RICHMOND—The new Virginia House Democratic majority is celebrating a historic legislative session. Democrats have passed new legislation tackling vital issues such as strengthening gun violence prevention, raising the minimum wage, widening protections for the LGBTQ+ community, expanding access to voting, protecting the environment, decriminalizing marijuana use, and repealing racially discriminatory language from the Commonwealth’s Acts…
Category: Press Release
Virginia General Assembly Votes to Roll Back Harmful Restrictions on Women’s Reproductive Choices RICHMOND—The Virginia House of Delegates voted for two bills expanding reproductive rights for women in the Commonwealth, which will remove some harmful restrictions on abortion access in first-trimester pregnancies. The House voted Wednesday night to pass HB 980 with the Senate’s amendment…
The House Budget invests in Virginians Today and Tomorrow RICHMOND— The Virginia House of Delegates passed the House Budget today on a 67-32 vote after engrossment. The Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee introduced the House Budget bill on Monday (HB 30) on the floor of the House of Delegates, outlining its proposal for the…
RICHMOND—The Virginia House of Delegates passed 828 bills in time for crossover, marking the middle of Virginia’s 2020 legislative session. Passed legislation encompasses major Democratic priorities such as enacting gun violence prevention reforms, restoring women’s reproductive healthcare rights, adding protections for the LGBTQ+ community, expanding voter rights, decriminalizing marijuana use, and repealing racially discriminatory language…
Richmond, VA – The Virginia House of Delegates has approved HB972 from Majority Leader Charniele Herring to decriminalize simple marijuana possession and create a $25 civil penalty for simple possession, which will not result in any court costs or criminal record and further seals all previous simple possession of marijuana arrests, criminal charges, and convictions.…
RICHMOND—Today, the Virginia House of Delegates passed legislation repealing language from outdated Acts of Assembly which codified racial discrimination. The injustices in these old laws included de jure school segregation and housing discrimination, as well as restrictions on African Americans relating to public transportation, medical care, public documents, and public facilities. “Although the scars of…
RICHMOND—The House of Delegates passed five bills addressing discrimination. The four bills passed today — along with HB 1049, passed on February 5 — would reduce systemic injustice by increasing legal protections against discrimination for Virginians. The bills now go to the Senate for further consideration. “The House Democratic Majority is proud to stand behind…
RICHMOND—Today, the Virginia House of Delegates successfully passed a bill establishing access to collective bargaining for public employees. The bill, HB 582, repeals a 2013 law that prevented state and local employees from unionizing. “Virginia is on its way to becoming the 48th state to give our public employees the freedom to bargain collectively. This…
RICHMOND—Yesterday, the House of Delegates Courts of Justice Committee reported HB 972 — a bill sponsored by House Majority Leader Charniele Herring to decriminalize marijuana in Virginia — out of committee on a 12-8 vote, moving the bill to the House floor for further consideration. If enacted, Virginia would join 26 other states and the…
RICHMOND – The new Democratic majority in the House of Delegates has worked swiftly to expand access to voting in the Commonwealth, including passing “no excuse” absentee voting. Under current law, Virginia voters are required to provide one of several valid excuses to vote prior to election day. Under HB 1, Virginia voters will now…