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2026 Virginia General Assembly

The 2026 General Assembly Session will convene at noon on Wednesday, January 14th in Richmond. This is an even-numbered year, so the Session will last 60 days and the Governor will introduce a new two-year (biennial) budget for the 2026-2028 fiscal years.

The introduction of a new budget is an important time for you to raise your voice as an LGBTQ+ Virginian.

  • Write a letter to your legislator sharing your support for a bill or budget item, and how it could impact your family or community.
  • Share Equality Virginia’s calls to action on social media.
  • Join us in-person on Monday, February 2nd for Equality Virginia’s Pride at the Capitol: LGBTQ+ Lobby Day.

 Register for Equality Virginia’s Pride at the Capitol: LGBTQ+ Lobby Day at the General Assembly

Follow Equality Virginia on social media for urgent calls to action and check this page periodically for our bill watchlist and session updates.

2026 Legislative Priorities

Now more than ever LGBTQ+ voices are needed! Fully funded and expanded healthcare access, safe & affirming learning environments, and a Constitution & budget that reflects the lived experience and values of every Virginian is critical to creating a strong, affordable Commonwealth that works for everyone!

2026 Bill Tracker

This bill tracker is maintained by the staff of Equality Virginia during the 2026 Legislative Session. It contains bill categories, bill status and positions for legislation being tracked by Equality Virginia staff. While we strive to keep this document up to date, bill language may be updated in a way that is no longer aligned with the description presented here. If you feel there is an inconsistency, don’t hesitate to reach out for more information. None of the information presented here represents legal advice or opinions. Note: This document is kept as up to date as possible. For the most up to date information about a bill or measure, visit https://lis.virginia.gov/

2026 Session Calendar

December 17 Governor Budget Announced
January 12 General Assembly Swearing-In Ceremony

January 14 Prefiling for legislators ends at 10:00 a.m.

January14 First day of General Assembly Session & State of the Commonwealth Address

January 16 Legislative budget amendment submission deadline  

January 17 Gubernatorial Inauguration

February 18 Crossover deadline for bills and resolutions

February 22 “Budget Sunday” Presentation of legislative budget amendments by HAC & SFAC

February 26 Expected deadline for each house of origin to pass its own budget

March 4 Expected deadline for budget conferees appointed

March 14 Expected adjournment Sine Die

April 13 Governor’s veto/amendment deadline

April 22 Expected Reconvened Session

May 25 Deadline for Governor to sign legislation/budget & issue line-item vetoes

July 1 2026 signed legislation and budget effective

Follow Virginia General Assembly

Research Bills/Legislators

Live Session Video

Key Committees To Follow

Public Testimony/Comment

  • Public comments are generally taken only when the bill is being heard in subcommittee.
  • House Bills: Submit written comment to the committee using House’s public comment form.
  • Senate Bills: There is not a public comment form. You can email comments to the subcommittee

General Assembly Resources

2026 Action Center

Actions

  • Calls to Action

Events

Resources

  • 2026 Legislative Priorities (released in Jan.)
  • Bill Tracker (released in Jan.)

Contact your Lawmakers

Legislators respond best to requests and personal stories from their constituents. Please make sure you include the bill or funding you are asking for. 

Tips for a compelling letter to your legislator:

  1. Introduce – Share where you live, what’s your connection to LGBTQ+ issues, and the bill or topic you are writing about
  2. Persuade – Tell why/how the topic impacts you (or your community). You don’t need to be a policy or legal expert. Your human impact story is the most powerful tool for change
  3. Inform – Add data or statements from Equality Virginia legislative priorities, resolutions, or position statement
  4. Conclude – Restate your call to action.

Find your Virginia Delegate and Senator 

2025 Session Accomplishments

Thanks to the collective action of our members in 2025 we succeeded in defeating every anti-LGBTQ+ bill, passing three proactive constitutional amendments, and two bills to address mental health for LGBTQ+ youth (vetoed by the Governor).

These wins demonstrate the power of our collective voice—and the progress we can achieve when we advocate for every member of our community.

Constitutional Amendments advance to the second and final read!

✅ Marriage Equality: Removes current ban on same-sex marriage and would prohibit clerks from denying to issue marriage licenses to “two parties contemplating a lawful marriage on the basis of the sex, gender, or race of such parties.”

✅ Reproductive Freedom: enshrines the right to abortion in the Virginia Constitution.

✅ Voting Rights: automatically reinstate the right to vote to those who have been released from incarceration for felony convictions.


Bills vetoed by Governor Youngkin
✅ Enumerating anti-bullying protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity

✅ Mental Health Training Requires each teacher and other relevant personnel to complete mental health awareness training that addresses the needs of youth populations that are at a high risk, like LGBTQ+ youth, of experiencing mental health challenges and disorders in accordance with evidence-based best practices developed by the American Psychological Association.