Hanover County’s delegation returns to the State Capitol today as the General Assembly convenes its 2010 regular session.

Sen. Ryan McDougle, R-4, and Del. Chris Peace, R-97, welcome Ashland businessman John Cox, who will be taking his seat representing the 55th Delegate District.

Cox, a Republican, fills the seat vacated by longtime Del. Frank D. Hargrove Sr. who decided not to seek re-election last year.

So, what will the session mean to Hanover County?

On Oct. 28, the Hanover County Board of Supervisors adopted its legislative agenda, which requests the following in action statements:
3 Legislation granting localities authority to prescribe civil penalties for violations of local noise ordinances.

3 The General Assembly amend Va. Code 46.2-1222.1 to authorize the county to regulate the parking of boats, trailers, recreational and commercial vehicles on secondary roads.

3 The General Assembly amend 1-210 to include a provision clarifying that when any act of the General Assembly requires action to be taken on or before a certain deadline, such time period is extended to the next business day when the specified deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.

3 A legislative study on how the Dillon Rule might be modified to give local governments greater flexibility on matters relating to public safety, land use and revenue.

3 Legislation to delay implementation of Part II, Technical Criteria, of the newly adopted Storm Water Management Regulations to allow state and local policymakers to use sound science to fully consider the funding levels, economic impacts and unintended consequences of such a program.

And, just as the work of the General Assembly gets under way, Bob McDonnell prepares to take the oath of office as the 71st governor of Virginia. He will officially assume the state’s highest office on Saturday.