The General Assembly passed a bill Saturday to repeal high fees on Virginia residents for various traffic offenses, and it could take effect in days.

In an abrupt reversal, Senate Republicans who had voted against the measure, denying it the four-fifths majority necessary to make the repeal effective immediately, called the bill up for reconsideration and voted for it.

Eliminating the vilified surcharges was a priority for most lawmakers. The fees became law last year as part of the first comprehensive funding increase for transportation since 1986, enacted to generate $65 million annually for highway maintenance.

• Bill to repeal abusive driver fees passes _ effective immediately - Examiner.com