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Bill

HB 350

Jury service; exemption for fire marshals.

2026 Regular Session

Virginia HB 350 exempts fire marshals from jury service to maintain their availability for public safety and regulatory duties.

Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
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Bill Summary · HB 350

Legislative bill overview

HB 350 exempts fire marshals in Virginia from jury service obligations. The bill has progressed through the House with near-unanimous support (97-1 vote) and is now under Senate committee review following a constitutional reading.

Why is this important

Jury duty exemptions reflect policy judgments about which occupations are too critical to interrupt for court service. This bill recognizes fire marshals' roles in public safety and regulatory enforcement, though it also reduces the potential jury pool for cases in their jurisdiction.

Potential points of contention

  • Public duty vs. civic duty: Whether fire marshals' regulatory responsibilities justify exemption when jury service is a fundamental civic obligation expected of most citizens
  • Scope of exemption: Whether the exemption should apply only during active emergencies/inspections or broadly to all fire marshals regardless of circumstance
  • Jury pool impact: Potential narrowing of jury pools in areas with significant fire marshal presence, which could affect representation and case outcomes
  • Precedent concerns: Whether this exemption might encourage similar carve-outs for other public safety or regulatory officials, fragmenting jury eligibility

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

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