Latest for Quantico & Northern VA
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Transportation Department seeks end to DC traffic cameras
The Transportation Department proposed a ban on all automated traffic enforcement cameras in Washington, potentially impacting city revenue.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation has submitted a proposal to the White House Office of Management and Budget that would ban automated traffic enforcement cameras in Washington, D.C., according to Politico.
The proposed policy would prohibit the operation of speed, red light, and stop sign cameras in the city as part of the forthcoming surface transportation bill Congress is expected to consider this year.
DOT spokesperson Nate Sizemore said the agency is reviewing multiple transportation policy options, adding, “Many policy options are currently under internal review.”
Washington has operated red light cameras since 1999. The city now has nearly 550 enforcement cameras monitoring violations such as speeding, red light running, unauthorized use of bus lanes, and truck restrictions.
Fines range from $100 to $500, with higher penalties for serious infractions such as passing a stopped school bus with flashing lights or exceeding the speed limit by more than 25 mph.
Efforts in Congress to limit the use of the city’s traffic cameras have not advanced. A provision in the House’s 2026 spending bill to block funding for D.C. automated enforcement was never brought to a vote. Separately, Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., introduced legislation to eliminate the city’s authority to use the systems.
“Automated traffic enforcement is being used to generate revenue, not enhance safety,” Perry told Politico. “Cities like Washington, D.C. that depend on automated traffic enforcement revenue to balance their budgets are proof that the policy isn’t about the safety of residents and visitors.”
The D.C. government has stated the program aims to improve road safety. Washington generated $139.5 million from the cameras in fiscal year 2023, $213.3 million in 2024, and is projected to collect $267.3 million in 2025, according to Eric Balliet, spokesperson for the city’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer.
In 2014, Mayor Muriel Bowser launched Vision Zero, an initiative to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries. The use of automated cameras has been one component of this program.
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Increased Security in D.C. Ahead of Maduro Court Appearance
Officials are coordinating security in D.C. as Nicolás Maduro appears in U.S. court after his capture and related military operations.
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Local and federal law enforcement agencies in Washington, D.C., are coordinating security efforts following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is scheduled to appear in U.S. federal court Monday in New York.
Authorities said they are monitoring for potential impacts after recent U.S. military operations abroad, including a weekend incident that prompted heightened precautions near the former Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown. Streets were temporarily closed following a reported threat and a K-9 alert. The area was later cleared and reopened, according to the U.S. Secret Service.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said the city has been briefed and is working with federal partners to ensure safety. The Washington region is home to an estimated 26,000 Venezuelans, though advocacy groups believe the number could be higher due to uncounted recent arrivals.
There is no active threat to the District at this time, officials said, but security efforts remain ongoing and may be adjusted as needed. The Venezuelan Embassy in D.C. has been closed since 2019, when the United States ceased diplomatic recognition of Maduro’s government.
The Metropolitan Police Department said officers are prepared to increase patrols if conditions require.
Virginia
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Virginia ruling restores voting rights for many felons
A federal ruling will allow some Virginians with felony convictions to register to vote starting June 1.
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A federal court ruling this year found that Virginia’s rights-restoration process violated Civil War-era laws, clearing the way for people with felony convictions to vote in congressional elections this fall.
The court ruled that Virginia’s disenfranchisement of people with felony convictions violated the Readmission Acts, laws that required former Confederate states to guarantee voting rights for newly emancipated Black residents. The laws barred states from constitutionally disenfranchising people except for crimes considered common law at the time.
Under current Virginia law, people with felony convictions lost voting rights unless a governor restored them. A judge had set a May 1 deadline for state officials to ensure many modern crimes no longer trigger disenfranchisement. A joint filing last week by King’s lawyers and the office of Attorney General Jay Jones extended that deadline to June 1.
“We are committed to working with the Commonwealth to implement this historic expansion of voting rights and ensure newly eligible voters know their rights have been restored,” said American Civil Liberties Union attorney Vishal Agraharkar. “It’s past time for us to finally and formally right this wrong.”
The lawsuit at the center of the trial challenged former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s change to a petition-based restoration process. Two previous governors had streamlined the process, and restoration numbers fell during Youngkin’s tenure.
Lawmakers also advanced a constitutional amendment to provide automatic restoration of voting rights. After passing the Legislature in two consecutive years, it will appear on the statewide ballot in November.
When Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed the measure to place the amendment on the ballot earlier this year, she said: “When Virginians have paid their debt to society, they deserve to regain their right to vote.”
As state agencies define which crimes may qualify or disqualify people under the ruling, June 1 will be the first day some can register without a governor’s approval.
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Virginia suit challenges reproductive amendment text
A lawsuit in Tazewell County challenged Virginia’s ballot wording for a proposed reproductive freedom amendment.
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A legal group filed a lawsuit in Tazewell County Circuit Court challenging the ballot language for Virginia’s proposed constitutional amendment on reproductive freedom, arguing it is misleading and violates state law.
The lawsuit was filed by the Founding Freedoms Law Center, part of The Family Foundation of Virginia, on behalf of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, the Virginia Medical Freedom Alliance, and Meagan Kade, a Tazewell County resident and Bluefield Town Council member.
The complaint named the Virginia State Board of Elections, the Virginia Department of Elections, Clerk of the Virginia House of Delegates G. Paul Nardo, Tazewell County Circuit Court Clerk Charity D. Hurst, and the county’s general registrar as defendants.
At issue is ballot language approved by the General Assembly through House Bill 781 and Senate Bill 449 for a November vote on whether to amend the Virginia Constitution to establish a right to reproductive freedom.
The ballot question asks whether the constitution should be amended to protect personal decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility care; protect doctors, nurses, and patients from punishment for those decisions; and allow restrictions on abortion in the third trimester except when the patient’s health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs said the question does not meet legal requirements that constitutional amendments be presented clearly and neutrally, and omits details about how the amendment could affect existing Virginia law.
According to the complaint, the amendment could affect laws governing abortion and reproductive care, including parental consent requirements for minors, provider licensing and safety standards, and restrictions on late-term abortions, depending on how courts interpret the language.
If approved, the amendment would add constitutional protections for decisions related to reproductive care, including abortion, contraception, and miscarriage management, while allowing some restrictions later in pregnancy under certain conditions.
Plaintiffs sought a declaratory judgment that the ballot language is unconstitutional and an injunction that could prevent certification of the amendment if it is approved under the current wording.
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Virginia abortion amendment faces new ballot suit
If upheld, that earlier challenge could affect all four constitutional amendments on this year’s ballot, including proposals on voting rights restoration for people with felony convictions who have completed their sentences, same-sex marriage protections, and a mid-decade redistricting effort now before the Supreme Court of Virginia.
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A second lawsuit filed in Tazewell County challenged a proposed Virginia constitutional amendment on reproductive rights, this time arguing the ballot language is misleading.
The suit was filed in Tazewell County Circuit Court by Bluefield Town Council member Meagan Kade and Chesterfield County child psychiatrist Sheila Furey. They are represented by the Founding Freedoms Law Center, the legal arm of the conservative advocacy group Family Foundation.
“The language voters will see when they walk into the voting booth in November is engineered to obscure what this amendment actually does,” Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb said Thursday.
The plaintiffs argued the amendment would eliminate parental consent requirements for minors seeking abortions or surgical birth control procedures, and remove the current three-physician approval requirement for certain later-pregnancy abortions. They said voters may not understand the amendment’s effects based on the ballot wording.
Existing Virginia law requires parental or guardian consent for surgeries on minors unless a minor successfully petitions a judge for approval.
Democrats who placed the amendment on the ballot said it would not override existing law, but would more firmly protect access to abortion, contraception, and fertility treatment. They have also sought for years to remove the state’s three-physician requirement, saying it can delay care for patients in rural areas facing life-threatening emergencies.
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Virginia court weighs redistricting referendum case
In February, the court allowed the referendum to proceed while it considered the case. The justices did not clearly indicate during Monday’s hearing how they would rule.
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The Virginia Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in a Republican challenge to the Democratic-backed redistricting referendum that voters approved last week.
Republicans argued Democratic lawmakers improperly used a special legislative session to advance the measure and did so after early voting had begun for the November elections. Under the state Constitution, a constitutional amendment must pass in two legislative sessions with an election between them.
The referendum approved new congressional maps that could give Democrats a 10-1 advantage in Virginia’s U.S. House delegation. Democrats now hold a 6-5 majority.
During the hearing, the court focused on whether “election” in the state Constitution refers only to the November general election day or also includes the early voting period, which began in September. Democrats first advanced the referendum during a special session in October, ahead of the November 2025 elections.
Matthew Seligman, a lawyer for the Democratic defendants, argued the amendment was passed before the election. “The case that we have here is the General Assembly passed the proposed amendment before the election where the term ‘election’ is defined in the Constitution by five separate provisions as a single day that takes place in November,” he said.
“The state Constitution defines the ‘election’ as the November general election. That is an election that takes place in November, not over a three-month period that begins in September,” Seligman added.
Some justices questioned that interpretation. “Do you think it is at all anomalous to tell somebody that when they went and voted for a member of the House of Delegates, up or down, irrevocably cast their vote, that they were not actively participating in the election when they cast their ballot?” one justice asked.
The court also examined whether lawmakers could take up redistricting during a special session that then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, had called in 2024 to address the budget.
Virginia Solicitor General Tillman Breckenridge said lawmakers acted within their authority. “They didn’t violate any concept of a citizen legislature by remaining in recessed session for a long period of time, they only actually did business for 14 days,” he said.
Thomas McCarthy, representing the Republicans, disagreed. “It’s the product of an improperly expanded special session,” he said. “Starting with the text: Special sessions are special.”
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Virginia cannabis sales bill returns to governor
Virginia allows possession of cannabis, but not legal retail sales.
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Five years after Virginia legalized simple adult possession of marijuana, lawmakers and Gov. Abigail Spanberger remained divided over how to create a legal retail market after the General Assembly rejected more than 40 changes she proposed and sent the bill back to her desk.
Spanberger now must either sign the legislation as passed or veto it within 30 days.
The governor’s version would have delayed retail sales until July 1, 2027, and directed the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority to set many licensing rules through regulations rather than detailed state law. It also would have reduced retail licenses from 350 to 200 through Jan. 1, 2029, changed the authority’s board to all gubernatorial appointees, removed required agricultural representation, and eliminated provisions, including the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund, tribal compact authority, and an illegal activity tip line.
The proposal would also have changed the distribution of cannabis tax revenue by ending fixed percentage allocations and directing lawmakers to allocate funds through the budget. It set the state tax rate at 6% until July 2029, rising to 8% after that.
Her proposal also would have made public consumption a Class 4 misdemeanor, made underage possession a Class 1 misdemeanor, lowered the personal possession limit from 2.5 ounces to 2 ounces, and revised advertising, medical cannabis delivery, and hemp rules.
Lawmakers also rejected her amendments to separate bills allowing reconsideration of some marijuana-related sentences.
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Virginia voters back redistricting referendum
The result is part of a broader national fight over congressional district lines ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
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Virginia voters narrowly approved a referendum to redraw the state’s congressional map, with about 51.5% voting yes and 48.6% voting no, with 97% of ballots counted.
Virginia currently sends 11 members to the U.S. House of Representatives: six Democrats and five Republicans. The new map redraws district boundaries in ways that could favor Democrats. Under the proposed lines, eight districts would be safely Democratic, two would be competitive but lean Democratic, and one would be safely Republican.
That could allow Democrats to win at least eight and as many as 10 of Virginia’s 11 House seats, instead of six. The campaign over the referendum drew an estimated $100 million in spending.
After the 2024 election, President Donald Trump urged Republican-led states to redraw maps before the usual timeline. In Texas, Republicans moved first, with new maps that could add up to five seats. In California, voters approved a plan backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that is expected to give Democrats up to five additional seats.
The measure’s future remains uncertain. The Supreme Court of Virginia is expected to review legal challenges over whether Democratic lawmakers followed the proper process and whether the ballot wording may have misled voters. The court allowed the vote to proceed and said it would fully examine the case if the measure passed.
Republican Rep. Richard Hudson said, “Virginia Democrats can’t redraw reality. This close margin reinforces that Virginia is a purple state that shouldn’t be represented by a severe partisan gerrymander.”
Democrats said the close result reflected voter confusion they attributed to Republican messaging. They promoted the measure as a response to Republican-led redistricting efforts in other states.
More Quantico & VA News
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Potomac named most endangered U.S. river for 2026
The Piedmont Environmental Council said the listing highlighted the cumulative effects of data centers on natural resources, including access to clean, abundant water for the Washington metropolitan area.
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American Rivers named the Potomac River the most endangered river in the U.S. on its 2026 list released this month, citing rapid data center growth in the watershed and a major sewage spill into the river in January 2026.
Loudoun County, which borders the Potomac River and has one of the world’s largest concentrations of data centers, accounts for about 2% to 3% of total water withdrawals from the basin. That share can rise to as high as 8% during peak summer months, when cooling demand is highest.
In its statement, the Piedmont Environmental Council identified three issues related to data center water use in Virginia.
First, it said transparency was limited because data centers are not required to report detailed water use, and localities are not required to evaluate water consumption when approving new projects. According to the council, peak summer use can reach up to three times average monthly demand and as much as 10 times average daily demand, during periods of higher drought risk and regional water use.
Second, the council said Virginia’s more than 600 data centers lack comprehensive statewide tracking of cumulative water and electricity demand. It said the combined effects can extend beyond local jurisdictions to households, farms, hospitals, schools, and other users.
Third, the council said a large share of water withdrawn for cooling evaporates rather than returning to the watershed. Data centers account for about 9% of annual consumptive water use in the basin and up to 12% during summer months, according to the statement. Reports cited in the statement said evaporation losses for some operations range from 60% to 80%.
The statement also said recent years of below-average precipitation had reduced streamflow and groundwater levels in central Virginia.
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1 dead, 1 hospitalized after Halifax shooting
One person died at the scene, and the second person was taken to a hospital. Deputies did not identify either victim or disclose the hospitalized person’s condition.
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One person died and another was hospitalized after a shooting early Sunday morning in Halifax County.
According to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of a shooting at a home near Turtledove and Tuscan lanes off Mills Road in Hollister. When they arrived, they found two people with gunshot wounds.
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Virginia cannabis market nears, THC tests remain limited
The DMV said legalization of recreational cannabis did not correlate with more people driving under the influence of cannabis, though legalization may increase monitoring of cannabis-impaired driving or crashes.
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As Virginia moves toward a retail cannabis market, questions remain about whether roadside tests can reliably detect marijuana impairment.
There is no standardized, widely approved THC breathalyzer on the market. Researchers have worked to develop one. Former Virginia Commonwealth University professor Emanuele Alves, who received a National Institute of Justice grant to develop a prototype, recently stated that a patent had been filed for a future prototype for roadside cannabis testing.
Michelle Peace, a VCU forensic science professor with toxicology experience, said alcohol standards do not translate to THC.
“For alcohol, we have legislated that 0.08% blood alcohol concentration is the threshold that defines if someone is impaired to drive,” Peace said. “We cannot set a cutoff like that for THC. If we do, we don’t know what that number means for impairment.”
A THC level also would not show when cannabis was consumed, Peace said.
Research by RTI International found field sobriety tests and THC levels were unreliable in determining marijuana intoxication. Toxicology tests could show the presence of cannabis, but not cognitive or psychomotor impairment, according to one study.
Peace said impaired-driving cases often involved multiple substances. A 2024 Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles analysis found that 30% of drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher also tested positive for cannabis.
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Spanberger signs Virginia public safety bills
Spanberger still has until April 13 to act on assault-style weapons bills and hundreds of other measures. She could sign them, seek amendments, or veto them.
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Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a package of public safety bills Friday, including measures on firearms, support for first responders, and victim protections.
“Whether you’re a first responder or a survivor seeking justice, these laws reflect a simple commitment: The Commonwealth of Virginia will always have your back,” she said in a statement.
Some of the measures had bipartisan support, and some had previously been vetoed by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican.
Among the firearm measures, House Bill 19 by Del. Adele McClure, D-Alexandria, and Senate Bill 160 by Sen. Russet Perry, D-Loudoun, barred intimate partners convicted of domestic violence from obtaining or possessing firearms. HB93 by Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, D-Alexandria, and SB38 by Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington, set age and residence requirements for people who may receive firearms transferred from people under protective orders or convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes.
Spanberger also signed “ghost gun” bills by Del. Marcus Simon, D-Fairfax, and Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, banning the manufacture, sale, and possession of untraceable firearms without serial numbers. HB21 by Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, and SB27 by Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, allowed firearm manufacturers and dealers to face liability when negligent business practices contribute to gun violence.
Other signed bills included HB1313 by Del. Katrina Callsen, D-Charlottesville, expanding workers’ compensation for law enforcement officers and firefighters with post-traumatic stress disorder, and HB248 by Del. Vivian Watts, D-Fairfax, and SB317 by Perry, allowing professionals from multiple agencies to jointly respond to behavioral health calls.
Spanberger also signed SB100 by Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, protecting volunteer emergency responders from workplace retaliation, and HB1300 by Del. Mitchell Cornett, R-Grayson, and SB86 by Stanley, allowing an immediate survivor of a State Police officer to buy the officer’s service handgun for $1.
She also approved bills strengthening cyberstalking penalties, revoking teaching licenses for convicted sex offenders, restricting sex offenders’ access to children in certain settings, updating driver education to emphasize speeding and reckless driving, expanding extortion and nonconsensual-image offenses, increasing penalties for showing obscene material to young children, funding prosecution and victim services in sexual and domestic violence cases, adding human trafficking information to interstate rest area signs, and requiring localities to have automated external defibrillators at sporting events and facilities.
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Virginia minimum wage to reach $15 by 2028
Spanberger also signed related legislation requiring farm workers to be paid the state minimum wage.
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Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Thursday signed legislation that will raise Virginia’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2028 and require annual inflation adjustments starting in 2029.
The law codifies the state’s current minimum wage of $12.77 an hour, which took effect Jan. 1. It will increase to $13.75 on Jan. 1, 2027, and to $15 on Jan. 1, 2028. The measure was carried by Del. Jeion Ward, D-Hampton, and Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth.
A January survey by Christopher Newport University’s Wason Center found that 78% of Virginians support or strongly support raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2028.
The policy is also expected to increase state costs. According to the Department of Planning and Budget, general fund spending tied to the increase would rise by about $546,761 in fiscal 2027, about $14 million in fiscal 2028, about $33.8 million in fiscal 2029, and more than $38 million by fiscal 2031. Combined general and non-general fund costs are projected to exceed $70 million annually by the end of the forecast period.
The Department of Medical Assistance Services said higher wages for personal care attendants under Medicaid could cost $23.7 million statewide in fiscal 2028 and approach $60 million annually in later years. The fiscal impact statement also cited higher payroll costs, labor law enforcement expenses, contract costs, and possible wage pressure in publicly funded sectors.
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Virginia Attorney General Joins Push for Tariff Refunds
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones seeks congressional refunds for tariffs nullified by the Supreme Court.
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Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is advocating for Congress to mandate refunds of tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump, after the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated the use of such tariffs. Jones, alongside attorneys general from 16 other states, is calling for legislation to automatically reimburse tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). This initiative comes after a Supreme Court ruling on February 20 struck down the application of this law for enforcing global tariffs.
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Virginia Establishes Legal Cannabis Market Framework
Virginia approves a regulated retail cannabis market, aiming for a launch by 2027.
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Virginia lawmakers have approved a bill to establish a regulated retail market for adult-use cannabis, potentially ending years of uncertainty since possession was legalized. The legislation, passed by the Senate and House of Delegates on party-line votes, now awaits Governor Abigail Spanberger’s signature.
Set to take effect January 1, 2027, the bill allows Virginians 21 and older to purchase cannabis legally. It introduces a statewide licensing system, a tax structure, and regulatory oversight through the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. Del. Paul Krizek highlighted extensive public input in shaping the legislation.
The measure sets a 6% state cannabis tax, with local governments able to add a 1-3.5% additional tax. Licensed businesses, including existing medical cannabis operators, must comply with regulatory standards. Unlicensed sales will face escalating penalties, from misdemeanors to felonies for repeat offenses.
The bill also creates microbusiness licenses and the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund to address disparities from past enforcement policies. Krizek noted the initiative aims to foster economic opportunities across the commonwealth.
According to Lawmakers like Sen. Lashrecse Aird, local referendums for opting out of sales were rejected, prioritizing a cohesive statewide market. The bill also earmarks revenue for education and equity reinvestment.
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Virginia Blocks Data Center Regulatory Bills
Virginia’s legislature postponed bills to regulate data centers’ energy impacts.
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Virginia’s General Assembly has postponed two proposed bills aimed at regulating data center development. House Bill 155, introduced by Del. Josh Thomas, and Senate Bill 619, by Sen. Kannan Srinivasan, sought to give the State Corporation Commission (SCC) authority to evaluate the environmental and energy impacts of projects requiring over 25 megawatts of power. The bills also proposed a review of the effects on utility rates and grid reliability.
Despite support from Srinivasan, whose bill passed the Senate with bipartisan backing, both measures faced strong opposition and were tabled. Opponents, including Dominion Energy and the Data Center Coalition, argued that these bills could obfuscate the roles of state and local authorities and delay project timelines. Nicole Riley of the Data Center Coalition expressed concerns about increased regulatory uncertainty, noting the industry’s significant investments in Virginia.
Dominion Energy, Virginia’s largest utility, pointed out that increased requests from high-power users, like data centers, have created challenges in meeting demand. The proposed legislation would have introduced a structured review process to address these issues but was criticized for infringing upon local decision-making.
Although tabled, the bills prompted a subcommittee to send a letter to the SCC to explore how such a regulatory framework might be implemented in the future. Both Thomas and Srinivasan emphasize the need for a balanced growth strategy to manage the industry’s impact on Virginia’s electrical grid without hindering economic contributions.
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Virginia Bills Shift Utility Costs, Extend Burial Program
Virginia bills aim to lower utility bills by shifting costs, extending power line burial program.
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Lawmakers in Virginia’s General Assembly are advancing two bills that aim to lower consumer utility bills by transferring certain costs to data centers. The House approved Senate Bill 253, proposed by Sen. L. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, while the Senate Finance Committee moved forward with House Bill 1393, sponsored by Del. Destiny LeVere Bolling, D-Henrico.
Supporters argue the bills could save residential customers $5.52 monthly, but critics warn that extending the power line burial program included in the legislation might hike bills in the long term. This burial program, part of Dominion Energy’s initiatives, adds $4.88 to monthly bills. SB 253 proposes increasing the program’s cost cap and extending its timeline to 2033.
If the measure is approved by the State Corporation Commission (SCC), data centers would assume various infrastructure costs, potentially providing short-term savings for other consumers. Dominion supports this change, suggesting data centers will contribute more to the costs over several years.
Consumer advocates argue that the SCC should have the authority to decide on these measures. The Virginia Poverty Law Center points out that it is sometimes more cost-effective to repair poles than to bury lines.
The power line burial program, which began in 2014, is set to end in 2028. Its extension is estimated to cost $3.8 billion and benefit a limited number of customers. While lawmakers argue it reduces storm outages, the SCC’s previous criticism highlights a need for cost-effectiveness analysis.
The General Assembly session is scheduled to conclude on March 14, at which point the bills will likely be reconciled before being sent to Gov. Abigail Spanberger for approval, amendment, or veto.
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Virginia House Passes Gun Control Bills Amid GOP Opposition
Virginia House approved multiple gun control bills Thursday, including limits on assault weapons, storage rules, and gun industry liability.
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Virginia House Democrats on Thursday approved a series of gun control measures aimed at restricting certain firearms, increasing storage requirements, and expanding liability for the firearms industry. The votes followed vocal opposition from Republicans, who cited constitutional concerns but were unable to block the legislation in a chamber now dominated by Democrats following November’s elections.
The legislation, which now moves to the Senate, includes House Bill 217, sponsored by Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax. It would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, and transfer of assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines. The bill passed 58-34. Violations would be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor, with a three-year prohibition on purchasing or possessing firearms after conviction. The bill exempts antique and manually operated firearms and weapons manufactured before July 1, 2026. It also prohibits individuals under 21 from possessing assault-style weapons, with limited exceptions.
House Republicans said the legislation violated Second Amendment protections and would likely face legal challenges. House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, said the proposal contradicted the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, and predicted extended litigation.
Del. Tom Garrett, R-Buckingham, delivered a speech opposing the bills, characterizing the debate as one between individual rights and government control. Garrett said gun ownership rights are broader than the law specifies and criticized religious groups that have supported gun control efforts.
Another measure sponsored by Helmer, House Bill 21, passed 62-35. It would allow civil actions against gun manufacturers or sellers who fail to prevent unlawful sales, marketing, or theft. Critics, including Del. Jay Leftwich, R-Chesapeake, said the bill conflicts with federal law and could lead to excessive litigation.
Additional bills approved include:
– HB 229, by Del. Phil Hernandez, D-Norfolk, banning firearms in hospitals that provide mental health or developmental services.
– HB 626, by Del. Katrina Callsen, D-Albemarle, restricting firearm exemptions in state buildings and on college campuses.
– HB 871, by Del. Mark Downey, D-Williamsburg, requiring firearms to be locked in homes with minors or individuals prohibited from owning guns. Del. Eric Zehr, R-Campbell, opposed the bill, warning it could penalize gun owners in emergencies.
– HB 40, by Del. Marcus Simon, D-Fairfax, regulating ghost guns and plastic firearms.
– HB 93, by Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, D-Alexandria, increasing restrictions on firearm transfers involving individuals under protective orders.
– HB 110, by Del. Amy Laufer, D-Albemarle, imposing civil penalties for leaving visible handguns in unattended vehicles.Gun control advocacy groups, including Virginia chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, expressed support for the bills and credited lawmakers with responding to public concern about gun violence. These groups said the package addresses firearm storage, accountability within the gun industry, and the prevention of hard-to-trace weapons.
With Democrats now controlling the General Assembly and the governor’s office, the bills face a political landscape more favorable to passage than in previous sessions, when similar measures were blocked or vetoed by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
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Virginia Democrats Unveil Revised 10–1 U.S. House Map
Virginia Democrats proposed a congressional map favoring their party 10–1, pending court review and a voter referendum in April.
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Virginia Democratic lawmakers released a revised congressional map Thursday, proposing a 10–1 configuration favoring Democrats in 10 of the state’s 11 U.S. House districts. The map concentrates changes in Northern and central Virginia, while maintaining the outline of existing districts elsewhere.
The 9th District remains a large district in the state’s far southwest, and the 2nd District, based in the Eastern Shore, retains its coastal alignment. The most notable changes affect Northern Virginia’s 8th, 10th, and 11th districts, which are redrawn to extend farther south and west. Mid-state districts—1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th—are reshaped into a denser configuration.
At a Capitol news conference, legislative leaders said the plan responds to redistricting efforts in Republican-led states and emphasized that voters will ultimately decide the map’s fate in an April 21 referendum.
Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas and House Speaker Don Scott, both Democrats from Portsmouth, said the proposal is intended to counter national redistricting actions and preserve electoral competitiveness. Lucas cited redistricting activity in Texas, North Carolina, Missouri, and Ohio, while Scott said the General Assembly has prepared for weeks to release the maps.
Republican leaders opposed the plan. Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle, a Republican from Hanover, said Democrats are prioritizing redistricting over addressing economic concerns affecting Virginians.
The map’s release follows a Tazewell County Circuit Court ruling that halted the redistricting process, finding a Democratic-proposed constitutional amendment violated state law. The case is now before the Virginia Supreme Court.
Democratic leaders said they intend to proceed with the statewide referendum. Scott said the referendum writ was approved by the legislature and is on Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk. Spanberger’s office has not endorsed the proposed 10–1 configuration but stated it will administer the referendum if courts permit.
Lucas acknowledged that voters approved a nonpartisan redistricting commission in 2020. She said Democrats plan to return to that system but justified this map as a necessary interim step.
Both Scott and Lucas denied drawing the proposal to favor specific incumbents. Scott confirmed outside consultants contributed to the mapping but declined to provide details.
Democrats currently hold six of Virginia’s 11 U.S. House seats. Lucas said the proposed districts remain competitive and outcomes will depend on campaign efforts and voter turnout.
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Lawsuit Over Fairfax Abortion Allegation Moves to Federal Court
A Fairfax teacher’s defamation, whistleblower lawsuit over student abortion claims moves to federal court amid ongoing state investigation.
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A lawsuit filed by Fairfax County Public Schools teacher Zenaida Perez is now in federal court, in a case centered on a First Amendment free speech claim and alleged retaliation under Virginia’s whistleblower law.
Perez alleges that another school employee helped students obtain abortions without parental consent. School officials deny the claim, and an internal investigation by Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) found no corroborating evidence. FCPS described her allegations as “misinterpreted, mistranslated, taken out of context, or in some cases knowingly fabricated,” according to Superintendent Michelle Reid.
A related investigation by the Virginia State Police, ordered by then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2025, remains ongoing. FCPS also submitted its findings to Congress for potential federal review.
Virginia law requires parental consent or a judicial bypass for minors seeking abortions. These bypass petitions are exempt from public records laws, so it’s unclear how students Perez mentioned could have obtained the procedure.
Perez first raised concerns to Centreville High School administrators in 2021 and 2022, according to court documents. In August 2025, the conservative blog WC Dispatch published her allegations and a note, allegedly from a student, discussing the abortion. The note, filed with the court and translated from Spanish, said the student feared her family’s reaction to the pregnancy.
FCPS said its review found handwriting in the note resembled Perez’s. She later admitted to writing it, saying the student dictated it to her in Spanish while working a restaurant shift. Perez recounted this in a webinar hosted by Americans United for Life, an anti-abortion group now representing her in the case.
Americans United for Life filed an amended complaint and expects a renewed motion to dismiss from FCPS lawyers, spokesperson Gavin Oxley said.
Perez claims school officials retaliated against her with disciplinary actions and suspension. She also said her medical provider prescribed medication for depression and anxiety.
Her lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, seeks a jury trial and $2 million in damages.
FCPS maintains it found “no credible evidence” supporting Perez’s claims. Materials submitted to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions noted the system remains open to reviewing new information but found no need for further investigation.
FCPS also said Perez withheld information during its earlier inquiry and waited nearly three years before publicly airing her accusations. In a statement, the district said she participated in producing a “sensational social media story” containing “numerous unfounded allegations.”
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Virginia Senate panel advances gun bills along party lines
Virginia Senate Democrats advanced gun bills on party-line votes, reviving proposals previously vetoed under former Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
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Democratic lawmakers in Virginia advanced multiple gun-related bills Monday, setting up potential legislative changes under newly elected Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger after several years of vetoes by Republican former Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
The Senate Courts of Justice Committee approved more than six measures during a four-hour meeting, focused on assault-style firearms, gun storage, public carry rules, concealed carry reciprocity, ghost guns, and firearm storage in vehicles. All votes were along party lines.
The committee rejected a Republican proposal to increase mandatory minimum sentences for repeat firearm offenses.
The meeting occurred one week after hundreds of gun rights advocates rallied at Capitol Square on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, expressing concerns over the return of stricter gun regulations.
Senate Bill 749, sponsored by Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim, D-Fairfax, would prohibit the import, sale, manufacture, purchase, possession, or transfer of assault firearms and large-capacity magazines, with exceptions for law enforcement, military, antique weapons, manually operated firearms, and certain family transfers. Firearms legally owned before July 1, 2026, would not be subject to the ban.
“This approach will gradually take the weapons off the street without retroactively making it a crime,” Salim said.
Republican Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, called the legislation a “direct infringement” on the Second Amendment. Others, including opponents at the hearing, also questioned its constitutionality. Lori Haas of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions noted the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a similar law in Maryland.
The committee also advanced Senate Bill 272, from Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, which restricts firearms in buildings owned or leased by the commonwealth, including public universities, except for institutional uses such as the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). The bill, introduced multiple times since 2022, followed a fatal shooting at the University of Virginia.
Senate Bill 348, sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, would require firearms and ammunition to be stored in locked containers when minors or prohibited individuals are present in the home. Dealers would need to post notices about the storage requirements. Violations would be a Class 4 misdemeanor.
Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, sponsored Senate Bill 312, which would expand existing bans on carrying certain semi-automatic firearms in public places, including streets and parks. Ebbin cited public safety concerns, including an incident in Alexandria and past mass shootings, as motivation.
Opponents, including Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, argued the bill is overly broad and would face legal challenges.
Ebbin also sponsored Senate Bill 323, which would prohibit the manufacture, sale, or possession of unserialized firearms and unfinished firearm components, often referred to as ghost guns. The legislation includes a delayed implementation date.
Senate Bill 496, from Sen. Dave Marsden, D-Fairfax, would require handguns left in unattended vehicles to be stored in locked, hard-sided containers out of view, citing thefts as a major source of illegal firearms. Republicans argued the bill could penalize victims of theft.
Lawmakers additionally passed Senate Bill 115 by Sen. Stella Pekarsky, D-Fairfax, narrowing which out-of-state concealed handgun permits Virginia would recognize.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, said the bill addresses concerns about lax standards in other states.
The committee voted down Senate Bill 78, introduced by Sen. Danny Diggs, R-York, which proposed longer mandatory minimum sentences for repeat firearm offenses. Surovell argued such measures do not effectively reduce crime.
Most of the approved bills will next be reviewed by the Senate Finance Committee to assess fiscal impact.
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Winter Storm Causes 440 Crashes Across Virginia, Police Say
Police responded to 440 crashes statewide during a winter storm, urging drivers to stay off roads until conditions improve.
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A winter storm over the weekend led to hundreds of vehicle crashes across Virginia, according to Virginia State Police.
By 4 a.m. Monday, state police had responded to 440 crashes statewide, 34 of which involved injuries. One fatal crash occurred Saturday evening in Fairfax County. Police said weather was not considered a factor in that incident.
In Division 7, which includes Northern Virginia, police reported 41 crashes, including two with injuries and the fatal crash in Fairfax County.
Police urged residents to avoid driving until at least 10 a.m. Monday due to continued hazardous conditions. Officials also asked drivers who must travel to give snowplows and emergency crews additional space to clear roadways safely.
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Virginia Democrats Advance Redistricting Amendment for April Vote
Virginia Democrats advanced a measure for an April referendum to temporarily change redistricting rules, citing national political dynamics.
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Six years after Virginia adopted bipartisan redistricting reforms, lawmakers are reconsidering that approach. Last week, Democratic majorities in the General Assembly approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow for a mid-decade adjustment of the state’s congressional maps, prompting a statewide referendum in April.
Democratic leaders argue the measure is a temporary response to Republican-led map changes in states such as Texas and Florida. They say the goal is to ensure Virginia maintains fair representation in Congress.
“When other states manipulate their maps to gain unfair advantage … they also harm Virginia’s ability to have its fair representation in Congress,” said Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell during floor debate.
If approved, the amendment could shift Virginia’s current 6-5 congressional split toward a stronger Democratic advantage. Some Democrats have urged a 10-D, 1-R map, though Gov. Abigail Spanberger has expressed caution, suggesting her party could gain seats without redrawing boundaries. Spanberger, a three-term former representative, carried Republican-leaning districts in her past elections and said in December that Democrats could win seats under current maps.
Spanberger endorsed the April ballot measure during her first address to the General Assembly, calling it a targeted response to national political shifts. “Virginia will be responsive, targeted and only with the will of the people,” she told lawmakers. “And I trust the voters to get this one right.”
Some Democrats, including Louise Lucas, president pro tempore of the Senate, support a more aggressive map. One example of a potential 10-1 map involves dividing Fairfax County into five narrow districts that extend to far-reaching parts of the state, raising concerns about representation. Lucas said on social media that incumbents should compete actively rather than expect secure seats.
Redistricting analysts have expressed mixed views. Dave Daley, a redistricting expert, argued that long-term success for Democrats depends more on winning rural voters than on redrawn boundaries. He noted that population shifts after the 2030 Census and possible changes to federal voting laws could alter future congressional maps significantly.
“We have to find a way to persuade voters that [Democrats] are on their side,” Daley said. “Fighting back is valid, but there has to be a strategy that works.”
Some observers, including strategist James Carville, believe anticipated Democratic gains in the 2024 House elections may render redistricting changes marginal.
The current redistricting debate comes after Virginia voters in 2020 approved a bipartisan redistricting commission through a constitutional amendment, with support across nearly all localities. OneVirginia 2021, the bipartisan advocacy group behind that measure, has since rebranded as UpVote Virginia, now focused on ranked-choice voting. Executive Director Liz White said the group would not participate in this year’s redistricting debate.
“It’s disheartening,” White said. “Everyone thought Virginia wouldn’t be part of this national fight.”
Kathy Utgoff, former U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner and now board chair of UpVote Virginia, expressed frustration over how quickly the process could be reversed. Still, some former reform advocates, such as Bob Gibson, support the amendment as a necessary step.
Democrats say the amendment would not permanently change Virginia’s redistricting process. The bipartisan Independent Redistricting Commission set by the 2020 amendment would remain in place for the 2031 redrawing.
Maps would be made public before the April vote, and voters must approve any changes. “The main thing is it’ll go to a referendum,” Lucas said. “But I think [voters] are going to love the maps.”
A group called Virginians for Fair Elections, funded by Democratic donors, has launched a campaign supporting the amendment, using reform-language messaging. Social media influencers such as Suzanne Lambert have urged voters to support the measure, which they emphasize is temporary.
“No one wants to see this long term,” Lambert said in a video. “Think of this as like a ‘situationship.’”
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Lawmakers seek review of Appalachian Power profit methods
Virginia lawmakers are proposing measures to give regulators more authority over Appalachian Power’s profit and cost recovery practices.
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As energy bills continue to rise in Virginia, a bipartisan group of legislators is backing measures to expand oversight of Appalachian Power Company’s profit calculations and cost recovery practices.
House Bill 1075 and Senate Bill 906 would direct the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to scrutinize how the company, which serves Southwest and parts of Central Virginia, sets its profit rate and passes infrastructure investment and storm recovery costs on to customers.
Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, said utility incentives are currently aligned with building higher-cost infrastructure. “The utilities have found time and time again ways to game the system in order to maximize the amount of profit they are getting called a return on equity,” Rasoul said. “In reality, the more expensive stuff that they have, the more profit they can make.”
The SCC already reviews Appalachian Power’s earnings during biannual rate cases. The utility’s current authorized return on equity is 9.75%, below its original request. Rasoul said this exceeds current capital market returns, which he estimated to be closer to 6%.
The proposed legislation would also require the SCC to evaluate transmission planning to limit excessive construction costs. While the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission sets transmission rates, state regulators would assess whether Appalachain Power is building only what is necessary.
The bills call for changes in how storm recovery costs are recouped from customers. Currently, utilities may recover these expenses through SCC-authorized surcharges after storms. Lawmakers want the agency to explore more cost-effective methods.
If enacted, the legislation would assign the Virginia Attorney General to study alternatives to current profit calculation methods. A review of power purchasing practices is also included, directing the SCC to ensure Appalachian Power seeks the most affordable options, rather than buying from higher-priced affiliates.
“What an energy conglomerate can do is make deals essentially with itself to ensure that it is buying energy from its own subsidiaries, but that may not necessarily be in our best interest,” Rasoul said. “And we have seen that attorneys general, both Republican and Democrat, say that this is a concern.”
In a statement, Appalachian Power said, “Appalachian Power is the only major utility in Virginia whose rates have gone down thanks to smart policy supported by APCo and crafted in conjunction with lawmakers. The State Corporation Commission closely scrutinizes all of the company’s costs and rates to ensure they are reasonable and prudent.”
Appalachian Power is subject to the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which mandates a transition to 100% renewable generation by 2045. Legislators backing the current bills hold differing views on the act but agree that the General Assembly should act to ensure electric rates remain fair and equitable.
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Virginia U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan departs post
Lindsey Halligan is leaving her role as Virginia U.S. attorney after judges ruled she lacked legal authority to pursue two attempted indictments.
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Virginia U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan is leaving her position following the dismissal of two high-profile indictments she brought during her tenure.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Halligan’s departure Tuesday on the social media platform X. Halligan had been appointed in September as acting U.S. attorney, a 120-day temporary role.
“The circumstances that led to this outcome are deeply misguided,” Bondi said. “We are living in a time when a democratically elected President’s ability to staff key law enforcement positions faces serious obstacles.”
Federal judges dismissed Halligan’s attempted indictments of New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey. In both cases, the courts ruled Halligan’s appointment was not legally authorized, leaving her without the authority to prosecute.
Halligan faced criticism over her handling of the failed prosecutions, which she described as “personal attacks.”
President Donald Trump supported the indictments, writing online that James was “guilty as hell” and calling Halligan a “really good lawyer.”
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Virginia House Democrats Advance Four Amendments on Day One
Virginia House Democrats advanced four constitutional amendments on abortion, voting rights, marriage, and redistricting on the assembly’s first day.
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Virginia House Democrats advanced four proposed constitutional amendments Wednesday, the first day of the 2026 General Assembly session. The measures address abortion rights, same-sex marriage, voting rights for people with felony convictions, and congressional redistricting.
The House Privileges and Elections Committee approved the measures earlier in the day. All four now move to the Senate, where Democrats also hold a majority.
House Democratic leaders said the proposals respond to recent court decisions and redistricting activity in other states. They framed the amendments as an effort to give voters more influence over issues involving civil and political rights.
One of the amendments, House Joint Resolution 4, would allow lawmakers to redraw congressional districts mid-decade under limited conditions. The authority would apply only if another state alters its map for reasons unrelated to a court order and would expire in 2030. It would not apply to state legislative lines and would leave Virginia’s independent redistricting commission intact.
Del. Rodney Willett, D-Henrico, who sponsored the amendment, said it would not automatically change existing maps but would create a process to consider doing so. “We are not expanding the authority to change the state district lines,” Willett said.
If approved by the Senate, the amendment would go before voters in a special statewide referendum in April 2026. Democrats cited national redistricting trends to justify the timeline.
Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News, chair of the House Privileges and Elections Committee, said the schedule could prompt changes to the state’s primary calendar but would not affect the general election in November.
Republicans have criticized the redistricting proposal, calling it a reversal of the voter-approved creation of the state’s redistricting commission in 2020. Del. Israel O’Quinn, R-Washington, called the amendment “concerning” and referenced social media posts showing potential maps.
House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, said the proposal could lead to significant partisan shifts in the state’s congressional delegation. “We’re a close, 6-5 state, and some of those congressional seats are very competitive,” Kilgore said.
Republican legislators unsuccessfully sought to block the amendment in court. A Tazewell County judge on Tuesday denied an emergency motion to prevent the legislature from advancing the proposal. The judge ruled that courts may not intervene in the legislative amendment process before it is complete.
The other three proposed amendments are expected to appear on the November 2026 ballot. One would repeal a 2006 ban on same-sex marriage, which remains in the state constitution despite being unenforceable since the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling recognizing marriage equality.
A second amendment would automatically restore voting rights to individuals with felony convictions who have completed their sentences. Virginia currently requires the governor to restore those rights individually.
The third amendment would establish reproductive rights in the state constitution. The measure previously passed in 2025 and has drawn consistent opposition from Republican lawmakers, who have supported more restrictive abortion laws such as 15-week limits without exceptions for fetal anomalies.
Virginia currently has fewer abortion restrictions than surrounding states, drawing an increase in out-of-state patients.
Del. Price said the package of amendments reflects overlapping civil rights issues and cited actions by President Donald Trump and Republican-led legislatures in other states as context. “There is no such thing as a single issue struggle,” Price said, quoting civil rights activist Audre Lorde.