RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A state Senate bill to raise the threshold for felony larceny has advanced in committee.
Virginia’s threshold for felony larceny was set in 1980 at $200 and is one of the lowest thresholds in the country.
Amended legislation by Sen. Scott A. Surovell of Fairfax and legislation from Sen. J. Chapman Petersen of Fairfax City, both Democrats, would raise the amount to $500. The senators’ individual bills were combined in the Senate Courts of Justice committee.
Proponents of raising the threshold say a low threshold doesn’t reduce theft. A higher threshold, they have said, would mean fewer incarcerated felons, saving taxpayers money.
A similar bill passed the full Senate in 2016 but was killed in a House committee.