HB 159 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Va. Freedom of Information Act; proceedings for enforcement, petition for mandamus or injunction.

Summary

Virginia Freedom of Information Act; proceedings for enforcement; petition for mandamus or injunction. Specifies that service of process or a summons for a hearing shall not be required when a petition for mandamus or injunction to enforce rights granted under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act has been filed.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Jan 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 6, 2026 Last action Feb 25, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

General Laws and Technology Substitute → Engrossed · 3 edits · Jan 28, 2026

MINOR

The bill updates the Virginia Freedom of Information Act enforcement procedures by removing the requirement for a public body's FOIA officer to receive notice before a lawsuit can be filed, simplifying the process for citizens seeking records. It also clarifies that service of a summons is not required for these specific FOIA enforcement cases and mandates that the Supreme Court update its district court materials to reflect these new rules.

Scope change

The bill's scope of enforcement remains the same, but the procedural requirements for filing a petition for mandamus or injunction have been relaxed and clarified.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement that the public body's FOIA officer must receive a copy of the petition at least three days before filing; notice is now only required for the party against whom the petition is brought.

Added language stating that service of process or a summons is not required when filing a petition to enforce FOIA rights.

TECHNICAL

Added a new section requiring the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court to update district court manuals and procedures to align with the new act.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

How they voted

85–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 88

Jan 28, 2026

D Democratic53

53 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican35

32 Yea 3

91% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate committee offered

upper

Jan 29, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Introduced

Engrossed by House as amended

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

committee amendment agreed to

lower

Jan 22, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from General Laws with amendment(s) (21-Y 0-N)

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (10-Y 0-N)

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

House subcommittee offered

lower

Jan 19, 2026

Committee

Assigned HGL sub: Procurement/Open Government

lower

Jan 6, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on General Laws

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors