Richmond – With the 2026 General Assembly session now concluded, our community is reflecting on a legislative session that delivered significant progress on constitutional rights, economic justice, public safety, and support for working families, but missed significant opportunities to build out avenues for new revenue and to regulate the data centers that destabilize our energy grid and jeopardize our clean water. As we move into a looming budget special session, there is much to celebrate, but these lingering issues will be critical for future legislative sessions to address.

“In some ways, the 2026 session of the General Assembly showed us what’s possible when lawmakers can work together to prioritize the real needs of the communities who put them in office,” said Ashleigh Crocker, Interim Executive Director of Progress Virginia. “The legislators heard our clear demands: to push back against the excesses of the federal government, to protect our most fundamental rights, to advance economic and workplace protections that were long overdue, and to prioritize helping struggling working families make ends meet. This General Assembly took meaningful steps toward a fairer, more inclusive Commonwealth. At the same time, lawmakers left critical priorities on the table, especially when it came to revenue. Proposals like the Fair Share Tax would have asked the wealthiest Virginians to contribute more so we can invest in our schools, housing, and child care systems. Instead, we missed an opportunity to make transformative investments that would lower costs and expand possibilities for working families. Measures like the Child Tax Credit, expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, and universal free school breakfast would have made an immediate difference in people’s lives, and we will continue fighting to ensure those priorities are addressed in future sessions.”

Some Successes of the 2026 Legislative Session:

Constitutional Amendments:

HJ1 (Del. Herring) would guarantee reproductive freedom in the Virginia Constitution.
HJ2 (Del. Bennett-Parker) restores voting rights automatically for returning citizens.
HJ3 (Del. Sickles) repeals outdated same-sex marriage language and affirms marriage equality.
HJ4 (Del. Willett) allows for mid-cycle redistricting reforms.

Legislation Passed & Signed / Heading to the Governor

Criminal Justice Reform:

HB127 (Del. Callsen) provides counsel at first appearance.

Economic Justice:

HB1 (Del. Ward) raises the minimum wage to $15/hour by 2028.

HB5 (Del. Convirs-Fowler) expands access to paid sick leave.

HB20 (Del. McClure) repeals the farm worker minimum wage exemption.

HB1207 (Del. Sewell) establishes paid family and medical leave.
HB1263 (Del. Tran) expands collective bargaining rights for public employees.
HB1320 (Del. Martinez) increases unemployment benefits.

Education & Schools:

HB92 (Del. Rasoul) strengthens equity in school funding.

HB298 (Del. McQuinn) expands restorative justice practices in schools.

Environment:

HB3 (Del. LeVere-Bolling) creates a task force for low-income weatherization and energy efficiency.

Firearms:

HB19 (Del. McClure) closes the “boyfriend loophole” for firearm possession.
HB40 (Del. Simon) bans ghost guns.

HB1524 (Del. McGuire) restricts public carrying of assault weapons.

Housing:

HB4 (Del. Bennett-Parker) establishes right of first refusal for affordable housing development.

SB388 (Sen. McPike) enables faith-based institutions to build affordable housing.

Immigration:

HB675 (Del. Maldonado) protects workers from immigration-based coercion.

HB1441 (Del. Lopez) limits local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
HB1482 (Del. Schmidt) restricts masked law enforcement activity.
SB351 (Sen. Salim) protects individuals at courthouses from immigration enforcement without a warrant.

Reproductive Justice:

HB6 (Del. Price) establishes a right to contraception.

HB1182 (Del. Thomas) ensures contraceptive coverage.

Voting Rights:

HB773 & HB774 (Del. Thornton) improves the ballot curing processes.


Failed Legislation

HB31 (Del. Feggans) teacher pay enhancements.
HB96 (Del. Bennett-Parker) universal free school breakfast.
HB280 (Del. Clark) “Cover All Kids” healthcare expansion.
HB372 (Del. Price) permanent EITC expansion.
HB658 (Del. Maldonado) data center cost study.
HB1004 (Del. Tran) Child Tax Credit.
HB188 (Del. Convirs-Fowler) Fair Share Tax reform.

Harmful Bills Defeated

HB1242 (Del. Oates) targeting transgender student-athletes.
HB158 (Del. Griffin) targeting parents of transgender youth.
HB531 (Del. Hamilton) spreading misinformation about abortion care.
HB719 & HB721 (Del. Zehr) restricting inclusive education.
HB993 (Del. Garrett) revoking driver privilege cards for non-citizens.