law | FFXnow - Part 4

Published April 4, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated April 5, 2024 at 1:23PM

English ivy seen at McLean Central Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

In the latest round of action on bills, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed 100 bills passed by the Virginia General Assembly, including one to protect Virginians from unlawful discrimination, hate crimes and antisemitism. The governor vetoed four others, including one to create civil penalties for shop owners who fail to advertise they are selling invasive plants that could harm other species.

Among the 100 bills signed is a measure that will codify a recommendation by the Commission to Combat Antisemitism that Virginia revise its laws to better protect Jewish citizens from hate crimes, along with Muslims, Sikhs and other ethnic-religious groups.

Countywide

Youngkin administration considers bill to expand local authority to lower speed limits

By Nathaniel Cline / Virginia Mercury

Published March 19, 2024 at 3:45PM

A 25 mph speed limit sign on a residential road in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Virginia General Assembly passed a measure three years ago allowing local governments to decrease roadway speed limits in their localities to as low as 15 mph. But recently, lawmakers found that the Virginia Department of Transportation denied seven of eight speed limit decrease requests, because, by state law, only the Commissioner of Highways can authorize changes on state-maintained roads.

Earlier this month, legislation advanced that would expand a locality’s speed-reducing authority to roadways within a business or residence district, including state-owned highways.

Countywide

The first bills of the 2024 Virginia General Assembly have dropped. Here’s what they would do.

By Sarah Vogelsong / Virginia Mercury

Published November 22, 2023 at 11:45AM

Virginia State Capitol during the 2023 General Assembly session (ARLnow staff photo)

Virginia’s next General Assembly won’t convene until Jan. 10, but senators and delegates have already begun penning legislation. (And by that, we mean the Virginia Division of Legislative Services is hard at work translating their goals into the high-flown tones of state code.)

On Monday, the start of the 2024 session’s official prefiling period, lawmakers dropped the first bills that will be up for consideration this January.

News

Revised Virginia laws delay hearings, decision on Reston Comprehensive Plan

By Fatimah Waseem

Published July 11, 2023 at 3:00PM

In front of the Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The years-long process to overhaul the Reston Comprehensive Plan will take a little longer than expected.

At a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting today (Tuesday), Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn announced that changes to Virginia’s laws regarding public notice and hearing requirements will push public hearings on the long-running update to the plan into September.

Countywide

Bigger school zones, fentanyl labeled a ‘weapon of terrorism’ and more new Virginia laws coming July 1

By Matt Blitz

Published June 30, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated June 30, 2023 at 9:47AM

A Fairfax County police officer watches traffic pass through a 25 mph school zone (via FCPD)

A number of new laws will take effect in Virginia this weekend, including expanded school zones, a prohibition on sexual harassment non-disclosure agreements, and classification of fentanyl as a “weapon of terrorism.”

Most laws passed by the General Assembly and signed by the governor each year go into effect on July 1, which marks the beginning of the new fiscal year.

Countywide

Commonwealth’s Attorney unveils dashboard documenting gun removal cases

By Vivian Hoang

Published June 15, 2023 at 11:45AM

Fairfax County residents will now be able to access some data related to local temporary gun removal cases.

On June 13 (Tuesday), Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano released to the public a continuously updated digital dashboard that tracks ongoing and past Emergency Substantial Risk Orders — known more commonly as Red Flag Orders — as well as view demographic breakdowns of those subjected to ESROs by race, gender and age.

Countywide

County plans self-help legal resource center, which it says will be a first for Virginia

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 24, 2023 at 11:15AM

The Fairfax County Courthouse (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

In response to calls for additional legal assistance, Fairfax County is poised to establish a self-help resource center in the library of its courthouse complex.

At a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday (March 21), the board approved a board matter that would allocate $96,000 in fiscal year 2024 to support the project. The board matter was proposed by Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk and Chairman Jeff McKay.

Countywide

Requests to seal criminal records soar in Fairfax County courts, as reforms take effect

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 7, 2023 at 11:45AM

Fairfax County Courthouse (file photo)

An expansion of the criminal charges eligible for record-sealing in Virginia has led to a surge in petitions for expungement to Fairfax County’s courts.

Faced with that increased caseload, the courts have moved to streamline the process by no longer requiring those petitioning for an expungement to attend a hearing, the Office of the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney announced last week.

Countywide

Fairfax County’s state lawmakers file bills for higher teacher pay, campaign finance reform and more

By Matt Blitz

Published January 9, 2023 at 3:00PM | Updated August 13, 2024 at 12:31PM

The Virginia State Capitol building (file photo)

As the Virginia General Assembly convenes this week for its 2023 session, local lawmakers hope to pass bills highlighting campaign finance reforms, raising teacher pay, paid sick leave, and other issues.

The General Assembly will meet in Richmond on Wednesday (Jan. 11) for a 46-day session lasting until Feb. 25, though special and reconvened sessions later in the year are possible.

Countywide

County’s running bamboo ordinance takes effect with potential fines

By Matt Blitz

Published January 5, 2023 at 9:30AM

Bamboo spotted by the Washington & Old Dominion Trail (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County property owners are officially required to contain running bamboo on their property — or face potential fines.

Effective as of Jan. 1, the county’s new running bamboo ordinance calls for property owners to get the invasive grass species under control and imposes civil penalties on property owners who let it “spread to adjacent properties or any public right-of-way.”