Skip to main content
Independent and nonpartisan. SaveYourState is a civic information resource. It is not a government website and is not affiliated with any government agency, party, or campaign.

Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 356: American Indians, Virginia and federally recognized tribes; establishes definitions, sovereignty.

In committee Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 356 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: American Indians, Virginia and federally recognized tribes; establishes definitions, sovereignty. Primary sponsor: Ryan McDougle (Republican). Most recent recorded action (February 12, 2026): Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 7-N).

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.

Definitions; American Indians; Virginia recognized tribes; federally recognized tribes; sovereignty. Provides that the Commonwealth acknowledges the inherent sovereignty of federally recognized tribes within the present-day external boundaries of the Commonwealth. The bill also establishes definitions for "American Indian," "federally recognized tribe," and "Virginia recognized tribe" and amends various sections throughout the Code for the purpose of uniformity in terminology. This bill is a recommendation of the Commission on Updating Virginia Law to Reflect Federal Recognition of Virginia Tribes.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Ryan McDouglePrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate26

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 7-N)
  2. Reported from General Laws and Technology and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB356)
  4. Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
  5. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100476D

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source