THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 27, 1996 TAG: 9601260002
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
When the clock struck 6 on Monday evening, the General Assembly reached its deadline for filing legislation for the 1996 session.
And not a minute too soon.
Although it wasn't a record, the 2,591 bills and resolutions introduced in the past several weeks were staggering - both in sheer volume and in the wide range of topics they covered.
As in years past, the bills and resolutions are a mixed bag, ranging from the sublime to the stupid. Sprinkled in were bills that are revived annually and never make it into law. There were also several bills reversing and modifying legislation passed last session.
From now until March 3, legislators will consider bills restricting the ownership of hybrid wolves, changing the state song, making a fetus a person under state murder laws and tightening security at 24-hour convenience stores. There are also bills to bring riverboat gambling to Virginia and one to ban the sale of beer and wine at establishments with drive-through windows.
Perhaps the most welcome piece of proposed legislation comes from Del. Harry R. ``Bob'' Purkey, R-Virginia Beach. He wants to limit legislators to introducing a total of 12 bills or resolutions in a single session.
Not a minute too soon. by CNB