Welcome to our final Legislative Rundown of this year’s General Assembly session! This past Saturday was High Noon, the final legislative Showdown at the OK Corral. It was the last day for legislation to go forward or be stopped, or in formal terms, the General Assembly rose Sine Die.
Bills have fallen. Others have passed. Some improved significantly after Conference (when the House and Senate disagreed); and others got even worse. The good news is, we now know where all the legislation has fallen, and Virginia’s attention has now shifted to the Governor’s office. Governor Spanberger has 30 days to sign, veto, or amend bills that could shape the future of our Commonwealth for good or for ill, and we intend to make our voices heard for the side of good!
In 2025, we had an 86.2% success rate with our Power of the Pen recommendations to the Governor. Though we aren’t sure how Governor Spanberger will respond to our recommendations, we hope the “Power of the Pen” will help her make the right decisions to preserve liberty, natural rights, and justice in the Commonwealth.
Together with our colleagues in the Virginia Conservative Leaders Network, we masterfully and tastefully assembled an 80-page book of recommendations to the Governor on what bills to sign, veto, and amend. That was hand-delivered to her office yesterday morning, and we’ve sent it to most every media organization in Virginia. Now, our job is to call as much attention to the bad legislation passed by extremist, radical representatives in the Virginia House and Senate.
For example, some of the societally harmful legislation recently passed and sent to the Governor’s desk would add 22% to the cost of hiring a worker, which would put astronomical numbers of Virginians out of work and destroy countless businesses (including minority and women-owned businesses) throughout the state. The overall cost to businesses in the Commonwealth has been estimated at over $2 billion per year.
Other destructive bills would affect Virginian homeowners, who would face a 20% hike in their energy bills over the next two to three years.
Virginians could also suffer a significant spike in health insurance premiums and healthcare shortages affecting over 1 million urban and rural Virginians in “medical deserts” throughout the state.
We now call upon Governor Spanberger to heed our counsel and make responsible decisions in her final signatures. As our Institute’s President, Lynn Taylor, said: “If the Governor is truly the moderate she considers herself to be, we stand ready to work with her to find a path forward to ensure genuine affordability, support business and improve every part of Virginia’s education. This is more important than Left or Right, it’s about Virginia’s future.”
As the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session enters its final, frantic week, critical last-minute battles have pitted the new administration’s remaining extremist legislative goals against moderate and traditional lawmakers fighting to protect the human and financial rights of Virginia families in every corner of the Commonwealth. However, not everything is doom and gloom this week, as there are some notable successes and victories we’d like to highlight as well!
THE GOOD NEWS
The “Service Tax” Defeat
A major victory we’d like to highlight this week was the effective “death” (via continuation to 2027) of the sweeping expansion of HB900 and HB978. These companion bills sought to impose a first-of-its-kind “Netflix Tax” on digital subscriptions and a “Grooming Tax” on services like pet care and haircuts.
Faced with a wave of public backlash and conservative pressure over the rising cost of living, the House Finance Committee moved to continue these bills to the 2027 session, which will keep millions of dollars in the pockets of Virginia families for at least another year.
In addition to this, SB638, which would have placed a $0.50 fee on all Amazon/retail deliveries (and the 6.2% Uber/Lyft ride tax) was also defeated. Many lawmakers framed this as a “lazy tax” that would have disproportionately harmed seniors and those in rural areas who rely on delivery services.
Stalling the “Ammo Tax”
Radical efforts to punish lawful gun owners through financial levies hit a major roadblock this week. SB763, which would have imposed an 11% tax on all firearm and ammunition sales in the Commonwealth, was defeated and continued to 2027 in the House Finance committee after previously passing the Senate in an embarrassingly narrow party-line vote. Many brave representatives rightly argued that taxing a constitutional right is inherently discriminatory, especially against lower-income Virginians seeking self-defense.
Taking Therapy out of Transportation
HB495 would have authorized local school boards to require full-time school bus drivers to complete an abbreviated mental health awareness training module. This would have effectively expanded the job description of transportation staff to include behavioral surveillance of students, which could be distracting to educational transport staff while on the road.
The Remaining Front: Where the Battle Continues
Natural Rights and Public Safety
The natural rights protected by the Second Amendment have remained in the crosshairs this week. Conservative and moderate lawmakers have spent this session unified against what they describe as a “litany of restrictions on law-abiding citizens.” HB217 and SB749 would ban nearly all types of firearms and magazine capacities in the Commonwealth by this summer. Thankfully many representatives in Richmond continue to argue against these radical violations of both Natural and Constitutional Law.
Energy Independence and the Data Center Dilemma
Virginia’s reputation as the “Data Center Capital of the World” is facing a crossroads. As the state moves toward a big-government mandated green energy transition, conservatives and moderates are raising concerns about grid reliability. Debate intensified this week over SB619, which proposes state oversight of high-energy users. The bill has drawn significant criticism, highlighting the absurdity of energy policies that shutter reliable baseload power while energy demand from the tech sector skyrockets.
Protecting Fact-Based Education and Student Safety
Lawmakers in Richmond are also actively continuing to fight HB836, a bill that would put our Commonwealth’s public education system in jeopardy. The bill would prohibit school employees from disclosing the immigration status of students or their parents to law enforcement and barring federal agents from entering school property without specific, high-threshold judicial warrants. The bill’s requirements could force school personnel into direct conflict with Virginia Code § 18.2-460, and 18 U.S.C. § 1501 which both criminalize obstruction of justice.
As this year’s legislative session approaches its final week, we must rally for a final push!
Here’s how you can help:
Please login to your FORGE account this week to help fight these final few far-left bills! FORGE helps patriots like you make their voices heard. FORGE allows you to track critical bills, draft and write letters to Virginia delegates using state-of-the-art AI technology, and become a greater force for good in the Commonwealth!
You can also visit https://virginiansforfairelections.org/ and share the site with friends and family, to help us get it up the search rankings! This will help our organization combat the push for unfair redistricting in Virginia. Elections should be fair and free for all Virginians, not exclusively favorable for one political faction alone.
Below are key bills that need your attention this week.
Please reach out to your legislators NOW and share your position!
SUCCESS ALERT: HB900, HB978, SB638, HB495, and SB763
HB900 and HB978 would have imposed a first-of-its-kind “Netflix Tax” on digital subscriptions and a “Grooming Tax” on services like pet care and haircuts. SB638 would have placed a $0.50 fee on all Amazon/retail deliveries and a 6.2% Uber/Lyft ride tax. HB495 would have authorized local school boards to require full-time school bus drivers to complete an abbreviated mental health awareness training module, potentially turning bus drivers into part-time therapists. SB763 would have imposed an 11% tax on all firearm and ammunition sales in the Commonwealth.
Thanks to your efforts, these problematic bills were defeated!
HB217 and SB749 seek to ban the sale, importation, or possession of any assault weapons including assault rifles like the AR-15 and even certain types of handguns used for self-defense. These bills would make it a Class 1 Misdemeanor to own, sell, or import one of these weapons in Virginia. Neither of these bills include a grandfather clause, and also seek to ban magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
HB 836 would create sanctuary schools in Virginia by prohibiting school employees from disclosing the immigration status of students or their parents to law enforcement and barring federal agents from entering school property without specific, high-threshold judicial warrants. The bill’s requirements could force school personnel into direct conflict with Virginia Code § 18.2-460, and 18 U.S.C. § 1501 which both criminalize obstruction of justice.
As the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session continues this week, the legislative landscape in Richmond reflects a significant shift. For us, this week has been characterized by a defensive posture against radical departures from the prudent policies of the Commonwealth’s previous administration.
The 2026 session of the Virginia General Assembly is also due to conclude soon. The regular session is scheduled to adjourn sine die on Saturday, March 14, 2026. “Sine die” means that the legislature will finish its regular business for the session on the 14th of this month unless it is extended by a procedural vote.
Even though were are close to the end of the legislative session, now is not the time to slow down our efforts! Here are key proposals to watch as the week unfolds in Richmond:
The “Sanctuary” Push and Public Safety Concerns
The advancement of HB 836 (the so-called “Sanctuary Schools” bill) has remained a flashpoint of debate and controversy. Courageous conservative and moderate leadership have wisely argued that this bill essentially mandates non-cooperation with federal and state law enforcement, potentially forcing school staff to violate state and federal obstruction laws.
Having passed the House on a majority partisan vote, the bill moved into the Senate Education and Health Committee this week. We believe that this “top-down mandate” undermines local school board autonomy and prioritizes political agendas over student safety and the rule of law.
Second Amendment Rights Under Fire
The Senate and House committees have begun processing a massive slate of restrictive firearm bills that crossed over last week. High on the list are the “Assault Firearm” ban and the 11% excise tax on guns and ammo (dubbed a “poll tax” by many advocates). Brave conservative and moderate leadership have spent the week in session, highlighting how these measures target law-abiding citizens rather than the root causes of violent crime and also arguing that the bills will face immediate federal constitutional challenges.
The Redistricting Referendum Battle
A major partisan showdown is occurring over a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the majority-controlled General Assembly to redraw congressional maps before the 2026 midterms. A flurry of legal activity and challenges involving brave patriots in Lynchburg and Tazewell County are currently ongoing with early voting set to begin this Friday. Nobody can say for certain how or when the Virginia Supreme Court will rule out regarding the referendum, but all Virginians must be ready to fight this unfair redistricting referendum should it be approved.
We view this redistricting referendum as an abusive partisan “power grab” designed to eliminate Virginia’s political balance in congressional representation. Thus, we are rallying all conservatives, democrats, and moderates throughout Virginia to vote “No” in the special referendum currently scheduled for April 21.
Economic Overreach and “Affordability”
While the Governor has pitched her “Affordable Virginia Agenda,” we are sounding the alarm over the price tag and economic risks of these new mandates. Legislation to hike the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2028 passed the Senate along party lines, endangering the survival of small businesses across the state, including minority and women-owned businesses. We warn that these mandates, combined with new requirements like the paid sick leave bill, will fuel inflation and lead to job losses in both rural and urban Virginia.
School Transportation and Mental Health
The debate over HB 495 (mental health training for bus drivers) continued in Senate subcommittees this week. As mentioned in previous discussions, the focus of many conservative and moderate representatives have been on the unfunded mandate aspect. With Virginia already facing a driver shortage, conservatives and moderates argue that adding “psychological monitoring” to a driver’s job description is a recipe for increased resignations from current employees, lowered interest among potential new hires, and skyrocketing local taxes.
Now is the time for patriotic Virginians to step up and make themselves heard at this critical moment in American history!
Here’s how you can help:
Please login to your FORGE account this week and engage on these and other bills! FORGE helps patriots like you make their voices heard. FORGE allows you to track critical bills, draft and write letters to Virginia delegates using state-of-the-art AI technology, and become a greater force for good in the Commonwealth!
You can also visit https://virginiansforfairelections.org/ and share the site with friends and family, to help us get it up the search rankings! This will help our organization combat the push for unfair redistricting in Virginia. Elections should be fair and free for all Virginians, not exclusively favorable for one political faction alone.
Below are key bills that need your attention this week.
Please reach out to your legislators NOW and share your position!
HB495 would authorize local school boards to require full-time school bus drivers to complete an abbreviated mental health awareness training module. This would effectively expand the job description of transportation staff to include behavioral surveillance of students, which could be distracting to educational transport staff while on the road.
SB763 seeks to impose a new 11% tax on all firearm and ammunition sales in the Commonwealth. HB217 and SB749 seek to ban the sale, importation, or possession of any assault weapons including assault rifles like the AR-15 and even certain types of handguns used for self-defense. These bills would make it a Class 1 Misdemeanor to own, sell, or import one of these weapons in Virginia. Neither of these bills include a grandfather clause, and also seek to ban magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
HB5 would force nearly every private employer to provide paid sick leave for employees, and would impose a “hidden payroll tax” of approximately 3.7%. Simply put, HB5 would abandon Virginia’s pro-growth reputation and support of small businesses in favor of a heavy-handed, government-controlled labor model that prioritizes bureaucracy over economic common sense.
HB 836 would create sanctuary schools in Virginia by prohibiting school employees from disclosing the immigration status of students or their parents to law enforcement and barring federal agents from entering school property without specific, high-threshold judicial warrants. The bill’s requirements could force school personnel into direct conflict with Virginia Code § 18.2-460, and 18 U.S.C. § 1501 which both criminalize obstruction of justice.
OPPOSE: SB917 – Collective Bargaining by Public Employees
STATUS: This bill passed the House with a substitute that was rejected by the Senate. The bill has gone to a conference committee to decide which version of the bill will be sent to the Governor’s desk.
This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for public employee collective bargaining, creating a Public Employee Relations Board to oversee negotiations while maintaining critical limitations on government employee strikes.
OPPOSE: SB1009 – Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) Expansion for Localities
STATUS: This bill passed in the House earlier this week and yesterday, 2/20, the Senate voted to accept the House substitute of this bill. It will now be sent to the Governor’s desk for his signature or veto.
Expands ranked choice voting options for all local offices, despite this method of voting being riddled with problems that disenfranchise voters. Currently, any Virginia locality is allowed to use Ranked Choice Voting for City Council and Board of Supervisor elections, but not any other election; we oppose expansion in any form. This bill also requires localities to receive state approval on feasibility before implementation.
OPPOSE: HB2276 – Voter Registration List Maintenance
STATUS: Different versions of this bill have been voted on by the House and Senate and yesterday, 2/20, a conference committee was requested by the Senate to finalize the bill language.
This bill changes Virginia’s voter list maintenance procedures by creating an 80-point scoring system for voter record verification, requiring four-year retention of cancellation records with public access, establishing strict protocols for removing ineligible voters with due process safeguards, and strengthening voter registration system security. Effective July 1, 2026.
STATUS: This bill has passed both the House and the Senate and is headed to the Governor’s desk.
This bill creates requirements for the development, deployment, and use of certain artificial intelligence systems, defined in the bill, and civil penalties for noncompliance. If adopted, this bill would establish considerable heavy handed regulations on AI development and use including requiring AI to be trained on what appears to be DEI standards. This bill Takes effect July 2026 with enforcement through the Attorney General.
STATUS: This bill passed the Senate with a substitute and is now headed back to the House for approval of the substitute.
This bill creates requirements for the development, deployment, and use of certain artificial intelligence systems, defined in the bill, and civil penalties for noncompliance. If adopted, this bill would establish considerable heavy handed regulations on AI development and use including requiring AI to be trained on what appears to be DEI standards. This bill Takes effect July 2026 with enforcement through the Attorney General.
STATUS: This bill passed the Senate with a substitute, the Senate substitute was agreed to by the House, and the bill is now headed to the Governor’s desk.
This bill would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. Under this proposed legislation, the Board will be given authority to limit drug payment amounts and reimbursements to an upper payment limit amount for state sponsored and state regulated health plans, directly opposed to free market principles.
OPPOSE: HB2276 – Voter Registration List Maintenance
STATUS: This bill previously passed in the House and TODAY, 2/20, it is on the Senate Third Reading Calendar and is expected to receive a floor vote.
This bill changes Virginia’s voter list maintenance procedures by creating an 80-point scoring system for voter record verification, requiring four-year retention of cancellation records with public access, establishing strict protocols for removing ineligible voters with due process safeguards, and strengthening voter registration system security. Effective July 1, 2026.
OPPOSE: SB1009 – Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) Expansion for Localities
STATUS: This bill was passed in the House yesterday, 2/19, with a House substitute. The bill will now be sent to the Senate for a vote on the substitute. The House substitute adds that the State Board must approve an RCV election as feasible, if a locality is interested in conducting a RCV election, and provides additional details about how RCV ballots would be counted.
Expands ranked choice voting options for all local offices, despite this method of voting being riddled with problems that disenfranchise voters. Currently, any Virginia locality is allowed to use Ranked Choice Voting for City Council and Board of Supervisor elections, but not any other election; we oppose expansion in any form. This bill also requires localities to receive state approval on feasibility before implementation.
STATUS: This bill previously passed in the Senate and yesterday, 2/19, passed in the House.
Changes deadline from noon to 5:00 PM on the third day after Election Day for receiving absentee ballots and for a voter to provide missing information needed to accompany a provisional ballot (like an ID). This change would unnecessarily delay election results, decreasing voter confidence.
SUPPORT: SB1044 – Election Results Reporting for Absentee and Provisional Ballots
STATUS: This bill previously passed in the Senate and yesterday, 2/19, passed in the House.
This bill enhances election transparency by requiring detailed reporting of absentee and provisional ballot results. General registrars must separately report early in-person voting results from other absentee ballots and election day voting. Results must be posted no later than 5:00 p.m. on the tenth day after election day, ensuring timely and transparent reporting of all ballot types while maintaining systematic verification processes.
