Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 1277: Aggravated murder; admission to bail, creates rebuttable presumption against bail.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 1277 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 14, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Aggravated murder; admission to bail, creates rebuttable presumption against bail. Primary sponsor: Karen Hamilton (Republican). Most recent recorded action (February 18, 2026): Left in Committee Courts of Justice.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Aggravated murder; admission to bail; rebuttable presumption against bail; magistrates. Creates a rebuttable presumption against bail for certain criminal offenses enumerated in the bill. The bill requires the court to consider certain factors when determining whether the presumption against bail has been rebutted and whether there are appropriate conditions of release. The bill also expands the information a judicial officer can consider for determining bail, including any involuntary admission or commitment order within the previous three years, and provides that any person arrested for a felony who (i) has never been convicted of a violent offense, as defined in § 19.2-297.1, but his current arrest is for a violent felony, or (ii) has been convicted within the previous 10 years of three or more offenses, provided that each such offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor or felony and that the defendant has been at liberty between such convictions, may be released only upon a secure bond. The bill requires the judicial officer to file written findings if he grants bail in certain instances. Additionally, the bill requires the chief magistrate to file a written order with the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court if a magistrate is suspended that states the reasons for such suspension, including a failure to issue such written findings. Lastly, the bill also provides that the willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of any person while such person is on or within a vehicle operated by a public transportation service, as defined in relevant law, is guilty of aggravated murder.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Hamilton | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 62 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Left in Committee Courts of Justice
- Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1277)
- Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/15/2026 11:18 am)
- Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103298D