2025 Regular SessionVirginia Legislature

SB847: Reckless driving; improper driving as a lesser included offense.

Legislative Summary

Improper driving as a lesser included offense of reckless driving. Permits a jury to find an accused, where the degree of culpability is slight, not guilty of reckless driving but guilty of improper driving. Current law only permits the trial court to do so or the attorney for the Commonwealth to reduce a charge of reckless driving to improper driving at any time prior to the court's decision.

Demographic Impact

Overall analysis of equity impact

Neutral
Medium ConfidenceView detailed demographic breakdown ↓

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Bill History

1/2/2025
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-08-2025 25101028D
Senate
1/2/2025
Referred to Committee on Transportation
Senate
1/16/2025
Rereferred from Transportation to Courts of Justice (14-Y 0-N)
Senate
1/29/2025
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment (15-Y 0-N)
Senate
1/31/2025
Rules suspended
Senate
1/31/2025
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N)
Senate
1/31/2025
Passed by for the day
Senate
2/3/2025
Read second time
Senate
2/3/2025
Reading of amendment waived
Senate
2/3/2025
Courts of Justice Amendment agreed to
Senate
2/3/2025
Engrossed by Senate as amended
Senate
2/3/2025
Printed as engrossed 25101028D-E
Senate
2/3/2025
Rules suspended
Senate
2/3/2025
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 3rd reading) (40-Y 0-N)
Senate
2/3/2025
Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
Senate
2/6/2025
Placed on Calendar
House of Delegates
2/6/2025
Read first time
House of Delegates
2/6/2025
Referred to Committee on Transportation
House of Delegates
2/11/2025
Referred from Transportation and referred to Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
House of Delegates
2/11/2025
Assigned Courts sub: Criminal
House of Delegates
2/12/2025
Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)
House of Delegates
2/14/2025
Reported from Courts of Justice (21-Y 0-N)
House of Delegates
2/18/2025
Read second time
House of Delegates
2/19/2025
Read third time
House of Delegates
2/19/2025
Passed House (97-Y 0-N)
House of Delegates
3/7/2025
Enrolled
Senate
3/7/2025
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB847ER)
Senate
3/7/2025
Signed by Speaker
House of Delegates
3/10/2025
Signed by President
Senate
3/11/2025
Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 11, 2025
Senate
3/11/2025
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025
3/21/2025
Approved by Governor-Chapter 357 (Effective 07/01/25)
3/21/2025
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0357)

Amendments

Courts of Justice Amendment

Courts of Justice Amendment

Not Adopted

Roll Call Votes

Passed House (97-Y 0-N)
2/19/2025
97
Yea
0
Nay
0
Not Voting
3
Absent
Result: PASSED
Reported from Courts of Justice (21-Y 0-N)
2/14/2025
21
Yea
0
Nay
0
Not Voting
1
Absent
Result: PASSED
Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)
2/12/2025
8
Yea
0
Nay
0
Not Voting
1
Absent
Result: PASSED
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 3rd reading) (40-Y 0-N)
2/3/2025
40
Yea
0
Nay
0
Not Voting
0
Absent
Result: PASSED
Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N)
2/3/2025
40
Yea
0
Nay
0
Not Voting
0
Absent
Result: PASSED
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N)
1/31/2025
39
Yea
0
Nay
0
Not Voting
1
Absent
Result: PASSED
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment (15-Y 0-N)
1/29/2025
15
Yea
0
Nay
0
Not Voting
0
Absent
Result: PASSED
Rereferred from Transportation to Courts of Justice (14-Y 0-N)
1/16/2025
14
Yea
0
Nay
0
Not Voting
1
Absent
Result: PASSED

Status Information

Current Status
Passed(3/21/2025)
Chamber
Senate

Sponsors

Democrat: 1

Documents

Chaptered
Bill Text3/21/20252.1 KB
Enrolled
Bill Text3/7/20252.3 KB
Engrossed
Bill Text2/3/20253.2 KB
Introduced
Bill Text1/2/20253.0 KB