SB 369: Civil actions; assignment as business litigation action, requirements, delayed effective date.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Civil actions; assignment as business litigation action; requirements. Allows counsel for any party or the judge of the circuit court initially assigned to certain civil actions to request to have such action assigned by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia to have such civil action assigned as a business litigation action. The bill provides that an action to be eligible to be considered a business litigation action, the action shall (i) have a minimum amount in controversy of $1,000,000, (ii) present special complexity, including specialized issues or acute litigation management needs, and (iii) fall into one or more of several enumerated categories of civil actions. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“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. March 2, 2026Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
2. February 23, 2026Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
3. February 19, 2026Assigned HCJ sub: Civil
4. February 19, 2026Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
5. February 19, 2026Read first time
6. February 19, 2026Placed on Calendar
7. February 16, 2026Read third time and passed Senate (36-Y 3-N 0-A)
8. February 13, 2026Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)
9. February 13, 2026Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)
10. February 13, 2026Read second time
11. February 12, 2026Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
12. February 12, 2026Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

Showing 12 most recent of 20 actions. Full history