Marijuana decriminalization bill shot down by panel
A bill that would decriminalize—but not legalize–marijuana possession, as about 20 other states have done, has been killed.
Archives: 2015 general assembly
College affordability bills now in Senate
After clearing the House of Delegates, two bills aimed at making college more affordable in Virginia have now moved to the Senate.
Hate crime bill dead in committee
Update: The bill to expand hate crime definitions has died in committee. That’s the end of that (for this session, anyway).
Senate OKs bill outlawing mugshot extortion
The state Senate has unanimously passed a bill that would make extorting individuals by publishing their arrest records and photos online a Class 1 misdemeanor. Senators voted 40-0 in favor of the measure and sent it to the House for consideration.
Panel OKs law to protect bicyclists from tailgaters
The House Transportation Committee approved a bill Tuesday to make it illegal for the operator of a motor vehicle to follow a bicycle or moped too closely.
Committee rejects minimum wage hike
Voting along party lines, the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Monday killed a bill to raise Virginia’s minimum wage to $8 an hour and then gradually to $10.10 an hour.
Governor outlines “Opportunity” agenda
In a move he said would boost the state’s economy, Gov. Terry McAuliffe is asking legislators to remove the requirement that Virginia women get an ultrasound before having an abortion and to “create a more inclusive environment for LGBT Virginians and business owners.”
HB 1343: New bill would address reporting of sexual assaults
A state legislator from Northern Virginia urged her colleagues Tuesday to pass a bill requiring that campus sexual assaults be reported promptly to the local commonwealth’s attorney instead of being handled solely by campus and local police.
General Assembly 2015 is here!
Do you feel it? Our state lawmakers have crept in under the cover of night (or day, I don’t know when they arrived). And they’re ready to get to work!
