Senate committee reports dozens of 2026 bills; substitutes adopted for major gaming and environmental measures
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Summary
A Senate committee in Richmond reported and amended a large package of 2026 bills across gaming, education, environment and housing. Several bills were reported in substitute form, some were carried over for further study, and a handful were passed by indefinitely.
The Senate committee convening in committee room A305 in Richmond moved and recorded votes on a large block of 2026 legislation Monday, reporting many bills (several in substitute form), carrying over others for further study and passing some measures by indefinitely.
The session opened with a committee substitute for SB 823 (residential solar contract provisions) that Senator Bagwick described as authorizing the board of contractors "to require specific contract provisions and disclosures relating to the sale, lease, loan or power purchase agreement for a residential solar system." The committee substitute was agreed to and the measure was reported (committee vote: Ayes 15, No 0). (See 'Votes at a glance' below for a fuller list of acted items.)
Why it matters: The committee moved dozens of bills that shape state oversight of energy, education funding, housing programs and gambling regulation. Several items will change where and how oversight is placed (notably gaming and lottery provisions), while other measures were paused for further review by budget or funding committees.
Key takeaways
- SB 527: The committee reported an incentive package for a major manufacturing investment in Albemarle County (sponsor described the project as among the largest investments by AstraZeneca in the commonwealth). The motion to report passed on a recorded vote (Ayes 14, No 0).
- SB 825: Sponsor-presented changes to the coal surface mine reclamation fund prompted a legal assessment. Counsel (Stephen) said he was "afraid the bill's unconstitutional" because it tied tax rates to market conditions and delegated discretion to a department director. After that legal concern, the committee voted to pass the bill by indefinitely (PBI).
- Gaming and lottery consolidation (SB 609 and related bills): Multiple gaming-related bills were incorporated or carried into SB 609. Staff described that SB 609 would transfer responsibilities over racing, charitable gaming and fantasy sports to the lottery and rename the agency the "Virginia Lottery and Gaming Authority." Members pressed for timing and regulatory detail; the substitute directing the lottery to promulgate regulations by Jan. 1, 2027 and making the primary provisions effective July 1, 2027, was reported in substitute form after roll votes.
- SB 661 (skill games): The committee reported a substitute that would place regulation with the lottery, impose a monthly tax and direct that proof of age (21+) be required before play; staff confirmed the ID requirement is included in the substitute.
- Education and childcare: The committee reported substitute language for SB 3 (child care assistance pilot) and folded SB 119 into SB 3. Multiple education bills on teacher pay, early childhood funding formulas and special education were either reported, amended, or carried over with instructions to consult the joint K‑12 funding subcommittee or the budget process.
Votes at a glance (selected items and outcomes from the transcript)
- SB 823 (residential solar contract disclosures): committee substitute agreed to; reported (Ayes 15, No 0) (SEG 055–087).
- SB 527 (manufacturing incentives – Albemarle/AstraZeneca): reported (recorded vote Ayes 14, No 0) (SEG 093–115).
- SB 5 (income‑qualified energy efficiency/weatherization task force): reported (Ayes 15, No 0) (SEG 116–130).
- SB 162 (restoration of rights): reported (SEG 132–142).
- SB 628 (Virginia Eviction Reduction Pilot codification): reported (SEG 143–152).
- SB 825 (coal surface mine reclamation fund): legal counsel raised constitutionality concerns; bill passed by indefinitely (PBI) (SEG 226–251).
- Emissions‑inspection waiver amendment (applied to a consumer/auto bill narrated in committee): amendment adopted and bill reported in amended form (Ayes 15, No 0) (SEG 252–283).
- Capital outlay cluster (SB 399, SB 219, SB 297, SB 306, SB 84): SB 399 reported with technical amendments; SB 219 reported; SB 297 and SB 306 recommended PBI; SB 84 reported in substitute form (SEG 284–360).
- SB 3 (child care assistance pilot): committee substitute agreed to and reported (SEG 362–379).
- SB 280 (autism advisory board at DBHDS): committee substitute agreed to and reported (SEG 381–392).
- SB 284 (teacher salaries to national average): carried over with a letter to joint K‑12 funding (SEG 394–408).
- SB 609 (lottery/gaming consolidation and renaming to Virginia Lottery and Gaming Authority): substitute adopted/incorporations reported; substitute sets regulatory deadlines and effective dates (SEG 676–707, 833–840, 1061–1063).
- SB 661 (skill game regulation/tax): committee substitute agreed to and reported; substitute includes ID requirement and a 25% monthly tax with 75% to K‑12 funding (SEG 899–941).
- SB 499 (Chesapeake Bay pay-for-outcomes fund): substitute adopted with added reporting guardrails and reported (SEG 841–855).
- SB 138 (PFAS monitoring/DEQ reporting): reported (SEG 856–866).
- SB 756 (casino gaming): committee substitute removing mandated location agreed and reported in substitute form (SEG 994–1012).
- Multiple bills were carried over for further study or to the budget process (examples include SB 284, SB 393, SB 417, SB 422, SB 629) (various segments throughout the record).
Speakers and sources of quoted material in this report
Quotes and attributions are drawn only from speakers clearly identified in the committee transcript. Representative attributions: Senator Bagwick (explanation of SB 823), counsel Stephen (constitutional assessment on SB 825), staff member Tyler (subcommittee reports and bill explanations). Where the transcript did not supply a speaker name for descriptive material, reporting in this article remains unattributed to preserve accuracy.
What’s next
Many reported bills will proceed to the Senate floor with substitutes; those carried over will be considered later by relevant funding or policy committees. Bills passed by indefinitely will not advance unless revived. The committee concluded with no additional business.