by John Reid

As the new year takes place, there are new laws which will take effect as of today within the Commonwealth.

Some of these laws were approved by the General Assembly and signed last year:

There will be a tax exemption for military retirees. Gov. Youngkin signed legislation that removed the age restriction. Beginning on Jan. 1, all military retirees will be exempt from paying state taxes, regardless of their age.

Regarding teachers and additional school staff, approximately $54.6 million from the state’s General Fund will provide them a 2 percent pay raise. This is in line with the 2023 state budget Governor Youngkin signed back in September.

As part of the Counseling Compact, Virginia will allow eligible and certified school counselors to practice counseling in other states which are part of the compact.

The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority will oversee the state’s medical cannabis program, which in the past was managed by the Board of Pharmacy.

Starting today, health insurance companies will be required to provide hearing aid coverage to anyone 18 or younger in the state.

Regarding health insurance, a new law will take effect on January 1 in which the health insurance carrier will provide notification to its customers six months prior to the removal of a provider.

Finally, in Prince William County, commercial waste haulers will be charged $40 a ton at the Landfill off of Route 234. Commercial waste haulers will start being charged $40 a ton at the Prince William County Landfill. While residents will not be charged a tipping fee, however this might impact the prices charged by private haulers according to the county.