Virginia Senate
- Testimony at Virginia Senate Meeting Addresses Unclaimed Veterans Burials
In a Virginia Senate meeting, a speaker in military attire shared details about assisting with the burials of ten unclaimed veterans who died without identified family members.
- Culpeper Prosecutor Presses Senate Panel on Check Fraud Venue Rules
Commonwealth’s Attorney Russ Rab tells the Senate Courts of Justice Committee that clarifying venue statutes would help prosecute washed and forged check cases that cross county lines.
- 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.
- What the merger means for your bill: $10 a month for four years
Dominion and NextEra now offer a typical Virginia household a $10 monthly bill credit for 48 months.
- Virginia Senate Panel Backs Amended Mail Scanning Measure for Health Facilities
Education and Health Committee supports revised bill allowing drug-related mail scans in state facilities while protecting resident privacy rights.
- Virginia Senate Examines Limits on Police Drone Deployments
Lawmakers review legislation clarifying authorized uses of unmanned aircraft by law enforcement in emergencies and investigations.
- Count 4 explained: How prosecutors tie Sen. Lucas' office to marijuana licenses
The public-corruption charge rests on a $750,000 stake, an FBI-funded $100,000 'repayment,' and quoted calls about licenses and 'generational wealth.'
- Virginia State Senator Louise Lucas Charged in Federal Cannabis Case
Federal prosecutors in Virginia have charged State Senator Louise Lucas with racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, and other offenses in connection with an alleged cannabis business scheme.
- Virginia Senate Leader Louise Lucas Indicted on Federal Marijuana and Corruption Charges
Federal prosecutors announced on October 22, 2026, that Virginia State Sen. Louise Lucas and six co-defendants have been indicted on charges including racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, money laundering conspiracy, and related offenses.
- General Assembly calls off Oct. 26 special session to elect judges
The Virginia Capitol on March 9, 2026.
- Virginia Senate Panel Reviews Pet Shop Inspection Records Showing Few Violations
A Virginia Department of Agriculture official reported minimal technical issues and no animal care violations in recent pet shop inspections during a Senate subcommittee hearing.
- 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.
- Speaker Details Honor Guard Uniform Costs in Virginia Senate Session
A speaker presented information to the Virginia State Senate regarding expenses tied to the Honor Guard program.
- Seven Rural Virginia Community Colleges Share $5.93 Million to Train Nurses and Behavioral Health Workers
Germanna, Laurel Ridge, Mountain Gateway, Patrick & Henry, Paul D. Camp, Rappahannock, and Virginia Highlands win Rural Health Transformation Fund awards.
- 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.
- 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’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.
- 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.
- State Corporation Commission Orders Three In-Person Hearings on NextEra-Dominion Merger
Commissioner Samuel Towell cites unprecedented public interest as the SCC adds regional witness sessions beginning November 5 in Richmond atop telephonic testimony days.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Data Center Development Could Triple Energy Demand if Unconstrained
On Monday, the Joint Legislative Audit Review Commission published its long-awaited Report about data centers.
- 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.
- School Construction Sales Tax Could Raise About 1.27 Billion Over Three Years
State estimates show revenue if all 47 localities with November referendums approve a dedicated 1 percent sales tax.
- 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.
- Martinsville Will Drop Flock Cameras When Contract Ends December 31
Police say the license-plate readers work but public trust has collapsed, joining a wave of Virginia localities stepping away.
- Elections Department Limits Felony Voting Bars to Murder and Manslaughter
New guidance follows a federal Readmission Act ruling and arrives days before early voting for the Nov. 3 midterms.
- Dominion NextEra Expand Residential Bill Credit Offer to Four Years
Shareholder-funded credits of about $10 a month would shift value away from large data centers under the revised merger package.
- Voters in 47 Localities Will Decide School Construction Sales Tax This Fall
Communities newly authorized by the legislature are putting a 1% sales tax for school capital projects on the November ballot.
- 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.
- 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