Virginia lawmakers to reconvene at the Capitol to discuss Gov. Youngkin’s amendments

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia lawmakers will reconvene at the Capitol to consider Governor Glenn Youngkin’s budget and bill amendments on Wednesday, April 2. Youngkin’s deadline to approve, veto or amend this legislation was March 24.

Both the House and Senate will consider amendments, and both chambers must come to the same conclusion for a bill to become law. Bills, including the budget bill, will start in the chamber it originated in.   

If it's a House bill, the House will consider the governor's amendments first, and if it's a Senate bill, the Senate will consider it first. If the chamber agrees to the amendments, the bill will then go to the other chamber.   

Both chambers must agree to all of his recommendations for it to become law. If both chambers don't agree, the amendments will be rejected, and the bill will go back to Governor Youngkin as previously passed by the General Assembly for his consideration once again.  

PREVIOUSLY: Dems blast Youngkin for amendments that they say ‘gut’ Right to Contraception Act

One of the most discussed bills has been House Bill 1716, or the Right to Contraception Act. The bill currently says that neither the state nor locality could enforce law that prohibits someone’s access to contraception. Governor Youngkin’s amendments would eliminate language defining what types of contraception are covered and how the new law would be enforced.    

Another is House Bill 2657, which would certain fentanyl dealers with involuntary manslaughter if the drugs they sell lead to an overdose death. The governor proposed to make this a felony homicide, punishable by up to 40 years in prison.  

Senate Bill 854 is also on the agenda.  This would limit minors under 16 to only be able to spend one hour per day per social media platform unless changes are approved by parents. Governor Youngkin proposed raising the age to 18 and restricts the use of addictive feeds and other content with parental permission.  

The House and Senate are scheduled to reconvene at noon.