Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 776: Virginia National Guard; biennial training.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 776 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Virginia National Guard; biennial training. Primary sponsor: Virgil Thornton (Democratic). It lists 7 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (February 18, 2026): Left in Committee Public Safety.
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.
Department of Military Affairs; biennial training; Virginia National Guard; report. Requires the Department of Military Affairs (the Department) to conduct a biennial training among all officers of the Virginia National Guard, the curriculum for which shall be established by the Adjutant General in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Attorney General, and the Governor. Such training shall (a) remind officers of their oath to upholding the Constitution; (b) inform officers on the process for identifying and responding to suspected unlawful order; and (c) remind officers of their obligation to remain nonpartisan in the execution of their duties. The bill requires the Department to conduct the training among all officers of the Virginia National Guard by November 1, 2026. The bill directs the Adjutant General to require officers holding command and company and flight commanders to inform their Guard members on the processes for addressing any suspected unlawful order. The bill additionally directs the Adjutant General to establish a standard operating procedure by which officers can report the issuance of an unlawful order to the Office of the Attorney General, the Inspector General of the Virginia National Guard, and the United States Department of War and Military Services Offices of Inspector General.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 6
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virgil Thornton | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 86 |
| Jessica L. Anderson | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Bonita Anthony | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 92 |
| Nadarius Clark | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 84 |
| J.R. Henson | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 19 |
| Michael J. Jones | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Dave Marsden | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 35 |
| Irene Shin | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 8 |
“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 Public Safety
- Subcommittee recommends striking from the docket (7-Y 0-N)
- Assigned HMPPS sub: Subcommittee #2
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB776)
- Referred to Committee on Public Safety
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105122D