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COMING UP IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

By Staff Reports
Published: February 8, 2009

Here's a look at what's coming up this week in the General Assembly:

Smoking ban -- The House of Delegates could vote tomorrow on House Bill 1703, a measure to ban smoking in Virginia's restaurants and bars.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and House Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, worked out the compromise. Exemptions from the ban would include private clubs and restaurants that have a designated smoking room separated physically and ventilated independently from nonsmoking dining areas.

Autism insurance -- Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William, tomorrow might try a rare maneuver to force consideration of his autism-insurance bill in the House of Delegates. House Bill 1588 would require insurers to cover autism for children up to the age of 21.

On Tuesday, without comment, a subcommittee of the House Commerce and Labor Committee left the bill to languish without urging its passage or defeat. The move angered Marshall and the bill's advocates. Marshall says he might now circulate a "discharge petition," hoping to force the bill out of committee and straight to the floor.

Advocates for people with autism will rally at the state Capitol tomorrow, when a similar measure, Senate Bill 1260, comes before the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee.

The next governor -- On Wednesday, all four candidates for governor will make a rare joint appearance at the annual Virginia Capitol Correspondents Association dinner at the Berkeley Hotel in Richmond.

Republican Bob McDonnell will join the three Democratic contenders, state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County; former Del. Brian J. Moran of Alexandria and Terry McAuliffe, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

McDonnell is unopposed for the Republican nomination. The Democrats face off in a June primary. -- Andrew Cain

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Flag Comment Posted by ms1234 on February 09, 2009 at 10:46 am

PLEASE pass the smoking ban. The legislature’s pandering & submission to Philip Morris needs to STOP! Smoking is disgusting. Most of us (80% NON smokers v. 20% smokers) would like to have a meal and / or a cocktail without the need of lung transplant. If smokers want to smoke, they should do so in their own homes.

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COMING UP IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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