(The Center Square) – The Virginia General Assembly reconvened Wednesday to take action on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s vetoes and amendments to legislation passed during the 2025 session.
The Democratic-controlled legislature rejected 172 of Youngkin’s 205 budget amendments, which aimed to reduce spending and increase the state’s reserve fund by $300 million. The democratic priorities were upheld, lifting the funding cap on school support services and maintaining a $15 million first-time home buyer initiative. Six of the governor’s eight-line budget vetoes were sustained, while two were ruled out of order.
Youngkin signed 599 bills into law, vetoed 157, and proposed amendments to 159 others. The governor also introduced 205 amendments and eight-item vetoes to the state budget.
After the regular session ends, the governor can sign, amend or veto bills. The General Assembly then returns for a single-day session to either override vetoes, which requires a two-in-three vote in both chambers, or accept or reject amendments made by the governor.
Wednesday also marked Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears’s final day presiding over the Virginia Senate.
Lawmakers rejected Youngkin’s amendments to bills concerning the oversight of pharmacy benefit managers. The governor proposed more research into the matter, while the general assembly opted for increased oversight measures.
Democrats had also attempted to override the governor’s gun-related votes, including measures to ban assault-style weapons and close the “boyfriend loophole,” which relates to the firearm possession in domestic violence.
The governor acknowledged the actions, stating, “Over the next 30 days, I will review and take final action on the bills and budget amendments that have been sent back to my desk. Thank you again to the General Assembly members for their work throughout this legislative session.”
During the reconvened session, lawmakers also finalized several key bills. One, House Bill 1766, will boost unemployment compensation by $100 per week starting in 2026, capping payments at 26 weeks.
One measure, House Bill 1642, restricts the use of artificial intelligence tools in the criminal justice system and bars AI-generated predictions from serving as the sole basis for pretrial detention, sentencing, parole or related decisions.
A third key measure, House Bill 1712, mandates new training standards for law enforcement officers responding to individuals experiencing mental or behavioral health crises. The first requirements would take effect in 2026.
The General Assembly also advanced House Bill 1924, which bars school boards from hiring or contracting individuals with certain violent felony or child abuse convictions.
All four bills advanced with the governor’s recommendations adopted and were reenrolled for final passage.
