
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, February 15, 1991                   TAG: 9102150134
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

GENERAL ASSEMBLY/ THURSDAY'S HIGHLIGHTS

Lottery prizes: The Senate Finance Committee killed a bill that would have reduced lottery prizes by increasing the state's share of lottery revenues from 35 percent to 40 percent for one year.

Justice endorsed: The House of Delegates and Senate Democratic caucuses endorsed Court of Appeals Judge Barbara M. Keenan of Fairfax County for a vacancy on the state Supreme Court.

Sewer improvements: The Senate voted 27-11 to approve a bill that would allow localities to add a tax on water and sewer bills to pay for improvements to sewer systems.

Assembly recess: The Senate voted 22-16 for a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the assembly to recess for up to 10 days each year to consider the budget and other bills.

Smoking-law enforcement: The Senate Education and Health Committee approved a bill that would require commonwealth's attorneys to enforce the state's public smoking law that took effect in July.

Nurse prescriptions: The House of Delegates voted 91-6 to pass a Senate bill allowing nurses to write prescriptions under supervision of a physician.

Insurance assessment: The House voted 97-0 to pass a Senate bill assessing insurance companies 25 cents for every car insured to fund a hot line and reward system for catching car thieves.

Private prisons: The House agreed to Senate amendments to two bills allowing private companies to build and operate correctional facilities.

Seat belt bill: The House Roads and Internal Navigation Committee voted 13-4 to kill a bill toughening enforcement of Virginia's seat belt law.

Photo radar bill: The House roads committee killed a bill allowing the use of photo radar to enforce speed limits in Arlington County.

Teacher certification: Sen. Mark Earley, R-Chesapeake, tried to amend a teacher certification bill to allow seven localities to hold referendums on electing school boards but Lt. Gov. Don Beyer ruled the amendment was improper.

License suspensions: The House Courts of Justice Committee heard more than an hour of testimony on a bill requiring administrative suspension of drivers licenses in drunken-driving cases but did not vote on the matter.

by CNB