HB626
Firearm or explosive material; exemptions, carrying public institutions of higher education.
Status:
In Senate
Latest Action:
Feb. 6, 2026
Senate: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Chief Patron:
Katrina Callsen (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Introduced. Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square or building owned or leased by the Commonwealth; exemptions; public institutions of higher education; penalty.
Limits the exemption from the prohibition on the carrying of any firearm or explosive material within any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or agency thereof or any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties ... (More) that currently applies to any property owned or operated by a public institution of higher education to instead apply to any individual within a building owned or operated by a public institution of higher education who possesses a weapon as part of such public institution of higher education's curriculum or activities or as part of any organization authorized by such public institution of higher education to conduct its programs or activities within such building, as such uses are approved through the law-enforcement or public safety unit of such institution. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/13/2026 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105402D
- 01/13/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/13/2026 3:34 pm)
- 01/13/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on Public Safety
- 01/27/2026 - House: Assigned HMPPS sub: Firearms
- 01/27/2026 - House: Placed on Public Safety Agenda
- 01/29/2026 - House: Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 3-N)
- 01/29/2026 - House: Placed on Public Safety Agenda
- 01/30/2026 - House: Reported from Public Safety (15-Y 6-N)
- 02/03/2026 - House: Read first time
- 02/04/2026 - House: Read second time and engrossed
- 02/05/2026 - House: Read third time and passed House (63-Y 35-N 0-A) Close Floor Vote
- 02/05/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB626)
- 02/06/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- 02/06/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
