Virginia House and Senate lawmakers have advanced a pair of companion bills, with amendments, that would provide a pathway to resentencing for people with prior marijuana convictions.
Members of the Senate and House Courts of Justice Committees on Monday approved substitute versions of the opposite chambers’ reform legislation, making certain revisions that set the stage for bicameral negotiations as the measures move forward in the legislative process.
Overall, the legislation as introduced in both chambers would create a process by which people who are incarcerated or on community supervision for certain felony offenses involving the possession, manufacture, selling or distribution of marijuana could receive an automatic hearing to consider modification of their sentences.
The Senate panel approved HB 26 from Del. Rozia Henson (D) in a 9-6 vote, with revisions largely conforming it to the chamber’s own bill, SB 62, that’s being sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Louise Lucas (D) that passed on the floor last month before moving to the House.
Senators have now referred the House measure to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee for further consideration.
There are some differences between the chambers’ measures. The House-passed legislation includes juveniles among those who would be eligible for
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