by Jackie Nunnery
RICHMOND—With just over two weeks until the General Assembly adjourns on February 22, the February 4 deadline for each chamber to consider their own bills before passing them on to the other, and the February 6 budget deadline, a flurry of activity is taking place in committees and on the floors. Each chamber has until February 12 to complete its consideration of bills passed in the other chamber.
Three proposed constitutional amendments passed in the House and Senate—providing a fundamental right to reproductive freedom, restoring a convicted felon’s right to vote upon release and affirming the right to marry and make a marriage between two individuals. The amendments must pass two successive legislative sessions in order to be considered by voters in November 2026.
According to the Virginia State Legislative Information System (lis.virginia.gov), the General Assembly will reconvene April 22 to consider amendments and vetoes by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Bills of local interest
Moving to a House vote, House Bill 1597 would increase penalties for anyone who fails to secure a firearm where a minor or anyone prohibited from possessing a firearm is likely to be present. The bill passed a public safety subcommittee with a substitute.
Still awaiting action, House Bill 2713 would direct the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) and the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences (VIMS) to conduct a three-year study on the ecology, fishery impacts and economic importance of the Atlantic menhaden in the state waters. The bill was referred to….
