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SJ 293

Criminal Sentencing Commission; confirms appt. by the Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Chairman.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Scott Surovell

Confirms Dennis Lee Hupp as Chair of the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission for 2025-2028, appointed by the Chief Justice, ensuring leadership continuity.

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ293ER)
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Bill Summary · SJ 293

Summary: Senate Joint Resolution No. 293 (SJ293ER) – Confirmation of Chairman, Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission

Purpose

SJ293ER confirms the appointment made by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia of the Chairman of the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission (VCSC). The resolution is a formal confirmation under Virginia law (Code § 17.1-802).

Key Provisions

  • Appointee: The Honorable Dennis Lee Hupp, Judge (retired), Twenty-sixth Judicial Circuit, Strasburg, Virginia.
  • Position: Chairman of the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission.
  • Term: Four-year term, January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2028.
  • Succession: To succeed the prior Chairman, the Honorable Edward L. Hogshire.
  • Source of Authority: Appointment by Chief Justice S. Bernard Goodwyn, pursuant to § 17.1-802 of the Code of Virginia.
  • Scope: This is a ceremonial/confirmatory resolution, affirming a leadership appointment for the VCSC.

Effective Date and Term

  • Effective date of the appointment: January 1, 2025.
  • Term length: Four years, ending December 31, 2028.

Who Is Affected

  • The Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission (as an agency/advocacy body on sentencing policy).
  • The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (authorization for appointment).
  • The Chairperson: Dennis Lee Hupp, who will lead the Commission during the specified term.
  • The Commonwealth of Virginia and its judiciary, insofar as the Commission informs sentencing policy and recommendations.

Procedural History and Timeline

  • Introduced: January 20, 2025.
  • Committee action: Referred to the Committee for Courts of Justice; subcommittee recommendation on February 7, 2025 (8-Y, 0-N).
  • Senate action: Reported from Courts of Justice (February 10, 2025); Read third time and agreed to by Senate (January 28, 2025—note: timeline reflects initial Senate action prior to final enrollment).
  • House action: Agreed to by the House of Delegates (February 13, 2025).
  • Enactment status: Enrolled as SJ293ER (the bill text as passed by both chambers).

Context and Implications

  • Purpose is strictly to validate and formalize the leadership appointment for the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission.
  • The resolution does not create new powers or alter the Commission’s mandate; it simply confirms who will serve as Chairman for the stated term.
  • By confirming the appointment, the General Assembly endorses continuity in the Commission’s leadership and its role in advising on criminal sentencing policy in Virginia.

If you’d like, I can add a brief note on the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission’s typical functions and how leadership direction might influence its work.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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