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Virginia Senate committee advances 17 bills; contested SB901 cleared after reconsideration
Summary
A Virginia Senate committee voted to advance 17 bills to the full Senate, approving most unanimously or by voice vote. A contested measure, Senate Bill 901 (identical to House Bill 1757), passed after a successful motion to reconsider and a second roll call.
A Virginia Senate committee met and voted to advance 17 bills to the full Senate, approving most measures unanimously or by voice vote and narrowly approving a contested bill, Senate Bill 901, by an 18-2 vote.
The committee approved a block of uncontested measures, moved several bills with committee substitutes to conform to House versions, and adopted amendments to one bill to exclude certain transit agencies. Delegate Kilgore moved to reconsider the committee's initial vote on Senate Bill 901; after reconsideration the bill was reported out of committee by a roll-call tally of 18 yes, 2 no.
Votes at a glance
- Senate Bill 781, SB 804, SB 888, SB 896, SB 1067, SB 1095, SB 1115, SB 1116, SB 1372 — reported to the floor in a block by voice/roll call; committee reported the block by a vote of 20-0.
- Senate Bill 901 (identical to House Bill 1757) — initially reported 17-1, a motion to reconsider was made by Delegate Kilgore and seconded; on reconsideration the committee reported SB 901 by a vote of 18 yes, 2 no.
- Senate Bill 757 (patron: Senator Locke) — committee substitute adopted; reported with substitute 20-0.
- Senate Bill 1255 — committee substitute adopted; reported with substitute 20-0.
- Senate Bill 1261 — committee substitute adopted; reported with substitute by a vote of 18 yes, 2 no.
- Senate Bill 1327 — committee substitute adopted; reported with substitute 20-0.
- Senate Bill 1460 — committee substitute adopted; reported with substitute 20-0.
- Senate Bill 846 — committee substitute adopted to conform to the House version; reported with substitute 20-0.
- Senate Bill 894 (conforming/amendments to match HB 1730) — line amendments were adopted to make the bill identical to House Bill 1730 and to add language excluding "public transit agencies funded in whole or in part by the Commonwealth Mass Transit Fund as defined in 33.2-1526." The bill, as amended, reported out of committee by a roll call of 15 yes, 4 no, 1 abstain.
What happened and why it matters
Most measures on the agenda were technical or conforming matters and moved quickly. Several bills were amended with committee substitutes so their text would align with companion House bills. The only item that drew a recorded contest was Senate Bill 901 (identical to House Bill 1757); after an initial roll call the committee granted a motion to reconsider and then approved the bill by an 18-2 vote.
On Senate Bill 894, a committee speaker explained that the first two line amendments make the Senate version identical to Representative Delaney's House Bill 1730 and that an additional amendment inserts a targeted exclusion: language stating the bill does not apply to public transit agencies funded in whole or in part by the Commonwealth Mass Transit Fund, citing the statutory definition in 33.2-1526.
Procedure and next steps
Committee members used committee substitutes and line amendments to bring Senate bills into conformity with House companions when necessary. Reported bills will proceed to the Senate floor for further consideration. The committee chair noted that civil and subcommittees would meet shortly after adjournment.
Ending
The committee adjourned after completing the agenda and reporting 17 bills to the full Senate, including one contested measure that advanced after reconsideration. The committee indicated follow-up meetings for subcommittees to convene after adjournment.
