Civil Remedial Fees (Virginia)
Encyclopedia
Virginia Remedial Fees were a set of taxes enacted by the Virginia General Assembly
that collected up to $3,000 for moving violation
s. The taxes were enacted as the method to fund a variety of transportation projects without raising other taxes, and with the side-benefit of discouraging abusive driving. However, the taxes have been criticized for:
The taxes also became the subject of a massive Internet petition-signing effort calling for their repeal. Some legislators across the Commonwealth, aware of the intense opposition, began reversing their positions and opposing the taxes.
On the last day of the 2008 legislative session, March 8, the Virginia General Assembly
passed a repeal of these taxes. The taxes collected to date will be refunded. At 10:15 p.m., at least 10 Republican State Senators refused to vote for the repeal legislation, which would prevent the repeal taking effect as soon as the Governor
signs the bill. However, at 10:25 p.m., the Republicans requested a revote, and it passed 37-3, which will allow an immediate effective date.
Virginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members,...
that collected up to $3,000 for moving violation
Moving violation
A moving violation is any violation of the law committed by the driver of a vehicle while it is in motion. The term "motion" distinguishes it from other violations such as parking violations, equipment violations, or paperwork violations relating to insurance, registration, inspection, etc.-...
s. The taxes were enacted as the method to fund a variety of transportation projects without raising other taxes, and with the side-benefit of discouraging abusive driving. However, the taxes have been criticized for:
- being excessive
- not applying to out-of-state drivers
- applying to minor infractions like:
- failing to signal a turn
- speeding 10 mph over the limit on a 70 mph road
The taxes also became the subject of a massive Internet petition-signing effort calling for their repeal. Some legislators across the Commonwealth, aware of the intense opposition, began reversing their positions and opposing the taxes.
On the last day of the 2008 legislative session, March 8, the Virginia General Assembly
Virginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members,...
passed a repeal of these taxes. The taxes collected to date will be refunded. At 10:15 p.m., at least 10 Republican State Senators refused to vote for the repeal legislation, which would prevent the repeal taking effect as soon as the Governor
Governor of Virginia
The governor of Virginia serves as the chief executive of the Commonwealth of Virginia for a four-year term. The position is currently held by Republican Bob McDonnell, who was inaugurated on January 16, 2010, as the 71st governor of Virginia....
signs the bill. However, at 10:25 p.m., the Republicans requested a revote, and it passed 37-3, which will allow an immediate effective date.