House rejects Senate substitute for HB 26 on marijuana sentencing, sends bill to conference

House members considered House Bill 26 on the supplemental calendar, legislation concerning modification of sentence for marijuana-related offenses. The Clerk explained the Senate substitute to HB 26 was before the body; Delegate Henson (introduced as the delegate from Prince William) said the substitute excluded juveniles and persons on probation and asked members to vote to reject the Senate substitute so the bill could proceed to conference.

The presiding officer put the question, the Clerk closed the voting row, and the House recorded the vote: the Senate amendment (the substitute) was rejected (recorded in the transcript as Ayes 0, Noes 96). The Clerk announced that the Senate substitute was rejected and the body proceeded with additional supplemental calendar items.

Because the action was a rejection of the Senate substitute, the bill will be handled in conference to reconcile the chambers’ differences.