RICHMOND, Va. — Democratic leaders in the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate are already pushing their priorities for the 2024 General Assembly session after winning back control of the legislature in the November 7, 2023 elections.
So far, they have rolled out two bills and two constitutional amendments covering abortion rights, voting rights, an assault firearm ban and minimum wage.
A constitutional amendment on the fundamental right to reproductive freedom would ensure that "the right to make and effectuate one's own decisions about all matters related to one's pregnancy cannot be denied, burdened, or otherwise infringed upon by the Commonwealth..."
It comes after months of Republicans pushing for Youngkin’s proposal of a 15-week abortion ban with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. Abortion was one of the key issues that drove Virginia voters to the polls.
An amendment addressing the automatic restoration of voting rights will no longer allow the governor to restore the voting rights of some convicted felons. It states, in part "upon release from incarceration for that felony conviction and without further action required of him, such person shall be invested with all political rights, including the right to vote."
Two bills on the list include an assault firearm ban making it a class 1 misdemeanor for anyone who "imports, sells, manufactures, purchases, possesses, transports, or transfers an assault firearm."
The other bill would amend and reenact the Virginia code relating to minimum wage. The wage will still go up to $15 an hour by January 2026.