Photo by Jason Means on Flickr.

Virginia’s legislature is now about halfway through their session. The state constitution limits the length of the session to 60 days (90 days for a budget year), and bills have to be passed by today, called “crossover day”, for the other house to consider the bill. Here’s an update on some of the transportation and land use bills for the 2009 session:

HB 1604: This bill authorizes borrowing $12M for a parking garage near the state capitol. It passed the House unanimously. Identical bill SB 852 also passed the Senate, so this one is as good as law.

HB 1876: This bill looks like the winner among the many bills requiring drivers of motor vehicles to avoid the use of cell phones while driving. The bill is a big improvement over the predecessors. It’s been reported out of the two different committees. The provisions only apply to motor vehicles, prohibit dialing or entering text, reading emails or text messages. The law doesn’t apply to GPS navigation systems or in emergencies. It also doesn’t allow an officer to pull you over for using a cell phone (it’s not a primary offense). Penalty is a $20 fine the first time, $50 otherwise.

HB 1645: This bill allows localities to use up to two-thirds of their highway funds to service debt for projects in any of various capital improvement programs. This means that localities can pay for more projects through debt financing. It passed the house unanimously. This is similar to SB 1438, which passed the Senate 36-4.

HB 2476: Extends until 2010 the special clean fuel plates allowing single drivers to use the HOV lanes if they drive a hybrid or other clean fuel vehicle.

HB 2077: This lets property owners with approved subdivisions build their plans up to ten years after the approval, even if zoning or other laws change. Current law gives them five years. The Piedmont Environmental Council has been fighting this bill, since it could lead to very “stale” developments no longer in the public interest. So far, the bill hasn’t gotten out of committee.

SB 1402: Increases the penalty for “Improper Driving”, a lesser offense than reckless driving, from $500 to $1000. Passed the Senate unanimously.

I encourage Virginia residents to visit Richmond Sunlight and to contact their legislators about any of these bills you feel strongly about.