Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed into law 45 bills on Friday, including one inspired by a Wise County teenager that grants excused absences for students who need to leave school early for 4-H activities. (See background story).
Among bill names part of U.S. 220 in Botetourt County after Norvel Lee, a Botetourt native who won a gold medal in boxing at the 1952 Olympics and also figured in a key civil rights case when he refused to vacate a whites-only seat on a train. (See background story).
Here are the bills the governor signed that were sponsored by legislators in Southwest and Southside:
Agriculture & Wildlife
HB 463 & SB 141, sponsored by Del. Terry Austin, R-Botetourt County, and Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, removes the fee for state boat ramps.
Public Safety
HB 748 & SB 150, sponsored by Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle County, and Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, modernizes the DNA data bank sample tracking system.
HB 756 & SB 614, sponsored by Del. Les Adams, R-Pittsylvania County, and Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, provides Commonwealth’s Attorneys with more information to protect communities from violent criminals.
Transportation
HB 67, sponsored by Del. James Edmunds,R-Halifax County, requires any commercial motor vehicle transporting a load that extends beyond the sides of the vehicle by more than four inches or beyond the rear of a vehicle by more than four feet to have the extremities of the load marked by one or more red or orange fluorescent warning flags.
HB 179 & SB 186, sponsored by Del. Rob Bloxom, R-Accomack County, and Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Augusta County, closes the loophole on farm use placards.
HB 667, sponsored by Del. Will Wampler, R-Washington County, designates “Staff Sergeant Darrell “Shifty” Powers Memorial Highway in the Town of Clinchco.
HB 1363, sponsored by Del, Terry Austin, R-Botetourt County, designates Norvel Lafellette Ray Lee Memorial Highway in Botetourt County.
Education
HB 246 & SB 596, sponsored by Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Scott County, and Sen. Todd Pillion, R-Washington County, allows for excused absences for students participating in 4-H education programs.
Health
HB 1345, sponsored by Del. Matthew Fariss, R-Campbell County, adds Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters to the membership of the Virginia Transplant Council.