As of April 6, 2026, Governor Abigail Spanberger (D) has signed dozens of bills, including several major legislative packages aimed at affordability, school safety, and economic development.
Affordability & Cost Reduction Bills
Governor Spanberger’s “Affordable Virginia Agenda” includes several bills signed on March 31, 2026, targeting healthcare, housing, and energy costs:
- Healthcare:
- SB 669: Regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to prevent “predatory middlemen” from hiking prescription drug costs.
- SB 405: Invests in growing the healthcare workforce to increase access to care.
- HB 220 / SB 630: Eliminates additional fees on healthcare premiums.
- HB 60: Protects access to critical preventive healthcare.
- Housing:
- HB 1227 / SB 729: Leverages state bonding authority to support new affordable housing development.
- SB 628: Expands the Virginia Eviction Reduction Program to help keep people in their homes.
- HB 655 / SB 346: Streamlines the process for building manufactured homes to boost supply.
- Energy:
- HB 1191 / SB 377: Protects regular ratepayers from increased costs by allowing high-energy users to invest directly in infrastructure.
- HB 369: Encourages investment in new energy technologies like nuclear and fusion.
- HB 562: Allows electric co-operatives to create virtual power plant programs to improve grid reliability.
- HB 1225 / SB 407: Supports the development of electric vehicle charging stations.
- Taxes & Veterans:
- HB 1180 / SB 591: Creates a free state tax filing program for individuals.
- HB 94: Expands vehicle registration fee exemptions for disabled veterans.
School & Child Safety Bills
On April 2, 2026, the Governor signed a package of bipartisan bills focused on student safety and mental health:
- HB 1071: Strengthens training related to Virginia’s “red flag” laws.
- HB 592: Authorizes school boards to provide teachers with wearable panic alarm systems for emergencies.
- HB 38: Provides training for teachers to identify students facing mental health challenges.
- HB 171: Modernizes required internet safety education in public schools.
- HB 1153 / SB 820: Expands the “Community Builders Pilot Program” to reduce youth violence.
- HB 222: Adopts standardized safety rules for children at public pools.
Economic Development Bills
On April 6, 2026, she signed a package of economic development bills to secure billions in private investment:
- HB 1531 / SB 835: Supports a $500 million investment by Avio USA in Pittsylvania County for rocket motor manufacturing, expected to create over 1,500 jobs.
- HB 799 / SB 403: Supports a $457 million investment by Hitachi Energy in Halifax County.
- HB 800 / SB 404: Facilitates a $2 billion investment by Eli Lilly in Goochland County for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- HB 1076 / SB 527: Authorizes a $4 billion investment by AstraZeneca in Albemarle County.
Governor Spanberger also signed bills in February 2026 to send three constitutional amendments to voters for the November 2026 referendum, including the right to reproductive freedom, restoration of voting rights, and same-sex marriage.
Deadline for action by the Governor
For the 2026 regular legislative session, Governor Spanberger has until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026, to sign, veto, or propose amendments to bills. If the Governor takes no action by the April 13 deadline, the bills automatically become law without her signature.
More Key Dates
Following the Governor’s actions, the legislative process continues with these scheduled milestones:
- April 22, 2026: The General Assembly will hold its Reconvened Session (often called the “Veto Session”) to consider the Governor’s vetoes and proposed amendments.
- April 23, 2026: A Special Session will begin specifically to finalize the state budget, which was not completed during the regular session.
- July 1, 2026: This is the standard effective date for most non-emergency legislation signed during this cycle.
Learn More
- Check out our updates on the 2026 Legislative Session
