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Death Penalty: The state legislature extended the death penalty to drug-related murders under a bill sponsored by freshman Del. Edgar C. Eck, D-Richmond. The new law will fulfill one of Gov. L. Douglas Wilder’s campaign promises in his pledge to get tough on drugs.
No Smoking: Popular sentiment overrode a strong tobacco lobby this session, producing the state’s first restrictions on smoking. Compromise legislation, worked out between Del. C. Richard Cranwell, D-Roanoke, and Sen. Thomas J. Michie Jr., D- Albemarle, prohibits smoking in all elevators, public school buses, hospital emergency rooms and cashier lines. State and local government buildings, large retail stores and restaurants of 50 seats or more must provide nosmoking areas under the new law.
Tax Deferral: Localities will have the option of allowing taxpayers to defer a portion of the real property tax increase under bills submitted by Del. David G. Brickley and Sen. Clive L. DuVal and approved by the two House chambers. Interest would be charged on the deferred amount.
State lawmakers also extended by one year the Brickley Commission assigned to study the rising cost of real estate assessments and property tax increases.
BPOL Tax: Legislation, introduced by Sen. Charles L. Waddell, D-Loudoun, permitting Herndon to impose a business lease tax failed in the House of Delegates after narrow approval in a House committee.
Parental Consent: Efforts to require minors to have parental consent before being permitted an abortion failed this year despite repeated attempts to amend various bills in order to bypass a solidly pro-choice Senate committee.
Pledge Bonds: The Assembly again gave approval to the use of state and local pledge bonds for transportation projects. The legislation needed to pass for two consecutive years to change the state constitution.
Solid Waste: A solid waste tax bill, proposed by Sen. William E. Fears, D- Accomac, was among the last bills to fall at the Assembly. The legislation, which would have repealed two taxes aimed at bottlers and convenience stores, called for a one percent tax on gross receipts of business that sell goods and services.
Other recycling bills fared better this session. Legislation, introduced by Del. Kenneth R. Plum, D-Reston, permitting local governments to enact recycling laws and to levy civil fines on violators, cleared both houses.
A Waste Management Fund, created to research methods of recycling tires, petroleum and recycling residue, was established under a bill sponsored by Del. Ford C. Quillen, D-Scott.
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