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HB702Introduced in the House of Delegates

Local law-enforcement agencies; firearm give-back or sell-back programs.

Passed

Introduced by Joshua Cole, District 28

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.

Official description

Local law-enforcement agencies; firearm give-back or sell-back programs. Allows for any county or city law-enforcement agency and any town law-enforcement agency to develop policies and procedures to implement either a firearm give-back program or a firearm sell-back program by January 1, 2028, and annually thereafter. The bill enumerates several requirements to be included in such policies. The bill also requires local law-enforcement agencies to submit an annual report to the Department of State Police. The bill states that proceeds generated from the sale or auction of a returned firearm shall be deposited into the locality's general fund or used solely for the administration of the locality's firearm give-back program or firearm sell-back program.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1067)

April 22, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

7 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

4 recorded votes · each counted separately

SenateStage: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A) · April 22, 2026

21

Yes

18

No

1

Absent or Not Voting

40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker5Yes
Michael Jones77Yes
Timmy French1No
Mark Obenshain2No
Chris Head3Absent
David Suetterlein4No
Travis Hackworth5No
Todd Pillion6No
William Stanley7No
Mark Peake8No

Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102339D

  2. Referred to Committee on Public Safety

  3. Assigned HMPPS sub: Firearms

  4. House subcommittee offered

  5. House subcommittee offered

  6. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (7-Y 3-N)

  7. Reported from Public Safety with substitute and referred to Appropriations (15-Y 6-N)

  8. Committee substitute printed 26106538D-H1

  9. Assigned HAPP sub: Transportation & Public Safety

  10. Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 2-N)

  11. Reported from Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)

  12. Read first time

  13. Read second time

  14. committee substitute agreed to

  15. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

  16. Read third time and passed House (62-Y 34-N 1-A)

  17. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  18. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

  19. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB702)

  20. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (9-Y 6-N)

  21. Rules suspended

  22. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

  23. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  24. Committee substitute printed 26108462D-S1

  25. Read third time

  26. Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to

  27. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

  28. Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

  29. Senate substitute agreed to by House (59-Y 34-N 0-A)

  30. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB702)

  31. Enrolled

  32. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB702ER)

  33. Signed by Speaker

  34. Signed by President

  35. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB702)

  36. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

  37. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  38. Governor's recommendation received by House

  39. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (63-Y 36-N 0-A)

  40. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

  41. Governor's recommendation adopted

  42. Reenrolled

  43. Reenrolled bill text (HB702ER2)

  44. Signed by Speaker

  45. Signed by President

  46. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1067 (effective 7/1/2026)

  47. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1067)

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