Dick Uliano, wtop.com
Washington – Hundreds of new laws take effect at the year’s mid-point Sunday, among them are alcohol, environmental, gun and transportation laws.
Starting Sunday in Virginia, the limits come off the number of handguns someone can buy at one time.
Women seeking an abortion in Virginia will be required to get an ultrasound at least 24 hours before the abortion.
Among Maryland’s new environmental laws, the state’s 10 largest jurisdictions will begin collecting fees for storm water runoff based on the amount of a property’s pavement. T the state’s “flush tax” is doubling from $2.50 to $5.00 for any homes whose wastewater is discharged directly into the Chesapeake Bay or any other coastal waterways.
The turn of the calendar page Sunday, from June to July, will have some commuters digging deeper into their pockets to pay the fare.
Transportation Changes
- Starting Sunday, Metro fares are going up. The rush hour fare is jumping from $1.95 to $2.10, plus other increases based on distance.
- Aiming to encourage riders to switch to plastic Smartrip cards, Metro will being imposing a new $1.00 surcharge on paper fare cards.
- Parking fees are also going up at Metro parking lots and garages.
- Bus fares on some systems will cost more starting Sunday. They are are rising a dime on Metro buses, Montgomery County Ride On and Fairfax Connector buses.
- It will cost 3 percent more to ride Virginia Railway Express trains.
Alcohol Regulations
- State-run alcohol liquor stores in small Virginia communities will be able to open on Sundays like stores in big communities, if local ordinances permit.
- In Maryland, wine lovers will be able to bring wine into restaurants, if they pay what’s called a corkage fee. DC and Virginia restaurants already allow the practice.
- Maryland distilleries will be allowed to conduct tours on Sundays.
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