Constitutional amendment (first reference);marriage; repeal of same-sex marriage prohibition; recognition ofsame-sex marriages. Repeals the constitutional provision definingmarriage as only a union between one man and one woman, as well asthe related provisions that are no longer valid as a result of theUnited States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges,576 U.S. 644 (2015). The amendment provides that the Commonwealthand its political subdivisions and its agents are required to issuemarriage licenses, recognize marriages, and treat all marriages equallyunder the law, regardless of the gender of the two parties to themarriage. The amendment further provides that religious organizationsand clergy acting in their religious capacity have the right to refuseto perform any marriage.
Sponsored bills
Automatic expungement of criminal records.Establishes a process for the automatic expungement, defined in the bill, of criminal records for certain convictions, deferred dispositions,and acquittals and for offenses that have been nolle prossed or otherwisedismissed. The bill also provides a process for the automatic expungementof criminal records for charges arising from mistaken identity orthe unauthorized use of identifying information. The bill has staggereddelayed effective dates in order to develop systems for implementingthe provisions of the bill.
Celebrating the life of Gloria Mae Benton Walker.
Celebrating the life of Mary Holley.
Commending Dennis K. Morris.
Expressing the censure of the Senate. Expressesthe censure of the Senate of Virginia for Senator Amanda F. Chase.
Presidential electors; National Popular VoteCompact. Enters Virginia into an interstate compact known asthe Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by NationalPopular Vote. Article II of the Constitution of the United Statesgives the states exclusive and plenary authority to decide the mannerof awarding their electoral votes. Under the compact, Virginia agreesto award its electoral votes to the presidential ticket that receivesthe most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.The compact goes into effect when states cumulatively possessinga majority of the electoral votes have joined the compact. A statemay withdraw from the compact; however, a withdrawal occurring withinsix months of the end of a President's term shall not become effectiveuntil a President or Vice President has qualified to serve the nextterm.
Commending Virginia's Crossroads.
Celebrating the life of the Honorable AugustusBenton Chafin, Jr.
Celebrating the life of the Honorable BernardS. Cohen.