HB 648 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Nitrous oxide; sale, distribution, etc., prohibited, penalties.

Summary

Distributing nitrous oxide prohibited; penalties. Prohibits the sale or distribution of (i) a device that is designed or intended to deliver a gas containing nitrous oxide through direct inhalation, with exceptions defined in the bill; (ii) nitrous oxide that has, or is marketed as having, the taste or smell of any food or beverage that is distinguishable by an ordinary consumer either prior to or during consumption or use of such nitrous oxide to any person not exempted in the bill; and (iii) a container of nitrous oxide that exceeds eight grams, with exceptions defined in the bill. A violation of such prohibitions is a Class 1 misdemeanor. This bill is identical to SB 360.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Apr 6, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

Criminal Subcommittee Substitute → Chaptered · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was finalized and approved for Chapter 191, changing the session year to 2026. The text includes minor formatting updates, such as adding spaces after section symbols and renumbering subsections to correct a drafting error where two subsections shared the letter 'B'.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting corrections were made, including adding spaces after section symbols and renumbering subsections to fix a duplicate lettering error.

The document header was updated to reflect the final chapter number (Chapter 191) and the approval date of April 6, 2026.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed

Total votes 39

Mar 3, 2026

D Democratic20

20 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 6, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 191 (effective 7/1/2026)

executive

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB648ER)

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N)

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time and passed House (95-Y 0-N 1-A)

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from General Laws (20-Y 1-N)

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 1-N)

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and referred to General Laws (22-Y 0-N)

lower

Feb 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

House subcommittee offered

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

House subcommittee offered

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Committee

Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal

lower

Jan 13, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors