The Virginia Senate General Laws and Technology Committee failed to advance or kill legislation from Sen. Creigh Deeds (D) last week that would have given law enforcement the option of issuing a civil penalty for violating executive orders from the Governor’s office.
Currently, the only penalty available is a misdemeanor which would give the individual a criminal record. Governor Northam has repeatedly stated that he does not want to give Virginians criminal charges for violating his orders during the pandemic. “It is an Administration bill that actually would reduce the potential impact on the individual who violates the Governor’s order,” said Deeds.
While trying to pass the bill last week, Senator Monty Mason, a Democrat from Williamsburg broke from his party and voted against the bill. When asked why the Committee failed to pass the bill, Deeds was blunt: “Not sure,” he said. “The Republicans saw all their bills die, they weren’t gonna vote for a Democratic bill. Protest against the Governors orders during the pandemic.”
With the Committee failing to pass or kill the bill last week, they reconvened on Monday morning to discuss and vote on the bill once again. Prior to the vote, Deeds made sure to put emphasis on the fact that this bill actually decreases the punishment for individuals that violate the executive orders.
Democrats were able to pass the bill on a 9-5 vote, sending the bill to the full Senate to be considered in the future. If the Senate passes the bill it will then have to cross over and be voted on in the House of Delegates. If it passes both chambers, the bill decreasing the penalty for violating his own executive orders that he himself asked legislators to do, will be signed into law by Governor Northam.
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