Sen. Bill DeSteph

Maddy summaryHJ 177 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late Honorable Barry D. Knight, a former state official. It has no policy provisions or direct impact on constituents, as it solely commemorates his life and service. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Senate on February 26, 2026, following standard procedural steps for commemorative measures. This type of resolution does not create law or affect any legal rights or obligations.

Maddy summaryHJ 79 is a ceremonial resolution commending the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation for its work. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or affect any specific policies or groups beyond expressing formal recognition. The resolution passed both chambers with voice votes in early February 2026 as a symbolic gesture.

Maddy summaryHJ 100 is a ceremonial joint resolution honoring Dr. John Michel de Triquet. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, people, or programs. The resolution simply expresses the legislature's commemoration of Dr. de Triquet's life and contributions, as approved by both the House and Senate.

Tow truck drivers; registration. Prohibits towing and recovery operators from employing tow truck drivers who are not registered with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, as required under current law. The bill also limits the requirement that a registered tow truck driver have his registration in his possession when driving a tow truck to when such driving is for hire.

Department of Veterans Services; Virginia War Memorial division. Clarifies that the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services shall provide supervision of the Virginia War Memorial Foundation and any other nonprofit corporation established as an instrumentality to provide fundraising for the Memorial and assist in the details of administering the affairs of the Memorial as delineated by memoranda of understanding. This bill is identical to HB 1047.

Use of unmanned aircraft systems by law-enforcement officers; search warrants; model policy. Expedites the issuance of a search warrant for unmanned aircraft systems by law-enforcement officers upon a finding of reasonable and probable cause by an authorized judicial official, as defined in the bill, and permits the use of unmanned aircraft systems without a search warrant when law enforcement is surveying the scene of a crime or to respond to a public safety call for service when such crime scene or call for service is located on public property, to locate a person when such person has fled the offense location during the initial response to an incident, or to provide real-time aerial observation to increase on-scene safety and security. Such provisions are subject to a reenactment clause. The bill also requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services, in consultation with the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission and the Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys, to establish a model policy for the use of unmanned aircraft systems by December 1, 2026. This bill is identical to HB 1219.

Public schools; student instruction; addictive potential of time spent using certain electronic devices. Requires instruction concerning time spent using electronic devices such as computers, cell phones, and other smart devices and the addictive potential thereof to be provided by the public schools as prescribed by the Board of Education. This bill is identical to HB 1486.

Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission; extension of expiration date. Extends the expiration date of the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2029. This bill is identical to HB 431.

Alcoholic beverage control; retail licenses; commercial lifestyle center licenses. Allows the Board of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority to grant a commercial lifestyle center license and a performing arts facility license for the same designated area in any municipality with a population in excess of 450,000 and an annual tourism fiscal impact in excess of $3.5 billion provided that (i) the performing arts facility license is limited to prescheduled events and (ii) such licenses shall not be used simultaneously.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution commends Kurt Rose for unspecified contributions or achievements. The bill is a ceremonial measure that does not create new laws or alter existing policies. It was passed by the Senate through a voice vote and serves as an official recognition rather than a substantive legislative change.