Requires a manufacturer or contract testing facility to use an alternative test method when available. An alternative test method is defined as one which (i) provides information of equivalent or better scientific quality and relevance than animal test methods, (ii) has been identified by a validation body and adopted by the relevant federal agency or program within an agency responsible for regulating the specific product or activity for which the test is being conducted, and (iii) does not use animals, or, when there is no test method available that does not use animals, uses the fewest animals possible and reduces the level of suffering or stress, to the greatest extent possible, of an animal used for testing. Such provision does not apply to a manufacturer or contract testing facility using an animal test method for the purpose of medical research. The bill authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action to enforce such provision. Any person who violates such provision may be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 and any court costs and attorney fees.
Increases the maximum fine for misdemeanor conviction of a zoning violation from $1,000 to $2,000. The bill also increases the maximum fine for failure to remove or abate the zoning violation after conviction from $1,500 to $2,000 for succeeding 10-day periods.
Provides lot owners the right to be informed of the count and outcome of a vote on any matter requiring a vote by a property owners' association's membership in proportion to the lot owner's ownership interest. The bill removes the requirement that a recording of a meeting of the board of directors by a lot owner be by audio or visual means.
Establishes historical horse racing as a form of horse racing. The bill defines historical horse racing as a form of racing that creates pari-mutuel pools from wagers placed on previously conducted horse races and is hosted at (i) a racetrack owned or operated by a significant infrastructure limited licensee or (ii) a satellite facility that is owned or operated by (a) a significant infrastructure limited licensee or (b) the nonprofit industry stakeholder organization recognized by the Virginia Racing Commission and licensed to own or operate such satellite facilities. The bill establishes retainage fees similar to those already in existence for horse racing and provides for the Commission to promulgate emergency regulations.
Requires any nonprofit corporation founded in 1913 that currently organizes and governs interscholastic activities among the public high schools to establish, by July 1, 2021, a varsity level robotics team competition program that includes state championships.
Reinstates the Coalfield employment enhancement tax credit. The credit, which expired on July 1, 2016, can be earned on and after January 1, 2018, but before January 1, 2023, and only for metallurgical coal. This bill is identical to
Provides that any firefighter or person employed as emergency medical services personnel may carry a concealed handgun while engaged in the performance of his official duties, provided that such firefighter or person employed as emergency medical services personnel has been approved to carry a concealed handgun by his fire chief or emergency medical services chief. The bill requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services, in consultation with the Office of Emergency Medical Services of the Department of Health and the Department of Fire Programs, to develop a model policy regarding carrying a concealed handgun for firefighters and emergency medical services personnel.
Requires any vertically integrated carrier, which is a health insurer or other carrier that owns an interest in an acute care hospital facility, to offer to every public hospital the ability to participate in the provider panels or networks established for each of the carrier's policies, products, and plans.
Establishes a statewide service disabled veteran business procurement enhancement program. The bill establishes a statewide goal of five percent service disabled veteran business utilization in all discretionary spending by state agencies in procurement orders, prime contracts, and subcontracts.
Allows a person to petition for expungement of a deferred disposition dismissal for underage alcohol possession or using a false ID to obtain alcohol when the offense occurred prior to the person's twenty-first birthday; all court costs, fines, and restitution have been paid; and the person seeking the expungement is at least 21 years of age and has no other alcohol-related convictions. The bill provides that any person seeking expungement of an alcohol-related charge shall be assessed a $150 fee, which shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Department of State Police. The provisions of the bill are contingent upon funding in a general appropriation act.
Provides that a landowner whose property is used for an educational activity shall owe no duty of care to a member of the public arising out of the educational use of the land. Current law provides such an exemption for recreational activities and certain other uses of land.
Provides that a minor who knowingly transmits, distributes, publishes, or disseminates any sexually explicit visual material to another minor without the intent to harass, intimidate, or extort money or other pecuniary gain, by any means whatsoever on any device or through any media or through the use of a computer system, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill also provides that any minor who knowingly possesses at least one but not more than 10 images containing sexually explicit visual material and such images are obtained with the consent of the depicted minor is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. The bill authorizes the court to defer and dismiss a first offense of either provision.
