HB905Introduced in the House of Delegates
Persons other than ministers who may perform rites of marriage; clerk may issue order.
Introduced by Alfonso Lopez, District 3
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
Persons other than ministers who may perform rites of marriage; clerk; issuance of order; bond requirement. Provides that a clerk of a circuit court may issue an order authorizing one or more persons to celebrate the rites of marriage in the Commonwealth. Under current law, only a circuit court judge may issue such an order. The bill further makes discretionary the entrance into a bond in the penalty of $500 prior to performing the rites of marriage for a person authorized to celebrate the rites of marriage; under current law, such entry is mandatory. Finally, the bill civilly immunizes the clerk of any circuit court from a cause of action arising from the issuance or rescinding of such order, absent gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0437)
April 8, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
4 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
House of DelegatesStage: Senate amendments agreed to by House (73-Y 24-N 0-A) · March 11, 2026
73
Yes
24
No
2
Absent or Not Voting
99 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.
One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.
See how each delegate voted
| Delegate | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Hope | 1 | Yes |
| Adele McClure | 2 | Yes |
| Alfonso Lopez | 3 | Yes |
| Charniele Herring | 4 | Yes |
| Kirk McPike | 5 | Yes |
| Richard Sullivan | 6 | Yes |
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | 7 | Yes |
| Irene Shin | 8 | Yes |
| Karrie Delaney | 9 | Yes |
| Dan Helmer | 10 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104636D
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Assigned HCJ sub: Civil
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (7-Y 1-N)
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) (21-Y 1-N)
Read first time
Read second time
committee amendment agreed to
Engrossed by House as amended
Read third time and passed House (75-Y 22-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Senate committee offered
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (9-Y 5-N)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Read third time
Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to
Engrossed by Senate as amended
Passed Senate with amendments (24-Y 16-N 0-A)
Senate amendments agreed to by House (73-Y 24-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB905ER)
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 437 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0437)
Verify the information
- Official page on the Virginia Legislature website
- Civil Subcommittee Amendment (amendment)
- Courts of Justice Amendment (amendment)
- Courts of Justice Amendment (amendment)
- Courts of Justice Amendment (amendment)
- Senate Amendments (amendment)
- Introduced (text)
- Engrossed (text)
- Enrolled (text)
- Chaptered (text)
Our commitment to neutrality
We provide factual information only. We never tell you which politicians or bills to support, and we do not rank, score, or endorse anyone.