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SB12Introduced in the Senate

Issuing citations; certain traffic offenses and odor of marijuana, exclusion of evidence.

Introduced

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

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Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100650D

  2. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

  3. Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (12/5/2025 4:04 pm)

  4. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB12)

  5. Senate committee offered

  6. Passed by indefinitely in Courts of Justice (9-Y 5-N)

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