HB 286 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Virginia National Guard; reports to General Assembly, state militias, etc.

Summary

Virginia National Guard; reports to the General Assembly; state militias; work group; report. Requires the Adjutant General to submit an annual report to the General Assembly detailing federal and state deployments of the Virginia National Guard and other matters relating to retention, readiness, funding, and resources. The bill prohibits the Governor from calling forth the Virginia National Guard for the purpose of intimidating, threatening, or coercing, or attempting to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, a person in giving his vote or ballot or to deter or prevent such person from voting. The bill additionally prohibits armed militia from another state, territory, or district from entering the Commonwealth for the purpose of active military duty over the objection of the Governor without meeting certain conditions. The bill allows certain members of the General Assembly to request that the Attorney General assess the legality of the deployment of the (i) National Guard of another state within the Commonwealth or (ii) Virginia National Guard. Finally, the bill directs the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs to convene a work group to assess the most appropriate manner and process by which the Governor and members of the General Assembly should respond to deployments of the Virginia National Guard. This bill is identical to SB 337.

Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Vetoed

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 9, 2026 Vetoed Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

Finance and Appropriations Substitute → Governor Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a Senate draft proposing a study on National Guard mobilization to a Governor's substitute that immediately mandates annual reporting. The new version requires the Adjutant General to submit detailed annual reports on deployments, readiness, funding, and resource use by September 30, 2026, replacing the previous directive for a future assessment.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from a preliminary study on how to handle National Guard mobilizations to an immediate, ongoing requirement for detailed annual reporting on current operations and funding.

TIMELINE

The deadline for the initial report changed from November 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026.

REQUIREMENT

New mandatory reporting requirements were added, requiring the Adjutant General to submit an annual report detailing all federal and state deployments, retention impacts, yearly federal funding breakdowns, and use of National Guard resources by federal authorities.

The requirement for the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs to conduct a study on the appropriate response to National Guard mobilization was removed.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was restructured to amend specific Code of Virginia sections (§ 44-75.1 and adding § 44-15.1) rather than standing as a standalone directive.

Enrolled → General Laws and Technology Substitute · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from an Enrolled Act into a Senate substitute amendment, which significantly narrowed the scope of National Guard deployments and added strict communication restrictions. The new version removes the Adjutant General's requirement to report on drug interdiction activities and federal funding shortfalls, while adding a requirement that all federal orders must be transmitted through the Governor before any action is taken. It also introduces a new prohibition on state officials communicating directly with federal authorities regarding troop mobilization, except for specific, limited exceptions like declared wars or natural disasters.

Scope change

The bill's scope was reduced by removing provisions that required the Adjutant General to report on drug interdiction efforts and federal funding usage. Additionally, the scope of allowable military support was narrowed by removing the 'National Guard Mutual Assistance Counterdrug Activities Compact' as a valid reason for deployment.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for the Adjutant General to submit an annual report detailing federal and state deployments, including costs and readiness impacts.

Deleted the mandate for the Adjutant General to report on any shortfall or misuse of federal funding and the use of National Guard resources by federal authorities.

Added a new section requiring that no armed militia from another state can enter the Commonwealth for active duty without the Governor's permission, unless acting under Title 10 of the U.S. Code.

Introduced a strict prohibition on state officials communicating with federal authorities about troop mobilization until the Governor is notified and provides instructions.

Created a list of six specific exceptions where communication between state and federal officials regarding active service is permitted, such as declared wars or congressionally authorized missions.

SCOPE

Eliminated the provision allowing National Guard deployment to support drug interdiction, counterdrug, and demand reduction activities.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date provision to state that the act will not become effective unless reenacted by the 2027 Session of the General Assembly.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 10, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

How they voted

36–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 39

Mar 10, 2026

D Democratic20

19 Yea 1

95% Yea

R Republican19

17 Yea 2

89% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 13, 2026

Vetoed

Governor's recommendation received by House

executive

Mar 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB286ER)

lower

Mar 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

upper

Mar 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

Conference report agreed to by House (62-Y 35-N 0-A)

lower

Mar 14, 2026

Legislature · Passed

Conference Report released

legislature

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Senate requested conference committee

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (10-Y 4-N)

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 6-N)

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate committee offered

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time and passed House (60-Y 36-N 0-A)

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Public Safety (15-Y 6-N)

lower

Jan 9, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Public Safety

lower

1 primary · 11 co-sponsors