# Virginia HB1848: Controlled substances; possession unlawful, second or subsequent conviction, mandatory minimum fine.

Virginia HB1848, Controlled substances; possession unlawful, second or subsequent conviction, mandatory minimum fine., is a 2025 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Jonathan "Jed" Arnold (Republican); status failed, last action 2025-02-04 (Left in Courts of Justice) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1848-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB1848
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Controlled substances; possession unlawful, second or subsequent conviction, mandatory minimum fine.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-01-06
- Last action: 2025-02-04, Left in Courts of Justice
- Sponsor: Jonathan "Jed" Arnold (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Courts of Justice
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Possession of controlled substances unlawful; second or subsequent conviction; mandatory minimum. Provides that the sentence of any person convicted of possession of any controlled substance classified in Schedule I or II of the Drug Control Act for (i) a second offense within less than five years shall include a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 days and a mandatory minimum fine of $500; (ii) a second offense within 10 years shall include a mandatory minimum sentence of 45 days and a mandatory minimum fine of $500; (iii) a third offense within 10 years shall include a mandatory minimum sentence of 90 days and a mandatory minimum fine of $500, unless the three offenses were committed within a five-year period, in which case the sentence shall include a mandatory minimum sentence of six months and a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000; and (iv) a fourth or subsequent offense within 10 years shall include a mandatory minimum sentence of one year and a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000. The bill also provides that the driver's license of any person convicted of possession of any controlled substance classified in Schedule I or II of the Drug Control Act (a) may be suspended for a period of up to 30 days for the first offense and (b) shall be suspended for a period of 30 days for a second or subsequent offense.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Jonathan "Jed" Arnold (Republican), House

## Actions (4)

- 2025-02-04: Left in Courts of Justice (House)
- 2025-01-07: Impact statement from VCSC (HB1848) (House)
- 2025-01-06: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (House)
- 2025-01-06: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-08-2025 25101886D (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2025-01-06: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1013437.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1013436.PDF)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1013437.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1013436.PDF)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1848-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).