The General Assembly is headed into overtime, but here are a few of the best bills passed so far this year (chief patron in parentheses). I'm sure I missed a few, so please add your favorites in the comments section. Thanks.
HB5: Prohibits the use of gas chambers for euthanizing companion animals. (Del. Robert Orrock, R-54). Passed 40-0 in the Senate, 99-0 in the House.
HB233: Bans the use of phosphorus in detergents for household dishwashing machines. Phosphorus is one of the primary sources of water pollution. (Del. John Cosgrove, R-78). Passed 40-0 in the Senate, 96-0 in the House.
HB239: Expands energy-efficient buildings that may be classified as a separate class of real property for tax purposes to include buildings that meet performance guidelines or standards under the Green Globes Building Rating System of the Green Building Initiative, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, EarthCraft House program, or Energy Star program. (Del. John Cosgrove, R-78). Passed 40-0 in the Senate, 98-0 in the House.
HB538: Regulates Defines a commercial breeder as any person who, during any 12-month period, maintains 30 or more adult female dogs for the primary purpose of the sale of their offspring as companion animals. Commercial breeders will be required to: (i) apply for a business license from their respective locality; (ii) cooperate with inspections by animal control officers to ensure compliance with state and federal animal care laws; (iii) maintain records of animal sales, purchases, breeding history, and veterinary care; (iv) dispose of dead dogs and confined waste in accordance with law; and (v) maintain no more than 50 dogs over the age of one year at one time. (Del. Robert Orrock, R-54). This bill incorporates HB 691 (Delegate Armstrong) and HB 1232 (Delegate Vanderhye). Passed 37-3 in the Senate, 94-5 in the House.
HB597: Repeals the code section that provides a defense to carnal knowledge of a child 14 years of age or older when there is a subsequent marriage of the victim and the perpetrator. (Del. Jennifer McClellan, D-71). Passed 40-0 in the Senate, 98-0 in the House.
HB673: Requires that "adequate water" for animals is replenished in a manner that is appropriate for the weather and temperature. Currently, "adequate water" must be replenished at least once every 12 hours. (Del. Kenneth C. Alexander, D-89). Passed 40-0 in the Senate, 98-0 in the House.
HB698: Adds the cities of Newport News and Hampton, and the counties of Hanover and Powhatan to the list of localities that may provide real estate tax exemptions to elderly and handicapped persons whose income and net worth do not exceed limitations that are higher than the income and net worth limitations that apply in general to counties, cities, and towns. The bill also increases the income limitation from $62,000 to $67,000 for the cities of Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and the counties of Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, and Powhatan. (Del. Mamye BaCote, D-95). Passed 40-0 in the Senate, 99-0 in the House.
HB719: Provides that "zero tolerance" (0.02% BAC) underage drinking and driving is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. Currently, the punishment is loss of license for six months and a fine of no more than $500. This bill provides for forfeiture of such person's license to operate a motor vehicle for a period of one year from the date of conviction and either a mandatory minimum fine of $500 or 50 hours of community service. (Del. William Janis, R-56). Passed 40-0 in the Senate, 96-1 in the House.
HB798: Provides that voters covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act who reside or are stationed outside the continental borders of the United States may receive their blank absentee ballots by electronic transmission. Present law allows these voters to request absentee ballots by electronic transmission. This bill covers the second step of sending the ballot to these overseas voters. The voted ballots will have to be returned by mail. (Del. David Englin, D-45). Passed 40-0 in the Senate, 97-0 in the House.
HB805: Requires the Department of Health to make available a secure online central registry for advance health care directives. The registry shall be accessible to health care providers licensed by the Board, through a site maintained by the Department of Health. This bill is identical to SB 290 (Barker). (Del. David Englin, D-45). Passed 40-0 in the Senate, 95-4 in the House.
HB1021: Establishes a goal for state agencies, except for the Department of State Police, to have 20 percent of their eligible workforce telecommuting by January 1, 2010. (Del. Tim Hugo, R-40). Passed 40-0 in the Senate, 99-0 in the House.
HB1294: Provides that immunity under the statute extends to those providing care at a location for screening or stabilization in addition to the scene of the accident and en route to the hospital. Also the bill clarifies that reimbursement for expenses is not considered compensation under the statute. (Del. Clifford Athey, R-18). Passed 40-0 in the Senate, 99-0 in the House.
HB1437: Conservation of trees during the land development process for air quality improvement in certain localities. (Del. David Bulova, D-37). Passed 40-0 in the Senate, 67-32 in the House.
SB1: Repeals 46.2-206.1, which provides for the imposition of civil remedial fees on certain drivers. (Sen. Edward Houck, D-17). Passed 39-0 in the Senate, 98-1 in the House. {Note: Also see HB1243 by Del. Tim Hugo.}
SB228: Adds emergency medical services personnel certified by the Board of Health to the list of mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect and requires emergency medical services personnel to report child abuse and neglect to the Department of Social Services, unless such personnel immediately reports the matter directly to the attending physician at the hospital to which the child is transported, who shall make such report forthwith. (Sen. Ryan T. McDougle, R-4). Passed 40-0 in the Senate, 98-0 in the House. {Note: Also see SB637 by Sen. Patricia Ticer (D-30), adding animal control officers to the list of persons with the duty to report suspected child abuse.}
SB452: Requires political committees, out-of-state political committees, and federal political action committees to provide a candidate's campaign committee with information regarding the contributor of any designated contribution so that the candidate can identify the donor of the designated contribution on his or her campaign finance report. (Sen. Chap Petersen, D-34). Passed 39-1 in the Senate, 97-0 in the House.
SB640: Adds mental health education and awareness to the list of topics to be covered in family life education curricula. (Sen. Patricia Ticer, D-30). Passed 39-0 in the Senate, 94-0 in the House.