SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2020 SESSION

  • print version
Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections

Chair: R. Creigh Deeds

Clerk: H. Lehman, C. Dent, A. Green
Staff: Meg Lamb
Date of Meeting: January 28, 2020
Time and Place: 15 mins. after adj/SR 3/ No patron signup/bills heard by category

S.B. 65

Patron: Locke

Voter identification; repeal of photo identification requirements. Removes the requirement that voters show a form of identification containing a photograph in order to be allowed to vote. The bill requires a voter to show either his voter registration confirmation documents; his valid Virginia driver's license, his valid United States passport, or any other identification issued by the Commonwealth, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States; any valid student identification card issued by any institution of higher education located in the Commonwealth or any private school located in the Commonwealth; any valid employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer's business; or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. The bill adds language regarding identification requirements for certain voters pursuant to the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-404, 24.2-411.1, 24.2-643, 24.2-701, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, and 24.2-701.1, as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to voter identification; repeal of photo identification requirements.

20101202D

S.B. 74

Patron: Deeds

Election day voter registration; pilot program. Requires the State Board of Elections to develop a pilot program for election day voter registration, by which a person who (i) offers to vote on election day but is not a registered voter, (ii) provides one of the allowable forms of identification specified by law, and (iii) provides proof of his residency, in a form specified by the State Board for this purpose, in the precinct in which he offers to vote, shall be permitted to register to vote and to cast a ballot. The bill provides a process by which the validity of such votes is determined. The bill requires participating localities to provide information on the implementation of the pilot program in its locality to the State Board by December 1 of each year in which it participates. The bill requires the State Board to submit a report on the pilot program to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the House and Senate Committees on Privileges and Elections, including a recommendation as to whether there should be statewide election day voter registration. The bill has an expiration date of December 31, 2022.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 4 of Chapter 4 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-425.1, relating to election day voter registration; pilot program.

20100903D

S.B. 92

Patron: Marsden

Voter registration; preregistration for persons age 16 or older. Permits a person who is otherwise qualified to register to vote and is 16 years of age or older, but who will not be 18 years of age on or before the day of the next general election, to preregister to vote. The preregistration does not entitle such a person to vote in any election except as already permitted by law. The bill requires the Department of Elections to maintain a record of all preregistered voters in the Virginia voter registration system, which shall automatically register a person who is preregistered upon that person reaching 18 years or age or becoming eligible for advance registration as already permitted by law, whichever comes first. The bill requires the Department to provide to the general registrars voter confirmation documents for such voters.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-404 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 4 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-403.1, relating to voter registration; preregistration of persons age 16 or older.

20100922D

S.B. 113

Patron: Deeds

Voter identification; repeal of photo identification requirements. Removes the requirement that voters show a form of identification containing a photograph in order to be allowed to vote. The bill requires a voter to show either his voter registration confirmation documents; his valid Virginia driver's license, his valid United States passport, or any other identification issued by the Commonwealth, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States; any valid student identification card issued by any institution of higher education located in the Commonwealth or any private school located in the Commonwealth; any valid employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer's business; or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. The bill adds language regarding identification requirements for certain voters pursuant to the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-404, 24.2-411.1, 24.2-643, 24.2-701, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, and 24.2-701.1, as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to voter identification; repeal of photo identification requirements.

20100906D

S.B. 123

Patron: Barker

Voter identification; expiration date of Virginia driver's license not considered. Provides that the expiration date on a Virginia driver's license offered for voting identification purposes shall not be considered when determining the validity of the license.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 24.2-643 of the Code of Virginia, relating to voter identification; expiration date of Virginia driver's license not considered.

20103295D

S.B. 166

Patron: Saslaw

Campaign finance; disbursement of surplus funds; prohibited conversion to personal use. Amends the current laws regarding the disbursement of surplus funds at the dissolution of a campaign or political committee so that such restrictions would apply throughout the life of a campaign or political committee. Such restrictions include the prohibition against the conversion of any money, securities, or like intangible personal property that has been contributed to a campaign or political committee to the personal use of any person.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-948.4, 24.2-949.9, 24.2-950.9, 24.2-951.9, and 24.2-952.7 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 3 of Chapter 9.3 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-948.5, by adding in Article 4 of Chapter 9.3 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-949.9:01, by adding in Article 5 of Chapter 9.3 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-950.10, by adding in Article 6 of Chapter 9.3 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-951.10, and by adding in Article 7 of Chapter 9.3 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-952.8, relating to campaign finance; disbursement of surplus funds; prohibited conversion to personal use.

20100595D

S.B. 219

Patron: Marsden

Voter registration; automatic voter registration. Provides for the automatic electronic transmission by the Department of Motor Vehicles to the Department of Elections of certain information for any person coming into an office of the Department of Motor Vehicles or accessing its website in order to (i) apply for, replace, or renew a driver's license; (ii) apply for, replace, or renew a special identification card; or (iii) change an address on an existing driver's license or special identification card if the person indicates that he is a United States citizen and is 17 years of age or older and, at the time of the transaction, does not decline to have his information transmitted to the Department of Elections for voter registration purposes. The option to decline to have his information so transmitted shall be presented at the time of one of the specified transactions with the Department of Motor Vehicles and shall be accompanied by a warning that intentionally making a materially false statement during the transaction is punishable under Virginia law as a felony. Upon receipt of the information collected to ensure that the person meets all voter registration eligibility requirements, the Department of Elections is required to determine whether the person is already registered to vote. If the person is not already registered to vote, the Department of Elections is required to transmit the information to the appropriate general registrar. The bill repeals the requirement that the Department of Motor Vehicles offer, accept, receive, and send voter registration applications.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-410.1, 24.2-412, 24.2-413, 24.2-415.1, 24.2-418, and 24.2-653 of the Code of Virginia, to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-411.3, and to repeal § 24.2-411.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to automatic voter registration.

20100923D

S.B. 278

Patron: Barker

Voter registration; automatic voter registration. Provides for the automatic electronic transmission by the Department of Motor Vehicles to the Department of Elections of certain information for any person coming into an office of the Department of Motor Vehicles or accessing its website in order to (i) apply for, replace, or renew a driver's license; (ii) apply for, replace, or renew a special identification card; or (iii) change an address on an existing driver's license or special identification card if the person indicates that he is a United States citizen and is 17 years of age or older and, at the time of the transaction, does not decline to have his information transmitted to the Department of Elections for voter registration purposes. The option to decline to have his information so transmitted shall be presented at the time of one of the specified transactions with the Department of Motor Vehicles and shall be accompanied by a warning that intentionally making a materially false statement during the transaction is punishable under Virginia law as a felony. Upon receipt of the information collected to ensure that the person meets all voter registration eligibility requirements, the Department of Elections is required to determine whether the person is already registered to vote. If the person is not already registered to vote, the Department of Elections is required to transmit the information to the appropriate general registrar. The bill repeals the requirement that the Department of Motor Vehicles offer, accept, receive, and send voter registration applications.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-410.1, 24.2-412, 24.2-413, 24.2-415.1, 24.2-418, and 24.2-653 of the Code of Virginia, to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-411.3, and to repeal § 24.2-411.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to automatic voter registration.

20103590D

S.B. 399

Patron: Ebbin

Presidential electors; National Popular Vote Compact. Enters Virginia into an interstate compact known as the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote. Article II of the Constitution of the United States gives the states exclusive and plenary authority to decide the manner of awarding their electoral votes. Under the compact, Virginia agrees to award its electoral votes to the presidential ticket that receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The compact goes into effect when states cumulatively possessing a majority of the electoral votes have joined the compact. A state may withdraw from the compact; however, a withdrawal occurring within six months of the end of a President's term shall not become effective until a President or Vice President has qualified to serve the next term.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 2 of Title 24.2 an article numbered 2.1, consisting of sections numbered 24.2-209.1 and 24.2-209.2, relating to the presidential electors and the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote Compact.

20100763D

S.B. 446

Patron: Reeves

Constitutional amendment (voter referendum); personal property tax exemption; motor vehicle owned by a veteran who is disabled. Provides for a referendum at the November 3, 2020, election to approve or reject a personal property tax exemption for a motor vehicle that is owned and used primarily by or for a veteran of the armed forces of the United States or the Virginia National Guard who has a one hundred percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability.

A BILL to provide for the submission to the voters of a proposed amendment to Section 6 of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to personal property tax exemption; motor vehicle owned by a veteran who is disabled.

20101760D

S.B. 555

Patron: Spruill

Voting restrictions on the basis of race. Repeals several Acts of Assembly that implemented and enforced a state poll tax and provided for separate registration records on the basis of race.

A BILL to repeal Chapter 346 of the Acts of Assembly of 1903, Chapter 130 of the Acts of Assembly of 1908, and Chapters 216 and 224 of the Acts of Assembly of 1950, relating to voting restrictions; poll taxes; registration records separated on the basis of race.

20102509D

S.B. 666

Patron: Boysko

Voter registration; notification of denial. Requires notice of a denial of an application for voter registration to be provided by the general registrar to the applicant within five days of the denial. Such notice may be made by all available means, including by telephone and email. The bill requires the registration application to request that the applicant provide his telephone number and email address. If the general registrar is able to reach the applicant by telephone, any missing information may be provided and corrections may be made by the applicant by telephone. The bill contains technical amendments.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-114, 24.2-418, and 24.2-422 of the Code of Virginia, relating to voter registration; notification of denial.

20101350D

S.B. 820

Patron: Morrissey

Constitutional amendment (voter referendum); personal property tax exemption; motor vehicle owned by a veteran who is disabled. Provides for a referendum at the November 3, 2020, election to approve or reject a personal property tax exemption for a motor vehicle that is owned and used primarily by or for a veteran of the armed forces of the United States or the Virginia National Guard who has a one hundred percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability.

A BILL to provide for the submission to the voters of a proposed amendment to Section 6 of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to personal property tax exemption; motor vehicle owned by a veteran who is disabled.

20104381D

S.B. 856

Patron: Ebbin

State Board of Elections; increasing membership and terms; Commissioner of Elections; role and eligibility; report. Increases the membership of the State Board of Elections from three members to five members and increases the terms of Board members from four years to five years, with initial staggering of terms. Representation is given to each of the political parties having the highest and next highest number of votes in the Commonwealth at the preceding gubernatorial election, with three Board members being of the party of the Governor. The bill provides that a Commissioner of Elections, who acts as the principal administrative officer of the Department of Elections, shall be appointed by the Governor. Persons engaging in certain partisan activities, persons related to persons engaging in certain partisan activities, and persons related to members of the State Board are prohibited from serving as the Commissioner of Elections.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-102 and 24.2-103 of the Code of Virginia, relating to State Board of Elections; increasing increase membership and terms; Commissioner of Elections; role and eligibility; report.

20103597D

S.B. 857

Patron: Ebbin

Voter registration; notice and public access not required for certain voter registration events. Provides that voter registration conducted in a high school or at the location of a naturalization ceremony and voter registration events sponsored or conducted by an entity or organization that the general registrar or an assistant registrar attends as an invitee are not required to be open to the public. Currently, opportunities for voter registration are required to be provided at sites open to the public. The bill also provides that notice is not required for voter registration events that are not open to the public that the general registrar or an assistant registrar attends or voter registration events that the general registrar or an assistant registrar attends as an invitee.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-412 and 24.2-415 of the Code of Virginia, relating to voter registration; notice and public access not required for certain voter registration events.

20103557D

S.B. 887

Patron: Ebbin


Voter registration; automatic voter registration. Provides for the automatic electronic transmission by the Department of Motor Vehicles to the Department of Elections of certain information for any individual who (i) is not registered to vote; (ii) is of sufficient age to register to vote; (iii) conducts a transaction with the Department of Motor Vehicles to apply for a new driver's license or special identification card or replace, renew, or update an existing driver's license or special identification card; and (iv) in the course of such transaction provides documentation demonstrating United States citizenship or answers affirmatively when asked if he is a United States citizen. Any such individual is given a printed registration notice that (a) states that the individual will be registered to vote based on the information provided and that the individual should decline registration if he does not meet eligibility requirements, (b) explains the eligibility requirements, and (c) provides instructions for how he may decline registration. The Department of Elections is required to transmit the information to the appropriate general registrar, along with any information indicating ineligibility. The Department of Elections is required to establish security requirements for transmission of information about potential registered voters and to report certain information regarding voter registration. The bill removes the requirement that the Department of Motor Vehicles offer, accept, receive, and send voter registration applications.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 24.2-410.1, 24.2-411.1, 24.2-412, 24.2-413, 24.2-418, 24.2-418.1, 24.2-428.2, 24.2-653, and 24.2-1016 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-411.3, relating to elections; automatic voter registration.

20103806D

S.B. 892

Patron: Ebbin

Ranked choice voting; elections for local governing bodies; local option pilot program. Provides that elections for local governing bodies may be conducted by ranked choice voting, which the bill defines as the method of casting and tabulating votes in which (i) voters rank candidates in order of preference, (ii) tabulation proceeds in rounds in each of which either a candidate or candidates are elected or the last-place candidate is defeated, (iii) votes for voters' next-ranked candidates are transferred from elected or defeated candidates, and (iv) tabulation ends when the number of candidates elected equals the number of offices to be filled. The bill allows any local governing body to decide to conduct such election by ranked choice voting and requires any such decision to be made in consultation with the local electoral board and general registrar and by a majority vote of the governing body. The bill authorizes the State Board of Elections to promulgate regulations for the proper and efficient administration of elections determined by ranked choice voting. The bill provides that any costs incurred by the Department of Elections related to technological changes necessary for the implementation of ranked choice voting pursuant to the bill shall be charged to the localities exercising the option to proceed with ranked choice voting. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2021, and sunsets on July 1, 2031.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-673.1, relating to ranked choice voting; elections for local governing bodies; local option pilot program.

20105019D

S.B. 1082

Patron: Morrissey

Campaign finance; candidate contribution limits; civil penalty. Prohibits any single contribution, or any combination of contributions, that exceeds $2,500 from any individual or $5,000 from any committee to any one candidate for any election. The bill permits unlimited contributions by a candidate or a candidate's family to the candidate's campaign. The bill prohibits contributions from any person that is not an individual or a committee to any candidate. The bill imposes civil penalties for violations of the limits of up to two times the excess contribution amounts.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 9.3 of Title 24.2 an article numbered 3.1, consisting of sections numbered 24.2-948.5 through 24.2-948.8, and by adding in Article 8 of Chapter 9.3 of Title 24.2 a section numbered 24.2-953.6, relating to campaign finance; candidate contribution limits; civil penalty.

20105447D

S.J.R. 33

Patron: Reeves

Constitutional amendment (second resolution); personal property tax exemption; motor vehicle owned by a veteran who is disabled. Provides that one motor vehicle of a veteran who has a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability shall be exempt from state and local taxes. The amendment provides that only automobiles and pickup trucks qualify for the exemption. Additionally, the exemption is only applicable on the date the motor vehicle is acquired or the effective date of the amendment, whichever is later, and is not applicable for any period of time prior to the effective date of the amendment.

Proposing an amendment to Section 6 of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to personal property tax exemption; motor vehicle owned by a veteran who is disabled.

20101742D

S.J.R. 58

Patron: Morrissey

Constitutional amendment (second resolution); personal property tax exemption; motor vehicle owned by a veteran who is disabled. Provides that one motor vehicle of a veteran who has a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability shall be exempt from state and local taxes. The amendment provides that only automobiles and pickup trucks qualify for the exemption. Additionally, the exemption is only applicable on the date the motor vehicle is acquired or the effective date of the amendment, whichever is later, and is not applicable for any period of time prior to the effective date of the amendment.

Proposing an amendment to Section 6 of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to personal property tax exemption; motor vehicle owned by a veteran who is disabled.

20103837D

S.J.R. 75

Patron: Stanley

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); public schools in the Commonwealth; equal educational opportunities. Requires the General Assembly to provide for a system of public schools in the Commonwealth with equal educational opportunities for all children and to ensure that all school age children are provided with equal educational opportunities.

Proposing amendments to Section 1 and Section 2 of Article VIII of the Constitution of Virginia, relating to public schools of the Commonwealth; equal educational opportunities.

20104723D