Subcommittee reports series of measures: drug-test expansion, asset-forfeiture uses, sports-official protection, data sharing and search-warrant updates

A Senate subcommittee advanced several bills in a single hearing spanning public-safety, criminal-justice data, asset-forfeiture spending, tobacco penalties and search-warrant procedures. Most measures were reported out by voice or roll call; some will return for additional drafting in full committee.

Drug-test strips and contaminants (SB 9-24) Senator Head described Senate Bill 9-24 as a technical expansion of prior law that authorized test strips and testing equipment to detect fentanyl. The bill would broaden the law to allow testing equipment that detects other contaminants — including xylazine, nitazines, benzodiazepines and industrial chemicals — without listing each substance by name. Robert Melvin of the R Street Institute urged passage, saying the illicit supply now contains multiple contaminants. The subcommittee reported SB 9-24 unanimously, 8–0.

Asset forfeiture spending for officer equipment and training (SB 14-20) Senator Head presented a bill to permit local law-enforcement agencies to use asset-forfeiture proceeds for training and equipment. The committee debated language to limit purchases to “equipment the officer is using directly in their own operations” and to exclude vehicular equipment; counsel suggested using the phrase “personal use equipment” but the chair raised concerns about that wording, and members agreed to finalize language before full committee. The bill was reported 7–1 and will be amended in full committee.

Protection for sports officials (SB 9-86) Senator Williams Graves offered a substitute that narrowed the offense to physical battery and clarified that the statute applies to sports officials while on the premises of an event before or after their duties. The subcommittee adopted a line amendment changing “shall” to “may” in the sentencing provision to give judges discretion. SB 9-86 reported with substitute and amendment, 7–0.

Tobacco and vaping penalties for under-21 possession (SB 13-95) Senator Peake presented a version creating a civil penalty for possession of tobacco and hemp products by people under 21. The senator and committee agreed to conform the Senate bill to House Bill 19-46 so the measures can proceed to conference; SB 13-95 reported with substitute, 8–0.

Sentencing Commission data-sharing with VLDS (SB 11-91) Senator Deeds presented a bill authorizing the Sentencing Commission to provide pretrial data to the Virginia Longitudinal Data System (VLDS) for anonymized research. Supporters said data sharing would allow researchers to study links between pretrial conditions and employment, housing, education and other outcomes; witnesses said data would be anonymized and remain confidential. The subcommittee reported SB 11-91, 7–1.

Search warrants and service on out-of-state corporations (SB 14-12) Senator McDougall brought a bill that would broaden the rules for serving and executing warrants and subpoenas for electronic records held by foreign corporations (companies outside the Commonwealth) or domestic entities with operations outside Virginia. Counsel added an amendment to deem a search of records of a foreign corporation to have been made in the same place where the search warrant was issued, and another amendment directing a joint commission study on statutes regulating service and electronic records. The subcommittee adopted two line amendments and reported the bill unanimously, 8–0.

Votes at a glance (motions to report): SB 9-24 — 8–0; SB 14-20 — 7–1 (amendment/wordsmithing to follow); SB 9-86 — 7–0 (substitute adopted); SB 13-95 — 8–0 (conform to HB 19-46); SB 11-91 — 7–1; SB 14-12 — 8–0 (substitute/amendments adopted).

Several sponsors and counsel told the subcommittee they will return with clarified language for full committee consideration, particularly for items involving statutory definitions, notice requirements or the mechanics of serving electronic records. The docket concluded with unanimous and near-unanimous votes on most bills.