Representing Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax

Mark's Bills

I believe constituents have a right to know what their elected representatives are up to, particularly with regard to legislation they introduce. I plan to uphold what I call the Gold Standard of Transparency by directing my staff to video-record the proceedings on each of my bills as they come before subcommittee and committee. That way, every constituent can know exactly what was said and done on each of the 20 or so bills I introduce.  Scroll down to see my bills for the 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016 sessions.

Committee Assignments

(2020, 2021)

  • Courts of Justice
  • Health, Welfare and Institutions
  • Privileges and Elections
  • Public Safety

(2018, 2019)

  • Health, Welfare and Institutions
  • Militia, Police and Public Safety

(2016, 2017)

  • Health, Welfare and Institutions
  • Science and Technology

 

Legislation (2020)

Click here for Mark's Letter on the 2020 Legislative Session Introduced (Patron) Chief Co-Patron Co-Patron

Infliction of injury on pedestrians and wheel chair users; penalties (HB 247)

Helps pedestrians by increasing penalties for drivers who seriously injure pedestrians while disobeying traffic laws. This was brought to me by Alexandria Families for Safe Streets.

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Marijuana; decriminalization of simple possession, penalty (HB 301)

Decriminalizes marijuana possession. I still support full legalization, taxation, and regulation of marijuana but I will be happy to see us take this important step in the right direction this year. 

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Legislation (2019)

Click here for Mark's Letter on the 2019 Legislative Session Introduced (Patron) Chief Co-Patron Co-Patron

Improving access to protective orders: crime victim rights (HB 2695)

Allowing court victims-services to provide services to those seeking a protective order and other victims of domestic violence and similar misdemeanor crimes

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Protect Shelly Simonds Bill (HB 2757)

Would firmly clarify in recount procedures that no candidate from either party should be able to game the system and unseal previously sealed boxes during a recount to "find" more votes. If this bill becomes law, it would make clear that any concerns someone has with a vote must be addressed at the time the vote is recounted and not at a later time when it might serve some candidate politically

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Legislation (2018)

Introduced (Patron) Chief Co-Patron Co-Patron

Cruelty to animals; treatment for violation; ownership of animals (HB 425)

Prohibits a person convicted of an animal cruelty violation from possession or ownership of a companion animal. Current law authorizes a court to prohibit possession or ownership at its discretion.

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Careless driving; cause of injury to vulnerable road user, penalty (HB 426)

Provides that a person who operates a motor vehicle in a careless or distracted manner and causes of serious bodily injury to a pedestrian or person riding a bicycle, electric wheelchair, electric bicycle, wheel chair, skateboard, skates, foot-scooter, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

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Legislation (2017)

Introduced (Patron) Chief Co-Patron Co-Patron

Expanding Broadband Internet in Rural Virginia (HJ 700)

In my discussions with constituents, you have frequently expressed a desire to reach out and help rural Virginia, which has not seen the same levels of growth as the 45th district.  To that end, I have proposed both a study and a budget amendment with the goal of expanding Virginians' access to broadband internet.  Internet access is a crucial driver of economic productivity.  The study was not given a hearing, but the budget amendment hearing is below.

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