Three Interesting Bills in Virginia: Swastika Laws, Free Water in Restaurants, and Closing a Cigarette Sale Loophole

Three Interesting Bills in Virginia Swastika Laws, Free Water in Restaurants, and Closing a Cigarette Sale Loophole

Virginia lawmakers are busy during the 2025 legislative session, with over 1,000 bills filed for consideration. Among these, some bills are getting more attention due to their unique impact on the state. From anti-swastika laws to ensuring free water in restaurants, and even addressing loopholes in cigarette sales, here are three bills worth noting.

1. Expanding Virginia’s Anti-Swastika Law

Currently, in Virginia, it’s illegal to intimidate people by placing a swastika on a church, synagogue, school, or community center. This action is considered a Class 6 felony, which can lead to jail time and a fine. However, there is a new proposal to expand this law.

House Bill 2783 and House Bill 2343, introduced by Del. Marcus Simon (D-Fairfax) and Del. Chris Obenshain (R-Montgomery), aim to extend the law to include private property, public highways, and places where people could feel threatened. The new law would make it illegal to put a swastika on any of these locations without permission, which can make people feel unsafe.

This expansion is important to the Jewish community, as the swastika is seen as a symbol of hate and fear due to its history tied to the Holocaust. Holocaust survivors like 97-year-old Halina Zimm have spoken about how terrifying it is to see the symbol, even today. The bill passed the Virginia House with strong support, and now it moves to the Senate for further review.

2. Free Water at Restaurants

Another interesting bill being considered is House Bill 1994. This bill requires restaurants that serve alcohol to offer free water to customers upon request. The bill was introduced by Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-Alexandria) after a constituent complained about being refused free water and being told to buy bottled water instead.

The goal of the bill is to promote health, safety, and responsible drinking. With free access to water, customers can stay hydrated while drinking alcohol. The Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association has taken a neutral stance on the bill because it is already a common practice in most restaurants. However, the law would make it mandatory for all licensed establishments to offer water for free.

This bill has received support from both Republicans and Democrats, although some Republicans oppose it. It has already passed the House and will be discussed in the Senate soon.

3. Closing a Loophole in Cigarette Sales

Finally, two bills are being considered to close a loophole in cigarette sales. Currently, home delivery companies can deliver cigarettes to people’s homes without much oversight. This means that people could easily buy cigarettes online or through delivery services without proper checks to ensure they are of legal age.

Senate Bill 1067 and House Bill 2370, introduced by Sen. Mark Peake (R-Lynchburg) and Del. Tony Wilt (R-Harrisonburg), aim to regulate these delivery services in the same way physical tobacco stores are regulated. This includes ensuring the age of the customer is verified and that the companies are following the same legal requirements as brick-and-mortar stores.

The change is important because it would help prevent underage sales and ensure the state remains in compliance with the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, which brings Virginia millions of dollars every year. These bills have already passed their respective chambers with full support.

Conclusion

The 2025 legislative session in Virginia is filled with discussions and proposals on a range of topics. Some of these bills focus on protecting the public from hate symbols, promoting health and safety, and ensuring that laws on cigarette sales remain strong and fair. As these bills move forward, they could make a significant impact on the state’s laws and public policies. Virginia’s lawmakers are showing a commitment to addressing both new and old issues with thoughtful, common-sense solutions.

(Source : newsbreak.com)

Yvonne Jones

Yvonne Jones

Yvonne Jones is a news reporter working at MCHS Red and Grey. She covers crime, local weather and national news at our news outlet. She usually spends her free time in library,

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