SB 272 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Firearm or explosive material; exemptions, carrying in public institutions of higher education.

Summary
Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square or building owned or leased by the Commonwealth; exemptions; public institutions of higher education; penalty. Limits the exemption from the prohibition on the carrying of any firearm or explosive material within any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or agency thereof or any office where employees of the Commonwealth or any agency thereof are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties that currently applies to any property owned or operated by a public institution of higher education to instead apply to any individual within a building owned or operated by a public institution of higher education who possesses a weapon as part of such public institution of higher education's curriculum or activities or as part of any organization authorized by such public institution of higher education to conduct its programs or activities within such building, as such uses are approved through the law-enforcement or public safety unit of such institution. This bill is identical to HB 626.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled Chaptered · 2 edits
MINOR
This bill marks the final transition of SB 272 from an enrolled draft to an official law (Chapter 644) for the 2026 session. The substantive legal text regarding firearm restrictions in Capitol Square and exemptions remains identical to the previous version, with no changes to policy, scope, or penalties. The only modifications are technical formatting updates, such as adding the official chapter number and approval date.
TECHNICAL

Added official chapter designation (Chapter 644) and the specific approval date (April 13, 2026) to the header.

Adjusted spacing and line breaks to match the standard layout of enacted Virginia statutes.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 5, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

How they voted

390
Passed
Total votes 39
Feb 5, 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
28
Key actions
10
Committee
5
Apr 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 644 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Feb 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB272ER)
upper
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (63-Y 35-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Public Safety (13-Y 7-N)
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Public Safety
lower
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)
upper
Jan 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 5-N)
upper
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Creigh Deeds
Creigh Deeds
DDemocratic
VA
11