164th Virginia General Assembly

164th Virginia General Assembly
←163rd 165th→
Overview
TermJanuary 14, 2026 –
Senate of Virginia
Members40
President of the SenateLt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi (D)
Senate Majority LeaderScott Surovell (D)
Senate Minority LeaderRyan McDougle (R)
Party controlDemocratic
Virginia House of Delegates
Members100
Speaker of the HouseDon Scott (D)
House Majority LeaderCharniele Herring (D)
House Minority LeaderTerry Kilgore (R)
Party controlDemocratic
Sessions
1stJanuary 14, 2026 –

The 164th Virginia General Assembly, consisting of members who were elected to the Senate in 2023 and the House of Delegates in 2025, convened on January 14, 2026. Democrats retained a majority in the Virginia Senate and expanded their majority in the House of Delegates, with Democratic former State Senator Ghazala Hashmi becoming the next Lieutenant Governor. The 2023 Senate election was the first, and the 2025 House election was the second, to be held under maps for both houses of the Virginia General Assembly which were approved by the Virginia Redistricting Commission and the Supreme Court of Virginia in 2021, which were the first in Virginia history to not be drawn and approved by the legislature. The 2026 session began on January 14 and is set to adjourn on March 14, 2026.[1] The 2024 special session that was called in the previous term of the Virginia General Assembly by Governor Glenn Youngkin briefly ran concurrently into the 2026 session until it was adjourned on January 15, 2026.[2]

Leadership and committees

The leadership structure remained largely unchanged from the previous assembly, with Democrats maintaining control of both chambers. In the House of Delegates, Don Scott was re-elected as Speaker on January 14, 2026.[3] Committee assignments were updated at the start of the session, with key committees such as Appropriations, Finance, and Privileges and Elections reflecting Democratic priorities.[4]

Sessions

The regular session commenced on January 14, 2026, with key procedural resolutions adopted, including the schedule for bill introductions (deadline January 23, 2026) and crossover (February 17, 2026).[5] As of February 12, 2026, over 1,600 bills had been introduced, with committees actively hearing legislation ahead of the crossover deadline.[6] Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered her first address to a joint session on January 19, emphasizing affordability, bipartisanship, and priorities such as healthcare costs, housing, and gun safety.[7]

Budget

Governor Spanberger presented her budget proposal on December 17, 2025, focusing on affordability measures, including investments in education, healthcare, and housing.[8] Budget hearings were held on January 2, 2026. The House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations committees are scheduled to report their budget proposals on "Budget Sunday," February 22, 2026, with each chamber expected to act on its budget by February 26.[9] As of February 12, 2026, January general fund revenues were ahead of forecast by 2.9 percent, providing additional resources amid debates over spending priorities.[10] Controversies include Republican concerns over potential redirection of surpluses to partisan projects.[11]

Legislation

The Democratic majorities advanced legislation aligned with campaign promises, including the "Affordable Virginia Agenda" focused on reducing costs in healthcare, housing, and energy. By February 9, 2026, more than half of these bills had passed either the House or Senate.[12] Republicans criticized some measures as increasing taxes and burdens on the middle class.[13]

Constitutional amendments

Constitutional amendments, under Virginia law, must be initiated by majorities in both houses in two consecutive legislatures before being sent to voters for approval. The following amendments, initiated in the previous General Assembly, were advanced:

HJ1 / SJ247 (initiated March 24, 2025): Constitutional amendment to guarantee a right to reproductive freedom, including abortion, contraception, and fertility treatments[14][15] HJ3 / SJ249 (initiated March 24, 2025): Constitutional amendment to codify same-sex and interracial marriage HJ2 / SJ248 (initiated March 24, 2025): Constitutional amendment to automatically restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated individuals HJ4 / HJ6007 (initiated October 31, 2025): Constitutional amendment to allow legislative mid-decade redistricting of congressional districts in response to mid-decade redistricting by other states[16][17]

All four resolutions were passed by the House on January 14, 2026, and by the Senate on January 16, largely on party-line votes.[18][19] Governor Spanberger signed the bills on February 6, placing HJ4 on the April 2026 ballot and the others on the November 2026 ballot.[20][21] Supporters argued the amendments protect essential rights, while opponents raised concerns over late-term abortions, human trafficking, parental consent, and potential gerrymandering in the redistricting measure.[22]

Notable statutes

Key bills introduced included:

  • HB1: Increase the minimum wage to $15/hour by 2028. Referred to Senate Commerce and Labor on February 4, 2026.[23]
  • HB2: Reducing heating-related costs by requiring utilities to provide energy efficiency upgrades.[24] Advanced through House committees.
  • HB3: Establishing an Income-Qualified Energy Efficiency and Weatherization Task Force. Progressed in committees.
  • HB4: Affordable Housing Right of First Refusal. Advanced.
  • HB5: Expands minimum sick leave eligibility to include employees of private employers and state and local governments. Advanced.
  • HB6: Right to obtain contraceptives and engage in contraception.[25] Advanced.

Other notable legislation included gun safety measures, such as universal background checks and assault weapon bans, which advanced through committees by February 12.[26] Bills on solar siting reform (HB 359/SB 5) and public sector unionization (HB 582) also progressed.[27][28] A bill to regulate cryptocurrency kiosks passed both chambers.[29]

Controversies

The redistricting amendment sparked debate over potential gerrymandering and suspension of anti-gerrymandering laws in the budget.[30] Legislation on "claim sharks" targeting veterans drew criticism for empowering predatory companies.[31] A bill (HB 359) requiring private religious schools to participate in state assessments and affirm gender identities raised religious freedom concerns.[32] Data center pollution bills advanced amid environmental debates.[33]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Key Dates for 2026 General Assembly Session". Virginia Association of Counties. January 14, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  2. ^ Cline, Nathaniel (January 15, 2026). "After more than 600 days, Va. lawmakers adjourn 2024 special session". Virginia Mercury. Archived from the original on February 18, 2026. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  3. ^ "Don Scott re-elected as Virginia House Speaker". WTKR News 3. January 14, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  4. ^ "Committee Assignments for 2026 Session". Legislative Information System. January 14, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  5. ^ "2026 Session Calendar". Virginia PTA. January 14, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  6. ^ "2026 General Assembly Session is Now Underway". Virginia Association of Counties. January 15, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  7. ^ "Spanberger pushes affordability and unity in her first General Assembly address". Cardinal News. January 19, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  8. ^ "Governor's Budget Announced". Virginia PTA. December 17, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  9. ^ "Key Dates for 2026 General Assembly Session". Virginia Association of Counties. January 14, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  10. ^ "Governor Spanberger Announces January General Fund Revenues Are Ahead of Official Forecast by 2.9 Percent". Office of the Governor of Virginia. February 12, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  11. ^ The Motley Patriot (February 11, 2026). "To the honorable @ReevesVA , @KarenHamiltonVA , and all members of the Virginia General Assembly..." X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  12. ^ "More Than Half of Governor Spanberger's "Affordable Virginia Agenda" Passes Virginia House of Delegates or Senate". Office of the Governor of Virginia. February 9, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  13. ^ Simone, Jaida (February 10, 2026). "Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger's 'affordability' claims receive backlash". WJLA. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  14. ^ "In a historic vote, constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom passes the General Assembly". ACLU of Virginia. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  15. ^ Khalil, Jahd (January 20, 2025). "Virginia Senate pushes forward constitutional amendments". VPM. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  16. ^ Schmidt, Markus (October 23, 2025). "House Speaker calls Virginia lawmakers back to Richmond as possible redistricting fight brews • Virginia Mercury". Virginia Mercury. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  17. ^ "Virginia Senate approves mid-decade redistricting amendment in party-line vote". Virginia Mercury. January 16, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  18. ^ Woods, Markus Schmidt, Charlotte Rene (January 14, 2026). "Virginia House Democrats advance four constitutional amendments on opening day of 2026 session • Virginia Mercury". Virginia Mercury. Retrieved February 12, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ Schmidt, Markus (January 16, 2026). "Virginia Senate Democrats advance mid-decade redistricting amendment • Virginia Mercury". Virginia Mercury. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  20. ^ "Governor Spanberger Signs Bills to Send Constitutional Amendments to Virginia Voters". Office of the Governor of Virginia. February 6, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  21. ^ McCue, Charlotte Rene Woods (February 6, 2026). "Spanberger signs bills to send constitutional amendments to voters this year". Virginia Mercury. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  22. ^ "Virginia governor signs bill to put 'extreme' pro-abortion measure before voters". Live Action. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  23. ^ "HB1 Bill Status". LegiScan. February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  24. ^ Heckt, Shannon (November 25, 2025). "Va. House Democrats make energy efficiency a key priority for legislative session • Virginia Mercury". Virginia Mercury. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  25. ^ Dems, VA House (November 17, 2025). "Virginia House Democratic Caucus Announce First Bills and Legislation for 2026 Session". Virginia House Democrats. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  26. ^ Todd Jeffries (February 11, 2026). "The first permanent English colony, founded at Jamestown in 1607..." X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  27. ^ Paullin, Charles (February 6, 2026). "Virginia General Assembly moves forward on solar siting reform". Inside Climate News. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  28. ^ "New bill would allow Virginia public workers to unionize". WYDaily. February 9, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  29. ^ "Virginia General Assembly passes cryptocurrency kiosk regulations". AARP Virginia. February 9, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  30. ^ Tim Anderson (February 7, 2026). "Did you know there is a law in Virginia preventing political gerrymandering?". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  31. ^ Veterans of Foreign Wars of Virginia (February 11, 2026). "The 2026 Virginia General Assembly Session was supposed to be about affordability..." X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  32. ^ Alan Thompson (February 6, 2026). "🚨 🚨🚨🚨🚨 5-Alarm alert in Virginia!!!". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  33. ^ "Bill aimed at curbing data center pollution advances". The Daily Progress. February 12, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
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