Virginia voter registration system; security plans & procedures, update of security standards, etc.
Summary
Directs the State Board of Elections to promulgate regulations and standards necessary to ensure the security and integrity of the Virginia voter registration system and the supporting technologies utilized by the counties and cities to maintain and record registrant information. The local electoral boards are also required to develop and update annually written plans and procedures to ensure the security and integrity of the supporting technologies. The local electoral boards are further required to report annually to the Department of Elections on their security plans and procedures. The bill authorizes the Department of Elections to limit a locality's access to the Virginia voter registration system if it is determined that the county or city has failed to develop security plans and procedures or to comply with the security standards established by the State Board; such access would be limited as necessary to address and resolve any security risks or to enforce compliance. Records describing protocols for maintaining the security of the Virginia voter registration system and the supporting technologies utilized to maintain and record registrant information are exempted from the Freedom of Information Act and meetings to discuss such protocols are permitted to be closed pursuant to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. The bill requires the State Board of Elections to convene a work group prior to adopting security standards and to establish a standing advisory group of local government IT professionals and general registrars to assist and consult on updates to security standards.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2019
Committee Review
Feb 2019
House of Delegates Passage
Feb 2019
Senate Passage
Feb 2019
Signed into Law
Mar 2019
Introduced Jan 8, 2019
Signed Mar 18, 2019
Floor votes · Senate Feb 14, 2019 · House of Delegates Feb 1, 2019
How they voted
34–0
Passed
Total votes 34
Feb 14, 2019
D
Democratic14
100% Yea
R
Republican20
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
32
Key actions
10
Committee
8
Amendments
3
Mar 18, 2019
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 426 (effective 7/1/19)
executive
Feb 23, 2019
Lower · Passed
Conference report agreed to by House (98-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 23, 2019
Legislature · Passed
Amended by conference committee
legislature
Feb 20, 2019
Upper · Passed
Senate requested conference committee
upper
Feb 18, 2019
Introduced
Engrossed by Senate as amended
upper
Feb 18, 2019
Upper · Passed
Committee amendment agreed to
upper
Feb 18, 2019
Introduced
Reading of amendment waived
upper
Feb 15, 2019
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day
upper
Feb 14, 2019
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (34-0)
senate
Feb 6, 2019
Committee
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
upper
Feb 5, 2019
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (99-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 4, 2019
Introduced
Engrossed by House as amended HB2178E
lower
Feb 4, 2019
Lower · Passed
Committee amendments agreed to
lower
Feb 1, 2019
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (20-0)
house of delegates
Jan 21, 2019
Committee
Assigned P & E sub: Subcommittee #2
lower
Jan 8, 2019
Committee
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
lower
Jan 8, 2019
Introduced
Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/19 19101864D
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Mark Sickles
DDemocratic
Co
Alfonso Lopez
DDemocratic
Co
Nick Rush
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 2178
Scope: VA
Hi! I can help you understand HB 2178. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline