Amendments
- Delegate Shin Advances HB 1238 to Strengthen Local Pet Shop Oversight
Virginia lawmaker introduces permissive legislation enabling localities to enact ordinances addressing pet shop animal mistreatment and enforcement gaps.
- Virginia Outdoors Foundation protected 11,000 new acres and awarded nearly $6 million in grants
From family farms and public parks to expanding the Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, VOF's work in 2025 added to its portfolio of protected open space for future generations.
- Virginia Bill Advances to Make Landlord-Supplied Air Conditioning an Essential Service
House Bill 519 would add air conditioning supplied by landlords to essential services under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act after a subcommittee vote.
- Early voting begins in Virginia, as Trump mail-ballot restrictions remain blocked
Early voting for the Nov. 3 midterm elections begins Friday, with a U.S. Senate race, all 11 congressional seats, three proposed constitutional amendments and numerous local referendums on ballots across the commonwealth.
- Virginia has a new law that regulates the use of license plate readers
The General Assembly has decided to take action to curb the use of automatic license plate readers by law enforcement.
- Virginia Beach schools, Civil Rights Office reach agreement over sexual misconduct investigations
The Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building pictured on Nov. 25, 2024.
- Virginia’s Democratic Trifecta Passes 49 Election Bills as Felony Voting Rights Head to November Ballot
Ballotpedia counts a 250 percent jump in election measures; ranked-choice voting is now permanent, Virginia joined the National Popular Vote compact, and automatic rights restoration awaits voters November 3.
- New guidance limits voting disqualifications to murder, manslaughter convictions
Among Virginians who are no longer incarcerated, only those convicted of murder and voluntary or involuntary manslaughter remain disqualified from voting under new guidance from the Virginia Department of Elections.
- Hampton Roads Voters Face November 1 Percent Sales Tax Votes for School Construction
Norfolk, Newport News, York, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight and neighboring localities put new statewide school-construction sales-tax authority on the Nov. 3 ballot with sunsets near 2046.
- Virginia Voters Face November Ballot Questions on Abortions and Marriage Equality
Two Article I amendments ask whether abortions and baby killing decisions and same-sex marriage should be locked into the state bill of rights beyond ordinary politics.
- Loudoun County Board Approves Temporary Pause on Data Center Applications
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approved a plan during its September 15, 2026, meeting to temporarily pause final action on data center and electrical substation applications requiring legislative approval.
- Jones Asks SCC to Restart Clock on Dominion-NextEra Merger After New Commitments
Attorney general says expanded bill credits, job protections and a Richmond tower create a different deal that needs fresh notice and discovery.
- Danville City Council Considers First Zoning Code Overhaul in Two Decades
Danville City Council will consider an update to its zoning code at its regular meeting Tuesday at 7 p.
- Loudoun County Supervisors Advance 12-Month Pause on New Data Center Applications
Loudoun’s Board of Supervisors voted 7-1-1 to draft a temporary pause on new data-center applications while rewriting local rules, with a final vote expected in October.
- Virginia Delegate Presses House for Car Tax Relief Amid Affordability Push
Delegate Terry Kilgore urges incremental repeal of the car tax during the 2026 legislative session, citing affordability goals and prior campaign commitments.
- Lynchburg City Council returns from its summer break to discuss the budget and meeting rules
The Lynchburg City Council will return from its seven-week break for a Tuesday work session and a general meeting.
- Richmond Secures 32.8 Million in State Funds for Water Plant Filter Upgrades
A regional water workgroup boosted the city's treatment-plant project by $12.8 million over the baseline grant.
- Early Voting for November 3 Begins September 18 Across Virginia
The Department of Elections says every locality will offer early in-person voting through Oct. 31, including new Sunday hours before Election Day.
- Loudoun County to Weigh Temporary Pause on New Data Center Applications
Supervisors will review staff plans for a development freeze while rewriting standards and ending remaining by-right grandfathering.
- Virginia Bishop Directs Priests to Read Letter on Ballot Measures
Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington directed priests across the diocese to read a pastoral letter at all Masses this past weekend.
- Virginia House Bill 47 Aims to Expand Tax Relief for Military and Foreign Service Retirees
House Bill 47, which seeks to broaden state income tax subtractions for retirement benefits earned by uniformed services and United States Foreign Service officers, has been left in the House Finance Committee as the 2026 legislative session progresses.
- Virginia Bishop Directs Reading of Letter on Ballot Measures
Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington directed priests throughout his diocese to read a pastoral letter during Masses this weekend.
- Loudoun County to Consider Data Center Pause, Removing By-Right Grandfather Clause
A view of a data center in Loudoun County next to Chick Ford & Ryan Bickel Fields.
- Virginia Lawmakers Move Closer to Regulating Self-Driving Vehicles
Virginia lawmakers are considering regulations to allow for autonomous commercial vehicles, which could shift companies from using gas to electric, self-driving vehicles.
- Wendell Walker House Bill 1029 Proposes Temporary Sealing of Criminal Complaints
House Bill 1029, introduced by Delegate Wendell Walker, would amend Virginia law to provide for the temporary sealing of complaints involving criminal warrants, summonses and capiases.
- Virginia General Assembly Passes House Bill 357 Reforming Felony Arrest Bail Procedures
RICHMOND — The Virginia General Assembly has completed action on House Bill 357, sponsored by Delegate Katrina Callsen, which adjusts the conditions under which individuals arrested for felonies may be released on secured or unsecured bonds.
- Charniele Herring House Bill 398 Establishes Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia House of Delegates and Senate have passed House Bill 398, establishing the Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act to shield veterans from exploitative practices in accessing their earned benefits. The measure, which regulates compensated assistance with veterans’ benefits claims, cleared both chambers with overwhelming support, reflecting broad consensus on prio
- Destiny LeVere Bolling House Bill 427 Tracks Student Parents in Higher Education
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia General Assembly delivered a strong show of unity on Monday, March 2, 2026, when both chambers passed House Bill 427 with unanimous votes, advancing a measure aimed at enhancing data collection on student parents within the state’s higher education system. Sponsored by Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling as the chief patron,
- Katrina Callsen House Bill 402 Expands Cottage Food Sales Options
RICHMOND — In a unanimous vote reflecting strong bipartisan support for reducing barriers to small-scale entrepreneurship, the Virginia House of Delegates passed House Bill 402 on February 10, 2026, by a block vote of 98-0. The legislation, sponsored by Delegate Katrina Callsen, seeks to modernize cottage food laws by permitting home-based producers to sell certain
- Virginia House Advances House Bill 78 to Bolster Election Certification Protocols and Electoral Board Requirements
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia House of Delegates has passed House Bill 78, a measure designed to clarify and strengthen the duties of local electoral boards in certifying election results, sending it to the Senate for consideration amid ongoing efforts to maintain uniformity and reliability in the state’s election processes. Introduced by Delegate Price on
- Kelly Convirs-Fowler House Bill 189 on Standards of Learning Grade Weight Continued in Senate
RICHMOND, Va. – A bill seeking to eliminate the requirement that Standards of Learning test scores count toward at least 10 percent of final course grades for students in grades seven through 12 faced a significant setback in the Virginia Senate this week. House Bill 189, introduced by Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler, passed the House of
- Leslie Mehta House Bill 185 on Court Secrecy Orders Advances in Senate
RICHMOND, Va. — A measure aimed at fortifying accountability in Virginia’s courtrooms gained significant momentum this week as the Senate Courts of Justice Committee reported House Bill 185 with amendments and referred it to the Finance and Appropriations Committee. The bill, which passed the House of Delegates unanimously earlier this session, promises to provide a
- Kelly Convirs-Fowler House Bill 187 Codifies Virginia Beach 10-1 Council Charter
RICHMOND, Va. – Legislation to update the City of Virginia Beach’s charter, reflecting the shift to a city council composed entirely of single-member districts plus a mayor, has cleared both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly and now awaits final action following the governor’s recommendations. House Bill 187, introduced by Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler with co-patrons
- Robert Bloxom House Bill 52 on Beneficial Reuse of Dredged Material Passes Assembly
RICHMOND — In a unanimous display of bipartisan cooperation, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 52 on March 10, 2026, establishing a statewide policy to prioritize the beneficial use of dredged material from waterways. Sponsored by Delegate Robert Bloxom Jr., the mea
- Joshua Cole House Bill 34 Sexual Offense Response Program for State Military Clears Assembly
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia General Assembly has given final approval to legislation aimed at bolstering support for victims of sexual offenses within the state’s military forces.
- Louise Lucas and Don Scott Clash as Virginia Budget Talks Stall Over Data Center Tax Breaks
With just days remaining in the 2026 legislative session, Virginia lawmakers are running out of time to reach agreement on a new two-year state budget, even as Democrats control the governor’s office and both chambers of the General Assembly. As of Wednesday afternoon, budget con
- Atoosa Reaser House Bill 71 on Absentee Satellite Offices Continued to 2027
RICHMOND — In a move highlighting ongoing debates over election administration, the Virginia House Privileges and Elections Committee voted on February 13, 2026, to continue House Bill 71 to the 2027 session by voice vote. The legislation, introduced by Delegate Atoosa Reaser as
- Amy Laufer House Bill 85 on Postsecondary Transition Counselors Deferred to 2027
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia House Committee on Education has continued House Bill 85 to the 2027 legislative session, signaling a cautious approach to expanding specialized certification programs for educators supporting students with disabilities in postsecondary transitions.
- Jeion Ward Hampton Roads Waste-to-Energy Grant Program Struck Down in House Committee
RICHMOND, Virginia — A proposed grant program aimed at encouraging waste disposal through incineration facilities in the Hampton Roads region met a swift end in the Virginia House of Delegates this session.
- Virginia Legislature Unanimously Approves Repeal of Apple Board and Excise Tax on Growers
RICHMOND, Virginia — In a rare display of bipartisan unity, the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate have passed House Bill 65, a bill to repeal the state Apple Board and the associated Apple Fund effective July 1, 2028.
- Senate Finance Committee Continues Katrina Callsen House Bill 127 on Right to Counsel at Bail Hearings
RICHMOND, Virginia – The Virginia General Assembly has delivered a strong bipartisan endorsement to House Bill 52, sponsored by Delegate Robert Bloxom, passing it unanimously in both chambers.
- Virginia Legislature Unanimously Passes House Bill 100 to Standardize Small Estate Affidavit Forms
RICHMOND, Virginia — The Virginia General Assembly has sent House Bill 100 to Governor Abigail Spanberger’s desk after unanimous passage in both chambers.
- Shelly Simonds Bill Mandating Career Coaches in Every Public High School Halts in House Appropriations
RICHMOND, Va. – Legislation aimed at placing a career coach in every public high school across Virginia met its end in the House Appropriations Committee this session.
- Housing Bills to Boost Supply, Protect Tenants on Way to Abigail Spanberger's Desk
While some of the most progressive housing bills did not survive this year’s legislative session, many housing proposals are on their way to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk — some of which she has already stated she will sign into law.
- Ghazala Hashmi calls on regulators to extend review period for NextEra-Dominion Energy merger
In a letter sent to the State Corporation Commission this week, Ghazala Hashmi urged the commissioners to more closely scrutinize the planned merger of Dominion Energy, the commonwealth’s largest electric utility provider, and Florida-based NextEra Energy. If the merger materializes, it would create the largest utility company in the nation. What Dominion and NextEra Energy’s […]
- Virginia Voters to Decide on Killing Babies and Gay Marriage Amendments in November
The Virginia General Assembly has placed two constitutional amendments on the November 3, 2026, ballot for voter consideration. One measure addresses reproductive freedom, while the other pertains to marriage definitions in the state constitution. These proposals follow the required process of legislative approval in two successive sessions with an intervening election. The killing babies amendmen
- Virginia Lawmaker Scott Surovell Seeks Speed Cameras on George Washington Parkway Amid Enforcement Limits
State Senator Scott Surovell has introduced legislation to place speed cameras on a section of the George Washington Parkway. The measure responds to challenges in traffic enforcement along the roadway. Officials have identified a specific jurisdictional issue preventing standard policing. Discussions in the legislature continue to examine the proposal and its potential effects. Details of […]
- Campaign to enshrine voting rights in Virginia Constitution kicks off in Norfolk
Portsmouth school board member Quniana Futrell appeared somber behind the podium in Norfolk’s Slover event space as she spoke in support of a proposal to amend Virginia’s constitution to automatically restore voting rights for people who complete felony sentences. She recalled her experience growing up with both of her parents incarcerated and said her mother […]
- Developer Requests Zoning Modifications for Tysons Data Center Project
A data center developer has applied for exceptions to several Fairfax County zoning requirements as part of a project in the Tysons area. Serverfarm seeks to develop the Vienna Cloud campus at 7980 and 7990 Quantum Drive in Vienna. The proposal involves converting two buildings and a parking garage into facilities designated NVA1 and NVA2. […]
- Loudoun County, other Virginia localities consider hitting the brakes on data center development
Loudoun County, ground zero of Data Center Alley and home to over 250 of the power-hungry digital warehouse facilities, is considering a pause on all new data center project applications, officials said this week. “The community has basically been begging us to do something about the unchecked growth of data centers,” County Supervisor Juli Briskman […]