HB 502 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Baccalaureate public institutions of higher education; fixed in-state tuition rates.

Summary
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; fixed in-state tuition policy; review; report. Requires the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (the Council), in consultation with each baccalaureate public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth, to assess the potential impact of a policy whereby such institutions are required to establish a fixed in-state tuition rate for each incoming first year undergraduate Virginia student enrolled in a four-year baccalaureate program and declare each such student eligible for such rate for four academic years or any portion or term thereof during which the student makes satisfactory progress toward completing such degree program, provided that the student maintains continuous enrollment. The bill requires the Council to report its findings to the Chairs of the House Committee on Appropriations, the House Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on Education and Health, and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations no later than November 30, 2026.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Feb 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Education Substitute · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended from its original introduction to become a substitute version that shifts focus from amending existing tuition laws to requiring a study. The original bill sought to modify tuition and fee structures for Virginia public universities, while the new version directs the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to assess the potential impact of fixed tuition rates before implementing such a policy.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed from directly amending tuition and fee regulations to requiring a preliminary impact assessment study. The original version would have immediately altered how universities set tuition rates, while the substitute version delays implementation by first requiring analysis of the policy's effects.
REQUIREMENT

Removed provisions that would have amended Code of Virginia sections 23.1-307, 23.1-509.1, and 23.1-1301 regarding tuition setting, fee structures, and governing board powers.

Added requirement for State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to assess the impact of fixed in-state tuition rates and report findings to legislative committees by November 30, 2026.

TIMELINE

Changed the bill's purpose from immediate legislative action to requiring a study and report before any policy changes are implemented.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed detailed provisions about fixed tuition rates for incoming students, continuous enrollment requirements, and exceptions for five-year degree programs.

FISCAL

Removed provisions about tuition caps, state funding limitations, and financial aid requirements for maintaining affordability.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

850
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 87
Feb 17, 2026
D Democratic52
51 Yea 1
98% Yea
R Republican35
34 Yea 1
97% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
6
Committee
9
Feb 23, 2026
Committee
Assigned Education sub: Higher Education
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Education with substitute (21-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
House committee offered
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee offered
lower
Feb 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (6-Y 3-N)
lower
Feb 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee offered
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
Assigned HED sub: Higher Education
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Education
lower
0 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.