Senate, Constitution of Virginia

Virginia Senate approves first step to get abortion and marriage on 2026 ballot
The Virginia state Senate completed the first step to send a set of amendments on abortion and marriage before voters in next year’s elections. Lawmakers pushed forward a trio of amendments. The abortion amendment would enshrine a “fundamental right” to abortion,
Virginia Senate backs abortion, marriage, voting amendments to constitution
The votes followed an emotional floor debate on abortion — and an unusual parliamentary tussle over whether the Democratic leader had violated the chamber’s decorum,
Virginia Senate paves way for constitutional amendments
Three amendments are one step closer in a long journey to being enshrined in the Virginia Constitution after passing the Senate on Tuesday. The Senate paved the way to enshrine abortion, marriage equality,
Virginia Democrats Pass Constitutional Amendments Blasted by Republicans
The Democrat-led Virginia Senate has voted to enshrine the right to an abortion and to vote in the state's constitution
Virginia Senate committee hears bills that would change elections, how people vote
The Virginia House and Senate each approved a constitutional amendment that would automatically restore voting rights to people convicted of felonies upon completion of their sentence. Lawmakers
Virginia Democrats pass abortion, voting rights constitutional amendments
Virginia’s Democratic-led Senate on Tuesday passed constitutional amendments on abortion and voting rights that were quickly lambasted by Republicans who could use the issues as the party tries to regain ground in November’s statewide elections.
Virginia moves one step closer to passing progressive constitutional amendments
The Virginia Senate voted Tuesday to advance a trio of constitutional amendments to guarantee Virginians' right to abortion care, automatically restore voting rights to disenfranchised felons and remove an antiquated law banning same-sex marriage .
Proposed Virginia bill would require homeschooling-style oversight of religious exemptions from school
The bill would require parents seeking a religious exemption from school to show proof of their ability to educate, evidence of their child's educational progress.
Bill to delay Virginia’s school accountability system clears Senate subcommittee
Lawmakers are pushing to delay Virginia’s revised school accountability system, claiming it was rushed and lacks clarity. On ...
Bill would expand access to Virginia public defenders, increase prosecutors’ workload
A bill that would install a public defender in every judicial jurisdiction in Virginia but also expand the responsibility of state prosecutors advanced in a Senate committee this week.
Marijuana Moment4h
Virginia Bill That Would Support Investigation Into Psychedelics For Veterans’ Mental Health Sails Through First Senate Committee
A Senate committee in Virginia has advanced legislation that would fund clinical trials involving veterans and “breakthrough therapies” as designated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ...
Richmond4h
Senate says no DUI charges on private property
A bill that says you can’t be charged with drunk driving if you are in a vehicle on your private property passed the state Senate, despite opposition from prosecutors and safe driving advocates.
Controversial Tysons casino bill clears Virginia Senate committee
A Virginia Senate committee voted Wednesday in favor of moving the Tysons casino bill forward. The committee voted 9-3 in ...
Virginia Mercury6h
Virginia takes aim at Pharmacy benefit managers in Medicaid overhaul
Pharmacy benefits managers act as intermediaries between health plans, drug manufacturers and pharmacies, but their lack of transparency has raised concerns. PBMs retain rebates and discounts from ...
Richmond1d
Senate Democrats move to block Youngkin appointees
A Senate panel removed Meg Bryce, a member the state Board of Education, and Yesli Vega a member of the state Board of Health ...
Virginia's reproductive rights amendment prompts mixed reactions from advocacy groups
After an abortion amendment passed in the Virginia Senate, ABC 13 is breaking down what this would mean for Virginia.