House of Delegates
- If Virginians approve the baby killing amendment, a hearing is set for Nov. 13 to challenge it
Abortion rights signs seen during a Democratic Election Night Party in Richmond in 2023.
- Data centers and AI: a rare and raw issue in Virginia for this midterm election
An aerial view shows a data center situated near single-family homes in Northern Virginia.
- Virginia Lawmakers Weigh Mandate for Career Coaches in Every High School
House Bill 138 would place a dedicated career coach in each Virginia high school to guide students toward internships, apprenticeships and credentials under counselor oversight.
- Virginia House of Delegates Hears Testimony on Massage Therapy Bill and Trafficking Concerns
Testimony delivered to the Virginia House of Delegates examined a proposed bill concerning the massage industry.
- David Reid Responds to Phyllis Randall on Data Center Responsibilities
Virginia Delegate David Reid has published an op-ed that addresses statements made by Loudoun County Chair Phyllis Randall concerning data center development.
- Jason Ballard House Bill 103 Seeks to Extend Vital Early Intervention Services for Virginia Infants and Toddlers
A bill introduced by Delegate Jason Ballard would extend Virginia’s Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers for children with disabilities.
- With United States House control hanging in the balance, Wittman faces Taylor in contentious Virginia-01 race
U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland, left, is running for reelection in Virginia's 1st Congressional District, as Democratic challenger Shannon Taylor aims to unseat him.
- Peter Francisco, the ‘Hercules of American independence’
The year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
- Century-Old Law Gives Virginia Legislator-Lawyers Broad Power to Delay Court Cases
State law allows attorneys serving in the General Assembly to obtain continuances in court proceedings when legislative duties interfere.
- Roanoke Leaders Continue Talks on Local Sales Tax for School Construction
City Council and the school board discussed placing a 1 percent construction sales tax referendum before voters after new state authority took effect.
- 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.
- 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.
- Virginia Lawmakers Move Closer to Regulating Self-Driving Vehicles
A General Assembly workgroup is drafting a commercial autonomous-vehicle framework ahead of a Nov. 1 report for the next legislative session.
- Virginia House Bill 1251 Fails in Subcommittee, Ending Push for Digital Right to Repair Act
House Bill 1251, the Digital Right to Repair Act, has stalled in the Virginia House of Delegates during the 2026 Regular Session.
- Elizabeth Guzman House Bill 417 Expands In-State Tuition for Military Families
The Virginia House of Delegates has taken a decisive step to honor the sacrifices of active-duty service members and veterans by overwhelmingly passing House Bill 417.
- 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.
- Nicole Cole House Bill 422 Limits Water Utility Rate Increase Filings
The Virginia House of Delegates approved House Bill 422 on February 4, 2026, with a vote of 69-29, sending the measure to the Senate for consideration.
- Virginia General Assembly Passes House Bill 191 to Protect Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking
RICHMOND, Va.
- Destiny LeVere Bolling House Bill 434 Boosts Electric Grid Efficiency for Ratepayers
RICHMOND — The Virginia General Assembly gave final approval to House Bill 434 on March 2, 2026, directing major electric utilities to develop and implement metrics for maximizing the use of existing grid infrastructure. The measure, which passed the House of Delegates 93-4 after concurring with a Senate substitute, now heads to the governor for
- Virginia Senate Committee Advances House Bill 37 to Make Permanent Protections for Developmental Disabilities Services
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Senate’s Education and Health Committee unanimously approved House Bill 37 on February 26, 2026, rereferring it to the Finance and Appropriations Committee as the 2026 legislative session progresses toward crossover. The measure, which seeks to repeal a July 1, 2026, sunset provision on financial eligibility standards for developmental disability waivers,
- David Reid House Bill 410 Expands Scholastic Assessment Test Access for High School Students
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia House of Delegates has advanced HB410, a measure requiring school boards to provide high school students with access to the SAT School Day program. The bill passed the House on February 17, 2026, by a wide margin of 88-8, sending it to the Senate where it now awaits consideration in
- 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
- Alex Askew House Bill 401 Modernizes Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Board
RICHMOND — The Virginia Senate delivered unanimous approval to House Bill 401 on March 2, 2026, passing the measure in a block vote of 40 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions. The bill, now engrossed by the Senate as amended, heads back to the House of Delegates for concurrence on the Senate’s amendment.
- 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
- Rozia Henson House Bill 26 Marijuana Resentencing Measure Rejected in House on Senate Substitute
RICHMOND — The Virginia House of Delegates delivered a resounding rejection to the Senate’s version of House Bill 26 on March 12, voting 0-96 against the substitute amid concerns over costs and protections for public safety. The measure, which creates a temporary process for cour
- Kelly Convirs-Fowler House Bill 188 Millionaire Income Tax Stalls in Committee
RICHMOND, VA – A proposal to impose a new 10 percent income tax bracket on earnings exceeding $1 million stalled in the House Finance Committee during the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session, after being incorporated into a broader tax measure that also failed to advance. House Bill 188, introduced by Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler of Virginia
- 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
- Adele McClure House Bill 19 Expands Firearm Restrictions After Domestic Assault Convictions
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia General Assembly has finalized House Bill 19, a measure that broadens restrictions on firearm purchases, possession, and transportation for individuals convicted of certain misdemeanor assaults.
- David Reid House Bill 183 Expands First-Time Home Buyer Savings Plan
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia House of Delegates has overwhelmingly approved House Bill 183, a measure designed to enhance the state’s First-Time Home Buyer Savings Plan by expanding eligible properties and doubling contribution limits, signaling strong legislative momentum toward bolstering individual pathways to homeownership. Introduced by Delegate David Reid on January 14, 2026, after being
- Loudoun County Supervisors Hear Bill Integrating Environmental Justice Into Comprehensive Plans
The speaker told the board, chaired by Phyllis Randall with Vice Chair Mike Turner and members including Juli Briskman, that the bill would update comprehensive planning to include strategies for addressing disproportionate environmental and health risks in certain communities. T
- 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.
- Michael Feggans Gold Star Spouse Property Tax Exemption Passes House Unanimously; Senate Delays Action
RICHMOND, Virginia – Legislation aimed at providing complete property tax relief for surviving spouses of fallen Armed Forces members cleared the Virginia House of Delegates with unanimous acclaim.
- Public Comment at Loudoun School Board Raises Alarms Over Child Safety Incident
The meeting occurred in Loudoun County, Virginia, under the oversight of the Loudoun County School Board. The board consists of nine members: Chair April Chandler, Vice Chair Anne Donahue, and representatives from the county’s magisterial districts including recent additions sworn in January 2026.
- 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.
- Fernando Martinez Introduces Legislation Enabling Local Plastic Bag Fees for Environmental Education
The Board, chaired by Phyllis Randall with Mike Turner as vice chair, oversees districts including Algonkian, Ashburn, Blue Ridge, Broad Run, Catoctin, Dulles, Leesburg, Loudoun Valley, and Sterling. Recent meetings featured testimony on the plan’s merits and drawbacks.
- Delegate Presents Case on Concealed Carry at Virginia Rest Stops and ABC Stores
During a House of Delegates committee meeting, a delegate outlined concerns about current Virginia laws restricting concealed carry at rest stops and ABC stores. The presentation focused on potential safety issues for individuals in these locations under existing regulations. Committee attendees received information on how prohibitions affect enforcement officers and permit holders. Details on Loc
- Speaker Presents Views on Gun-Free Zones During Virginia Committee Session
During a meeting of the Virginia House of Delegates Committee, a speaker delivered testimony regarding gun-free zones. The remarks focused on the ways these zones influence the ability of individuals to maintain personal security. Specific references were made to scenarios involving travel and stops at rest areas. The speaker outlined the steps citizens must take […]
- Virginia Committee Reviews House Bill 623 on Property Return Procedures
A committee of the Virginia House of Delegates held a discussion on HB 623 which seeks to modify existing procedures for returning property to victims of crime. The bill proposes adjustments that would allow local law enforcement to handle certain returns without additional court involvement in specified circumstances. This approach aims to address current requirements […]
- Virginia House Transportation Committee Approves Helmet Requirement Legislation
The Virginia House of Delegates Transportation Committee reviewed and advanced House Bill 343 during its recent meeting. The legislation proposes requirements for helmet use on skateboards and scooters as well as nonmotorized scooters. The measure received approval following a subcommittee review and a subsequent committee vote. The process included a motion to report the bill […]
- Virginia House Advances HB 49 on Historical Horse Racing Revenue Allocation
HB 49 advanced in a Virginia House of Delegates committee with a nine to zero vote. The bill addresses the redistribution of revenue generated from historical horse racing. Delegate Torian provided an overview of the funding distribution process during the session. The legislation specifies how proceeds from historical horse racing are allocated to various foundations. […]
- Testimony Presented on House Bill 696 Regarding Firearm Possession at Virginia Rest Areas
Testimony occurred before the Virginia House of Delegates concerning House Bill 696. The measure addresses whether citizens may carry firearms at rest areas. Representatives from the National Rifle Association and the Liberal Gun Club participated in the session. The presented arguments focused on self-defense needs for travelers. Speakers described potential risks in remote locations where […]
- Virginia House Subcommittee Advances Poker Age Bill
The ABC/Gaming Subcommittee of the Virginia House of Delegates convened to review legislation concerning gaming regulations. During the session, members considered House Bill 396 sponsored by Delegate Krizek. The bill addresses minimum age requirements for Texas Hold’em poker tournaments. Chair Torian presided over the meeting as the panel examined a substitute version of the measure. […]
- Virginia Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Discusses Working Relationships in Congress
Representative Suhas Subramanyam, a Democrat representing Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, has noted his capacity to work effectively with progressive members of his party. These include individuals associated with efforts to reform or eliminate certain federal immigration enforcement mechanisms. Subramanyam assumed office in January 2025 after serving in the Virginia House of Delegates and
- Virginia Study Documents Rising Chloride Levels and Potential for Saltwater Intrusion in Coastal Plain Aquifers
A 2026 report from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality finds that chloride concentrations are increasing locally in parts of Eastern Virginia and on the Eastern Shore. These trends raise the potential for regional saltwater intrusion into freshwater portions of the Coastal Plain aquifer system east of Interstate 95. The analysis forms part of a […]
- Virginia Study Finds Hyperscale Data Centers Would Fail Groundwater Permit Criteria East of I-95
A 2026 report from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality concludes that a typical hyperscale data center requiring approximately three million gallons of groundwater per day would fail current permit evaluation criteria in nearly all locations across the Coastal Plain east of Interstate 95. The analysis forms part of a broader examination of groundwater supply […]
- Virginia Study Documents Groundwater Levels Below Sea Level and Reversed Flow Patterns in Coastal Plain
A 2026 report from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality finds that groundwater levels have dropped below sea level across large inland areas of the Coastal Plain east of Interstate 95. Decades of heavy pumping, especially from paper mills near Franklin and West Point, have reversed the natural predevelopment flow patterns in the aquifer system. […]