Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 872: Portable electronic devices; possession in district or circuit court, policies set by chief judge.
Passed both chambers Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 872 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Portable electronic devices; possession in district or circuit court, policies set by chief judge. Primary sponsor: Rae Cousins (Democratic). It lists 4 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (April 11, 2026): Governor's recommendation received by House.
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.
Possession of portable electronic device in district or circuit court. Requires the chief judge of each general district court, juvenile and domestic relations district court, and circuit court to set a policy regarding the use and possession of portable electronic devices by visitors to the court. The bill authorizes such chief judge to condition the use and possession of portable electronic devices upon certain limitations. The bill also requires that any such policy be conspicuously posted at the entrance of the courthouse and available on the Virginia Judicial System's website, the district or circuit court's individual website, or a local government website that also has information about such district or circuit court.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4 · Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rae Cousins | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 79 |
| Lamont Bagby | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 14 |
| Marty Martinez | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 29 |
| Cia Price | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 85 |
| Lee Ware | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 72 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Governor's recommendation received by House
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
- Signed by Speaker
- Signed by President
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB872)
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB872ER)
- Enrolled
- Senate substitute agreed to by House (88-Y 6-N 0-A)
- Passed Senate with substitute (23-Y 17-N 0-A)
- Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
- Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to
Showing 12 most recent of 35 actions. Full history