Dead or alive: The Hook's legislative watch

Week 3 of the General Assembly and suddenly redistricting is a hot topic, putting Virginia on the national map– and on the Colbert Report– with the Senate Republican bill passed by one crucial vote on MLK Day.

Dead
Legal notices in localities larger than 50,000 don't have to go in newspapers– Del. Chris Head (R-Roanoke)

Virginia's 13 electoral votes allocated by congressional district rather than popular vote– Sen. Charles Carrico (R-Grayson)

Alive (at press time)
Helen Dragas' reappointment as UVA Board of Visitors rector moves is confirmed in the House of Delegates 63-33. 10 Republicans joined 23 Democrats in the nay vote.

Illegal to smoke in a car with minor present– Sen. Ralph Northam (D-Norfolk)

Lewd and lascivious cohabitation is not a crime– Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria)

Drug testing for Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare public-assistance applicants and recipients– Del. Rob Bell (R-Albemarle)

Public procurement requests for bids will be posted on the Department of General Services' and newspaper publication is optional– Del. Ron Villaneuva (R-Virginia Beach)

Texting while driving is a primary offense with an increased penality of $250– Del. Rich Anderson (R-Woodbridge)

Discrimination against state workers based on sexual orientation is illegal– Sen. Don McEachin (D-Richmond).

Armed security guards in schools and day care centers– Del. Mark Cole (R-Fredericksburg).

Limitations on use of drones– Del. Todd Gilbert (R-Woodstock) incorporated into HB 2012 and Sen. McEachin (D-Richmond).

Privately owned drones willfully impeding hunting will be a Class 3 misdemeanor– Sen. Frank Ruff (R-Clarksville).

Health insurers must offer policies without contraception coverage– Del. Bob Marshall (R-Manassas).

Constitutional amendment to establish Virginia Redistricting Commission– Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath)

Correction 1/31: Deeds' constitutional redistricting amendment was incorrectly called dead, and Senator Carrico's first name is Charles.