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HJ 4001

Limiting legislation to be considered by the 2026 Special Session I of the General Assembly and establishing a schedule for the conduct of business coming before such Special Session.

2026, 1st Special Session Introduced by Charniele Herring

Limits Special Session I to Budget Bill(s) with few exceptions, requires 48-hour delay or two-thirds consent to speed, and mandates transparency on deviations from the Regular Sess

Presented, ordered printed (HJ4001)
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Bill Summary · HJ 4001

Summary of HJ 4001 (Session 2026S1) – Virginia

Core purpose

HJ 4001 provides a structured framework for the 2026 Special Session I of the Virginia General Assembly. It limits the types of legislation that may be offered or considered, establishes a defined schedule for conducting business, and sets procedural rules governing the handling of Budget Bill(s) during the session.

What the bill does (key provisions)

  • Scope of bills during Special Session I

    • Except with unanimous consent of the house in which the legislation is offered, no bill, joint resolution, or resolution may be offered or considered in either house during the Special Session other than:
    • The Budget Bill(s)
    • Single-house commending and memorial resolutions
    • Legislation affecting the rules of procedure or the schedule of business of the General Assembly, any house, or any committee
    • Elections of judges and other officials subject to General Assembly election
    • Appointments subject to General Assembly confirmation

  • Session mechanics and recesses

    • After convening, each body may recess from time to time and reconvene with at least 48 hours’ notice, by the call of the Speaker of the House or the Chair of the Senate Committee on Rules.

  • Definition of “Budget Bill(s)”

    • A general appropriation bill introduced that authorizes the biennial expenditure of public revenues for the period July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028.

  • Procedural rules for Budget Bill(s) during Special Session I

    1. Neither house may receive, consider, or vote on any committee amendment or floor amendment to Budget Bill(s) continued or considered from the 2026 Regular Session, unless both houses consent.
    2. Budget Bill(s) may not be considered earlier than 48 hours after introduction unless both houses agree by two-thirds vote in each house to proceed sooner. When introduced, a report must be issued detailing:
      • Items in the Budget Bill(s) not included in the general appropriation bills as passed by either the House or Senate during the 2026 Regular Session, by item number, description, and dollar amount
      • Items that represent legislation that failed in either house during the 2026 Regular Session
    3. No engrossment of the Budget Bill(s) is required in either house.
    4. The Special Session shall adjourn sine die (end without setting a date to reconvene).

Who and what is affected

  • Entities affected

    • Members of the Virginia House of Delegates and Virginia Senate (as participants in the Special Session)
    • Legislative process and procedures for the 2026 Special Session I
    • Budget Bill(s) and related fiscal-year appropriations for July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028

  • Impact on budgeting and legislation

    • Limits the chamber’s consideration during the Special Session to the Budget Bill(s) with limited exception items (commending resolutions, rule/procedure changes, elections, and confirmations).
    • Imposes a tight procedural framework to advance the Budget Bill(s), including a delaying mechanism (48-hour minimum before consideration) and a requirement to disclose deviations or previously failed items from the Regular Session.

Timeline and procedural context

  • Session trigger and timing
    • Special Session I summoned by the Governor’s proclamation dated March 20, 2026; convenes April 23, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
  • Key timing rules
    • Budget Bill(s) introduction and potential consideration require two-thirds votes in each house to accelerate beyond the 48-hour default delay.
    • Reports detailing deviations from Regular Session items must accompany Budget Bill(s) upon introduction.
    • The session is intended to conclude with no adjournment beyond sine die.

Practical implications

  • The measure creates a tightly constrained environment for the 2026 Special Session I, prioritizing the annualized biennial budget over other legislative work.
  • It reduces or eliminates the opportunity to amend or debate Budget Bill(s) through typical committee or floor amendments, unless both chambers agree to proceed earlier.
  • It provides transparency by requiring disclosure of any Budget Bill items not previously included or that previously failed, aiding lawmakers and the public in understanding changes from the Regular Session.
  • It overall sets a framework to finalize the state’s immediate budgetary needs while limiting non-budget legislation during the special session.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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