• Virginia colleges and universities might be required to submit an annual report detailing how they have promoted ideological balance. A bill sponsored by Delegate R. Steven Landes, R-Weyers Cave, aims to create diversity among universities’ guest speakers and faculty by requiring submission of the reports to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia by Dec. 31 every year. The bill is currently being reviewed in the House Higher Education Sub-Committee.
• Smoking in public buildings might be banned if a bill reaches approval. The Virginia Smoke Free Air Act, sponsored by Sen. J. Brandon Bell II, R-Roanoke, passed the Senate Education and Health Committee Thursday in a 9-5 vote. The bill calls for penalties of $100 for first-time offenders and $250 for subsequent offenses or for offenders who continue smoking in prohibited places after an initial offense. Owners who permit smoking in public buildings also will be subject to fines. Civil penalties of $200 for first-time offenders will increase to $500 for subsequent offenses.
• Speed limits for school buses will increase if a proposal is approved by the Senate. The bill passed the House of Delegates Jan. 22 and was referred to the Senate Transportation Committee Jan. 23. Introduced by Delegate Matthew J. Lohr, R-Harrisonburg, the bill aims to let school buses drive 60 mph instead of 55 mph.
• Fairfax County fourth-graders’ request for the Ginger Gold apple to be the new Virginia state fruit was killed last week. Delegate Kristen J. Amundson, D-Mount Vernon, carried the bill for the school children.