11/22/10-The General Assembly is about two months away from the start of the legislative year but that has not stopped some lawmakers from getting a head start on filing bills for consideration. Issues that are expected to draw attention include the state’s fuel tax rate, law enforcement powers, and driver distractions.
Virginia lawmakers will convene year two of the two-year legislative session on Jan. 12, 2011. In addition to bills carried over from this year another 2,600 bills are expected to be introduced in 2011, according to one legislative research source.
Delegate Jim Scott, D-Fairfax, has prefiled a bill that would change how the state collects fuel tax revenue. HB1413 would convert the 17.5-cent tax rate from cents per gallon to a percentage rate.
The percentage rate for gas and diesel would not change, but the rate would be applied against the average price per gallon, excluding federal and state excise taxes. The Department of Motor Vehicles could tweak the amount to be charged every six months.
A related bill – SB343 – that will be carried over from the 2010 regular session would adjust fuel taxes each year to correspond with increases in the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks, as determined by the federal government’s fuel-economy standards.
Supporters say that as fuel efficiency approves consumers do not need to buy as much fuel. The state’s Transportation Trust Fund relies on that revenue for road and bridge construction and maintenance.
Senate lawmakers approved the bill in February, but it remained in a House committee when the session adjourned for the year.
Another issue that could come up for discussion is billed as a way to improve safety on roadways. Sponsored by Delegate David Albo, R-Springfield, HB1420 would allow the Virginia State Police to perform immigration checks on people they detain.
A separate safety-related effort that is expected to get lawmakers attention would prohibit all drivers from using any hand-held device to talk or text. At least two bills addressing the topic have already been filed. One version would make violations a primary offense, meaning law enforcement could pull drivers over solely for breaking the law.
Of interest to truckers, CB radio use would not be affected by the bills.