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Virginia · 2026 Regular Session
HB626Firearm or explosive material; exemptions, carrying in public institutions of higher education.
Direction
FirearmscarryAI label
↑Expands gun accessmodel confidence 90%
Expands exemptions allowing individuals to carry firearms in buildings owned or operated by public institutions of higher education if approved as part of curriculum, activities, or authorized organizations, so more ability to carry firearms in those locations.
any [deleted: property] 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 as approved through the law-enforcement or public safety unit of the institution or as part of any organization authorized by such public institution of higher education to possess weapons, as approved through the law-enforcement or public safety unit of the institution, while conducting its programs or activities within such building;
✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text
Filed (completed)
Committee (completed)
Passed one chamber (completed)
Passed both (completed)
Governor (completed)
Law
Stage: Law · step 6 of 6
Last action
2026-04-13: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0643)
Why the model tagged it this way: The bill amends § 18.2-283.2 to expand exemptions from the prohibition on carrying firearms in certain state-owned or leased buildings. The key change is in subsection E, which adds (or restores via deletion of limiting language) an exemption specifically for individuals possessing weapons in buildings of public institutions of higher education when tied to approved curriculum, activities, or authorized organizations. This increases the ability to carry firearms in those settings. No other topics are substantively addressed.
Related bills
HB1035Public schools; school security and discipline, employment of school security officers, training.↑Expands gun access=No change to gun access Committee
HB229Weapons; possession prohibited in hospital that provides mental health or developmental services.↓Restricts gun access↓Restricts gun access Law
HB101Concealed handguns; alternate methods of submission of applications for permits.↑Expands gun access Law
HB1524Assault firearms; carrying in public areas prohibited, exceptions, penalty.↓Restricts gun access=No change to gun access Law
Hearings and calendar
2026-01-29 16:00 · Hearing · House Public Safety: Firearms Hearing House North Subcommittee Room - 200
2026-01-30 08:00 · Hearing · House Public Safety Hearing House Committee Room A - 008
2026-02-23 08:00 · Hearing · Senate Courts of Justice Hearing Senate Room A, Room 305, General Assembly Building
2026-02-25 09:00 · Hearing · Senate Finance and Appropriations Hearing Senate Room A, Room 305, General Assembly Building
Votes
Date
Chamber
Motion
Yea-Nay
2026-01-30
H
Reported from Public Safety (15-Y 6-N)
15-6
Passed
2026-01-29
H
Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 3-N)
7-3
Passed
2026-02-05
H
Read third time and passed House (63-Y 35-N 0-A)
63-35
Passed
2026-02-23
S
Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 4-N)
9-4
Passed
2026-02-25
S
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)