Committee approves bill allowing civic-education commission to fund a public website

Senate Bill 214, presented by Senator DuBois Gold (chair of the Virginia Commission on Civic Education), was reported by the Senate Rules Committee by a recorded vote of Ayes 14, No 0. The bill would explicitly permit the Commission to create and maintain a website for the public and for educators using funds already appropriated to the Commission.

Senator DuBois Gold described the measure as a simple statutory clarification to allow the commission to spend appropriated money on a website and said civic education is especially needed at this time. "This would enable the civics commission to spend some of the appropriated money on a website," the patron said. He added the commission does not currently have explicit code authority to maintain such a site and that the bill is intended to enable resources for teachers and the public.

The committee moved and seconded to report SB 214; the roll was recorded Ayes 14, No 0. The bill now proceeds to the next step in the legislative process for further consideration.