Here’s what happened to some of the bills we’ve been following in the General Assembly. This list only covers those that were still alive at the legislature’s midpoint. For a list of bills that were killed early in the session, see our previous roundup. You can look up all the bills before the legislature and their status here: https://lis.virginia.gov/home.
See also: General Assembly passes budget, adjourns.
Agriculture
Lab animals
SB 907, by Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County
This bill would require that non-human primates be released to sanctuaries instead of being euthanized by testing facilities managed by the state after they’re no longer needed.
Status: Passed Senate 39-0. Passed House 75-21, now goes to governor.
Large-animal veterinarian grants
SB 921, by Sen. Travis Hackworth, R-Tazewell County
HB 2303, by Del. Alfonso Lopez, D-Arlington County
These bills create a grant program to incentivize veterinarians to practice large-animal medicine, working on cows, sheep, goats and other farm animals. The profession is considered to be important for the food supply chain, yet large-animal veterinarians are in short supply.
Status: Unanimously passed the House and Senate. The bills then went to conference to work out a small difference: one version said the program was “subject to the availability of funds.” With both chambers including $450,000 in their budgets to fund the program, that difference was resolved with no votes opposed.
Cannabis
Retail sales
HB 2485, by Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax County
SB 970, by Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach
Virginia is the only state that allows personal possession of cannabis (marijuana) but bans retail sales outside of medical dispensaries. These bills would legalize, and regulate, retail sales. A similar measure passed in 2024 but was vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who has said he hasn’t changed his mind.
Status: Passed House 53-46, passed Senate 21-19, now goes to the governor.
Casinos
Fairfax County casino
SB 982, by Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax County
This bill would add Fairfax County to the list of localities eligible to have a casino, if approved in a local referendum. Virginia already has casinos in Bristol, Danville and Portsmouth with others on the way in Norfolk and Petersburg.
Status: Passed Senate 24-16. Left in House subcommittee, so dead.
Constitutional amendments
Abortion rights
HJ 1, by Del. Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria
SJ 247, by Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax County
This measure would put the right to an abortion in the state constitution. To take effect, it would need to pass the legislature again in 2026, then go to a referendum.
Status: Passed House 51-48, passed Senate 21-19.
Civil rights restoration
HJ 2, by Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, D-Alexandria
SJ248, by Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton
This would automatically restore civil rights, including the right to vote, to convicted felons once they’ve served their time. Presently, felons must apply to the governor. To take effect, it would need to pass the legislature again in 2026, then go to a referendum.
Status: Passed House 55-44, passed Senate 21-18.
Same-sex marriage
HJ 19, by Del. Mark Sickles, D-Fairfax County
SJ 249, by Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria
The Virginia Constitution currently contains language banning same-sex marriages. That passage has been rendered moot by the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled such bans were unconstitutional; however, it would come back into force if the court ever changed its mind. This amendment would repeal that ban and add language to guarantee the right to same-sex marriages if the Supreme Court ever reverses itself. To take effect, it would need to pass the legislature again in 2026, then go to a referendum.
Status: Passed House 58-35 with two abstentions, passed Senate 24-15.
Data centers
Site assessments
SB 1449, by Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, HB 1601, by Del. Josh Thomas, D-Prince William County
These measures require developers of data centers and other high-energy-use facilities (100 megawatts or more) to conduct site assessments examining sound profiles on residences and schools within 500 feet. They would have localities require that the assessments examine potential effects on ground and surface water resources, agriculture resources, parks, registered historic sites and forest land on or around such facilities.
Status: SB 1449 passed Senate 33-6 with one abstention. Passed House 58-39. Going to governor after Senate, House, agreed on changes. HB 1601 passed House 57-40. Passed Senate with 26-10, with one abstention. Going to governor after House, Senate agreed on changes.
Customer classifications and rates
HB 2084, by Del. Irene Shin, D-Fairfax County, SB 960, by Sens. Russet Perry, D-Loudoun County, and Richard Stuart, R-Westmoreland County
These bills would direct the State Corporation Commission to determine whether Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy have reasonably classified customers for rates, charges, schedules and other issues. Depending on its determination, the SCC could consider creating new customer classifications. [Disclosure: Dominion is one of our donors, but donors have no say in news decisions; see our policy.]
Status: HB 2084 passed House 61-35. Passed Senate 24-16. Going to governor after House, Senate agreed on changes. SB 960 passed Senate 26-13-1. Passed House 63-34. Updated: Died in a joint conference committee.
Electrical demand response programs
SB 1047, by Sen. Danica Roem, D-Prince William County
This is the only one of Roem’s several data center-related bills to survive. As originally written, it would have required entities with an annual energy demand of at least 25 megawatts to work with large electric utilities to conserve or shift electricity use in response to demands on the power grid. The State Corporation Commission would have approved the so-called demand response programs by the beginning of next year, but the bill was amended. The version going to the governor would have the Department of Energy and the SCC study the best way forward for demand response programs, with a report due Nov. 1.
Status: Passed Senate 21-17. Passed House 53-44, now goes to governor.
Economic development
Film industry community zones
HB 2012, by Del. Wendell Walker, R-Lynchburg
This bill would allow localities to create film industry community zones, offering tax reductions, fee waivers and economic incentives to attract film-related businesses.
Status: Passed House 91-5. Passed by indefinitely in Senate committee 9-6.
Microporous incentive package
HB 2540, by Del. Danny Marshall, R-Danville
SB 1207, by Sen. Tammy Mulchi, R-Mecklenburg County
These bills would create a fund of roughly $60 million that would be paid out in multiple installments between 2026 and 2045 as part of the incentive package to lure the Microporous battery plant to Pittsylvania County.
Status: Passed House 90-6, passed Senate 40-0, now goes to governor.
Education
Tuition costs and other data
HB 2045, by Del. Wendell Walker, R-Lynchburg
This bill requires the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to publish annual data on tuition costs, graduation rates and post-graduate wages for each higher education institution in a user-friendly, comparative format.
Status: Passed House 99-0, passed by indefinitely in Senate committee 7-6.
Elections
Voter roll purges
SB 813, by Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach
This bill would ban changes to voter registration lists within 90 days of Election Day.
Status: Passed Senate 20-18, passed House 51-46, now goes to governor.
Energy
Appalachian Power integrated resource plan
SB 1021, Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax County
HB 2413, Del. Candi Mundon King, D-Prince William County
These bills require Appalachian Power to once again file integrated resource plans, which are long-term forecasts of a utility’s energy demand and how it plans to meet that demand, including how it would address electricity transmission needs. Appalachian and Dominion Energy, which already files IRPs, would submit such plans to the state every three years, and they would provide a forecast 20 years out. After some work that included the legislation going to a conference committee, both chambers agreed to an updated version with some minor changes, including requiring Apco to file its first IRP in 2026 instead of this year.
Status: The conference version of the legislation was approved by the House, 65-31, and the Senate, 21-19; it mirrored a substitute bill that previously passed the Senate, 21-18, and which was agreed to by the House, 53-45. Now goes to the governor.
Appalachian Power rate reduction
SB 1076, by Sens. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, and Todd Pillion, R-Washington County
HB 2621, by Dels. Jason Ballard, R-Giles County; Terry Kilgore, R-Scott County; Irene Shin, D-Fairfax County; and Wren Williams, R-Patrick County
While both the House and Senate passed versions of what some lawmakers dubbed the “Apco Rate Reduction Act,” they differed in the details. After the bills went to conference, lawmakers agreed to prohibit Appalachian Power’s rate increases from taking effect from November through February each year; prohibit Appalachian from charging interest or late fees from July 1 through Dec. 31; prohibit the utility from charging reconnection fees from July 1 through March 1, 2026; require Appalachian to consider residential seasonal rates and alternatives to budget billing; set the utility’s next biennial review of rates to begin on May 31, 2026; require state regulators to consider public input during rate cases; and allow Appalachian to package certain large expenses and assets into bonds for sale to investors, a process known as securitization. A previous effort to prohibit residential disconnections for 18 months was not included in the final legislation.
Status: The conference version of the bill passed the House 98-0, and the Senate 39-0. Now goes to governor.
Health care
Contraception
HB 1716, by Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News
SB 1105, by Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield County
These bills establish a right to obtain and use contraceptives.
Status: Passed House 53-44, passed Senate 21-18, now goes to governor.
Pharmacy benefit manager
HB 2610, by Del. Katrina Callsen, D-Charlottesville
SB 875, by Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach
These bills would centralize Virginia’s Medicaid pharmacy benefits under a single state-contracted pharmacy benefit manager. Only Medicaid would be affected because it’s a state-run program, giving Virginia the authority to implement changes.
Status: Passed House 98-0, passed Senate 40-0, now goes to governor.
Medical deserts
HB 2119, by Del. Wendell Walker, R-Lynchburg
SB 1203, by Sen. Chris Head, R-Botetourt County
These bills establish an expedited review process for health care projects in medically underserved areas.
Status: Passed House 99-0, passed Senate 40-0, now goes to governor.
Midwives
HB 1904, Del. Rodney Willett, D-Henrico County
This bill directs the Department of Health to amend its regulations on coverage for nursery services to allow certified nurse midwives, licensed certified midwives or nurse practitioners with pediatric privileges to be on the 24-hour on-call duty roster.
Status: Passed House 98-0, passed Senate 40-0, now goes to governor.
Local issues
Bristol’s blighted property
SB 1476, Sen. Todd Pillion, R-Washington County
Bristol officials asked for help in dealing with the vacant former campus of Virginia Intermont College through bills that would allow it to sell blighted properties while having more control over who buys them and how quickly they’re developed. The city would be able to petition the circuit court to appoint a commissioner to convey property to the city or the city’s entity.
Status: The Senate bill with amendments passed 32-8. Passed House with amendments 97-0. Seante approved House amendments 30-5, now goes to governor. (A similar bill by Del. Israel O’Quinn, R-Washington County, died in House committee.)
Explore Park
HB 2321 by Del. Will Davis, R-Franklin County
SB 796, by Sen. Chris Head, R-Botetourt County
These bills would allow the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority, which was created to own the Explore Park in the Roanoke Valley, to transfer the property to Roanoke County.
Status: Passed House 99-0, passed Senate 38-0, now goes to governor.
Fireworks
SB 1248, by Sen. Travis Hackworth, R-Tazewell County
This bill exempts small localities from certain state fees related to fireworks permits
Status: Passed Senate 38-0, passed House 96-0, now goes to governor.
Secretary of Rural Affairs study
HJ 461, by Del. Israel O’Quinn, R-Washington County
SJ 262, by Sen. Laschrecse Aird, D-Petersburg
This legislation would direct the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the need for and feasibility of creating a Secretariat of Rural Affairs.
Status: House version died in committee for lack of action, Senate version passed on voice vote but was passed by indefinitely in House committee 18-0.
Public safety
Probation refoerm
HB 2252, by Del. Wren Williams, R-Patrick County
SB 936, by Sen. Christie New Craig, R-Chesapeake
This bill revisions how courts can reduce a defendant’s supervised probationary period if they meet certain criteria, among them completing an education program, getting a job, obtains housing, qualifies for health insurance and being in compliance with mental health or substance abuse treatment programs.
Status: Passed House 61-38. Different version passed Senate 35-4. Conference committee that worked out differences passed House 67-30 and Senate 40-0.
Sexual extortion, or sextortion
HB 1998, by Del. Wendell Walker, R-Lynchburg
This will would makes it a Class 5 felony for any person to threaten eviction unless the tenant enages in sexual activity.
Status: Passed House 98-0, passed Senate 36-0, now goes to governor.
Taxes
Local sales tax
SB 1307, by Sen. Jeremy McPike, D-Prince William County
This bill would grant all localities the power to hold a referendum on whether to raise the local sales tax for schools. Presently, nine localities have that power.
Status: Passed Senate 27-13, passed House 62-33 with substitute, Senate agreed 27-12, now goes to governor.
Transportation
EV charging stations
HB 1791, by Del. Rip Sullivan Jr., D-Fairfax County
This is Sullivan’s third attempt at creating an Electric Vehicle Rural Infrastructure Program Fund, which would incentivize investment in farther-flung areas of the commonwealth. Both House and Senate passed it last year, but there was no money in the budget to fund it. This year, the House and Senate budget conference agreed to include $1.5 million from the general fund for it.
Status: Passed House 56-41, passed Senate 21-19, now goes to governor.
Utility-owned charging stations
HB 2087, by Del. Irene Shin, D-Fairfax County
Shin’s bill would permit Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power Co. to build and operate their own public fast-charging stations. The State Corporation Commission would determine their distance from privately owned stations.
Status: Passed House 54-44. Passed Senate 32-7, now goes to governor.
Workplace
Minimum wage
HB 1928 by Del. Jeion Ward, D-Hampton
Increases the minimum wage incrementally through 2027. The bill codifies the adjusted state hourly minimum wage of $12.41 per hour that was effective Jan. 1, 2025. and increases the minimum wage to $13.50 per hour effective Jan. 1, 2026, and to $15 per hour effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Status: Passed House 50-46, passed Senate 1019, now goes to governor.
Public employee unions
SB 917, by Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax County
HB 2764, by Del. Kathy Tran, D-Fairfax County
These bills would give public service workers — including teachers, firefighters, home care workers and employees of public universities — the right to unionize.
Status: Passed House 51-46, passed Senate 20-19. The two versions differed slightly. Conference committee report approved 51-45 in House and 21-19 in Sente. Now goes to the governor.
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