VirginiaSB1122026 Regular SessionSenate

Va. War Memorial Foundation; Commissioner of Dept. of Veterans Services shall provide supervision.

Sponsored By: Bill DeSteph (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Department of Veterans Services; Virginia War Memorial division. Clarifies that the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services shall provide supervision of the Virginia War Memorial Foundation and any other nonprofit corporation established as an instrumentality to provide fundraising for the Memorial and assist in the details of administering the affairs of the Memorial as delineated by memoranda of understanding. This bill is identical to HB 1047.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Memorial honors MIA and other veterans

The Memorial honors Virginians who were Missing in Action from the Vietnam War. It also honors other Virginia veterans who served honorably but do not meet the Shrine of Memory rules. These honors are recognition at the Memorial, not benefits or payments.

Shrine honors Virginians killed in action

Beginning July 1, 2019, the Memorial must place on the Shrine of Memory the names and homes of record of Virginians killed in action. This includes deaths from military operations against terrorism, a terrorist act, or any armed conflict after December 6, 1941. New qualifying names must be added within one year of confirmed death. People who do not meet these rules are not listed on the Shrine.

Unclaimed military medals safeguarded and returned

The Memorial can take custody of unclaimed military medals, ribbons, and certificates that the Commonwealth holds. It will make reasonable efforts, based on resources, to find the rightful owner. Items are kept until the owner can recover them.

War Memorial under state management

The law places the Virginia War Memorial inside the Department of Veterans Services. The Commonwealth owns the Memorial, its grounds, funds, and property. The Commissioner manages it and has administrative and financial control. The mission is to honor Virginia veterans, preserve their history, teach the public, and inspire patriotism. The Commissioner also supervises the Memorial’s fundraising nonprofits under written agreements.

New Memorial visit rules and fees

The Department must set policies for Memorial programs, visiting, and any fees, with advice from the Board of Veterans Services. The Commissioner can adopt rules for using and visiting the Memorial without going through the Administrative Process Act. This speeds updates but gives the public fewer formal chances to comment. The law does not set the fee amounts.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bill DeSteph

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 228 • No: 0

House vote 2/24/2026

Passed House Block Vote

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote 2/19/2026

Reported from General Laws

Yes: 21 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/13/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/12/2026

General Laws and Technology Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/11/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/11/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/10/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/4/2026

Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0257)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 257 (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

    3/10/2026Senate
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB112)

    2/27/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB112ER)

    2/26/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    2/26/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    2/26/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    2/26/2026House
  10. Passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/24/2026House
  11. Read third time

    2/24/2026House
  12. Read second time

    2/23/2026House
  13. Reported from General Laws (21-Y 0-N)

    2/19/2026House
  14. Referred to Committee on General Laws

    2/18/2026House
  15. Read first time

    2/18/2026House
  16. Placed on Calendar

    2/18/2026House
  17. Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/13/2026Senate
  18. General Laws and Technology Substitute agreed to

    2/12/2026Senate
  19. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/12/2026Senate
  20. Read second time

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

    2/11/2026Senate
  22. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/11/2026Senate
  23. Rules suspended

    2/11/2026Senate
  24. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

    2/10/2026Senate
  25. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB112)

    2/9/2026Senate

Bill Text

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