A grand total of 836 new laws went into effect in Virginia on July 1st. Some might impact your life here at LOW.  The Virginia General Assembly session concluded on Feb. 25, 2017, with a $107 billion biennium budget and 836 bills approved. The new laws started on July 1 in conjunction with the state’s new fiscal year.

Here are some of the more interesting laws passed – Click for more info-

Higher alcohol content -Alcoholic beverage control; neutral grain spirits or alcohol sold at government stores; proof. Increases from 101 to 151 the proof of neutral grain spirits or alcohol that is without distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color that may be sold at government stores. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2022.

Bullying. HB 1709. School Board codes must require the principal to notify parents of any student involved in an alleged incident of bullying of the status of any investigation within five school days of the allegation of bullying.

Traffic stops. HB 2290. Driver education programs; instruction concerning traffic stops. Students will learn traffic stop procedures in driver’s ed. Bill requires the Board of Education to collaborate with the Department of State Police in implementing the changes to its driver education program.

Firearms. HB 1392. School security officers can carry a firearm in the performance of duties, with exceptions.

Drink and shop? HB 1987/SB 1391. New license created that allows for, and defines, commercial lifestyle centers, where people can carry drinks around with them. Just like they so in the French Quarter!  Will we be able to carry wine around the Spotsylvania Mall?  I am sure they will let us know if that is a possibility.

Unpaid court fees. HB 2386/SB 854.  The grace period for unpaid court fines, costs, forfeitures, penalties has been increased. And a defendant who is unable to pay court-ordered fines, costs, forfeitures, and penalties can be given a deferred or installment payment agreement.

Dangerous dogs. HB 2381. Animal control officers now have more discretion to determine if the owner of a dog who bit or scratched another animal or human needs to appear in court. If a dog is deemed dangerous, the owner must obtain a dangerous dog registration certificate, priced at $150, in 30 days.

Lifetime license. SB 856. Cats and dogs; lifetime licenses. Authorizes the governing body of a county or city to provide for a lifetime dog or cat license. The bill also removes the minimum annual tax for a dog or cat, sets the maximum tax for a lifetime license at $50, and limits the fee for a duplicate dog or cat tag to $1.

Concealed handgun permit –  HB 2325. Application for a permit of a concealed handgun permit now requires photo identification.

Blaze Pink?’. HB 1939. Hunters can wear blaze pink instead of blaze orange hunting apparel when required during firearms deer hunting season.

Hunting License? SB 968. You can carry an electronic hunting license now for bear, deer, or turkey.

Short-term Rental. SB 1578. Permits a locality to adopt an ordinance requiring people who rent out their homes for less than 30 days to register or face a penalty not to exceed $500.

Slow Drivers. HB 2201. Sets the fine for failing to drive on the right side of highways or failing to observe traffic lanes at $100.

Read about the other 800 + laws passed here-