Senate committee reports bill to fund April 21, 2026 special election for constitutional amendment

An unidentified presenter told the Senate committee that House Bill 13 84, identical to Senate Bill 7 69, would direct a special election on April 21, 2026, to decide a proposed constitutional amendment and make related statutory and venue adjustments.

The presenter summarized key fiscal provisions: "$100,000 for the Division of Legislative Automated Services and $100,000 to the Division of Legislative Services for costs associated with an 04/21/2026 special election," plus an appropriation of $5,000,000 to the Department of Elections to cover costs such as voter education, administrative expenses, grants to localities to defray absentee in-person voting costs, and establishment of voter satellite offices for in-person absentee voting.

The summary also said the bill would repeal Code of Virginia section 30-13 (publication of proposed constitutional amendments by the clerk of the House of Delegates), add enabling language to enact a special-election date tied to the amendment, and specify Richmond City Circuit Court as venue for related suits. The presenter noted the measure is identical to the sponsor’s earlier Senate file, which previously passed the Senate by a 21–18 margin.

The committee moved to report the bill to the floor. The chair called the electronic vote; the clerk recorded "ayes 8, noes 4." The chair announced the bill is reported out of committee.

What happens next: the bill, as reported, will move to the next stage of floor consideration and, if enacted by both chambers and the voters approve the constitutional amendment in the special election, the appropriation and enactment language would take effect as specified in the bill.

Sources: oral summary and committee roll call recorded during the Senate committee meeting.