VirginiaHB13842026 Regular SessionHouse

Constitutional amendment; gen. approp. act, reapportionment, redistricting congressional districts.

Sponsored By: Luke E. Torian (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Constitutional amendment; April 21, 2026 special election; voter referendum; appropriations.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

More funding and access for 2026 election

The Department of Elections gets $5 million in FY2026 for the April 21, 2026 special election. The money can pay for voter education, state administration, and grants to localities for in‑person absentee voting. The law also gives $100,000 to Legislative Services and $100,000 to Legislative Automated Systems for that election’s costs. Cities and counties must open satellite offices that allow in‑person absentee voting for that election.

New rules on redistricting timing and changes

The General Assembly may change one or more congressional districts from Jan 1, 2025 to Oct 31, 2030 if another state redistricts in that period, unless that state is finishing its decennial map or fixing an unlawful map by court order. Reapportionment laws and laws that change districts take effect immediately when enacted. New lines are used for the November general election held just before the end of the current term in the year the law is required. Current members finish their terms representing their original districts if they do not move, and any vacancy is filled from that same district.

More support for state commissions and studies

Legislative Services keeps providing free payroll, accounting, and travel processing to several named commissions. The pandemic response subcommittee continues and must report by December 1, 2024; any leftover funds can carry forward. The Gaming Commission gets added expert help and a transition plan study. The law provides $275,325 in year one for Chesapeake Bay advisory recommendations and $120,000 in year two for a staff position to support the Commission on Women’s Health.

Replace the legislature’s bill-tracking system

The Division of Legislative Automated Systems gets $201,140 in year one and $201,140 in year two to finish replacing the old bill‑tracking system. It also gets $50,000 each year for software, security, and infrastructure upgrades. The Director can spend this money only after submitting a detailed plan approved by the Committee on Joint Rules. For this project, buying and contracting are exempt from the normal state procurement law.

Set pay for legislative division directors

The Director of Legislative Automated Systems is paid $210,452 for June 10, 2024–June 9, 2025 and $216,766 for June 10, 2025–June 30, 2026. The Director of Legislative Services is paid $202,701 for June 10, 2024–June 9, 2025, and the law lists $208,782 and $219,221 for June 10, 2025–June 30, 2026. The Committee on Joint Rules may set a salary range for the Legislative Services director.

All amendment lawsuits move to Richmond

All lawsuits about constitutional amendments or related statutes must be filed in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond. This rule takes effect on September 1, 2025. Any pending suits covered by this law move to that court when the law passes.

Which parts expire, repeal, or stay permanent

The law repeals Code § 30-13 retroactive to July 1, 1971. The first and second enactments of this act expire at midnight on June 30, 2026. It also states that several other listed enactments have no expiration. The third and fourth enactments are declared to match existing law and are permanent.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Luke E. Torian

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 289 • No: 166

Senate vote 1/29/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 1/28/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 8 • No: 4

House vote 1/26/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 62 • No: 34

House vote 1/23/2026

Delegate Kilgore Floor amendments passed by

Yes: 61 • No: 34

House vote 1/23/2026

Delegate Torian Floor substitute agreed to

Yes: 61 • No: 34

House vote 1/23/2026

Delegate Williams Floor amendments passed by

Yes: 61 • No: 34

House vote 1/22/2026

Reported from Appropriations with substitute

Yes: 15 • No: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0006)

    2/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 6 (effective February 6, 2026)

    2/6/2026Governor
  3. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1384ER)

    2/4/2026House
  4. Enrolled

    2/4/2026House
  5. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., February 11, 2026

    2/4/2026Governor
  6. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on February 04, 2026

    2/4/2026House
  7. Signed by President

    2/4/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    2/4/2026House
  9. Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    1/29/2026Senate
  10. Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    1/29/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    1/29/2026Senate
  12. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading)

    1/28/2026Senate
  13. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 4-N)

    1/28/2026Senate
  14. Referred to Committee on Finance and Appropriations

    1/27/2026Senate
  15. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    1/27/2026Senate
  16. Read third time and passed House (62-Y 34-N 0-A)

    1/26/2026House
  17. Delegate Kilgore Floor amendments passed by (61-Y 34-N 0-A)

    1/23/2026House
  18. Delegate Williams Floor amendments passed by (61-Y 34-N 0-A)

    1/23/2026House
  19. Engrossed by House - floor substitute

    1/23/2026House
  20. Delegate Torian Floor substitute agreed to (61-Y 34-N 0-A)

    1/23/2026House
  21. committee substitute rejected

    1/23/2026House
  22. Read second time

    1/23/2026House
  23. Floor Offered

    1/23/2026House
  24. Floor substitute printed 26106005D-H2 (Torian)

    1/23/2026House
  25. Floor

    1/23/2026House

Bill Text

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