Immigrants’ Rights
Virginia should pursue policies that make us more, not less, welcoming to newcomers. There are several proposals that would make it very difficult for Virginia’s counties and cities to put in place commonsense policies that build trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. Instead, these proposals send an unwelcoming message of exclusion for refugees seeking a chance to rebuild their lives.
|
Position |
Bill # |
Patron |
Summary |
|
Oppose |
HB1468 |
Marshall, R. |
Requires law enforcement to hold immigrants on ICE detainers |
|
Oppose |
HB2000 |
Poindexter |
Prohibits sanctuary policies |
|
Oppose |
HB2002 |
Poindexter |
Requires report on refugee and immigrant resettlements |
|
Oppose |
SB1262 |
Black |
Liability of sanctuary cities for certain injuries and damages |
Criminal Justice Reform
Virginia’s criminal justice system should be fair and provide returning citizens with opportunities to lead productive lives. Virginia should embrace alternatives to incarceration for people with mental health concerns and address the mental health issues within incarcerated populations. There are many proposals that seek to address these issues and reduce the number of Virginians in prisons.
|
Position |
Bill # |
Patron |
Summary |
|
Support |
HB1534 & 1536 |
Bell, Richard P. |
Reduces the maximum length of a long-term suspension from 364 calendar days to 90 school days. |
|
Support |
HB1784 |
Bell, R.W. |
Forensic discharge planning services; local and regional correctional facilities. |
|
Support |
HB1845 |
Cox |
Department of Criminal Justice Services; model addiction recovery program; jails. |
|
Support |
Surovell |
Increases from $200 to $500 the threshold amount of money taken or value of goods or chattel taken at which the crime rises from petit larceny to grand larceny. |
|
|
Support |
Wexton |
Provides that a person who was sentenced by a jury prior to the date of the Supreme Court of Virginia decision in Fishback v. Commonwealth is entitled to a new sentencing proceeding if such person is still incarcerated. |
|
|
Support |
SB940 |
Cosgrove |
Mental health screening of prisoners at local correctional facilities. |
|
Support |
SB995 & 997 |
Stanley |
Reduces the maximum length of a long-term suspension from 364 calendar days to 90 school days. |
|
Support |
SB1066 |
Deeds |
Petition for writ of actual innocence. |
|
Support |
Edwards |
Driver’s license; suspension of license for nonpayment of fines and court costs. |
|
|
Support |
SB1227 |
Barker |
Drug Treatment Court Act; eligibility. |
|
Support |
SB1442 |
Deeds |
Jails; DCJS to develop behavioral health screening for all persons. |
|
Support |
SB1563 |
Stanley |
Discovery in criminal cases; duty to provide. |
Voter Access
Our democracy is strongest when all eligible citizens are able to participate. Proposals that create gratuitous barriers to voting, such as regressive photo ID laws, laws against absentee voting, and laws against early voting seek to limit access to the ballot.Redistricting rules need to be implemented to create a fair system where voters are choosing the politicians instead of politicians choosing their voters.
|
Position |
Bill # |
Patron |
Summary |
|
Oppose |
HB1399 |
Cole |
Proportions State Board of Elections and local electoral boards by political party |
|
Oppose |
HB1428 |
Fowler |
Requires photo ID for mail-in absentee ballots |
|
Oppose |
HB1598 |
Cole |
Requires proof of citizenship documentation for voter registration |
|
Support |
SB845 |
Howell |
Allows caregivers to vote absentee |
|
Support |
SB846 |
Lucas |
Creates interim redistricting commission for remedial redistricting plans |
|
Oppose |
SB872 |
Chase |
Requires photo ID for mail-in absentee ballots |
|
Oppose |
SB1253 |
Obenshain |
Requires DMV photo to be included in electronic poll books |
|
Oppose |
SB1303 |
Vogel |
Changes time of the deadline for electronic voter registration from 11:59pm to 5:00pm |
|
Oppose |
SB1581 |
Peake |
Requires data match with Social Security Administration for voter registration |
|
Oppose |
Norment |
Constitutional amendment that removes discretionary authority of the governor to restore the civil rights for individuals convicted of felonies; imposes mandatory waiting period and repayment of all fines, fees and restitution before becoming eligible for persons convicted of violent felonies |
|
|
Support |
SJ231 |
Hanger |
Constitutional amendment to establish redistricting commission and criteria to draw voting districts |
|
Support |
SJ290 |
Howell |
Constitutional amendment to establish criteria for to draw voting districts |
Climate Justice
|
Position |
Bill # |
Patron |
Summary |
|
Support |
Surovell |
Prohibits the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) from issuing a draft permit for the closure of a coal combustion residuals unit (CCR unit) until he has reviewed an assessment of closure options prepared by the owner or operator of the CCR unit. |