summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Department of Military Affairs; biennial training; Virginia National Guard; report. Requires the Department of Military Affairs (the Department) to conduct a biennial training among all officers of the Virginia National Guard, the curriculum for which shall be established by the Adjutant General in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Attorney General, and the Governor. Such training shall (a) remind officers of their oath to upholding the Constitution; (b) inform officers on the process for identifying and responding to suspected unlawful order; and (c) remind officers of their obligation to remain nonpartisan in the execution of their duties. The bill requires the Department to conduct the training among all officers of the Virginia National Guard by November 1, 2026. The bill directs the Adjutant General to require officers holding command and company and flight commanders to inform their Guard members on the processes for addressing any suspected unlawful order. The bill additionally directs the Adjutant General to establish a standard operating procedure by which officers can report the issuance of an unlawful order to the Office of the Attorney General, the Inspector General of the Virginia National Guard, and the United States Department of War and Military Services Offices of Inspector General.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that the Department of Military Affairs conduct biennial training for all officers of the Virginia National Guard, with the curriculum developed by the Adjutant General in consultation with key state and federal officials, to reinforce their oath to uphold the Constitution, inform them on how to identify and respond to unlawful orders, and remind them of their duty to remain nonpartisan. The training must be completed by November 1, 2026, and the Adjutant General is directed to establish procedures for reporting unlawful orders to relevant offices, including the Attorney General and Inspector General, and to ensure that command officers inform their Guard members about these reporting processes. Additionally, the bill requires officers holding command positions to amend unit policies to explicitly allow soldiers and airmen to voice concerns about the legality of orders through their commander's open door policy, and company and flight commanders must verbally and in writing inform their Guard members about these avenues for addressing concerns.
Committee Categories
Justice, Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (8)
Virgil Thornton (D)*,
Jessica Anderson (D),
Bonita Anthony (D),
Nadarius Clark (D),
J.R. Henson (D),
Michael Jones (D),
Dave Marsden (D),
Irene Shin (D),
Last Action
Left in Committee Public Safety (on 02/18/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB776 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB776) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1088487.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB776/text/HB776 |
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