Bill to Repeal 'Kings Dominion Law' Hits Snag

Update: On Feb. 2, the Virginia House approved a bill to repeal the Labor Day Law. Read about it here.

A bill giving local school districts more flexibility when their school year starts hit a major obstacle on Thursday when a Senate committee voted to pass the bill "indefinitely."

The Senate Health, Education and Welfare Committee voted 9-6 to pass by indefinitely the bill introduced by , reports NBC's First Read - DMV. 

That action means that particular bill will not be considered again this session. 

Officials with Fairfax County Public Schools and other area districts  have sought this type of flexibility, and

The tourism lobby argued that starting school before Labor Day would hurt their industry because they use many low-wage student workers to increase their staff during the summer. An earlier school start could force them to change that business model.

However, Thursday afternoon a House subcommittee will take up several bills, all which would let school districts set their own calendar. About a dozen bills to repeal the Kings Dominion law are still alive in the House. Even if one passes there and in the full House, it would still need to pass the  Senate committee and then get approval in the full Senate.

School districts already have the right to seek an exception to the rule. Advocates for the legislation noted that school districts would not be required to start school before Labor Day. Repealing the rule would make it possible for local school districts to do so without having to seek the waiver from the state.