VA HB 776
Status unknownVirginia National Guard; biennial training.
Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · lower
Quick answers
Did VA HB 776 pass?
The current status of VA HB 776 is not known from the official record. Latest recorded action (2026-02-18): Left in Committee Public Safety
What is VA HB 776 about?
Department of Military Affairs; biennial training; Virginia National Guard; report. Requires the Department of Military Affairs (the Department) to conduct a biennial training among all officers of the Virginia National Guard, the curriculum for which shall be established by the Adjutant General in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Attorney General, and the Governor. Such training shall (a) remind officers of their oath to upholding the Constitution; (b) inform officers on the process for identifying and responding to suspected unlawful order; and (c) remind officers of their obligation to remain nonpartisan in the execution of their duties. The bill requires the Department to conduct the training among all officers of the Virginia National Guard by November 1, 2026. The bill directs the Adjutant General to require officers holding command and company and flight commanders to inform their Guard members on the processes for addressing any suspected unlawful order. The bill additionally directs the Adjutant General to establish a standard operating procedure by which officers can report the issuance of an unlawful order to the Office of the Attorney General, the Inspector General of the Virginia National Guard, and the United States Department of War and Military Services Offices of Inspector General.
Who sponsors VA HB 776?
Virgil Thornton is the primary sponsor of VA HB 776, joined by 7 cosponsors.
Description
Department of Military Affairs; biennial training; Virginia National Guard; report. Requires the Department of Military Affairs (the Department) to conduct a biennial training among all officers of the Virginia National Guard, the curriculum for which shall be established by the Adjutant General in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Attorney General, and the Governor. Such training shall (a) remind officers of their oath to upholding the Constitution; (b) inform officers on the process for identifying and responding to suspected unlawful order; and (c) remind officers of their obligation to remain nonpartisan in the execution of their duties. The bill requires the Department to conduct the training among all officers of the Virginia National Guard by November 1, 2026. The bill directs the Adjutant General to require officers holding command and company and flight commanders to inform their Guard members on the processes for addressing any suspected unlawful order. The bill additionally directs the Adjutant General to establish a standard operating procedure by which officers can report the issuance of an unlawful order to the Office of the Attorney General, the Inspector General of the Virginia National Guard, and the United States Department of War and Military Services Offices of Inspector General.
- Introduced
- 2026-01-13
- Latest action
- 2026-02-18 — Left in Committee Public Safety
- Bill type
- bill
- Last updated
- —
Sponsors
- Virgil Thorntonprimary
- Michael J. Jonescosponsor
- Irene Shincosponsor
- Rozia A. Henson, Jr.cosponsor
- David W. Marsdencosponsor
- Bonita G. Anthonycosponsor
- Jessica L. Andersoncosponsor
- Nadarius E. Clarkcosponsor
Committees
Not provided by source.
Action timeline
2026-01-13
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105122D
filing,introduction
2026-01-13
Referred to Committee on Public Safety
referral-committee
2026-01-15
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB776)
2026-01-23
Assigned HMPPS sub: Subcommittee #2
referral-committee
2026-02-05
Subcommittee recommends striking from the docket (7-Y 0-N)
2026-02-18
Left in Committee Public Safety
Versions
Documents
Votes
Subcommittee recommends striking from the docket
2026-02-05 · pass · 7-0
Member-level votes (7)
- Sam Rasoul: yes
- Holly M. Seibold: yes
- Rae Cousins: yes
- Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker: yes
- Jessica L. Anderson: yes
- Michael J. Webert: yes
- Karen Hamilton: yes
Related bills
No related bills recorded for this bill.
Official source
Attribution
Data from openstates_bulk_csv, retrieved 2026-07-24T05:35:59.552682Z
Inspect retained evidence for changes recorded after evidence tracking began:
Use this data
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