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Proposed Virginia Firearm Legislation SB997

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Legislation Overview

Title: Marijuana; decriminalization of simple possession, penalty.

Description: Marijuana; decriminalization of simple marijuana possession; penalty. Decriminalizes simple marijuana possession and provides a civil penalty of no more than $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second violation, and $250 for a third or subsequent violation. Current law imposes a maximum fine of $500 and a maximum 30-day jail sentence for a first offense, and subsequent offenses are a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill provides that the suspended sentence/substance abuse screening provisions and driver's license suspension provisions apply only to criminal violations or to civil violations by a juvenile. The bill provides that a court may suspend a driver's license for a civil violation committed by an adult. A civil violation will be treated as a conviction for prohibitions on the purchase or transport of a handgun and disqualification for a concealed handgun permit.

Session: 2019 Regular Session

Last Action: Failed to report (defeated) in Courts of Justice (6-Y 9-N)

Last Action Date: January 21, 2019

Sponsors

Note: the first sponsor listed is normally the primary sponsor. If a sponsor's name is a hyperlink you can click on it to 'follow the money'.

2 sponsors: Adam Ebbin (D); Lynwood Lewis (D);

Percentage of Senate sponsoring bill: 5% (2 of 40)

History
Chamber Date Action
Senate Jan 21, 2019 Committee substitute printed to LIS only 19105321D-S1
Senate Jan 21, 2019 Failed to report (defeated) in Courts of Justice (6-Y 9-N)
Senate Jul 16, 2018 Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/19 19100110D
Senate Jul 16, 2018 Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Texts
Type Date State Link Text
Comm Sub Jan 21, 2019 state link bill text
Prefiled Jul 16, 2018 state link bill text
Amendments
Title Description Date State Link Text Adopted
There are no amendments to this bill at this time
Votes - Click on description to view vote roll call
Description Vote Date Yea Votes Nay Votes No Votes Absent Passed
01/21/2019 6 9 0 0 No
  • Chafin, Benton (R) Nay
  • Deeds, R. Creigh (D) Yea
  • Edwards, John (D) Yea
  • Howell, Janet (D) Yea
  • Lucas, L. Louise (D) Yea
  • McDougle, Ryan (R) Nay
  • Norment, Thomas (R) Nay
  • Obenshain, Mark (R) Nay
  • Peake, Mark (R) Nay
  • Petersen, John (D) Yea
  • Reeves, Bryce (R) Nay
  • Saslaw, Richard (D) Yea
  • Stanley, William (R) Nay
  • Stuart, Richard (R) Nay
  • Sturtevant, Glen (R) Nay
resort votes by: party yeas nays name

Link: link to state bill page

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