Dead or alive: The Hook's legislative watch

During Week 4 of the General Assembly, crossover day looms and both houses work to get their bills passed– or not– while Supreme Court Justice Harry Lee Carrico lies in state in the Capitol.

Dead
An end to Virginia's uranium mining ban– Sen. John Watkins (R-Midlothian).

Drug testing for Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare public-assistance applicants and recipients– Sen. Charles W. "Bill" Carrico (R-Galax)

Private gun dealers could voluntarily conduct background checks with onsite Virginia State Police at gun shows– Sen. John Edwards (D-Roanoke)

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

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

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)

Public procurement requests for bids will be posted on the Department of General Services' website 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).

Tebow bill: Home-schooled children can play in public school sports– Del. Rob Bell (R-Albemarle)