Votes at a glance: Key bills the Virginia Senate passed Feb. 17, 2026
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Sign Up Free
Summary
The Senate disposed of a broad calendar, passing dozens of bills including measures on paid family leave, collective bargaining, PFAS in biosolids, energy and utility reforms, and criminal‑justice updates. Several bills passed unanimously; a few high‑profile measures failed or were sent back for further review.
Below are notable roll-call outcomes and brief descriptions based on floor action on Feb. 17, 2026:
- SB 7 83 (immigration cooperation) — Passed, Ayes 21, Noes 19 (limits local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement; moves to House). - SB 3 78 (public employee collective bargaining) — Passed, Ayes 21, Noes 19 (statewide bargaining framework with phased implementation). - SB 2 (paid family & medical leave insurance) — Passed, Ayes 21, Noes 19 (phased payroll‑funded program). - SB 7 96 (AI companion chatbots & minors) — Passed, Ayes 39, Noes 1 (disclosure, emergency intervention, limited access/parental controls). - SB 3 86 (PFAS in biosolids) — Passed, Ayes 27, Noes 13 (compromise ramp‑down and testing requirements). - SB 5 42 (cannabis control, market structure) — Initially failed but passed on reconsideration, final tally Ayes 21, Noes 19 (recap: market and licensing structure; timeline for seed‑to‑sale and retail rollout described on floor). - SB 5 98 (clean energy buyer program revision) — Passed unanimously (Ayes 40, Noes 0). - SB 8 19 (lottery age verification and advertising oversight) — Passed unanimously (Ayes 40, Noes 0). - SB 5 04 (vested rights, development certainty) — Passed, Ayes 21, Noes 17 (limits some injunctive actions for certain large developments under described conditions). - SB 4 08 (private right of action for charitable diversion) — Failed (I 17, Noes 21, Rule 36.2).
Additional measures passed on a block or with unanimous tallies, including bills on utilities, school assessments, railroad crew requirements, public‑safety penalties, and consumer protections. Several bills were recommitted or referred to finance when fiscal impacts were raised (e.g., SB 209 on geriatric release was re‑referred to Finance & Appropriations for a budget review).
This roundup is not exhaustive of the full calendar of dozens of bills but captures those with major floor debate or wide audience interest.