VirginiaHB3472026 Regular SessionHouse

Military and emergency laws; local emergency management plans.

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

Became Law

Summary

Military and emergency laws; local emergency management plans. Changes from every four years to every five years the frequency with which every local and interjurisdictional agency has to review and update its emergency operations plan.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Extra local powers in emergencies

When the Governor declares a state of emergency, localities in the disaster area get extra authority. They can control the use and sale of food, fuel, clothing, and other goods within their borders without affecting neighbors. They can enter contracts, hire, and spend to protect health and safety and give emergency help. They can bypass normal procedures, except constitutional rules, under the Governor’s supervision.

Faster help across local borders

Local emergency directors can make mutual aid agreements with other public or private groups and with other states. Local agencies must help each other under these agreements, consistent with state plans. If no agreement exists, a locality cannot block another from sending EMS across the border just for money.

Local emergency leadership and agency

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management oversees all localities. Every city, county, and town must run an emergency management agency for its whole area. In cities, the mayor or city manager serves as director and appoints a coordinator with council consent. In counties, a board‑selected supervisor or the chief administrative officer serves and appoints a coordinator with the governing body’s consent. Towns appoint a coordinator to integrate with the county system; Chincoteague, West Point, and any town over 5,000 with its own organization appoint a coordinator of emergency services. In Smyth and York Counties, the chief administrative officer appoints a director, who then appoints a coordinator with governing body consent.

Nuclear incident planning near plants

If directed by the state, any locality with a nuclear power station or other nuclear facility within 10 miles must prepare and keep current a nuclear emergency plan.

Public alerts and shelter readiness

By August 1 each year, every locality sends the state an emergency readiness assessment and shelter data. The report lists shelter sites, evacuation zones, capacity (people and medical needs), wind rating, standards compliance, backup power, and the staffing lead. Localities with more than 50,000 people must keep an alert and warning plan, with tools like sirens, the Emergency Alert System, NOAA Weather Radios, personal alerts, or amateur radio. The law set July 1, 2005, as the compliance date for large localities.

Stronger local emergency plans

Local and regional agencies must keep an up‑to‑date emergency operations plan. The plan lists agency duties, the chain of command, and contacts for the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Virginia Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund to help victims. It must ensure fair help for minority and vulnerable communities. Every five years, the plan is fully reviewed and formally adopted by the governing body or bodies. Local emergency agencies can require reviews and suggest changes to plans for nursing homes, assisted living, adult day centers, and child day care centers.

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: 210 • No: 1

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 38 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/20/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/20/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/18/2026

Reported from General Laws and Technology

Yes: 11 • No: 1 • Other: 2

House vote 1/29/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote 1/23/2026

Reported from Public Safety

Yes: 22 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0116)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 116 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB347)

    2/25/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB347ER)

    2/25/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    2/25/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    2/25/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    2/25/2026House
  10. Passed Senate (38-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/23/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    2/23/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/20/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/20/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    2/20/2026Senate
  15. Reported from General Laws and Technology (11-Y 1-N 2-A)

    2/18/2026Senate
  16. Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

    1/30/2026Senate
  17. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    1/30/2026Senate
  18. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (99-Y 0-N 0-A)

    1/29/2026House
  19. Read second time and engrossed

    1/28/2026House
  20. Read first time

    1/27/2026House
  21. Reported from Public Safety (22-Y 0-N)

    1/23/2026House
  22. Assigned HPS sub: Subcommittee #2

    1/16/2026House
  23. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB347)

    1/13/2026House
  24. Referred to Committee on Public Safety

    1/12/2026House
  25. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102327D

    1/12/2026House

Bill Text

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