VA SB2 | 2020 | Regular Session

Status

Completed Legislative Action
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-3)
Status: Passed on May 21 2020 - 100% progression
Action: 2020-05-21 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1286)
Text: Latest bill text (Chaptered) [HTML]

Summary

Possession and consumption of marijuana; penalty. Decriminalizes simple marijuana possession and provides a civil penalty of no more than $25. 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 any violation of simple possession of marijuana shall be charged by a summons in form the same as the uniform summons for motor vehicle law violations and that no court costs shall be assessed for such violations. The bill also provides that a person's criminal history record information shall not include records of any charges or judgments for such violations and records of such charges or judgements shall not be reported to the Central Criminal Records Exchange. However, the bill states that if a violation occurs while an individual is operating a commercial motor vehicle, such violation shall be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles and shall be included on such individual's driving record. Also, the bill states that the procedure for appeal and trial of any violation of simple possession of marijuana shall be the same as provided by law for misdemeanors. The bill also provides that if requested by either party on appeal to the circuit court, trial by jury shall be provided and the Commonwealth shall be required to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Additionally, the bill provides that the suspended sentence/substance abuse screening provisions apply only to criminal violations. The bill defines "marijuana" to include hashish oil and creates a rebuttable presumption that a person who possesses no more than one ounce of marijuana possesses it for personal use. The bill also (i) makes records relating to the arrest, criminal charge, or conviction of possession of marijuana not open to public inspection and disclosure, except in certain circumstances; (ii) prohibits employers and educational institutions from requiring an applicant for employment or admission to disclose information related to such arrest, criminal charge, or conviction; and (iii) prohibits agencies, officials, and employees of the state and local governments from requiring an applicant for a license, permit, registration, or governmental service to disclose information concerning such arrest, criminal charge, or conviction. Also, the bill allows a person charged with a civil offense who is acquitted, a nolle prosequi is taken, or the charge is otherwise dismissed to file a petition requesting expungement of the police records and court records related to the charge. Finally, the bill requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and Forestry, Finance, Health and Human Resources, and Public Safety and Homeland Security to convene a work group to study the impact on the Commonwealth of legalizing the sale and personal use of marijuana and report the recommendations of the work group to the General Assembly and the Governor by November 30, 2020.

Tracking Information

Register now for our free OneVote public service or GAITS Pro trial account and you can begin tracking this and other legislation, all driven by the real-time data of the LegiScan API. Providing tools allowing you to research pending legislation, stay informed with email alerts, content feeds, and share dynamic reports. Use our new PolitiCorps to join with friends and collegaues to monitor & discuss bills through the process.

Monitor Legislation or view this same bill number from multiple sessions or take advantage of our national legislative search.

Title

Marijuana; definitions, possession and consumption, civil penalties, report.

Sponsors


Roll Calls

2020-04-22 - House - House: VOTE: (56-Y 37-N) (Y: 56 N: 37 NV: 7 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2020-04-22 - Senate - Senate: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation's #'s 1-5 and 7-16 (26-Y 14-N) (Y: 26 N: 14 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2020-04-22 - Senate - Senate: Senate rejected Governor's recommendation #17 (5-Y 35-N) (Y: 5 N: 35 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
2020-04-22 - Senate - Senate: Senate rejected Governor's recommendation #6 (6-Y 34-N) (Y: 6 N: 34 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
2020-03-08 - Senate - Senate: Conference report agreed to by Senate (27-Y 12-N) (Y: 27 N: 12 NV: 1 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2020-03-08 - House - House: VOTE: Adoption (57-Y 33-N) (Y: 57 N: 33 NV: 10 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2020-03-07 - Senate - Senate: Senate requested second conference committee (26-Y 14-N) (Y: 26 N: 14 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2020-03-07 - Senate - Senate: Conference report rejected by Senate (2-Y 38-N) (Y: 2 N: 38 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
2020-03-05 - House - House: VOTE: Adoption #2 (61-Y 37-N) (Y: 61 N: 37 NV: 2 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2020-03-05 - House - House: VOTE: Adoption (58-Y 38-N) (Y: 58 N: 38 NV: 4 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2020-02-26 - Senate - Senate: Senate acceded to request (40-Y 0-N) (Y: 40 N: 0 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2020-02-26 - Senate - Senate: House substitute rejected by Senate (1-Y 38-N) (Y: 1 N: 38 NV: 1 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
2020-02-26 - House - House: VOTE: Passage (63-Y 35-N) (Y: 63 N: 35 NV: 2 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2020-02-21 - House - House: Reported from Appropriations with substitute (16-Y 6-N) (Y: 16 N: 6 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2020-02-19 - House - House: Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (12-Y 8-N) (Y: 12 N: 8 NV: 2 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2020-02-11 - Senate - Senate: Passed Senate (27-Y 13-N) (Y: 27 N: 13 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2020-02-11 - Senate - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) (Y: 40 N: 0 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2020-02-10 - Senate - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (36-Y 0-N) (Y: 36 N: 0 NV: 4 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2020-02-06 - Senate - Senate: Reported from Finance and Appropriations (12-Y 3-N) (Y: 12 N: 3 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2020-01-29 - Senate - Senate: Reported from Judiciary with substitute (10-Y 3-N) (Y: 10 N: 3 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [PASS]

History

DateChamberAction
2020-05-21 Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1286)
2020-05-21 Governor: Approved by Governor-Chapter 1286 (effective 7/1/20)
2020-04-29 Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 22, 2020
2020-04-29SenateReenrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on April 29, 2020
2020-04-22HouseSigned by Speaker as reenrolled
2020-04-22SenateSigned by President as reenrolled
2020-04-22SenateReenrolled bill text (SB2ER2)
2020-04-22SenateReenrolled
2020-04-22 Governor: Governor's recommendation adopted in-part
2020-04-22HouseVOTE: (56-Y 37-N)
2020-04-22HouseHouse concurred in Governor's recommendation #'s 1-5 and 7-16 (56-Y 37-N)
2020-04-22HousePassed by temporarily
2020-04-22SenateSenate rejected Governor's recommendation #17 (5-Y 35-N)
2020-04-22SenateSenate rejected Governor's recommendation #6 (6-Y 34-N)
2020-04-22SenateSenate concurred in Governor's recommendation's #'s 1-5 and 7-16 (26-Y 14-N)
2020-04-11SenateGovernor's recommendation received by Senate
2020-03-20 Governor: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 11, 2020
2020-03-20SenateEnrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 20, 2020
2020-03-19HouseSigned by Speaker
2020-03-18SenateSigned by President
2020-03-18SenateBill text as passed Senate and House (SB2ER)
2020-03-18SenateEnrolled
2020-03-08HouseVOTE: Adoption (57-Y 33-N)
2020-03-08HouseConference report agreed to by House (57-Y 33-N)
2020-03-08SenateConference report agreed to by Senate (27-Y 12-N)
2020-03-07SenateSecond Conference substitute printed 20109965D-S3
2020-03-07SenateSenators: Ebbin, Morrissey, Stanley
2020-03-07SenateSecond conferees appointed by Senate
2020-03-07HouseDelegates: Herring, Heretick, Collins
2020-03-07HouseSecond conferees appointed by House
2020-03-07HouseHouse acceded to request for second conference committee
2020-03-07SenateSenate requested second conference committee (26-Y 14-N)
2020-03-07SenateConference report rejected by Senate (2-Y 38-N)
2020-03-05HouseVOTE: Adoption #2 (61-Y 37-N)
2020-03-05HouseConference report agreed to by House (61-Y 37-N)
2020-03-05HouseReconsideration of conference report agreed to by House
2020-03-05HouseVOTE: Adoption (58-Y 38-N)
2020-03-05HouseConference report agreed to by House (58-Y 38-N)
2020-03-05SenateFirst Conference substitute printed 20109521D-S2
2020-03-05 Conference: Amended by conference committee
2020-02-27HouseDelegates: Herring, Heretick, Collins
2020-02-27HouseConferees appointed by House
2020-02-27SenateSenators: Ebbin, Morrissey, Stanley
2020-02-27SenateConferees appointed by Senate
2020-02-26SenateSenate acceded to request (40-Y 0-N)
2020-02-26HouseHouse requested conference committee
2020-02-26HouseHouse insisted on substitute
2020-02-26SenateHouse substitute rejected by Senate (1-Y 38-N)
2020-02-26HouseVOTE: Passage (63-Y 35-N)
2020-02-26HousePassed House with substitute (63-Y 35-N)
2020-02-26HouseEngrossed by House - committee substitute SB2H2
2020-02-26HouseCommittee on Appropriations substitute agreed to 20108848D-H2
2020-02-26HouseCommittee on Courts of Justice substitute rejected 20108640D-H1
2020-02-26HousePassed by temporarily
2020-02-26HouseRead third time
2020-02-25HouseRead second time
2020-02-21HouseCommittee substitute printed 20108848D-H2
2020-02-21HouseReported from Appropriations with substitute (16-Y 6-N)
2020-02-19HouseReferred to Committee on Appropriations
2020-02-19HouseCommittee substitute printed 20108640D-H1
2020-02-19HouseReported from Courts of Justice with substitute (12-Y 8-N)
2020-02-14HouseReferred to Committee for Courts of Justice
2020-02-14HouseRead first time
2020-02-14HousePlaced on Calendar
2020-02-11SenatePassed Senate (27-Y 13-N)
2020-02-11SenateConstitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
2020-02-11SenatePrinted as engrossed 20106511D-ES1
2020-02-11SenateEngrossed by Senate - committee substitute with amendment SB2ES1
2020-02-11SenateAmendment by Senator Ebbin agreed to
2020-02-11SenateReading of amendment waived
2020-02-11SenateAmendment by Senator Surovell rejected
2020-02-11SenateReading of amendment waived
2020-02-11SenateCommittee substitute agreed to 20106511D-S1
2020-02-11SenateReading of substitute waived
2020-02-11SenateRead second time
2020-02-10SenateConstitutional reading dispensed (36-Y 0-N)
2020-02-06SenateReported from Finance and Appropriations (12-Y 3-N)
2020-01-29SenateRereferred to Finance and Appropriations
2020-01-29SenateCommittee substitute printed 20106511D-S1
2020-01-29SenateIncorporates SB815 (Morrissey)
2020-01-29SenateReported from Judiciary with substitute (10-Y 3-N)
2020-01-16SenateAssigned Judiciary sub: Criminal Law
2020-01-08SenateMoved from Courts of Justice to Judiciary due to a change of the committee name
2019-11-18SenateReferred to Committee on the Judiciary
2019-11-18SenatePrefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/08/20 20100705D

Same As/Similar To

SB815 (Same As) 2020-01-29 - Incorporated by Judiciary
HB972 (Same As) 2020-05-21 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1285)

Code Citations

ChapterArticleSectionCitation TypeStatute Text
161228(n/a)See Bill Text
161260(n/a)See Bill Text
161273(n/a)See Bill Text
182247(n/a)See Bill Text
182248.1(n/a)See Bill Text
182250.1(n/a)See Bill Text
182251(n/a)See Bill Text
182251.02(n/a)See Bill Text
182252(n/a)See Bill Text
182254(n/a)See Bill Text
182259.1(n/a)See Bill Text
192392.2(n/a)See Bill Text
192392.4(n/a)See Bill Text
462390.1(n/a)See Bill Text
5413401(n/a)See Bill Text
5413446(n/a)See Bill Text

Virginia State Sources

TypeSource
Summaryhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+sum+SB2
Texthttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+ful+SB2+hil
Texthttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+ful+SB2S1+hil
Texthttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+ful+SB2ES1+hil
Texthttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+ful+SB2H1+hil
Texthttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+ful+SB2H2+hil
Texthttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+ful+SB2S2+hil
Texthttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+ful+SB2S3+hil
Texthttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+ful+SB2ER+hil
Texthttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+ful+SB2ER2+hil
Texthttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP1286+hil
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+S03V0106+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+S05V0269+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+SV0457SB0002+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+SV0528SB0002+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+SV0530SB0002+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+H08V0339+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+H02V0377+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+HV1472+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+SV1098SB0002+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+SV1126SB0002+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+HV1907+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+HV1899+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+SV1752SB0002+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+SV1753SB0002+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+HV2076+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+SV1880SB0002+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+SV1956SB0002+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+SV1957SB0002+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+SV1955SB0002+SB0002
Roll Callhttps://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+vot+HV2264+SB0002

Bill Comments

feedback