SB 609 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Virginia Lottery and Gaming Authority; established, definitions, prohibited acts, etc.

Summary

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 58.1-4000, 58.1-4002 through 58.1-4008, 58.1-4023, 58.1-4027, 58.1-4100, 58.1-4102, 58.1-4103, 58.1-4105 through 58.1-4117, 58.1-4119 through 58.1-4124, 58.1-4126, 58.1-4127, 58.1-4133, 58.1-4136, 58.1-4138, and 58.1-4140 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 58.1 a chapter numbered 40.1, containing articles numbered 1 through 2, consisting of sections numbered 58.1-4049 through 58.1-4074, by adding in Title 58.1 a chapter numbered 40.2, consisting of sections numbered 58.1-4075 through 58.1-4093, by adding in Title 58.1 a chapter numbered 42, consisting of sections numbered 58.1-4142 through 58.1-4172, by adding in Title 58.1 a chapter numbered 43, consisting of sections numbered 58.1-4173 through 58.1-4187, by adding in Title 58.1 a chapter numbered 44, containing articles numbered 1 through 6, consisting of sections numbered 58.1-4188 through 58.1-4236; and to repeal Article 1.1:1 (§§ 18.2-340.15 through 18.2-340.37) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2, §§ 58.1-4001, 58.1-4007.1, 58.1-4007.3, 58.1-4009 through 58.1-4022.1, and 58.1-4029, Article 2 (§§ 58.1-4030 through 58.1-4048) of Chapter 40 of Title 58.1, Chapter 29 (§§ 59.1-364 through 59.1-405) of Title 59.1, and Chapter 51 (§§ 59.1-556 through 59.1-570) of Title 59.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to revenues, taxes, gaming, and lottery.

Bill status failed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Feb 2026

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Mar 14, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Finance and Appropriations Substitute → General Laws Substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised from a Finance and Appropriations Substitute to a General Laws Substitute, shifting the legislative focus from revenue and tax matters to broader gaming regulation and tribal consultation. The General Laws version expands the bill's scope to include new sections on tribal relations, agricultural oversight, and administrative processes, while removing specific financial provisions related to lottery and gaming funding. This change reflects a broader policy intent to integrate gaming regulation with state administrative structures and tribal consultation efforts.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from primarily financial and tax-related gaming provisions to include tribal consultation mechanisms, agricultural agency oversight, and administrative process reforms. The General Laws version adds substantive provisions for tribal relations and advisory boards that were not present in the Finance and Appropriations version.

SCOPE

Added Title 29.5 establishing new provisions for tribal consultation, including a Virginia Indian advisory board and an Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation to facilitate communication between federally recognized tribes and state agencies.

REQUIREMENT

Added provisions creating the position of Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, expanding the Secretary's responsibilities to include oversight of the Virginia Racing Commission.

FISCAL

Removed specific sections related to lottery proceeds allocation, gaming regulatory fund distributions, and tax revenue distribution that were present in the Finance and Appropriations version.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified the bill's focus from primarily financial appropriations and tax collection to include broader administrative and regulatory oversight provisions, including tribal recognition applications and agency consultation requirements.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions and provisions related to tribal consultation, including the Ombudsman role, advisory board composition, and requirements for environmental and cultural permit reviews.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified enforcement mechanisms to include tribal consultation requirements in permit reviews and added provisions for tribal advisory board oversight of recognition applications.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 11, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed

Total votes 39

Feb 11, 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

Mar 4, 2026

Committee

House requested conference committee

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed House with substitute (90-Y 6-N 0-A)

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from General Laws with substitute (19-Y 1-N)

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

House committee offered

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on General Laws

lower

Feb 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read third time and passed Senate (20-Y 19-N 0-A)

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (10-Y 5-N)

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Finance and Appropriations

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor