New laws in effect this week

Texting while driving in Virginia will net fine
New state laws that ban text messaging while driving and get tougher on drunken drivers take effect this week.

In a 46-day session, the General Assembly approved 879 bills, most of which take effect July 1. 

The session will probably be best known for a measure prohibiting smoking in most restaurants and bars in Virginia. This measure will not take effect until Dec. 1 to give restaurant owners more time to prepare for the ban.

Here’s a look at some highlights of laws that take effect this week:

State budget — The revised $77 billion budget uses about $1.4 billion in federal stimulus funds to keep the spending plan in balance.

Texting while driving — Those who text or e-mail while driving can receive a $20 fine or $50 for a second offense. Drivers can be cited only if pulled over for another offense. Thirteen other states and the District of Columbia have banned texting while driving.

Drunken driving — People twice convicted of drunken driving within 10 years will be required to use ignition interlock devices, electronic devices installed in motor vehicles connecting a breathalyzer to a vehicle’s ignition system. The devices prevent the starting of a motor vehicle if alcohol is detected on the operator’s breath.

Payday lending — Lenders will be required to choose between offering payday loans, whose fees are fixed, and open-ended loans, which can carry sky’s-the-limit interest rates. Lenders getting out of the payday business would lose their licenses to offer such loans in Virginia for a decade.

Voting — Voters will be allowed to go to the polls wearing clothing such as T-shirts or buttons that back a candidate. Before the presidential election last year, the State Board of Elections — interpreting a state law that forbids electioneering within 40 feet of the polls — said voters should not wear such clothing to the polls. After the General Assembly approved the new legislation, three free-speech organizations dropped a lawsuit against the elections board.

Novelty cigarette lighters — Stores will not be allowed to sell novelty cigarette lighters to juveniles. Such lighters must be kept out of reach to the public, and any clerk who sells one to a minor will face up to a $100 fine.

Health insurance — Health insurers will be allowed to offer group health-insurance policies that do not include state-mandated health benefits to employers with 50 or fewer employees.

Concealed weapons — Those applying for a concealed-weapons permit may complete the required firearms training online or by video. Legislators overrode Gov. Tim Kaine’s veto of the bill.

Tax amnesty — The State Tax Commissioner is authorized to operate a tax-amnesty program during the 2009-2010 fiscal year, which begins Wednesday.

Tax credit — The amount of the land-preservation tax credit that may be claimed in 2009 and 2010 is reduced to $50,000 from $100,000.

Inmate fees — The amount that a sheriff or jail superintendent may charge an inmate per day to defray the costs of the prisoner’s keep increases to $5 from $1.

Mental health — The name of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services is changing to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

School absences — A court may suspend a minor’s driver’s license if the student misses 10 consecutive days of school.

Financial literacy — Local school boards will be required to establish educational objectives in financial literacy for middle and high school students.

Annexation — The moratorium against annexation by cities is extended from 2010 to 2018.

Wildlife — The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will be allowed to issue a kill permit to an airport operator if the department finds wildlife is creating a hazard. Currently, a kill permit can be issued only for deer.

Tyler Whitley writes for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The Associated Press contributed to this report.