9, 1996 TAG: 9602090073
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY AND DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITERS
Legislation opening the door to partial deregulation of natural gas companies cleared the House Committee on Corporations, Insurance and Banking on Thursday. The bill would allow gas companies to apply to the State Corporation Commission for alternatives to current cost-based pricing systems.
Gas companies said they need flexibility as competitors - such as electric companies - are deregulated. Consumer advocates warn the measure could lead to higher rates because of the lack of competition.
Legislation giving obstetricians a greater say when mothers and their newborn infants leave the hospital moved forward to the House floor Thursday.
The measure seeks to bar insurance companies from forcing mothers to leave the hospital within 24 hours after giving birth.
The drive-through delivery bill avoids establishing minimum length of stays on maternity wards. Rather, it requires hospitals and insurance companies to follow guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Academy of Pediatrics.
Roanoke Del. Clifton "Chip" Woodrum said the bill establishes the presumption that "the doctor will determine the length of stay."
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 law by next month. The new law would allow for registration by mail and at various public offices.
State Sen. Joseph Gartlan, 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 identification when they go to vote. The compromise makes such voters have to show ID the first time they go to vote, not every time. In addition, 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. He also said fraudulent registration hasn't occurred in other states with similar laws.
The compromise bill will be back up for debate today.
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1996by CNB