2027 SESSION

INTRODUCED

27101365D

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 173

Offered January 13, 2027

Prefiled October 30, 2026

Seeking the expulsion of Senator L. Louise Lucas in accordance with Article IV, Section 7 of the Constitution of Virginia and the Rules of the Senate.

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Patron—Reeves

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Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

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WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 7 of the Constitution of Virginia grants to each house of the General Assembly the authority to punish its members for disorderly behavior, including by expulsion of a member; and

WHEREAS, Rules 18(h) and 53(b) of the Rules of the Senate prescribe the process to be followed when disciplining a member for disorderly behavior, providing that "whenever the Clerk receives . . . a resolution seeking the reprimand, censure, or expulsion of a Senator," the resolution is to be referred to the Committee on Privileges and Elections, and such committee "shall consider the matter," conducting hearings as it deems necessary, and ultimately report its determination of the matter, along with its recommendations and reasons, to the Senate; and

WHEREAS, the Rules of the Senate provide that in addition to expulsion of a member, other punishments that may be imposed include reprimand, censure, or referral of the matter to the Attorney General; and

WHEREAS, a federal grand jury returned an indictment on October 14, 2026, in United States v. Lillie Louise Lucas et al., No. 4:26-cr-00075-JKW-RJK (E.D. Va.), which was publicly announced on October 22, 2026, alleging federal criminal offenses by Senator L. Louise Lucas and others involving an alleged marijuana distribution enterprise; and

WHEREAS, the indictment names Senator L. Louise Lucas in five Counts: Count 1, racketeering conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d); Count 2, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana under 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 and 846; Count 3, conspiracy to commit money laundering under 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h); Count 4, conspiracy to commit honest-services fraud under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343, 1346, and 1349; and Count 5, maintaining drug-involved premises under 21 U.S.C. § 856(a)(2); and

WHEREAS, the conduct alleged in Count 1 of the indictment, if established, could implicate the Senate's constitutional authority to discipline its members and warrant an inquiry into whether the Senator's legislative position and influence were improperly used for private advantage, including conduct prohibited by § 30-103 of the Code of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the conduct alleged in Counts 2 and 4 of the indictment, if established, could implicate federal controlled substances law and, where its specific elements and applicable time periods are satisfied, the laws of the Commonwealth, including § 18.2-248.1 of the Code of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the conduct alleged in Count 3 of the indictment, if established, could implicate the Senate's constitutional authority to discipline its members and warrant an inquiry into any related prohibited financial benefit or misuse of office pursuant to § 30-103 of the Code of Virginia, without itself establishing a violation of that section; and

WHEREAS, the conduct alleged in Count 5 of the indictment, if established, could warrant inquiry into whether provisions of the General Assembly Conflicts of Interests Act were violated, including the disqualification and disclosure provisions of §§ 30-108 and 30-110 related to qualifying personal interests and particular legislative transactions; and

WHEREAS, paragraph 103 of the indictment attributes to Senator L. Louise Lucas, during a March 2026 discussion regarding legalizing marijuana-related conduct, the statement: "And make it legal because I did, when I did it, it was obviously illegal."; and

WHEREAS, paragraph 104 of the indictment attributes to Senator L. Louise Lucas, during a March 11, 2026, telephone conference regarding recreational marijuana licenses, the statement: "We trying to disqualify somebody until he pays me back my money." The indictment identifies such individual as the Unidentified Co-Conspirator #2; and

WHEREAS, the indictment alleges that Senator L. Louise Lucas had a financial interest associated with a prospective marijuana license and failed to report a particular business interest on required statements of economic interests, which warrants further examination under the applicable disclosure provisions of the General Assembly Conflicts of Interests Act and any evidence of the Senator's participation in any legislative transaction; and

WHEREAS, the Committee on Privileges and Elections should not treat the indictment or any quoted statement as a finding of guilt or a conclusive statutory violation and instead, in furtherance of its work pursuant to Rules 18(h) and 53(b) of the Rules of the Senate, should obtain underlying recordings and other evidence to evaluate the authenticity, full context, meaning, and legal significance of the statements attributed to Senator L. Louise Lucas; and

WHEREAS, while Senator L. Louise Lucas is presumed innocent of the federal criminal charges unless and until proven guilty, the Senate of Virginia retains its constitutional authority to investigate the potential misconduct of its members and to determine whether discipline is warranted based upon its findings; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That the Senate consider the expulsion of Senator L. Louise Lucas in accordance with Article IV, Section 7 of the Constitution of Virginia and the Rules of the Senate, subject to the prescribed committee process and findings supported by evidence; and be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That this resolution be referred forthwith by the Clerk of the Senate to the Committee on Privileges and Elections in accordance with the Rules of the Senate; and be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Committee on Privileges and Elections be requested to review the allegations underlying Counts 1 through 5 of the federal indictment; obtain the relevant recordings, transcripts, financial and ownership records, statements of economic interests, legislative records, and any other pertinent evidence; and examine whether the conduct so alleged implicates §§ 18.2-248.1, 30-103, or 30-108 or subsection C of § 30-110 of the Code of Virginia, as applicable to the facts and relevant periods of time; and be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Committee on Privileges and Elections be requested to specifically investigate the statements and conduct attributed to Senator L. Louise Lucas in paragraphs 103 and 104 of the federal indictment, including her alleged acknowledgement that her prior conduct had been illegal and her alleged discussion of disqualifying a marijuana license applicant until the repayment of money, in conjunction with any corroborating evidence and related official actions; and be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Committee on Privileges and Elections conduct hearings as it deems necessary and afford to all persons the appropriate procedural protections; and be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Committee on Privileges and Elections report to the Senate its determination, recommendations, and reasons. If the Committee determines disciplinary action is warranted, such recommendation shall be reported in a resolution, offered by a member of the Committee, that expresses such action, including expulsion if warranted by its findings, and may recommend referral of the matter to the Attorney General; and be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Senate of Virginia consider any reported disciplinary resolution by a recorded vote under its Rules, and any expulsion shall require the concurrence of two-thirds of its elected membership in accordance with the Constitution of Virginia.