Technology

signed · Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 581: Unauthorized use of voice or likeness; punitive damages, statute of limitations.

Unauthorized use of voice or likeness; punitive damages; statute of limitations. Expands the existing ability for any person to maintain a suit in equity, including the accompanying remedies available and statute of limitations, for the unauthorized use of his name, portrait, or picture for advertising purposes or for the purposes of trade to include the unauthorized use of his voice or likeness. This bill is identical to SB 753.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands civil liability for unauthorized digital likeness use, strengthening privacy protections against tech misuse in digital replicas.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 1467: Electric utilities; virtual power plant pilot program, Phase I Utilities.

Electric utilities; virtual power plant pilot program; Phase I Utilities. Requires Appalachian Power to petition the State Corporation Commission for approval to conduct a pilot program to evaluate methods to optimize demand through various technology applications, including the establishment of virtual power plants, by July 1, 2027. The bill requires the pilot program to evaluate electric grid capacity needs and the ability of such virtual power plants to provide grid services, including peak-shaving, during times of peak electric demand.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates utility pilot for virtual power plants to optimize grid with renewable tech, advancing clean energy infrastructure integration and grid services evaluation.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates utility pilot program evaluating technology applications (virtual power plants) to optimize grid demand and services, directly advancing tech-driven grid management solutions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Virginia · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 753: Unauthorized use of voice or likeness; punitive damages, statute of limitations.

Unauthorized use of voice or likeness; punitive damages; statute of limitations. Expands the existing ability for any person to maintain a suit in equity, including the accompanying remedies available and statute of limitations, for the unauthorized use of his name, portrait, or picture for advertising purposes or for the purposes of trade to include the unauthorized use of his voice or likeness. This bill is identical to HB 581.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands legal protections against unauthorized use of voice/likeliness in commercial contexts, strengthening data privacy rights for individuals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 876: Zoning; wireless facilities, temporary support structures.

Zoning; wireless facilities; temporary support structures. Requires a locality to include in its zoning ordinance provisions that allow for the use of temporary support structures that meet certain requirements. The bill defines a temporary support structure as a monopole or portable wireless communications facility used to provide wireless voice, data, or image transmission within a designated area. The bill provides that an application for a temporary support structure may request approval for up to 180 days with extensions not to exceed two years.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables wireless infrastructure deployment for data transmission, advancing internet access infrastructure through zoning provisions for temporary support structures.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Virginia · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 338: Consumer Data Protection Act; data controller responsibilities, precise geolocation data.

Consumer Data Protection Act; data controller responsibilities; precise geolocation data. Provides that, for purposes of the Consumer Data Protection Act, a controller of personal data shall not sell or offer for sale precise geolocation data concerning a consumer.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits sale of precise geolocation data, strengthening consumer privacy protections under data protection law.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Virginia · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 673: Stalking; using electronically transmitted communication, penalty.

Stalking by electronically transmitted communication; penalty. Provides that "electronically transmitted communication" includes communication by telephone, computer, or other electronic device for the offense of stalking, which is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor or, if the second offense occurs within five years of a prior conviction for stalking, is punishable as a Class 6 felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates cyberstalking to a Class 6 felony, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens cybersecurity and digital safety by expanding stalking protections to include electronic communications, enhancing consumer protection in digital spaces.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Virginia · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 105: STEM+C competition team grants; DOE to consider changes to application and eligibility guidelines.

Department of Education; STEM+C Competition Grant Program eligibility. Requires the Department of Education, prior to the 2026 application period for grants pursuant to the STEM+C Competition Team Grant Program (the Program), to consider making the following changes to the grant application and eligibility guidelines: (i) clarify that, in accordance with the provision of relevant law that provides that the purpose of the Program is to provide grants for use in establishing or supporting STEM+C competition teams, grants may be awarded to establish new STEM+C competition teams or support existing STEM+C competition teams and (ii) provide that, in the event that grant applications exceed available funds, priority shall be given to applications for the establishment of new STEM+C competition teams with demonstrated financial need.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for STEM competition teams, advancing student program funding and educational access in K-12 STEM education.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds STEM+C competition teams, directly supporting technology education and computing initiatives through grant programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Virginia · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 177: Va. Consumer Protection Act; prohibited practices, consumer reproductive/sexual health information.

Virginia Consumer Protection Act; prohibited practices; consumer reproductive or sexual health information. Provides that, for the Virginia Consumer Protection Act prohibition on obtaining, disclosing, selling, or disseminating any personally identifiable reproductive or sexual health information without consumer consent, such prohibition does not apply to nonpublic personal information subject to the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prohibits unauthorized disclosure of reproductive/sexual health data without consent, strengthening consumer data privacy protections under Virginia law, aligning with tech privacy indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Virginia · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 384: Artificial intelligence; framework for person/entity acting as an independent verification org.

Joint Commission on Technology and Science; artificial intelligence; independent verification organizations. Directs the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) to evaluate the feasibility and impact of developing a framework for any person or entity seeking to act as an independent verification organization that assesses artificial intelligence models' or applications' adherence to standards reflecting best practices for the prevention of personal injury and property damage. The bill directs JCOTS to submit a report with its recommendations and any findings to the Chairs of the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and General Laws and Technology and the House Committees on Appropriations and Communications, Technology and Innovation by November 1, 2026.  This bill is identical to HB 797.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates AI safety verification framework requiring adherence to standards preventing injury/damage, supporting consumer protection through regulatory oversight.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Virginia · Senate Apr 6, 2026

SB 245: School boards; use of social media by schools, etc.

School boards; use of social media platforms as sole means of certain communications prohibited. Provides that each school board shall prohibit public elementary and secondary schools, school board employees, and school volunteers from using a social media platform as the sole means of communication with students for the facilitation of school-related extracurricular activities. The bill provides an exception to such prohibition when such use is required to meet an objective that cannot be reasonably achieved without such use, provided that the division superintendent or his designee (i) provides clear, written instructions on such use and (ii) may revoke such exception at any time.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyImposes strict privacy defaults for minors, bans dark patterns, and mandates harm prevention - directly advancing data privacy protections in social media platforms.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology