SB 718 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Virginia National Guard; power of Governor to summon in certain circumstances.

Summary
Virginia National Guard; power of Governor to summon in certain circumstances; mobilization under federal authority; annual report. Provides that the Governor, within 48 hours of ordering the deployment of the Virginia National Guard, shall inform, in writing, the General Assembly of such deployment. The bill also provides that the Governor shall summon the General Assembly if he wishes for such a deployment to continue for longer than two weeks, and the General Assembly may pass a joint resolution by simple majority authorizing the continuation of such deployment. The bill also 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 clarifies that the Virginia National Guard's role in counterdrug operations is limited to that of support, as opposed to direct law enforcement. The bill also 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 provides several measures to be followed in the event of Virginia National Guard mobilization under federal authority either within or outside the Commonwealth, and such measures are enumerated within the bill.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Feb 4, 2026
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
Presented and ordered printed 26105292D
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Schuyler VanValkenburg
Schuyler VanValkenburg
DDemocratic
VA
16