Authorizes the use of a slingbow to hunt deer and small game when a hunter is licensed to hunt with a bow and arrow.
Approved by Governor-Chapter 533 (effective 7/1/17)
Renames the Transportation Public-Private Partnership Advisory Committee the Transportation Public-Private Partnership Steering Committee (the Steering Committee) and provides that the Deputy Secretary of Transportation shall serve as the chairman of the Steering Committee. The bill provides that, under the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995, a responsible public entity may grant approval for the development and/or operation of a transportation facility by a private entity if that private entity can develop and/or operate the transportation facility for less cost than the Department of Transportation (VDOT) or the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). The bill requires the chief executive officer of the responsible public entity to certify in writing to the Governor and the General Assembly that there has been no material change to the finding that a public-private partnership is in the best interest of the public since the finding was issued and that the public contribution requested by the private entity does not exceed the maximum public contribution. The bill clarifies that the finding of public interest by the Steering Committee shall be made after receipt of responses to the request for qualifications and prior to the issuance of the first draft request for proposals. The bill requires the responsible public entity, when such entity is VDOT or DRPT, to ensure competition through the procurement process and develop a public sector analysis of the cost for the responsible entity to develop and/or operate the transportation facility. The bill requires VDOT or DRPT and the Steering Committee to review the public sector analysis prior to the initiation of any procurement. The bill adds to the information required to be included in the finding of public interest a description of the benefits expected to be realized by the responsible public entity and a public sector analysis demonstrating that the private sector can deliver the project for less cost than the responsible public entity. This bill is identical to
Allows applicants for Class A and Class B contractor licenses to demonstrate financial responsibility by posting a surety bond for both initial application for licensure and subsequent renewals in lieu of providing a financial statement. The bill provides a process for recovery on a surety bond of a contractor who has elected to post such a bond. The bill also amends the Virginia Contractor Transaction Recovery Act (the Act) by providing that an informal fact-finding conference or formal hearing under the Administrative Process Act is not required as a part of the consideration of the claim against the Act unless requested by the claimant. Under current law, an informal fact-finding conference may be held at the discretion of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Requires that the Commissioner of Highways, in his annual report, report specifically about transportation projects approved or modified during the prior fiscal year and include a listing of the total number of lane miles of all primary and secondary roads that have been resurfaced and all primary and secondary roads that are rated "poor" or "very poor."
Increases from 50 to 75 miles the maximum travel distance allowable for travel to obtain supplies or from one part of the owner's land to another by a vehicle used for agricultural or horticultural purposes in order to qualify for exemption from the requirements to obtain a registration certificate, license plates, or decals and pay a registration fee. The bill also increases from 50 to 75 miles the maximum travel distance allowable by vehicles used for seasonal transportation of farm produce and from 20 to 75 miles the maximum travel distance allowable for vehicles owned by farmers and used to transport wood products in order to qualify for such exemption. The bill also provides that any law-enforcement officer may require any person operating a vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer and claiming the farm use exemption to provide, upon request, the address of the farm or lands owned or leased by the vehicle's owner or, if such address is unavailable or unknown, the real property parcel identification number of such lands.
Prohibits public institutions of higher education from abridging the constitutional freedom of any individual, including enrolled students, faculty and other employees, and invited guests, to speak on campus, except as otherwise permitted by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Includes in the list of certain sex offenses that prohibit a person convicted of such offenses from being or residing in proximity to schools and certain other property where children congregate or from working on school property any offense similar to such offenses under the laws of any foreign country or political subdivision thereof or the United States or any political subdivision thereof. The prohibition regarding residing in proximity to a school that is predicated upon an offense similar to any offense under the laws of any foreign country or any political subdivision thereof, or the United States or any political subdivision thereof, only applies to residences established on and after July 1, 2017.
Expands the scope of a revenue-producing capital project at Virginia State University funded by a prior bond authorization. The bill contains an emergency clause.
Provides that members of the Chesapeake Economic Development Authority, Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Chesapeake Airport Authority, and Chesapeake Hospital Authority shall be limited to two terms. The bill provides that members of such authorities serve at the pleasure of the city council and that no member shall work for an authority within one year of serving as a member of that authority. This bill is identical to
Allows the Department of Transportation to enter into agreements with any entity constructing interstate pipelines setting forth a reasonable procedure to identify and remedy damage caused by construction of such pipeline to public highways of the Commonwealth.
Includes a school division in a locality with a population in excess of 78,000 under the exception from (i) the $100,000 single-project fee limit for architectural and professional engineering term contracts and (ii) the $1 million annual aggregate total of all such projects. Under the bill, such school divisions may pay a single-project fee of up to $2.5 million and an annual aggregate of $6 million.
