Under the new Virginia fentanyl plan, drug dealers could face murder charges.

The top legislative priorities of Virginia Republicans for the new year include reducing fentanyl deaths.

According to GOP legislators, under current case law, it is challenging to accuse a drug dealer of murdering a user who overdosed on fentanyl they bought unless they were in close proximity to that dealer.

On Tuesday, Ryan McDougle, R-New Kent, the State Senate Minority Leader, informed Planet Chronicle Digital that Virginia aims to tackle the legislative shortcoming.

If you sell drugs, physical proximity is irrelevant, he stated.

McDougle and Senate Republican Caucus Leader Mark Obenshain are spearheading the effort.

Obenshain, of Harrisonburg, was contacted by Planet Chronicle Digital for further comment.

At a related press conference, Obenshain stated that as long as individuals are dying from the poison in every corner of Virginia, regardless of their socioeconomic background, it indicates that there are people spreading this harmful substance.

On Tuesday, two Senate special elections will decide if Republicans will gain a slim majority in the chamber this term, with Democrats currently holding a one-seat advantage.

In Loudoun County and several neighboring red counties, such as Buckingham, Fluvanna, and Goochland, voters cast their ballots at the polls.

On Wednesday, it is predicted that Democrats will maintain their narrow one-seat advantage, necessitating the support of a liberal member to align with McDougle and Obenshain in their opposition to fentanyl.

In 2022, the Old Dominion was the 14th state in the country for total fentanyl-related deaths, with 1,973 fatalities, and had a death rate per capita that was close to the national average, according to CDC data.

Although West Virginia has the highest fentanyl death rate per capita, Virginia had a total of 1,084 deaths, which is less than West Virginia.

According to OnePillCanKill Virginia, seven out of 10 pills seized by the DEA are laced with a lethal dose of fentanyl.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin's representative stated that prosecuting fentanyl dealers should have bipartisan support.

Christian Martinez, spokesman for Governor Youngkin, stated that anyone who intentionally distributes fentanyl should be charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, as Governor Youngkin has repeatedly emphasized.

"It is imperative that Democrat lawmakers stand with victims' families against fentanyl makers and dealers, rather than allowing them to continue committing murder without consequences."

In April, Youngkin signed Obenshain's bill, SB 469, which made it a Class 6 felony to possess, purchase, or sell encapsulating machines for the purpose of producing illicit drugs.

Felony penalties were imposed for those who allowed minors or mentally incapacitated individuals to be present during the production of any substance containing fentanyl.

On average, five individuals die daily in Virginia from fentanyl overdoses, as stated by Attorney General Jason Miyares.

Miyares stated that by increasing penalties and making it illegal to possess and use machines that produce fake drugs, law enforcement officers will have the resources they need to prosecute drug dealers for harming our communities.

Virginia first lady Suzanne Youngkin commended those working to combat the spread of an illicit drug that has claimed too many lives in the state after her husband signed the 2023 legislation.

This week, Virginia Republicans announced their intention to enact legislation supporting Youngkin's December plan to reduce taxes on gratuities, which aligns with President-elect Trump's "No Tax on Tips" campaign promise.

"Virginians who work hard deserve to keep the tips they earn for their service," McDougle stated. "Governor Youngkin's inclusion of this policy in the budget is a crucial step in supporting hardworking Virginians, and we're proud to introduce the bill to make it law."

McDougle stated on Tuesday that the chamber intends to prohibit transgender women from participating in women's and girls' sports.