Senate subcommittee advances package of public-safety bills; votes to report multiple measures

A Virginia Senate subcommittee on public safety and claims on Tuesday recommended reporting a package of public-safety bills to the full committee, advancing measures that touch on hemp retail licensing, veterans reentry, mail-theft definitions, unmanned aircraft restrictions, probation reductions and changes to homicide charges tied to fentanyl deaths.

The most immediate action was on Senate Bill 14 83, a proposal that "eliminates the fee placed on CBD sellers who have registered at brick-and-mortar locations," Senator Boyce said in presenting the bill, noting that vendors currently pay a $1,000 license fee and an additional $1,000 for temporary off-site sales that can exceed their earnings. The subcommittee voted to recommend SB 14 83 for reporting by voice vote.

The panel also advanced a substitute to a bill directing the Department of Veterans Services to use the Veterans Affairs reentry search services system to identify incarcerated veterans and coordinate reentry supports. Brandy Jankaitis, director of Virginia Veteran and Family Support, told the committee the state currently has nine veteran treatment dockets and expects that number to grow to about 13. The agency flagged personnel needs; the proposal as discussed would require three additional veteran justice specialist positions at an estimated annual cost of $113,742 per position. The committee adopted a substitute that creates a work group to study implementation…