SB12Introduced in the Senate
Issuing citations; certain traffic offenses and odor of marijuana, exclusion of evidence.
Introduced by Bill DeSteph, District 20
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Issuing citations; certain traffic offenses and odor of marijuana; exclusion of evidence. Removes provisions prohibiting a law-enforcement officer from stopping a motor vehicle for operating (i) with an expired registration sticker prior to the first day of the fourth month after the original expiration date; (ii) with defective and unsafe equipment; (iii) without tail lights, brake lights, or a supplemental high mount stop light; (iv) without lighted headlights displayed when so required; (v) with certain tinting films, signs, posters, stickers, or decals; (vi) with objects or other equipment suspended so as to obstruct the driver's view; or (vii) with an expired inspection prior to the first day of the fourth month after the original expiration date, as well as the accompanying exclusionary provisions. The bill also authorizes a law-enforcement officer to lawfully stop, search, or seize a person, place, or thing or a search warrant to be issued based solely on the odor of marijuana if such odor creates a reasonable suspicion of a violation of the law prohibiting driving while intoxicated.
Where it stands
Passed by indefinitely in Courts of Justice (9-Y 5-N)
January 26, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
SenateStage: Passed by indefinitely in Courts of Justice (9-Y 5-N) · January 26, 2026
9
Yes
5
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
15 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.
One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | No |
| William Stanley | 7 | No |
| Mark Peake | 8 | No |
| Creigh Deeds | 11 | Yes |
| Glen Sturtevant | 12 | No |
| Lashrecse Aird | 13 | Yes |
| Lamont Bagby | 14 | Yes |
| Richard Stuart | 25 | Absent |
| Ryan McDougle | 26 | No |
| Russet Perry | 31 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100650D
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (12/5/2025 4:04 pm)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB12)
Senate committee offered
Passed by indefinitely in Courts of Justice (9-Y 5-N)
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