Senate
- 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 Senate Amendment Targets Faster Absentee Ballot Handling on Election Day
Senator Rome advances a change to Senate Bill 350 permitting local registrars to process absentee and early ballots during voting hours to ease worker burdens and support timely results.
- 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.
- 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.
- Abigail Spanberger Signs Executive Order 22 on Data Center Accountability and AI Task Force
Governor Abigail Spanberger’s Executive Order 22 and 2027 legislative slate target NDAs, local approval for large loads, noise and backup power, and an AI task force—without a statewide moratorium.
- Virginia Warned in 1999 That Power-Line Easements Leave Landowners Paying for Residue Damage
RICHMOND — Long before Data Center Alley turned Northern Virginia into a magnet for 500 kV and 765 kV corridors, the General Assembly already knew what transmission easements do to private land.
- Virginia Lawmakers Weigh Bill to End Common Law Suicide Crime
A measure discussed by Delegate Simon would abolish the common law crime of suicide to ease benefit denials and stigma for surviving families.
- Warner, Kaine and Local Candidates Push to End NDAs on Data Center Deals
Senators urge voters to put officials on the record as secrecy surrounds projects like Wood Haven Technology Park.
- We must solve Virginia’s other health care workforce crisis: A lack of educators
America’s health care workforce shortage is a known crisis: Over 85% of health care facilities lack adequate staff.
- 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.
- Attorney General Jones Says DHS May Have Violated Virginia Election Law
Letter to Homeland Security demands written confirmation and preservation of voter-lookup access logs after a whistleblower report.
- Virginia Bill Expands Dental Assistant Roles to Boost Patient Access
Delegate Marcia Price advances legislation allowing experienced dental assistants to perform basic functions in hygiene appointments under supervision to ease care backlogs.
- 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.
- Virginia Panel Advances Plan for a Licensed Nurse in Every School by 2028
School Health Services Committee backs a nurse-per-building or per-325-students rule with two-year hiring waivers; November 18 vote would send the proposal to the 2027 General Assembly.
- Abigail Spanberger Urges Congress to Police Artificial Intelligence Risks to Privacy, Jobs, and Resources
The governor’s September 22 letter to House and Senate leaders seeks federal guardrails as Virginia advances Executive Order 22 and data-center accountability rules.
- 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.
- Tim Kaine and Jennifer McClellan Say Voters Could Move Congress to Revisit House Resolution 1 Healthcare Overhaul
U.S. Sen.
- Attorney General Jay Jones Asks Regulators to Reset Clock on Dominion-NextEra Merger
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones says the companies’ Sept. 14 supplemental filing is a different deal that should restart the SCC’s 180-day review, potentially pushing a decision into March 2027.
- Fed raises interest rates for first time in 3 years, battling persistent inflation
Kevin Warsh, now chair of the Federal Reserve, testifies during his Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs confirmation hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on April 21, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve raised interest rates Wednesday for the first time in three years as inflation continues to dog the economy, largely driven by soaring gas and fuel oil prices while the war in Iran drags on.
- 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 Senate Pushes Forward House Bill 40 Banning Unserialized Firearms and Undetectable Plastic Guns
As the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session progresses, House Bill 40, which prohibits the manufacture, import, sale, transfer and possession of plastic firearms, advanced through key Senate committees this week.
- Rob Wittman, Running Again in Virginia First Congressional District, Supports Trump’s $1.5 Trillion Defense Spending Budget
U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland, is backing President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense spending budget, as the nation marks its eighth month in a war with Iran that Trump launched without congressional approval.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- David Reid House Bill 409 Clarifies School Bus Passing Rules on Divided Highways
In a rare display of unanimous agreement, the Virginia General Assembly has approved House Bill 409, clarifying traffic rules for passing stopped school buses on divided highways, access roads and certain driveways.
- Virginia lawmakers prepare for a future filled with highly automated aircraft
Virginia lawmakers are aiming sky high as they turn their attention to the future of “advanced air mobility.”
- 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.
- Virginia House and Senate Move to Speed Up Career and Technical Education Teachers
Virginia legislators are taking on a major issue to meet the growing demand for skilled workers: the shortage in career and technical education teachers.
- Virginia General Assembly Passes House Bill 191 to Protect Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking
RICHMOND, Va.
- Virginia Department of Health Updates Food Allergen List, Food Establishment Guidance
Virginia Department of Health offices in Richmond.
- 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.
- 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
- 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 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 182 on High School History Substitutions Clears Assembly
RICHMOND, Va. — House Bill 182, a measure altering high school graduation requirements by permitting substitutions in history and social studies credits, has successfully navigated the Virginia General Assembly and now awaits action from Governor Abigail Spanberger. The bill, introduced by Delegate David Reid of the 28th District in Loudoun County, seeks to provide students
- 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
- 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
- Dan Helmer House Bill 184 All-Payer Claims Database Evaluation Passes Senate
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Senate gave unanimous approval to House Bill 184 on March 4, 2026, passing the measure with a 40-0 block vote after adopting a substitute from the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. The legislation directs the Virginia Department of Health, in consultation with Virginia Health Information, to conduct a comprehensive evaluation
- 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
- As sports betting surges, Virginia weighs how to curb gambling harms
State Sen. Mike Jones, D-Richmond, left, and Dr.