Sen. Mamie Locke

Average teacher salary in the Commonwealth; national average. Requires the Governor's introduced budget bills for the 2027 and 2028 Regular Sessions of the General Assembly to propose funding for, and state funding to be provided pursuant to the general appropriation act enacted during any regular or special session of the General Assembly during 2027 or 2028 to fund, the Commonwealth's share of compensation supplement incentives for Standards of Quality-funded instructional and support positions sufficient to increase the average teacher salary in the Commonwealth to at least the national average teacher salary by the end of fiscal year 2029 and establishes a detailed timeline and process for satisfying such requirement.

Law-enforcement officers; restrictions on wearing of facial coverings; exceptions; civil liability; penalty. Prohibits certain state and federal law-enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings, defined in the bill, while engaged in the performance of their official duties. The bill sets out several exceptions to such prohibition, including protective facial coverings to protect against disease, infection, and exposure to toxic substances and facial coverings worn by any law-enforcement officer assigned to a special weapons and tactics team while engaged in the performance of his official duties with such team. The bill subjects the law-enforcement officer to disciplinary action, including dismissal, demotion, suspension, transfer, or decertification, and creates a Class 1 misdemeanor for any law-enforcement officer who wears a facial covering in violation of the provisions of the bill unless the law-enforcement agency that employs such law-enforcement officer has adopted and established a written policy for and restrictions on the use of facial coverings. The bill also directs the Department of Criminal Justice Services to develop a model policy for and restrictions on the use of facial coverings by law-enforcement officers. Finally, the bill creates a civil cause of action for any person injured as a result of tortious conduct by a law-enforcement officer who knowingly and intentionally wears a facial covering in violation of the provisions of the bill. The bill provides that sovereign immunity shall not be a defense to civil liability for such tortious conduct.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally honors the Officer Down Memorial Page, a nonprofit organization that commemorates law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. It serves as a symbolic gesture of recognition without creating new laws, altering policies, or affecting any individuals or entities. The bill does not impose obligations or provide funding, as it is purely a ceremonial expression of support. It was unanimously approved by the Senate in February 2026.

Maddy summarySR 38 is a ceremonial Senate Resolution commending the Virginia Housing Alliance for its work in housing advocacy. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, programs, or individuals beyond formally recognizing the organization's contributions. The resolution passed the Senate unanimously via voice vote on February 12, 2026, and was filed with the clerk's office the following day. This type of resolution serves only to express legislative appreciation, with no binding effect or practical impact on housing policy.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 36) honoring Rebecca Michelle Sherrill. It does not create new laws or affect policies; it simply expresses the Senate's recognition of her contributions. The resolution was passed unanimously by the Senate on February 12, 2026, and is purely symbolic. It has no direct impact on constituents or legislation.

Prevailing wage rate; apprenticeship requirements; RPS-eligible source work; penalties. Requires each public service company, including its contractors and subcontractors, or third-party developer to ensure payment at the prevailing wage rate set by the Department of Labor and Industry for any mechanic, laborer, or worker employed, retained, or otherwise hired to perform construction, maintenance, or repair work for certain electricity generating sources. The bill requires each public service company to (i) ensure that 15 percent of the total labor hours of such work is performed by a qualified apprentice and (ii) employ at least one qualified apprentice if four or more individuals are employed to perform such work. Under the bill, a public service company that fails to meet the requirements of its provisions is required to make penalty payments to the Commissioner of Labor and Industry.

Commonwealth Flood Prevention Match Assistance Fund and Program; established. Establishes the Commonwealth Flood Prevention Match Assistance Fund and Program for the purpose of supporting local governments with grants to finance the cost share required of a local government for storm and flood risk management projects, as such terms are defined in the bill. The bill also requires an annual audit and an annual report to the Governor and the Chairs of the House Committees on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and Appropriations and the Senate Committees on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and Finance and Appropriations.

Constitutional amendment (voter referendum); qualifications of voters; right to vote; persons not entitled to vote. Provides for a referendum at the November 3, 2026, general election to approve or reject an amendment that would provide for the fundamental right to vote in the Commonwealth, revise the qualifications of voters so that a person convicted of a felony is not entitled to vote during his period of incarceration but is automatically invested with the right to vote upon release from incarceration, and update the existing prohibition on voting by persons found to be mentally incompetent to instead apply to persons who have been found to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting. This bill is identical to HB 963.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJ 82) honoring Rose Gartrell Vann. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group or policy. The resolution passed both the Senate (February 5, 2026) and House (February 9, 2026) to formally recognize her life and contributions. As a commemorative measure, it has no binding effect or practical policy changes.

Maddy summarySJ 81 is a ceremonial resolution commending the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association for its work in healthcare. It does not create new laws or policies; it simply expresses legislative appreciation for the association's contributions. The bill passed both the Senate and House via voice vote in February 2026 and was signed into law. This type of resolution affects only the named organization, offering no direct benefit or obligation to others.