VirginiaHB15002026 Regular SessionHouse

Civil and criminal actions; service of subpoena for certain electronic records.

Sponsored By: Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31 (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Civil and criminal actions; service of subpoena for certain electronic records. Provides that, in addition to methods for how service of process may be effected on certain corporations, any subpoena issued pursuant to a civil or criminal proceeding for electronic records, electronically stored information, or other documents or records that are stored outside of the Commonwealth by a nonparty commercial enterprise may be served within or outside of the Commonwealth by hand, certified mail, commercial delivery service, facsimile, or electronic means.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Civil subpoena tools in criminal cases

Several civil subpoena and discovery rules now also apply in criminal cases. Prosecutors or a defendant’s lawyer can issue a witness summons and must file witness names and addresses with the clerk at the same time, except where victim privacy laws protect them. Witnesses in criminal cases must attend even if no travel money is paid up front and can face penalties for not coming.

Easier service on out-of-state companies

The law makes it easier to start cases against foreign corporations and LLCs that do business in Virginia. You can serve an officer, director, registered agent, or an agent doing business here. You can also use the backup methods state law allows, or publish notice if the case is about property. A foreign corporation with a Virginia registered agent is treated as having agreed to accept subpoenas and must respond under Virginia law and court rules.

Subpoenas for business electronic records

Parties can serve a subpoena for electronic records stored outside Virginia on a nonparty business that does or did business in Virginia. Service can be inside or outside Virginia by hand, certified mail, delivery service, fax, or electronic means. This makes it easier to get out-of-state data from businesses with Virginia ties, and requires those businesses to respond.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 401 • No: 0

House vote 3/12/2026

Senate substitute agreed to by House

Yes: 98 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote 2/11/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 2/9/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0868)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 868 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  5. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1500ER)

    3/30/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  9. Senate substitute agreed to by House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026House
  10. Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  11. Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  12. Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  13. Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

    3/11/2026Senate
  14. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    3/11/2026Senate
  15. Read third time

    3/11/2026Senate
  16. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/10/2026Senate
  17. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  18. Rules suspended

    3/10/2026Senate
  19. Committee substitute printed 26109466D-S1

    3/9/2026Senate
  20. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (15-Y 0-N)

    3/9/2026Senate
  21. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

    2/18/2026Senate
  22. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/18/2026Senate
  23. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026House
  24. Read second time and engrossed

    2/16/2026House
  25. Read first time

    2/13/2026House

Bill Text

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