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The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to consider a bill that calls for drug testing some welfare recipients.
'Tebow Bill' passes House
A measure intended to make it easier for homeschooled students to play on public school sports teams cleared the House of Delegates on a 59-39 vote Wednesday.
Supporters of the so-called Tim Tebow bill, nicknamed for the once home-schooled Denver Broncos quarterback, note that they pay taxes that support public schools but, for various reasons, choose to educate their child at home.
Opponents of House Bill 947, sponsored by Del. Robert B. Bell, R-Albemarle, argue that it would create an unlevel playing field. Children who attend public schools are on similar schedules — rising early to catch the bus, meeting their academic requirements, practicing and running drills for the same amount of time.
DUI bills advance in House
The House of Delegates has advanced on a voice vote legislation that would require an ignition interlock system on a first DUI offense.
The mechanism prevents a car from starting if there is alcohol in the person's system. Currently, it is installed only after a second or subsequent offense, or when a first offender's blood alcohol content is above 0.15 percent.
House Bill 279, sponsored by Del. Salvatore R. Iaquinto, R-Virginia Beach, advanced to its final reading on a voice vote. It is one of a number of bills aimed at tightening DUI laws.
Meanwhile, a similar measure, Senate Bill 378, sponsored by Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, narrowly passed the Senate's Courts of Justice Committee on an 8-7 vote.
Supporters from the insurance industry, AAA and anti-drunken driving groups said the measure would reduce DUI recidivism and save lives.
Bill would shift primary
Emergency legislation that would move the date of the state's June primary if the congressional redistricting process drags on is poised to pass the House of Delegates today.
House Bill 736, sponsored by S. Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, would move the primary date for the state's U.S. Senate race and congressional contests from June 12 to Aug. 21 if the Department of Justice has not signed off on a redistricting plan by April 3.
The legislation would also ensure that petitions being circulated now by candidates using existing congressional districts would be deemed valid even if the date is changed.
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