Virginia General Assembly approves bills on taxes, guns, marijuana, and much more

The General Assembly

The Virginia General Assembly has mostly wrapped up for the year – except for a budget bill that is expected to be approved March 12.

Some of the bills being sent to Gov. Ralph Northam, include the following:

Taxes – The gas tax would be raised 5 cents a year over the next two years, then would be indexed to inflation, to pay for road and transit projects.

The hotel tax in Northern Virginia would be increased from 2 percent to 3 percent. Car registration fees would be cut from $38 to $28.

Counties would be given the same taxation authority as cities, allowing them to impose additional taxes including a 5-cent fee for plastic bags. Counties could also tax meals and amusements under certain limitations.

Marijuana – Marijuana possession of up to one ounce for personal use would be decriminalized, with a civil penalty of a $25 fine. People previously convicted of possession would get an opportunity to have their records expunged.


Guns – Universal background checks would be required for all gun sales. Registered home daycare centers would have to keep guns locked and away from children. In-person safety training would be required for people seeking a concealed carry permit. The state’s former one-handgun-a month rule would be restored. (A bill banning assault weapons failed to pass the Senate.)

Transportation – Virginia could issue bonds backed by Interstate 66 toll revenue for the proposed Long Bridge commuter rail project between D.C. and Arlington and a new Metro connection in Rosslyn.


Road safety – Drivers would be prohibited from using handheld cellphones. Violators could be fined $125 for a first offense and $250 for subsequent offenses. Speed cameras would be allowed in school zones.

A reckless or distracted driver who injures or kills a pedestrian or bicyclist would face a Class 1 misdemeanor and could be charged a fine of up to $2,500 and a 12-month jail sentence. Drivers would be banned from crossing into a bicycle lane to pass another vehicle.


Immigration – Undocumented residents would be allowed to apply for “driver’s privilege cards.” The cards, valid for two years, would allow immigrants to drive legally and get car insurance. Federal agencies could request information about whether a specific individual has driving privileges, but there would be privacy protections to prevent the federal government from sweeping the database to collect information.

Related story: Virginia General Assembly poised to enact bills on guns, immigrants, taxes and much more

Minimum wage – The minimum wage would rise to $9.50 in January 2021, $11 in 2022, and $12 in 2023 and 2024. If a future General Assembly acts, the minimum wage could rise to $13.50 in 2025 and $15 in 2026, then be tied to inflation.

The bill also requires a study of potential different minimum wages for different parts of the state. The bill would, for the first time, cover home care providers, but au pairs would be excluded.

Confederate monuments – Local governments would be allowed to move, contextualize, or cover Confederate monuments on public property, but would be required to hold a public hearing before taking action.

Gambling – Casinos would be allowed in five areas outside Northern Virginia. Sports betting would be allowed, but Virginia colleges and universities would be excluded.

Collective bargaining – Counties, cities, towns, and school boards could allow collective bargaining for their employees.

Criminal justice – The age that youths could be charged as adults for certain crimes would rise from 14 to 16. The practice of suspending driver’s licenses for unpaid court fees would be suspended.

Voting – People would be allowed to register to vote and vote on the same day, beginning in fall 2020. Automatic voter registration would happen at the Department of Motor Vehicles; instead of “opting in” to register, people could “opt out.”


Energy – The Virginia Clean Economy Act would make the state’s grid carbon-free by 2045 while also adding stronger protections for electric utility ratepayers. The measure sets ambitious targets for the development of solar and wind energy and reduces the restrictions on rooftop solar energy.

Dogs – Tethering dogs outside would be prohibited during extreme weather.