HB 974 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Witness impeachment evidence designation; review process.

Summary
Witness impeachment evidence designation; review process. Provides a review process when the attorney for the Commonwealth designates a law-enforcement officer as a witness with a witness impeachment evidence designation within certain time frames specified in the bill. The bill defines "witness impeachment evidence designation" as a determination that is made by or a designation that is created by the attorney for the Commonwealth relating to a law-enforcement officer who has engaged in conduct that meets the requirements for disclosure in a criminal prosecution according to the Constitution of the United States for any criminal prosecution in which the officer is a participant. The bill prohibits a law-enforcement officer from being discharged, disciplined, or threatened with discharge or discipline solely due to the designation of such officer as a witness with a witness impeachment evidence designation.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Apr 8, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled Chaptered · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill was officially enacted into law and assigned to Chapter 441 of the 2026 Virginia Acts of Assembly. The substantive legal text regarding witness impeachment evidence designations for law enforcement officers remains unchanged, though the formatting was adjusted to match the official state publication style.
Scope change
The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; it continues to regulate how attorneys for the Commonwealth designate law enforcement officers as witnesses with impeachment evidence and the subsequent review process.
TECHNICAL

The document was updated from 'Enrolled' status to 'Chaptered' status, indicating the bill has been signed into law and assigned Chapter 441.

Formatting changes were applied, including the addition of approval dates and the reformatting of the legal text to align with official state publication standards.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 9, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

390
Passed
Total votes 39
Mar 9, 2026
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
19 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
34
Key actions
15
Committee
8
Amendments
5
Apr 8, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 441 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB974ER)
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate amendments agreed to by House (70-Y 28-N 0-A)
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate with amendments (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Introduced
Engrossed by Senate as amended
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (12-Y 0-N 2-A)
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate committee offered
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (64-Y 33-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Introduced
Engrossed by House as amended
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
committee amendments agreed to
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) (16-Y 6-N)
lower
Feb 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (7-Y 3-N)
lower
Feb 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee offered
lower
Feb 7, 2026
Committee
Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
lower
Jan 13, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors