Several flyers are being handed out this morning regarding the April 21st redistricting polls. @vcucns.bsky.social

VCU students say they expect most of their peers to vote “yes” to redistricting this special election.

@vcucns.bsky.social

VCU has a polling location on campus set up today for the redistricting referendum. Students have been coming and going all day to vote on whether the General Assembly’s redrawn map will go into effect later this year.
@vcucns.bsky.social

📸 The polling booths in the Commons Ballroom at VCU.

At VCU Compass asking students about their stance on Virginia’s redistricting policies. @vcucns.bsky.social

Virginia lawmakers want to build affordable housing opportunities Virginia lawmakers worked this session to address high housing costs. Nearly eight in 10 cost-burdened renters in Virginia spend more than 30% of their income on rent, which qualifies them as extreme...

A bill passed and signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger gives local governments more tools to help speed up affordable housing developments.

Interested in knowing more? Read here: www.henricocitizen.com/virginia-law...

@vcucns.bsky.social

Lawmakers pass reduced penalties for invasive plant violations The bills reduce the penalty from a class 1 misdemeanor to a civil fine for failing to notify property owners before installing invasive plants.

Invasive plants are a growing problem, but there were many solutions to try and combat it this session.

One topic addressed to reduce the penalty for landscapers to a civil penalty from a criminal law. 

Wonder what that entails? Read more here: cardinalnews.org/2026/03/09/l...

@vcucns.bsky.social

Virginia could soon require permit to hunt with dogs A long-debated bill that would require permits for hunting with dogs has passed the House.

This session brought a bill proposing a $19 permit for dog hunting. After a Senate vote, it was continued to 2027.

Will Virginia remain one of the last states allowing largely unrestricted dog hunting, or will it change next session?

Read more: cardinalnews.org/2026/02/24/v...

@vcucns.bsky.social

Virginia is a top state for wildlife-vehicle collisions, and this bill could help reduce them

Virginia ranks in the top 10 for wildlife-vehicle collisions.

Reporting for CNS, I dug into something I’d never really knew before: wildlife corridors.

If you’re interested in a bill that helped developed an established grant fund, take a look: www.whro.org/environment/...

@vcucns.bsky.social

Cannabis testing challenges persist as Virginia retail market nears By Stef Anderson/VCU Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. –THC breathalyzers are often discussed as a way to detect drivers under the influence, especially as Virginia closes in on a retail

THC breathalyzers are often discussed as a way to detect drivers under the influence, especially as Virginia closes in on a retail cannabis market, but questions remain about their effectiveness.
My fourth CNS article is here: www.cbs19news.com/news/state/c...
@vcucns.bsky.social

Bill on youth mental health screenings advance - Kenbridge Victoria Dispatch Lawmakers advanced a House bill requiring two state agencies to develop best practices for annual mental health screenings for students

Lawmakers advanced a House bill directing two state agencies to develop best practices for annual mental health screenings for students in grades 6–12 amid rising reports of student mental health struggles. @vcucns.bsky.social

kenbridgevictoriadispatch.com/2026/02/27/b....

Lawmakers nix adding career coaches in public high schools Lawmakers debated whether to expand career readiness to high school students in Virginia, but ultimately concerns over funding halted the bill.

Lawmakers debated whether to expand career readiness to high school students in Virginia, but ultimately, the concerns over funding halted the bill. @vcucns.bsky.social

www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/lawmake...

Democrats and Republicans in the Virginia General Assembly were divided along party lines this session, but came together over some key issues.

Out of nearly 2,400 bills introduced, 376 bills passed unanimously, according to VPAP.

Read more here: rvahub.com/2026/04/10/t...

A dress code to visit Virginia’s correctional facilities? This bill could require one. House lawmakers advanced a bill to create a clear, statewide dress code for visitors to state correctional facilities. The bill is intended to help reduce confusion and denied visits.

Lawmakers passed a bill to create a clear, statewide dress code for visitors to state correctional facilities, to help reduce confusion and denied visits. My second CNS article is here: www.dailypress.com/2026/02/19/d...
@vcucns.bsky.social

Lobby Day brings out Virginia climate advocates amid ‘energy crisis’ Over a dozen climate organizations and hundreds of advocates attended Virginia Climate Lobby Day at the State Capitol, at the midpoint of the General Assembly session.

Over a dozen climate organizations and hundreds of advocates attended Virginia Climate Lobby Day at the midpoint of the General Assembly session.

The event was hosted by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and the Sierra Club’s Virginia Chapter.

More here: www.pilotonline.com/2026/03/06/l...

Proposed bill could offer Virginia inmates ‘sense of pride,’ reduced fees

A Virginia General Assembly House bill that will allow work done while incarcerated to count toward court fines and costs has been signed by the governor.

@vcucns.bsky.social

Virginia lawmakers seek ban on toxic chemicals used in cosmetics • Virginia Mercury House Bill 122 seeks to bolster consumer protections by banning toxic ingredients used in the beauty industry.

RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia lawmakers want to remove toxic chemicals from cosmetics to better protect public health, something advocates say is also better for the environment. Read my first article published under Capital News Service, here: virginiamercury.com/2026/02/03/v...

General Assembly kills statewide animal cruelty list once again Del. Ellen McLaughlin proposed a publicly accessible, statewide registry that included the names of people with felony convictions for cruelty to animals, including animal fighting, maiming, poison…

A proposed statewide animal cruelty registry in Virginia failed again — despite years of attempts.

Supporters say it helps protect animals and aid law enforcement.
Opponents argue registries don’t reduce crime.

Lawmakers are not giving up!

Check it out~

cardinalnews.org/2026/03/09/g...

At the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee today- a packed agenda on the docket.
@vcucns.bsky.social
#generalassembly #virginiacapitol

As a resident from Loudoun County, this is an interesting bill. HB 500 would acquire land near the Leesburg outskirts and establish it as a state park. This would allow a conveyance for 1,240 acres from the Conservation Fund. @vcucns.bsky.social

Today, the Senate and Appropriations committee has a packed agenda with 72 bills ahead of them.

Among them: House Bill 515, prohibiting credit cards in sports betting with a 15-0 vote.

@vcucns.bsky.social

Senate Finance and Appropriations committee set to begin at 9:30 this morning with a heavy agenda. A plethora of House bills concerning the use of the state budget.

@vcucns.bsky.social
#news #generalassembly #liveupdates

Virginia Speaker of the House Don Scott on what Americans can expect to hear from President Trump at the State of the Union speech on Tuesday, Feb.24 at 9 p.m. and what we can expect to hear from Gov. Spanberger — who will deliver the response. #SOTU

📍Senate Agriculture Committee

Del. Irene Shin spoke about a bill that would regulate pet shops.

Del. Kathy Tran spoke about a bill that would create a list of houseplants that are toxic to cats and dogs.

#VirginiaGeneralAssembly

@vcucns.bsky.social

“It’s deeply problematic we’ve come to a place where we accept we should be in fear of a president who says … anything from outright lies to twistings of the truth,” Gov. Spanberger says of Sen. Sturtevant’s concern an aggressive SOTU response may hurt Virginia’s relationship with federal gov’t.

Full house in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources meeting this morning.

House Bill 1016, would like to have a list of common toxic household plants that are deemed unsafe for cats and dogs.
@vcucns.bsky.social

The 2026 session is winding down but lawmakers are still at work. Had the privilege of sitting in on a Senate Subcommittee meeting this morning where they discussed bills on topics such as toxic house plants, and hunting dogs. @vcucns.bsky.social

Gov. Spanberger outside the General Assembly building today! She was spotted speaking to members of the Virginia Poultry Federation, where they were giving out free food.
@vcucns.bsky.social
#abigailspanberger #virginiageneralassembly

Senate Agriculture Committee is hearing passionate testimony in support and opposition of HB 1396. The bill would create parameters and penalties for the trespass of hunting dogs on private land.

@vcucns.bsky.social
#news #generalassembly #vasenate #liveupdates

Bill would help create Virginia coastal policy amid rising sea level • Virginia Mercury Measure would establish a Habitat Policy Oversight Committee within the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, if approved by the Senate.

Bill would help create Virginia coastal policy amid rising sea levels. By Paige Frey

The state may soon create official guidance on marine policy, including how to protect habitats, wetlands and coastal areas.

virginiamercury.com/2026/02/19/b...

Virginia’s House Bill 911 voted 60 yeas to 34 nays in the House, extending the validity of non-REAL ID drivers licenses, permits, and identification cards to align with standard license periods. The DMV will use these new timelines when reissuing these documents. @vcucns.bsky.social