THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 1, 1996 TAG: 9606290368
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 179 lines
The General Assembly passed some 900 bills this year. Many will directly effect you.
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
Juveniles: Anyone 14 years or older charged with certain violent felonies, such as first-degree murder, will be tried in adult court and face adult punishment. Juvenile court proceedings and records will be open to the public in most felony cases.
Sex offenders: State Police will notify local law enforcement officers whenever someone in their locality joins the state's registry of sex offenders, or if someone already on the list moves to their area.
Drunken boating: Anyone under 21 years old caught operating a boat while his or her blood-alcohol level measures between .02 percent and .08 percent will lose operating privileges for six months and be fined $500.
Spouse abuse: Will be referred to as ``family abuse,'' and defined as assault or battery on family or unrelated household members. The change recognizes that more family units consist of unmarried couples or other living arrangements.
TEENAGERS
ID checks: Store clerks will be required to ask for photo ID before selling tobacco products to anyone who appears younger than 18.
Cigarette machines: Cigarette vending machines will have to meet stricter requirements to discourage use by minors, including use of tokens in some cases.
Truancy: Teenagers with truancy problems at school could be denied a driver's license.
Learners permits: A teenage driver with learner's permit must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old, up from 18 years old.
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT
Ob-gyn: Health Maintenance Organizations will be required to allow women direct access to their obstetricians and gynecologists - without a referral. The bill will affect about 400,000 women.
Maternity stay: HMOs must follow guidelines established by gynecologists and pediatrians when discharging women from hospitals following childbirth. The bill is designed to prevent insurance companies from automatically ending hospital coverage 24 hours after a woman gives birth.
Insurance for tests: All health care providers in Virginia must offer coverage of annual Pap tests and mammograms.
HMOs: Doctors enrolled in HMOs will be required to disclose information about their payment structures that might discourage them from making referrals. The law does not apply to companies that are self-insured.
Permit appeals: Citzens who comment on state air and water pollution will gain ``standing'' to appeal permits in state courts.
ON THE ROAD
H.O.V.: Motorcycles will be allowed to use H.O.V. lanes, regardless of how many passengers they are carrying.
Farm machinery: Will be allowed to operate unrestricted on state highways, without licenses. They had been confined to 20-mile stretches between farm tracts. Taxes & Fees
Expect changes in taxes and fees in some cities.
NORFOLK
Trash disposal: The $8.60 fee will increase to $8.10 because of a 50-cent fee for recycling.
Water rates: The fee per 1,000 gallons will be $2.84 per month instead of $2.74. In 1998, it will rise to $2.94.
Stormwater management: New rates amounting to about 48 cents a month for the average homeowner with additional increases during the next three years.
PORTSMOUTH
Trash disposal: The $13 fee will increase to $14.
Water rates: The fee per 1,000 gallons will be $2.05 instead of $2.
Stormwater management: A decrease of 70 cents - from $3.50 to $2.80
Sewer discharge: Rate rises to $1.136 from $1.069.
Meter service: The charge will increase 50 cents - from $3.25 to $3.75.
Machinery and tool tax: An increase if 25 cents per 100 hours - from $2.50 to $2.75.
VIRGINIA BEACH
Real estate tax: Rate will rise from $1.188 per $100 of assessed value to $1.22. Rate for Sandbridge residents, who are levied an additional fee to pay for sand replenishment, go from $1.248 to $1.28.
Recycling: Curbside pickup is discontinued.
CHESAPEAKE
No changes.
SUFFOLK
Water rates: Base rates will increase from $2.81 per 1,000 gallons to $2.89.
Sewer discharge: Rates will jump from $1.41 per cubic feet to $1.45.
Personal property: Tax rates lowered from $4.35 per $100 assessed valuation to $4.25. New Leaders
Look for new mayors, city council members and school board representatives in your city.
NORFOLK
(*Re-elected **New)
City Council
*Mason C. Andrews 423-2615 (h); 446-7119 (w)
**Daun S. Hester 466-7882 (h); 441-5880 (w)
School Board
(*Reappointed **Appointed)
*Junius P. Fulton III 461-2989 (h); 627-5215 (w)
*Anita O. Poston 440-1732 (h); 446-8606 (w)
**Conrad A. Greif 588-7163
PORTSMOUTH
City Council
(*Re-elected **New)
*Bernard D. Griffin 397-1812
*Cameron C. Pitts 484-1881
**J. Thomas Benn III 399-0226
**James W. Holley III 465-1999 (h); 393-2401 (w)
School Board
*Elected
**Previously appointed, elected in May
*Dr. Elizabeth Daniels 487-6778 (h); 488-4776 (w)
*David I. Joyner 484-5385
**James E. Bridgeford 483-1708 (h); 322-2305 (w)
**Lawrence W. Jr. I'Anson 484-7626 (h); 393-1605 (w)
**Louise G. ``Sis'' Walden 399-5849(h); 397-5883 (w)
VIRGINIA BEACH
City Council
*Re-elected
**New
*John A. Baum 421-2652
*Linwood O. Branch III 425-1722 (h); 428-6141 (w)
*Harold Heischober 464-4910 (h); 499-8500 (w)
*Meyera E. Oberndorf 497-2446
**Reba S. McClanan 340-8835
School Board
*Elected in May
**Previously appointed; elected in May
*Arthur T. Tate, 491-0066 (h)
*Nancy D. Guy, 496-2291 (h)
*H. Les Powell Jr., 427-9112 (h)
*Neil L. Rose, 640-7102 (w), 463-3823 (h)
*Rosemary A. Wilson, 459-5788 (h)
**Donald F. Bennis, 498-1700 (w)
**Delceno C. Miles, 499-9627 (w)
CHESAPEAKE
City Council
*Re-elected
**New
*Dwight M. Parker 523-4754 (h); 547-6949 (phone mail)
*William E. ``Bill'' Ward 420-4230 (h); 547-6974 (phone mail)
**Dalton S. Edge 421-9411
**Elizabeth P. Thornton 487-8209 (h); 683-5787 (w)
School Board
*Elected
**Previously appointed; elected
in May
*Allen H. Goode, Jr. 547-2051 (h)
*Thomas L. Mercer 421-2777 (h)
*Patricia P. Willis 547-0237 (h)
**James J. Wheaton 436-1231 (h)
SUFFOLK
City Council
*Re-elected
**New
*Curtis R. Milteer Sr. 934-0630
*Marian B. ``Bea'' Rogers 484-6001
**Leroy Bennett 538-8144
School Board
*Elected in May
**Previously appointed; elected in May
*James E. Perkinson 538-1556 (h)
*John R. Riddick Sr. unlisted
**The Rev. Mark A. Croston 539-3281 (h) by CNB