# Virginia SB356: American Indians, Virginia and federally recognized tribes; establishes definitions, sovereignty.

Virginia SB356, American Indians, Virginia and federally recognized tribes; establishes definitions, sovereignty., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Ryan T. McDougle (Republican); status in committee, last action 2026-02-12 (Continued to 2027 in Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 7-N)) (as of 2026-10-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB356-2026
- As of: 2026-10-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB356
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: American Indians, Virginia and federally recognized tribes; establishes definitions, sovereignty.
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-13
- Last action: 2026-02-12, Continued to 2027 in Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 7-N)
- Sponsor: Ryan T. McDougle (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Finance and Appropriations
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 2 (23 yes, 7 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Definitions; American Indians; Virginia recognized tribes; federally recognized tribes; sovereignty. Provides that the Commonwealth acknowledges the inherent sovereignty of federally recognized tribes within the present-day external boundaries of the Commonwealth. The bill also establishes definitions for "American Indian," "federally recognized tribe," and "Virginia recognized tribe" and amends various sections throughout the Code for the purpose of uniformity in terminology. This bill is a recommendation of the Commission on Updating Virginia Law to Reflect Federal Recognition of Virginia Tribes.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Ryan T. McDougle (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-12 | Senate | Continued to 2027 in Finance and Appropriations | pass | 8 | 7 |   |
| 2026-02-11 | Senate | Reported from General Laws and Technology and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations | pass | 15 | 0 |   |

## Actions (5)

- 2026-02-12: Continued to 2027 in Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 7-N) (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Reported from General Laws and Technology and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2026-01-26: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB356) (Senate)
- 2026-01-13: Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology (Senate)
- 2026-01-13: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100476D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2026-01-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1089785.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1089784.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1089785.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1089784.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB356-2026 (as of 2026-10-11).