HB950Introduced in the House of Delegates
Unmanned aircraft systems; use by public bodies, search warrant required, exceptions.
Introduced by Alfonso Lopez, District 3
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Use of unmanned aircraft systems by public bodies; search warrant required; exceptions. Adds the Department of Environmental Quality to the list of exceptions to the warrant requirement for the use of an unmanned aircraft system by public bodies for the implementation and civil enforcement of the Virginia Water Resources and Wetlands Protection Program, the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Act, and erosion and sediment control in localities without a Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program against a permittee.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0245)
April 6, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A) · March 2, 2026
40
Yes
0
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
40 senators recorded in this Senate 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 senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Michael Jones | 77 | Yes |
| Timmy French | 1 | Yes |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | Yes |
| Chris Head | 3 | Yes |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | Yes |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | Yes |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | Yes |
| William Stanley | 7 | Yes |
| Mark Peake | 8 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102887D
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (6-Y 3-N)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB950)
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) (15-Y 7-N)
Read first time
Read second time
committee amendments agreed to
Engrossed by House as amended
Read third time and passed House (63-Y 35-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB950)
Reported from Courts of Justice (14-Y 0-N 1-A)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Read third time
Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB950ER)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB950)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 245 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0245)
Verify the information
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