Virginia General Assembly 2012 Session Summary Virginia Division of Legislative Services Virginia General Assembly 2012 Session Summary Virginia Division of Legislative Services Published by the Division of Legislative Services Robert Tavenner, Director The summaries in this publication were prepared by the attorneys and research associates of the Virginia Division of Legislative Services. Business and Jurisprudence William Crammé, Section Manager Jescey French, Senior Attorney and Deputy Director Robie Ingram, Senior Attorney David Cotter, Senior Attorney Franklin Munyan, Senior Attorney Wenzel Cummings, Attorney Kristen Walsh, Attorney Mary Kate Felch, Senior Research Associate Finance and Government John Garka, Section Manager Jeffrey Sharp, Senior Attorney Nicole Brenner, Attorney Mark Vucci, Senior Attorney Maria J.K. Everett, Senior Attorney Amigo Wade, Senior Attorney Martin Farber, Senior Research Associate Lisa Wallmeyer, Senior Attorney Scott Meacham, Attorney Alan Wambold, Senior Research Associate David Rosenberg, Senior Attorney Rules, Education, Elections, and Special Projects R.J. (Jack) Austin, Section Manager Ellen Porter, Senior Attorney Jessica Eades, Senior Attorney Mary Spain, Senior Attorney Brenda Edwards, Senior Research Associate Sarah Stanton, Senior Attorney Cheryl Jackson, Manager, Information Services Thomas Stevens, Attorney Elizabeth Palen, Executive Director, Virginia Housing Commission The Virginia Division of Legislative Services acknowledges with gratitude the contribu- tions of Stephanie Kerns and Mindy Tanner to the preparation of this volume. Thanks also to DLS staff members Brenda Dickerson, Gwen Foley, Iris Fuentes, Darlene Jordan, Lilli Hausenfluck, and Viqi Wagner for staff support and editing. Thanks to DLAS staff mem- bers Larry Garton and Barbara Timberlake, who contributed important technical expertise. © 2012 by the Virginia Division of Legislative Services. Contents Introduction. 1 Bills by Subject Administration of Government. 3 Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food . 19 Alcoholic Beverage Control Act. 20 Aviation . 22 Behavioral Health and Developmental Services . 22 Civil Remedies and Procedure . 24 Commonwealth Public Safety . 27 Conservation . 29 Corporations . 31 Counties, Cities and Towns . 32 Courts Not of Record . 39 Courts of Record. 41 Crimes and Offenses Generally . 43 Criminal Procedure . 54 Domestic Relations . 58 Drainage, Soil Conservation, Sanitation and Public Facilities Districts. 59 Education . 59 Educational Institutions . 66 Elections . 71 Eminent Domain . 78 Fiduciaries Generally . 79 Financial Institutions and Services . 79 Fire Protection. 80 Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters . 81 Game, Inland Fisheries and Boating. 82 General Assembly. 84 General Provisions . 87 Health . 87 Highways, Bridges and Ferries. 91 Homestead and Other Exemptions . 94 Housing. 94 Insurance. 95 Labor and Employment . 101 Libraries . 101 Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens. 102 Military and Emergency Laws . 102 Mines and Mining. 102 Motor Vehicles . 103 Notaries and Out-Of-State Commissioners . 110 Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement . 110 Persons with Disabilities. 112 Police (State). 112 Prisons and Other Methods of Correction . 113 Contents Professions and Occupations . 114 Property and Conveyances . 120 Public Service Companies . 124 Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries . 129 Taxation . 130 Trade and Commerce . 146 Unemployment Compensation . 147 Uniform Commercial Code - General Provisions. 148 Virginia Energy Plan . 148 Waters of the State, Ports and Harbors . 149 Welfare (Social Services) . 150 Wills and Decedents' Estates . 155 Workers' Compensation . 156 Miscellaneous Bills and Resolutions Constitutional Amendments . 157 Other Resolutions . 160 Budgets and Bonds . 163 Charters. ..