Here are some other reasons why the General Assembly session mattered:
GAYS
Lawmakers defeated legislation that would put anti-bias protections for gay state workers in state law.
GUNS
Virginians still may not purchase more than one handgun a month. A Senate subcommittee defeated a number of gun-rights bills, most notably a measure to repeal the one-gun-a-month restriction. But Gov. Bob McDonnell plans to sign measures that would allow permit holders to bring concealed handguns into bars -- as long as the holder does not drink -- and let nonpermit holders lock their guns in their cars.
CHARTER SCHOOLS
Lawmakers backed McDonnell's reforms for charter schools, virtual classes and college partnership lab schools. Under the charter-school compromise, the state Board of Education would recommend approval or disapproval of an application, but the local school board still would have the final decision.
HEALTH INSURANCE
McDonnell plans to sign legislation that says Virginians may not be forced to buy health insurance, regardless of any mandate in a federal health-care overhaul.'
FLAGS
Lawmakers voted to let anyone who lives in a neighborhood governed by a homeowners association display the American flag. But the association can place restrictions on the flag's size and placement.
OFFSHORE DRILLING
Under two bills that McDonnell signed, Virginia would allow drilling for oil and natural gas off its coast and apply 80 percent of the future proceeds to transportation. Drilling would require a federally approved lease sale.
ABC STORES
Virginia maintains its liquor-store monopoly. Lawmakers withdrew or rejected bills either to privatize or study the privatization of the state's alcoholic beverage control stores.
DEATH PENALTY
Lawmakers approved an expansion of the death penalty to include the murder of fire marshals and auxiliary police officers. Lawmakers voted not to repeal the so-called "triggerman" law, under which, in most cases, only the actual killer may be eligible for the death penalty.
INTERNET SALES TAXES
Internet retailers will not be forced to collect Virginia's 5 percent sales tax. A panel of the House Finance Committee rejected a bill to make them pay the sales tax.
GASOLINE TAX
Virginia will not raise its gasoline tax of 17.5 cents per gallon as fuel efficiency increases. The House Finance Committee carried over until next year a bill to index the gasoline tax.
TAX AMNESTY
Richmond will be able to offer a tax-amnesty program this year under a bill approved by the legislature. City officials estimate they could collect an additional $4 million to $8 million in unpaid taxes.
SEAT BELTS
You still may be ticketed only for failure to wear a seat belt if pulled over for another offense. Lawmakers defeated three bills that would have made failure to wear a seat belt a primary offense. But lawmakers backed another bill that would increase the age for mandatory seat-belt use in back seats from 16 to 18.
SPEED LIMITS
Legislators voted to increase the speed limit to 70 mph on many stretches of interstate highways. But they voted not to repeal the ban on radar detectors in vehicles.
DUI
Legislators defeated bills that would have mandated ignition-interlock devices for all people convicted of driving under the influence. Such devices require a breath sample before the vehicle can be started.
VITA
The management structure of Virginia's computer bureaucracy will change. McDonnell will sign legislation under which the governor -- not an oversight board -- will have the authority to hire and fire the boss of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency.
REDISTRICTING
Next year's redrawing of legislative and congressional districts after the census will remain a partisan affair. A House subcommittee defeated a bill to create a bipartisan panel to advise lawmakers on redistricting.
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