General Assembly Week 1: What Alexandria's lawmakers voted on, introduced
Weekly recap of the 2026 legislative session
The Alexandria Brief is tracking legislation from the four state lawmakers who represent portions of Alexandria: Sen. Adam Ebbin (SD-39), Del. Charniele Herring (HD-4), Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (HD-5), and Del. Alfonso Lopez (HD-3).
Here’s what happened in Week 1.
Key votes
The General Assembly advanced four constitutional amendments to a statewide referendum expected in April:
Herring and Bennett-Parker co-patroned the redistricting and marriage equality amendments. Lopez co-patroned the reproductive rights, voting rights, and marriage equality amendments. The Alexandria Brief has reached out to Lopez for comment on his decision not to vote on redistricting.
Bills to watch
Here are some bills introduced by Alexandria-area lawmakers this week:
Housing & landlord-tenant
HB4 (Bennett-Parker): Affordable housing preservation
HB95 (Bennett-Parker): Landlord remedies for noncompliance
HB379 (Bennett-Parker): Rental application fees and deposits
Education
HB96 (Bennett-Parker): Free school breakfast for all students
HB912 (Lopez): Protects students from immigration-status discrimination
HB913 (Lopez): Reverses recent Superintendent of Public Instruction actions
Firearms
HB93 (Bennett-Parker): Firearms transfers to prohibited persons
HB916 (Lopez): Concealed handgun permit competence requirements
HB919 (Lopez): Firearms and ammunition tax
Workers & employment
HB627 (Herring): Bans non-compete agreements for health care workers
HB949 (Lopez): Non-compete agreement restrictions
HB1319 (Ebbin, chief co-patron): Unemployment benefits duration
HB1320 (Ebbin, chief co-patron): Increase weekly unemployment benefit
Energy & environment
HB397 (Herring): Clean energy and flood preparedness
HB914 (Lopez): Local Environmental Impact Fund
HB377 (Bennett-Parker): Building code energy efficiency
Immigration
HB915 (Lopez): Tax extension during federal government shutdown
Other
HB400 (Herring): Motion picture production tax credit increase
SB129 (Ebbin): Fantasy sports regulation and taxation
What’s next
Gov. Abigail Spanberger was inaugurated today. She will address a joint session of the General Assembly on Monday. Lawmakers will continue committee work next week.
Key dates
Jan. 17: Spanberger inauguration
Jan. 19: Spanberger addresses joint session
Jan. 20: House District 5 firehouse primary
Jan. 23: Last day to submit legislation
Feb. 10: Senate District 39 and House District 5 special elections
Feb. 12 (approx.): Crossover deadline
Feb. 18: Ebbin, Bennett-Parker resignations take effect
Feb. 26: Deadline for each chamber to act on its budget proposal
March 9: Last day for committee action
March 14: Session adjourns sine die
April (TBD): Constitutional amendments referendum
April 22: Reconvened session