@delciaprice85.bsky.social says, after Del Garrett says Democrats are lying about the mid-decade redistricting, "I want to be perfectly clear: We have indeed drawn the maps to maximize the help that Virginians give the nation...and it is because the president started it."

Gov Northam said "if we can't change their minds, we have to change their seats," and this senator @salimvasenate.bsky.social did just that, defeating his predecessor whose vote prevented this assault weapon ban from passing on this very floor in 2020. It passes the Senate today.

@delciaprice85.bsky.social says this redistricting will have the most public impact EVER, more than when legislators drew maps before behind closed doors, more even than under the Redistricting Commission, because the voters will decide in the referendum with maps fully visible.

VA House getting ready to engross the budget bill containing the proposed maps. @delciaprice85.bsky.social reminds us we're here because Trump called on red states to "find him more seats." And because of the acquiescent Republicans in Congress who are going along with him. 🔥 🔥

Sen Sturtevant speaks against (?) @salimvasenate.bsky.social bill preventing law enforcement from wearing face coverings while on duty. "Think about these law enforcement officers being recorded, doxxed, their names being put out online." If they're not doing anything wrong, should be fine.

Uhoh, SB348 safe storage of firearms in homes where minors are present may be in trouble, patron @jenniferboysko.com just took it by for the day before floor vote. If you're interested in this bill, perhaps give your senator a call, just in case.

Senate passes @adamebbin.bsky.social bill to have Virginia join the National Popular Vote Compact, after @ssurovell.bsky.social refers to the Electoral College as an idea having "arrogant, aristocratic and racist origins."

Sen @DRSuetterlein says in discussion of vote on National Popular Vote Compact that he doesn't think it's great that the current [Trump] administration is talking about federalizing elections.

House passes @kathykltran.bsky.social bill to require landlords accept a variety of payment methods and not charge extra fees for choosing any. Also requires the landlord issue a receipt.

Senate passes @russetperry.bsky.social bill to close the boyfriend loophole for firearms transfers. Hopefully this is the year it finally gets signed into law. One GOP member (Mulchi) votes for it--she has previously spoken about a personal history of domestic violence.

Senate passes Sen Carroll Foy firearm industry liability bill giving people the ability to sue the firearm manufacturer for misconduct in the sales.

The GOP loooooooove the US Constitution. But only some of it. And only for some people. They all vote against reporting @salimvasenate.bsky.social bill to prohibit Commonwealth Attorneys from requiring defendants to waive Fourth Amendment rights in plea agreements. Bill reports from Courts.

VACA says not every prosecutor wants to maximize prison time for every case and being able to make defendants waive rights in plea agreements helps them choose diversions etc. @ssurovell.bsky.social points out some, ie former Dem CA Theo Stamos use pleas coercively, making legislators react.

Senate Local Government reports out Sen Carroll Foy bill to allow localities to adopt ordinances requiring solar canopies be installed on large nonresidential parking lots.

Is cloning legal in Virginia? Because I really think it would be helpful if @lashrecseaird.bsky.social & @jenniferboysko.com would just clone themselves so that they could actually PARTICIPATE in the two committees they serve on (Courts and Local Govt) that meet at the exact same time.

Senate Courts reports out @pwcdanica.bsky.social bill to align VA open container law to what's required to qualify for federal transportation funding. But first changed it to make a sort of parallel "open container" for marijuana 🤨. Abstainers opposed change but didn't want to kill bill.

People are being abducted off the streets by masked men with guns, being shot in the face, shot dead in the back. But nothing incites more passion than the threat that someone's gas-powered leaf blower might be banned. Its noise "sounds like freedom to me," says Sen Stanley.

This year's gas-powered leaf blower bill from @salimvasenate.bsky.social is even milder--it's just giving an *option* for a locality *only in high density areas* to enact an ordinance to ban them (with one year advance notice given). It still dies.

Senate Courts reports out @scvanvalkenburg.bsky.social bill to have banks automatically protect the last $1000 in a person's bank balance from wage garnishment, despite testimony from medical industry reps acting as if this will bankrupt their billion dollar profits industry.

Week 4 newsletter is live. Featuring updates on the alcohol 🥃, gambling 🎰, and marijuana 🌱 bills and a quote of the week from @lashrecseaird defending her marijuana bill. vaplan.us/week-4-vices...

Week 4: Vices in Virginia As we approach crossover, it seems like a good time to check in on where we are on a large number of alcohol-related, marijuana, and gambling bills! QUOTE OF...

Senate passes Sen Williams Graves bill to levy an 11% excise tax on gun and ammunition manufacturers, effective 2027. Revenue goes to the general fund but with the wishes of the General Assembly that it should be used to support gun violence prevention efforts.

I genuinely hope that Delegate Pugh Kent never changes. I'm sure we don't agree on a whole lot, but she isn't here in the General Assembly to make political speeches for her Tiktok, she's here to get real practical things done for her constituents. And she's so personable.

Sometimes I forget we're STILL WAITING on some of these laws, like this one @jenniferboysko.com has carried forever, to prohibit asking job candidates their salary history, and requires companies post salary ranges for job openings. Commonsense way to tackle wage discrimination.

Senate Rehab reports out @russetperry.bsky.social bill to let distilleries sell up to 6 oz of spirits, establishes food on premises requirements. Apparently the definition of "food" was heavily negotiated by stakeholders and now includes tuna salad sandwiches. Good news for @markwarner.bsky.social!

House Pub Safety sub reports @lopez4va.bsky.social bill (w similar @guzman4virginia.bsky.social bill rolled in) to prohibit local law enforcement from entering into 287g agreements w ICE. Not only do these agreements terrorize our communities & increase profiling, they also waste local resources.

@delciaprice85.bsky.social responds to claim her HB969 establishing a gun violence prevention center is duplicative of Operation Ceasefire that Operation Ceasefire was a "slush fund for the previous Attorney General to pay for his billboards & campaign ads." No lies detected. Bill reports.

Public Safety sub combines bills from @lopez4va.bsky.social @ireneforva.bsky.social Del Glass @katrinacallsen.com. Limits public places where ICE agents can come grab ppl w/o judicial warrant. NOT: * attending court as req by law * hospital * school/university * polling place * prosecutor's ofc

GOP Del Wilt in Public Services sub asks about @lopez4va.bsky.social bill restricting access to fed immigration agents from polling places: "I'm just curious, why would immigration services BE at a polling place??" Yes, sir we are ALL curious about that. Ask Steve Bannon.

House Public Safety sub reports out Del Schmidt bill to prohibit local and state law enforcement from wearing masks and requires them to wear visible identification during their duties (with exceptions). This won't unmask ICE, but at least will make them more identifiable.

Nice unanimous vote in House Consumer Protection sub on Del Martinez bill to prohibit 📢 SUPER LOUD ads during streaming programming (already law for broadcast tv).

Things getting ugly on House floor. Dems are killing and/or re-referring back to committee all GOP-patroned bills today. Plenty of opportunity for them to come back to life, but GOP have engaged in some rly disturbing rhetoric this week, so no surprise they're paying the piper.

Huge bipartisan support for @hollyseiboldva.bsky.social bill establishing standardized dress codes for those visiting loved ones in prison.

@ireneforva.bsky.social bill to require localities set more limited parking minimums in transit corridors passes House. Senate Local Government killed a broader (no parking minimums, let the market decide) version by @salimvasenate.bsky.social last wk, but perhaps this will be more to their liking.

🎉House easily passes on party-line votes its gun violence prevention bills--ban ghost guns, safe storage of firearms in cars, ban on sales of assault weapons & high-volume magazines, firearm industry liability, firearms in mental health hospitals. #ElectionsHaveConsequences

Party-line vote in Senate on @scvanvalkenburg.bsky.social bill to encourage building housing where people work, requiring mixed-use zoning on 75% of commercial district land in a locality.

Sen Durant asks, re: bill that prohibits govt making any laws that restrict access to contraception: If a religious school refused to provide, say Plan B, would they be violating this bill? Total lack of understanding. Even after counsel explained to her, she still voted against.

@jenniferboysko.com Medical aid in dying bill killed in Senate Ed & Health. Guess our pet 🐈 and🐕 will continue to have more end of life dignity and minimized suffering than we will.

It's a little bit of sexism that Democrats completely forget what they allegedly believe in about the criminal justice system, what works and what doesn't, as soon as it's framed as a sex trafficking issue.

Urgently needed @hopeforvirginia.bsky.social Parole Board reform bill reports from Public Safety subcommittee today--it's unfortunate that it didn't have bipartisan support. This would expand the Board, stagger terms, and ensure members have relevant professional experience.

The result of all this unfounded propaganda about "the Democrats are raising your taxes!!!!" is that a lot of good bills that could really help Virginians deal with the housing shortage, climate change & energy costs and more are being killed or "continued." As intended I'm sure.

Bipartisan support in Senate Courts on @jenniferboysko.com bill to ensure people have access to counsel (and adequate time for counsel to review the charges and speak to them) during bail proceedings.

@senlouiselucas.bluesky.bot continues her fight to rectify the undue harm caused to people by our former marijuana laws, SB62, giving people with felony marijuana convictions a process for asking for sentence modification, advances out of Senate Courts with bipartisan support.

A little fun in House Courts Civil today, as Del Oates brings a bill about liens against someone who houses cows, horses, etc. This man showed up in his "Bullshirt" tee to testify. The bill reported out and Del Oates says "I thank you for moooving the bill forward." 🐮

@lashrecseaird.bsky.social's marijuana marketplace bill reports out of Senate Courts with some unfriendly amendments (increasing penalties for illicit sales or possession a large amount, ie intent to sell w/o a license) by @ssurovell.bsky.social tacked on. Sen Finance will likely take them back off.

In Sen. Courts, @ssurovell.bsky.social proposes amendments to @lashrecseaird.bsky.social marijuana market bill, increasing penalties for illicit sales, aligning penalties w those for alcohol. Patron considers them unfriendly amendments, @jenniferboysko.com & Sen Carroll Foy don't support.

Kumbaya moment on House floor between @helmerva.bsky.social and GOP Del Austin on VMI Task Force bill (HB1377), after Helmer introduces a substantial floor amendment that addresses concerns by VMI expressed through Austin.

Lots of big votes teed up for tomorrow on the House floor: gun bills, National Guard bill, parking minimums, solar everywhere, affordable housing zoning, etc.

They usu don't allow public testimony during full committee, and usu there's a timer ticking down, but this crabber (on the Crab Mgmt Advisory Committee) slowly telling ACNR all about his life/work was really cute. (Bill about diamondback terrapin protection in crab pot areas.)