Virginia Bill Book

This bill blocks you from suing a property owner if you get hurt riding a dirt bike on their land, even if you paid them to ride.

When you pay to use a dirt bike track, you expect the owner to keep it safe. This bill gives property owners a shield against lawsuits. If you get hurt because the owner was a little careless, you cannot sue them. You can only take them to court if they were extremely reckless or hid a deadly trap. This leaves injured riders stuck paying their own hospital bills.

Property owners and track operators

• Accountability (hurts) — Shields property owners from ordinary carelessness. The bill says landowners are not responsible for injuries unless they commit gross negligence or willful misconduct.
• Rights & Protections (hurts) — Takes away the right to sue for basic negligence. Riders lose the right to take a property owner to court for everyday mistakes that cause a crash.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Shifts accident costs to the injured rider. Because the rider cannot sue the landowner, the rider must pay their own medical bills for injuries.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — No impact on government transparency. This bill only changes rules for private lawsuits between citizens.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No public funding involved. The bill does not spend or move taxpayer money.

• Official text (VA SB451)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB451
• LegiScan — SB451https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/SB451/2026

The bill would limit how long the state can chase old fines to ten years and set payment plans for inmates after release.

Citizens could see old traffic tickets disappear, easing debt burdens, while the state may lose money from long‑ago fines; lawmakers should weigh fairness versus revenue.

Everyday People

• Accountability (hurts) — reduces state ability to enforce old fines. State loses ability to collect debts after ten years
• Rights & Protections (helps) — gives people a clearer deadline. Defendants have a ten‑year limit to be sued for fines
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — shifts lost revenue to taxpayers. Uncollected fines stay with state, reducing funds for local services
• Process Transparency (helps) — requires posting payment terms. Courts must post deferred payment rules online
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — no new funding. Bill does not create new money sources

• Official text (VA HB268)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB268
• LegiScan — HB268https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/HB268/2026

Virginia would let people create blockchain‑run companies that protect owners from debts but may limit their rights to sue if things go wrong.

Citizens could see new tech businesses pop up, but they might find it harder to hold owners accountable when they lose money or are harmed.

Blockchain firms

• Accountability (hurts) — LLDs can limit fiduciary duties. Participants may have reduced duties and can restrict asset use
• Rights & Protections (hurts) — Limits ability to sue. LLD bylaws can cut participant rights to sue or withdraw
• Who Bears the Cost (neutral) — Fees same as LLCs. LLDs pay same registration fees as regular LLCs
• Process Transparency (hurts) — Smart contracts may be opaque. Governance relies on blockchain code not always visible
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No new funding. Bill does not allocate money

• Official text (VA HB293)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB293
• LegiScan — HB293https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/HB293/2026

Counties can use license‑plate cameras to issue parking tickets by mail, and owners must prove they weren’t driving to avoid a fine.

Everyday drivers could get more tickets with less chance to fight them, while counties and private vendors could earn extra fees; the bill also promises data safeguards and a public notice.

ALPR vendors

• Accountability (hurts) — Presumption shifts proof burden to owners.. Owners must prove they were not driving to avoid liability.
• Rights & Protections (hurts) — Limits ability to contest tickets.. Rebuttable presumption reduces owners' right to challenge.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Ticket costs fall on vehicle owners.. Fees are not tied to private vendor profit.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Requires public awareness campaign.. Data use is limited and not sold, but details are not public.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No new funding allocated.. Revenue comes from tickets and vendor fees.

• Official text (VA HB936)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB936
• LegiScan — HB936https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/HB936/2026

This bill would add taxes on many services and digital products, making things more expensive for everyday people.

If this bill passes, you might pay more for services like car repairs, digital subscriptions, and even laundry. It's important to speak up now to protect your wallet.

Everyday People

• Accountability (neutral) — Revenue allocation is specified but may not directly benefit consumers.. Revenues will be used for local schools and transportation.
• Rights & Protections (hurts) — New taxes may limit access to services for some.. Increased costs could make services less affordable.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Consumers will pay higher prices for services.. The tax burden shifts to everyday people.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — The bill outlines tax distribution clearly.. It specifies how revenue will be allocated.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — Funding is directed towards schools and transportation.. This may benefit local services but not directly consumers.

• Official text (VA HB978)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB978
• LegiScan — HB978https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/HB978/2026

Water suppliers to data centers would have to file monthly water use reports, adding paperwork and possibly higher costs for consumers.

The bill could help the state plan water supplies better, but it also puts extra reporting work on water utilities and may raise water rates for everyday users.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — adds reporting. Water users must report usage, increasing oversight
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — no change to personal rights. does not affect individual's right to sue
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — extra paperwork may raise costs. Reporting burden may be passed to consumers as higher water rates
• Process Transparency (helps) — more data public. Monthly water use data becomes available to the Board
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — no new funding. Bill does not allocate money

• Official text (VA HB589)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB589
• LegiScan — HB589https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/HB589/2026

This bill gives huge tax breaks to computer chip makers, but only if they create jobs, pay fair wages, and invest in the local community.

States often give big tax breaks to convince wealthy companies to build factories in their towns. This bill offers huge tax discounts to computer chip makers. But there is a catch. To get the money, the companies must create at least 100 jobs, pay fair wages, and spend 50 million dollars on local needs like housing and child care. It gives away state tax money to big business, but it forces them to help the community in return.

Semiconductor manufacturers

• Accountability (helps) — Strings attached to the money. Companies must prove they created jobs, paid prevailing wages, and invested in the community to get the tax credits.
• Funding Tilt (hurts) — Corporate tax giveaways. The bill creates refundable tax credits, meaning the state will pay cash to billion-dollar corporations if their tax bill hits zero.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Taxpayers foot the bill. Everyday taxpayers lose out on the state revenue given away to these companies, though the local town gets some investment back.

Pushing for it: Semiconductor manufacturers
Bearing the cost: Semiconductor manufacturers

• Official text (VA SB786)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB786
• LegiScan — SB786https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/SB786/2026

This bill would let some people test new health care ideas without full licenses, which could change how we get health care.

This bill could help bring new health care ideas to life, but we need to make sure it protects everyone. Now is the time to speak up about how it might affect us.

• Accountability (neutral) — Requires reporting on the program's effectiveness.. Annual reports to health committees about participants and recommendations.
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — Consumer protections included in the program.. Participants must show how they will protect consumers during testing.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Costs may shift to consumers if tests fail.. Participants must provide liability coverage, but risks still exist.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Application process outlined but could be clearer.. Applications require detailed plans but may lack public oversight.

• Official text (VA HB146)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB146
• LegiScan — HB146https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/HB146/2026

This bill would stop police from wearing masks while on duty, except in certain cases, and let people sue them if they break the rules.

If this bill passes, it could help hold police accountable for their actions. It is important to pay attention now, as it could change how police operate.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Increases accountability for police actions.. Creates civil liability for officers who violate mask rules.
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — Limits police anonymity but may impact safety.. Restricts police from hiding their identity while on duty.
• Who Bears the Cost (neutral) — Unknown costs for enforcement.. No clear financial impact on taxpayers mentioned.
• Process Transparency (helps) — Promotes clear rules for police conduct.. Requires agencies to create written policies on mask use.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No funding changes noted.. Does not allocate new funds for implementation.

• Official text (VA HB7)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB7
• LegiScan — HB7https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/HB7/2026

This bill would let mental health providers use AI for support, but not for therapy without a human present.

If this bill passes, it could help keep therapy safe by ensuring a real person is always in charge. It's important to speak up now while it is still being discussed.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Encourages responsible use of AI in therapy. Providers must maintain responsibility for AI interactions
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — Protects patient confidentiality. Records must comply with health privacy requirements
• Who Bears the Cost (neutral) — Costs of penalties are unclear. Penalties collected go to the general fund
• Process Transparency (helps) — Requires disclosure of AI use to patients. Patients must be informed and consent to AI use

• Official text (VA HB668)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB668
• LegiScan — HB668https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/HB668/2026

This bill stops a massive tax hike by permanently keeping the higher amount of income you are allowed to earn before paying state taxes.

Right now, the rules that save you money on your state taxes are set to expire soon. If they do, the amount of income you can earn tax-free will drop drastically. That means you would pay taxes on a lot more of your hard-earned money. This bill steps in to make those tax breaks permanent. It is a huge win for working families because it keeps your money in your pocket instead of letting the state quietly raise your taxes.

Everyday People

• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Taxpayers keep their money. The bill prevents a scheduled tax increase, meaning the state gives up future revenue to keep money in the pockets of ordinary citizens.
• Funding Tilt (helps) — Helps working families. By making the 20 percent earned income tax credit permanent, the bill directly supports lower-income and middle-income workers.

Pushing for it: Everyday taxpayers
Bearing the cost: State government

• LegiScan — SB7https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/SB7/2026

This bill makes it illegal for out-of-network ambulance services to send you a massive surprise bill after an emergency.

When you call for help in an emergency, you do not get to pick which ambulance shows up. If that ambulance is not in your insurance network, you can get stuck paying a huge surprise bill. This bill would protect you by making that practice illegal. It forces the insurance company and the ambulance service to figure out the payment themselves, so you are not caught in the middle.

Everyday People

• Rights & Protections (helps) — Strong protection against surprise billing.. The bill explicitly prohibits balance billing for emergency medical transportation, closing a major loophole in patient protections.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Protects patients from unfair costs.. Shifts the burden of paying out-of-network rates from the patient back to the insurance company and the provider.

Pushing for it: Patients
Bearing the cost: Out-of-network ambulance providers

• Official text (VA SB593)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB593
• LegiScan — SB593https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/SB593/2026

This bill stops landlords from using computer programs to secretly team up and raise your rent, and it lets you sue them if they do.

Right now, many big landlords use special computer programs to figure out exactly how much they can squeeze out of renters. These programs help landlords secretly team up to keep rent prices artificially high across whole neighborhoods. This proposed bill would make that illegal in Virginia. It forces landlords to tell you if they use these programs to set your rent. Better yet, it gives you the right to take them to court and win money if they break the rules. This is a huge win for renters who are tired of unfair price hikes.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Holds landlords accountable for price-fixing.. Prohibits landlords from using algorithmic pricing devices to coordinate rent prices with other landlords.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Creates a new right to sue for tenants.. Allows any injured individual to bring a civil action to recover actual or statutory damages and attorney fees.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Shifts power back to renters.. Forces landlords who violate the rules to pay damages and attorney fees to the renters they harmed.
• Process Transparency (helps) — Requires disclosure of hidden pricing tools.. Requires disclosure of the use of personalized algorithmic pricing to renters.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — Not a funding bill.. The bill focuses on regulation and liability, not state funding.

Pushing for it: Renters
Bearing the cost: Landlords

• Official text (VA SB585)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB585
• LegiScan — SB585https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/SB585/2026

This bill stops a massive tax increase by making the higher standard tax deduction and the larger tax credit for lower-income workers permanent.

Right now, the higher standard tax deduction and the larger tax credit for workers are set to expire in a few years. If they go away, regular people and low-income workers will suddenly owe a lot more in state taxes. This bill steps in to make those tax breaks permanent. It is a huge win for working families because it keeps more money in their pockets instead of letting a hidden tax hike happen automatically.

Everyday People

• Accountability (neutral) — Not applicable to this bill.. This is a tax policy bill, not an accountability measure.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Protects taxpayers from an automatic tax increase.. The bill removes the expiration dates on tax cuts, protecting citizens from a sudden jump in their tax bills.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Keeps money in the pockets of everyday people.. By making the higher deductions permanent, the state absorbs the cost of lost revenue rather than shifting the tax burden back onto regular workers.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Standard legislative process.. The bill is moving through the normal committee process.
• Funding Tilt (helps) — Directly benefits low- and middle-income earners.. The earned income tax credit and standard deduction specifically target working-class and middle-class families for financial relief.

Pushing for it: Everyday taxpayers
Bearing the cost: State government

• Official text (VA SB676)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB676
• LegiScan — SB676https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/SB676/2026

This bill would create a state program to help Virginia's farm workers get mental health support and learn about suicide prevention.

This bill would help Virginia's farm workers get important mental health support, especially when facing tough times like natural disasters or money problems. It would make sure they know where to find help and can get it easily. While some might worry about the cost of new state programs, many believe that helping our farmers stay healthy is good for everyone. This bill has not moved forward this session, so if you care about mental health for farm workers, now is the time to tell your lawmakers.

Workers

• Accountability (helps) — State agency would be responsible for running the program and reporting its progress.. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services would establish and administer the program and submit biennial reports on its progress, including data and recommendations.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Would offer mental health support and suicide prevention services to farm workers.. The program would increase public awareness of mental health resources and provide access to culturally and contextually appropriate mental health services, including crisis intervention.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — The state would pay for this program to help farm workers.. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services would establish and administer the program, implying state funding for its operations.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Standard legislative process.. The bill was introduced and assigned to a committee, following typical legislative steps.
• Funding Tilt (helps) — State funds would go to a program helping a vulnerable workforce.. The program aims to support the mental health and well-being of the agricultural workforce through state-administered services and awareness campaigns.

Pushing for it: Virginia's agricultural workforce
Bearing the cost: Virginia state budget

• Official text (VA HB321)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB321
• LegiScan — HB321https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/HB321/2026

This bill would create new rules for job training programs so more people can get good jobs and use state or federal money to pay for them.

This bill is a good idea because it would help people get better jobs and make sure their training is worth it. Right now, it can be hard to know if a job training program is good or if you're just wasting your money. This bill would set clear rules so that programs have to teach real skills, have good teachers, and protect students. It also means that more people could get help paying for these programs with state or federal money. While some programs might find the new rules a bit strict, the goal is to make sure everyone gets a fair shot at a good job. Since this bill is still being decided, it's a good time to let your lawmakers know you support making job training better and safer for everyone.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Programs would need to meet clear standards and report how well their students do in finding jobs.. The Department would establish minimum standards for recognition, including curriculum, hands-on learning, qualified instructors, and safety. Recognized programs would also report credential attempts, job placements, starting wages, and retention rates.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Students would be protected by rules about clear costs, refund policies, and honest advertising.. The bill requires recognized programs to provide adequate consumer protections, including publishing tuition and fees, a refund policy, truthful advertising, and maintenance of student records.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — State and federal funds could help pay for these training programs, making them more affordable for people.. Department-recognized programs would be eligible for state workforce grants and could be recommended for federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding, including the federal Workforce Pell Grant.
• Process Transparency (helps) — Programs would have to openly share costs and refund rules with students.. Consumer protections require programs to publish tuition and fees, along with a refund policy.
• Funding Tilt (helps) — Money would go towards programs that help people get real job skills, especially those who need a way to start working.. The bill aims to align workforce skills with industry needs and provide a workforce entrance pathway for underserved populations, making recognized programs eligible for state and federal workforce funding.

Pushing for it: Non-degree workforce training programs, students, underserved populations
Bearing the cost: No direct 'against' party, but the state would incur administrative costs.

• Official text (VA HB551)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB551
• LegiScan — HB551https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/HB551/2026

This bill would make big companies create plans to stop violence at work and protect people who report it, so everyone feels safer.

This bill would make workplaces safer for many people in Virginia. Big companies would have to make plans to stop violence and keep workers safe. It would also protect workers who speak up about violence, meaning they could not be fired or punished for telling the truth. Some people might worry that this bill would cost companies too much money or create too much paperwork. But it helps make sure everyone can go to work without fear. It is important to tell your lawmakers what you think now, while they are still deciding on this bill.

Workers

• Accountability (helps) — Holds employers accountable for workplace safety.. The bill requires employers of 100 or more employees to develop and maintain a workplace violence policy and face civil penalties for violations.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Protects employees who report violence.. The bill prohibits retaliation against employees who report workplace violence and grants them immunity from civil liability for truthful reports.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Employers bear the cost of compliance.. Employers with 100 or more employees would incur costs to develop, implement, and maintain the required workplace violence policies and training.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — No direct impact on transparency.. The bill does not directly address government process transparency, but requires employers to make policies available to employees.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — Penalties go to a state fund.. Civil penalties collected from employers would be paid to the Literary Fund, not directly used to fund workplace violence prevention programs.

Pushing for it: Employees
Bearing the cost: Employers with 100 or more employees (Up to $1,000 per violation, max $10,000 per year)

• Official text (VA HB944)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB944
• LegiScan — HB944https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/HB944/2026

This bill would let parents and kids sue social media companies if their private data rules are broken, helping them get money back.

This bill is a big deal because it would give regular people, like parents and their children, a new way to stand up to big social media companies. Right now, only the state's top lawyer, the Attorney General, can sue these companies for breaking data rules. This bill would let you take them to court yourself if they mess up your data on social media. You could get money for what you lost, and the company would have to pay your lawyer fees too. Before you sue, you'd have to tell the company what they did wrong and give them 30 days to fix it. Some might say this could lead to too many lawsuits or make it hard for social media companies to create new things. But for people who feel their privacy is invaded, this bill could give them a powerful voice. Even though a committee suggested stopping this bill, it's important to know what it would do if it ever moves forward again.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Increases accountability for social media platforms.. Gives parents and minors the power to hold social media platforms accountable for violating data protection rules, rather than relying solely on the Attorney General.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Creates a new right for individuals to sue.. Creates a new individual right to take legal action and seek damages when social media platforms violate specific consumer data protection provisions related to minors.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Shifts costs to social media platforms.. Shifts the financial burden of data violations onto social media platforms, as they would be responsible for damages, attorney fees, and court costs if found in violation.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Does not directly impact process transparency.. The bill does not directly impact the transparency of legislative or regulatory processes.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No direct government funding or new public revenue.. The bill does not involve direct government funding or create new public revenue streams beyond penalties going to the state treasury from Attorney General actions.

Pushing for it: Parents or minors. (Actual damages or $500 per violation, up to three times actual damages or $1,000 if willful.)
Bearing the cost: Social media platforms.

• Official text (VA HB1368)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1368
• LegiScan — HB1368https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/HB1368/2026

This bill forces large data centers to prove they will not harm local water, air, or neighborhoods before they are allowed to build.

Data centers are popping up everywhere. They bring loud noise, heavy water use, and traffic to quiet neighborhoods. Right now, local towns often approve them without strict environmental checks. This bill changes the game. It forces tech companies to pass a strict state review and hold two public hearings before breaking ground. If they break the rules later, the state can fine them or shut them down. It is a big win for regular people who want to keep their communities safe and quiet.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Creates strict civil penalties and gives the Attorney General power to sue data centers that break the rules.. The Department may require corrective actions and assess civil penalties against or revoke any approval for a large data center that continues a violation.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Protects residents' right to clean air, clean water, and quiet neighborhoods.. Requires standards for noise impacts, light pollution, water usage, air emissions, and impacts of proximity to residential units and schools.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Shifts the burden of proof and environmental costs onto the data center builders.. Requires the applicant to perform and submit a site assessment to examine the sound profile and environmental impact.
• Process Transparency (helps) — Mandates two public hearings and public site assessments before any zoning approval.. A locality shall conduct an initial public hearing and a second public hearing upon submission of the site assessment.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No specific funding changes are mentioned in the text.. The bill directs regulatory authority but does not appropriate new funds.

Pushing for it: Local residents and the environment
Bearing the cost: Data center developers

• Official text (VA SB552)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB552
• LegiScan — SB552https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/SB552/2026

This bill stops your state taxes from going up by keeping the standard deduction and a special tax credit for workers at their current levels for two extra years.

Right now, a rule that keeps your state taxes lower is set to expire in 2027. If that happens, the amount of money you can earn tax-free drops by a lot, and a special tax break for low-income workers goes away. This bill pushes that deadline back to 2029. It saves regular families and workers from a sudden tax hike.

Everyday People

• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Tax relief for citizens. The bill prevents a scheduled tax increase, meaning the state continues to collect less revenue so citizens can keep more of their own money.
• Funding Tilt (helps) — Benefits low-income workers. Extending the refundable earned income tax credit directly puts money into the pockets of working-class families.

Pushing for it: Virginia taxpayers and low-income workers
Bearing the cost: Virginia state government

• Official text (VA SB662)https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB662
• LegiScan — SB662https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/SB662/2026