Legislation
- ACLU of Virginia Endorses Prison Language Access Measure
Advocacy group backs HB553 to provide translation services and prevent unjust solitary confinement linked to language barriers in state prisons.
- Virginia Beach wastewater facility to turn biogas into power for thousands of homes
A rendering of the biogas collection facility that will be built on alongside a Hampton Roads Sanitation District wastewater treatment plant.
- Virginia Advances House Bill 40 on Undetectable Firearms
House Bill 40 would create a felony for manufacturing, selling or transferring firearms undetectable by standard security screenings at airports, schools and other public facilities.
- Warner seeks a final term as Mizusawa makes his case for change
Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (left) faces Republican challenger Bert Mizusawa in his bid for a fourth term in the Senate.
- Delegate Hodges Highlights Local Authority Over Affordable Housing Definitions
Virginia lawmaker explains why localities should set their own affordable housing terms in locally funded programs during CCT Subcommittee discussion.
- Congresswoman Kiggans Joins Discussions on Public Safety and Elections
Congresswoman Jen Kiggans of Virginia’s Second District took part in a discussion with FBI Director Kash Patel and Hampton Roads law enforcement officials focused on public safety topics.
- Virginia considers calls for mandatory school nurses as healthcare gaps persist
A school nurse listens to a young student.
- Virginia Advances House Bill 131 for Campus Religious Accommodations
House Bill 131 would require Virginia public universities to adopt and publish consistent policies granting students accommodations for religious observances along with clear grievance procedures.
- Virginia Senate Panel Weighs Venue Change for Check Fraud Prosecutions
Courts of Justice Committee reviews legislation allowing prosecutors to charge check washing and uttering offenses in the locality where victims reside.
- Virginia Bill Clarifies 'Shall' as Mandatory Duty in State Law
House Bill 1299 seeks to establish that the word shall creates a binding obligation in Virginia statutes unless otherwise specified, following court rulings that treated it as permissive.
- Virginia Senate Examines Limits on Police Drone Deployments
Lawmakers review legislation clarifying authorized uses of unmanned aircraft by law enforcement in emergencies and investigations.
- Virginia Subcommittee Weighs Whistleblower Anonymity Under Senate Bill 224
Finance panel examines whether tax fraud whistleblowers can stay anonymous while seeking rewards in proposed state legislation.
- Virginia Agribusiness Leaders Warn Against Uninspected Meat Sales
Agribusiness and cattlemen associations oppose legislation allowing uninspected meat, citing risks to public health and state inspection programs.
- Spanberger’s EO 22 Rewrites Virginia’s Data-Center Rules Without Declaring a Moratorium
The order bans new state NDAs, curbs VEDP help for big new loads, pushes noise and water reviews, and tees up 2027 legislation—while leaving local zoning fights intact.
- Governor Spanberger Announces Nearly $1.3 Million in Scholarships & Incentives for Nursing Students
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Spanberger today announced that the Virginia Nursing Workforce Center (VNWC) has awarded nearly $1.3 million in scholarships and incentives to nearly 350 prospective students across the Commonwealth.
- Virginia Senate Reviews SB 707 on Dog Debocalization Limits
A Senate subcommittee examines legislation to restrict surgical debocalization of dogs to medically necessary cases only.
- Governor Spanberger gives away $67 Million for Home Energy Efficiency Projects to receive only $15 Million in work
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced the release of more than $67 million in available Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) funds that were previously withheld by the Youngkin Administration.
- William & Mary Libraries receives NEH grant to preserve American Revolution-era materials
William & Mary Libraries is one of five institutions awarded the grant as part of a consortium.
- Who Can Be Inside Your Virginia Polling Place on Nov. 3, and Who Can't
Virginia law strictly limits who may be inside a polling place.
- Special Prosecutor Clears Franklin County Officials in Freedom of Information Act Probe
One of the less noticed features of the Virginia Way is the long-running tendency of the commonwealth’s leaders to conduct their decision-making behind closed doors.
- Legislation to force Virginia traffic camera fine payments will make ‘nightmarish’ court workloads
Signs in front of Granby High School in Norfolk, Va. warn motorists they may get a ticket if they're caught speeding by a camera.
- Crypto Kiosk Firm Backs Virginia Oversight Bill While Seeking Platform Parity Amendment
A representative for a crypto-kiosk operator testified before a Virginia legislative committee in support of most bill provisions but requested an amendment limiting rules to kiosks for equal treatment with online platforms.
- Virginia Advocates Discuss Extension of Eviction Notice Periods
A public hearing in Virginia featured testimony on a bill that would extend the notice period for certain eviction proceedings from five days to fourteen days.
- Vindman faces crowded field and economic pressures in Virginia’s 7th District Congressional race
Pictured from left are candidates for the seventh congressional district race in Virginia: U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Woodbridge, Republican Douglas Ollivant and Libertarian Taner Lopez.
- Virginia Advances Senate Bill 418 on Pharmacist Therapeutic Drug Substitutions
Senate Bill 418 authorizes Virginia pharmacists to substitute medications within the same therapeutic class to reduce costs or address shortages while remaining cost neutral.
- James City Delegate Advances Parking Enforcement Expansion Bill
A James City delegate moves companion legislation to update and extend permissive parking enforcement authority to every Virginia locality.
- Youth advocates warn higher marijuana fine could deepen racial disparities
Virginia lawmakers are weighing how increased penalties for public marijuana consumption could affect young people as the state prepares to launch legal retail sales in July 2027.
- Governor Abigail Spanberger Urges Congress to Set National Artificial Intelligence Guardrails
Letter to House and Senate leaders follows her Sept. 18 Virginia AI task force order; Spanberger warns jobs, privacy, and public resources cannot rely on company self-regulation alone.
- Luria and Kiggans rematch in Va.’s 2nd Congressional District among most-watched races in nation
From left to right: U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Virginia Beach, Democrat Elaine Luria, and independents Bishop Staten and Matt Baker.
- Norfolk Public Schools Maps Rezoning as Four Elementary Campuses Prepare to Close
Norfolk is briefing families on fall 2027 rezoning for Granby, Lindenwood, P.B. Young, and Tarrallton elementaries, with bus routes still unsettled as consolidations proceed.
- JLARC Ordered to Study AI Policies Across Virginia’s Colleges and Universities
Laufer legislation tasks the legislature’s watchdog with a model policy covering integrity, privacy, access, transparency and faculty autonomy.
- Federal Judge Effectively Blocks New State Law Limiting Virginia's Cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement
A federal judge has temporarily blocked Virginia from enforcing most provisions of a new law restricting cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, allowing existing partnerships with U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement to continue while the legal challenge plays out.
- As student well-being concerns grow, Va. advocates push for stricter school tech guidelines
Virginia parents and educators are urging leaders, including the Board of Education, to reduce excessive classroom screen time by considering a draft policy that prioritizes distraction-free learning, physical books, writing, and face-to-face interaction.
- 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.
- Amazon changes course on water use for King George data center campus
The Robert O. Norris Bridge is located over the Rappahannock River.
- Congressman Don Beyer Comments on Immigration and Economic Factors
Congressman Don Beyer stated that mass immigration is negatively impacting the economy.
- Virginia Measure Advances to Lift Caps on Local Homeownership Grants for Public Employees
House Bill 164 moves forward in committee after removing prior $25,000 limits on grants localities may offer employees for home purchases.
- Virginia Advances Nursing Home Quality Measures With SB 429 Passage
State lawmakers approve legislation directing health officials to strengthen nursing home workforce recruitment and ease administrative loads.
- Virginia Lawmakers Advance House Bill 702 on Local Firearm Buyback Programs
House Bill 702 directs Virginia local law enforcement to establish firearm buyback programs following Senate changes in the 2026 session.
- Virginia Bill HB 1238 Draws Support for Local Pet Shop Puppy Sale Rules
Advocates testify that House Bill 1238 would give Virginia localities flexibility to regulate puppy sales in pet shops, following models already used in eight other states including Maryland.
- Virginia House Adopts Senate Changes to Bill on Firearms and Domestic Abuse Convictions
Lawmakers advance House Bill 93 with an amendment raising the standard for firearm surrender by convicted domestic abusers to probable cause.
- Virginia health committee considers mandating licensed nurses in every school
A newly proposed legislative measure would require all school districts in Virginia to employ a licensed nurse in every school.
- Virginia Committee Reviews Local Option Measure on Pet Shop Puppy Sales
The Counties Cities and Towns Committee examined HB1238, a proposal allowing Virginia localities to set inspection rules for pet shops that sell puppies.
- Attorney General Jay Jones Asks Regulators to Reset Clock on Dominion-NextEra Merger
Jones says September supplemental filings — including four-year residential bill credits — create a different $67 billion deal requiring a fresh 180-day State Corporation Commission review period.
- Few Va. universities have studied food insecurity among students, though 80% say it’s an issue
Most of Virginia’s public universities and colleges are aware of student food insecurity at their institutions, according to a November survey conducted by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
- Virginia Republicans urge Spanberger to call special session for fuel-tax holiday
Republican lawmakers are urging Gov. Abigail Spanberger to call a special session to suspend Virginia’s gasoline and diesel taxes for 90 days to ease fuel costs for families and businesses.
- Lawmakers Eye Fix for 1% School Construction Sales Tax as 47 Localities Head to Voters
Newport News officials warn the 20-year sunset may not line up with bond issuance; Simonds and Rasoul open to more flexibility.
- Virginia Lawmakers Weigh Election Spending Caps Tied to Federal Rulings
State Sen. Scott Surovell details proposed limits on political committee spending and corporate donations during a Privileges and Elections discussion.
- James Morefield House Bill 62 Eases Tazewell Town Manager Residency Rule
RICHMOND — In a move underscoring the value of local decision-making and practical governance, the Virginia General Assembly has sent House Bill 62 to the governor’s desk, amending the charter of the Town of Tazewell to ease residency requirements for its town manager.
- Senate Bill Seeks to Add Fairfax County to Virginia Casino-Eligible Localities
Legislation would permit Fairfax County to pursue a casino through local referendum with authority expiring in 2029 if unused.